Yankee Air Museum’s Wings & Wheels show will debut on the tarmac at historic Willow Run Airport
Yankee Air Museum’s Wings & Wheels show will debut on the tarmac at historic Willow Run Airport, Sunday, June 24, beginning at 10:00AM.
“It’s an eclectic mix of vintage aircraft and classic automobiles, open to the public,” according to Yankee Air Museum executive director, Kevin Walsh. He adds that “Americana” is the theme of the Show with an array of cars spanning the 1930’s through the 1960’s. Over 25 airplanes will also be on hand, headlined by Yankee Air Museum’s World War Two B-17 bomber. The Museum’s Air Adventures rides will be available for purchase on the B-17 as well as its open-cockpit Waco biplane and B-25 bomber.
Willow Run achieved fame during World War II when Ford Motor Company utilized its assembly-line manufacturing techniques to produce B-24’s for the war effort. Over 8,000 of the bombers taxied out of Willow Run to join Allied war efforts. A part of that plant has been acquired by the Yankee Air Museum and is being renovated to house its aircraft and artifacts. The Wings and Wheels show directly benefits these renovations.
Walsh stresses that it is a unique opportunity for people to see a variety of historic aircraft parked alongside classic cars. Hosting Wings and Wheels at an active airfield is also a major departure from other air shows. Walsh added that this is also the only aviation museum in lower Michigan and northern Ohio actually offering rides on its planes.
Bob Lutz, a retired fighter pilot and auto executive, leads the vehicle selection committee. “This is no run-of-the-mill airplane and auto show,“ he cautions. “The vehicles we have invited represent the design and craftsmanship of the industry during what I consider to be the finest period in American history.”
Wings and Wheels will be held Sunday, June 24, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Willow Run Airport, Hangar #1, which is located at 801 Kirk Profit Drive, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48198. Admission is $20 in advance and $25 at the gate for adults. Children under age 15 are free.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.yankeeairmuseum.org/events/ or via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/yankee-air-museum-wings-wheels-tickets-41921661819
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About Yankee Air Museum: Established in 1981 the Yankee Air Museum is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. The Museum works to positively excite kids and stimulate interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to help meet the challenges facing America. Plan now to attend the 20th Annual THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN air show on August 25th and 26th featuring the USAF Thunderbirds jet demonstration team. Yankee Air Museum, located at 47884 D Street, Belleville, Michigan on the grounds of historic Willow Run Airport, is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Visit www.yankeeairmuseum.org to discover more about us and how we are working to preserve local history with the www.SavetheBomberPlant.org campaign. For more information, call 734-483-4030.
