War Bird Expo June 6

Site Staff

Fans of aviation, especially historic aircraft, have an opportunity to check out several warplanes this weekend, take a ride in one of them, and honor our Veterans all at the same time. In its third year, this one-day event takes place June 6 at the Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport in Fishers, Indiana.

The War Birds Expo is hosted by the Indiana Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) with the cooperation of Tom Wood Aviation.

The intent of the free expo is to gather and honor veterans. This year’s focus is to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII. The expo will showcase war planes and introduce people of all ages to all aspects of aviation.

The expo is “A 1-day event filled with memories, honor, and fun for the entire family.” It runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a variety of events all day.

Expo Events:

      9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Educational Activities

      9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. – GA rides and Warbird rides given by CAF and Tom Wood

10 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Veterans Celebration, Keynote Speaker: Carver McGriff, Color Guard Presentation

     11 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Warbird Review–Formation flights T6, YAK s, Red Calvert-Flag Pull

     12 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Various Hangar Forum

     12 p.m. to 4 p.m. – GA rides and Warbird rides

     4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Warbird Review–Formation flights T6, YAK s, Red Calvert-Flag Pull

     5 p.m. to 6 p.m. – GA rides and Warbird rides

     6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Hops and Props Evening Fundraising event—Tom Wood Aviation Hangar

The Veterans Celebration will include Key Note Speaker Carver McGriff, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Normandy during WWII and a former POW.

Rides will be offered in a North American B-25 J Mitchell, a TBM Avenger, a 1945 Fairchild PT-26A Cornell, or a North American AT-6D. Advanced registration for the rides is recommended and are available for anyone over age twelve. A price list is available for each plane ride, which will last for 30 minutes each.

The Hops-n-Props Evening Fundraiser Event is a fun casual setting featuring several finely crafted Indiana Beers.  A bar-b-que meal is included, along with live music, a silent auction and door prizes. Proceeds from the event go to the Commemorative Air Force

(You can make donations to the CAF anytime so the sharing of these historic aircraft can continue)

This is a great way to spend a Saturday:  learn some history, have some fun, and honor our veterans.

This article appears in the May 2015 issue of Executive Portfolio.