THE WINGS AND WHEELS SPECTACULAR at the Owls Head Transportation Museum on Saturday and Sunday will feature an aerobatic air show, visiting military aircraft, a classic car meet and more.
Gates open at 9:30 a.m. on both days.
The annual Wings & Wheels Spectacular is celebrating its 37th season. This was the first event the museum ever held back in 1975, when more than 5,000 people brought their antique autos and engines to the fledgling museum, an organizer for the event said.
A news release describes the event as follows:
This year’s aerobatic air show will be held both days from 1:30 to 3 p.m, and feature performances by Kendal Simpson in his Pitts Model 12 and Dan Marcotte in his Ultimate 200 biplane. Both pilots are skilled performers with and renowned for putting on an exciting show.
Jim Parker will put on a show in an aerobatic Salto Glider and his son, Jimmy Parker, will add a new performance in his Pitts S2B airplane.
A highlight of the event will be the appearance of several World War II-era aircraft including a P-51D Mustang, B- 25J Bomber and a Japanese Zero. The planes are owned by Houston-based Texas Legends Flying Museum.
The P-51D Mustang will be on display throughout the weekend. The B-25 and Zero will fly-in for each day of the event.
A scale replica of a World War II German dive-bomber, a Stuka JU87, will also fly in on Saturday.
One ride aboard the P-51 Mustang will be auctioned each day of the event. Plane rides aboard other visiting aircraft will be auctioned each day as well.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early for the air show, since flying times could be adjusted slightly earlier or later, depending on weather. At the end of each day’s performances, the flightline will be open to allow the public access to the planes and pilots.
In addition to all the action in the sky, visitors and car lovers can check out a variety of antique and classic automobiles. Car clubs of every vintage and make have been invited and any one with a pre-1992 vehicle is invited to exhibit for free.
A highlight of the ground vehicle displays will be Dan Marcotte’s 8270 A/BG Streamliner, a land speed racer that recently topped 300 mph at the Bonneviile Salt Flats in Utah.
Young children can practice their driving skills in the Kids Corral area, which features pedal cars and pedal planes.
Special children’s activities, including a Styrofoam plane workshop and do-ityourself art gallery, are planned for each day.
Rain or shine, visitors will have access to the museum’s indoor collection of dozens of antique cars and aeroplanes. The museum’s newest exhibition “MGs & Microcars” showcases a unique collection of vehicles from the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s.
On Sunday, more than 100 custom cars and motorcycles are expected as part of a benefit ride for the Miles for Mills fundraising event. The cruise is named for Travis Mills who in April 2012, during his third tour of duty of Afghanistan, was critically injured by an improvised explosive device while on patrol, losing portions of both legs and both arms.
Event admission is $15 for adults. Children under 18 and museum members are free. All new and renewing members who sign up at the event will be entered in a drawing for a bi-plane ride aboard our 1941 Stearman. Drawings will be held at noon and at 3 p.m.
Food and refreshments, provided by French & Brawn Marketplace, will be available at the Caboose.
Pets are not allowed in the museum or outdoor exhibit area. For more information, visit www.ohtm.org.
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