“Moonbeam McSwine,” a P51-D Mustang fighter flown by the Warbird Heritage Foundation, will take to the sky along with other vintage planes during the Oakland County International Airport (OCIA) Open House and Air Show, Sunday, Aug. 11.
The American long-range single-seat World War II aircraft was named after Capt. William T. Whisner’s P51. Whisner, a triple ace during World War II, belonged to the 487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group based in Bodney, England.
Other aerial performers at the OCIA’s 90th birthday celebration include The Phillips 66 Aerostars, performing at 250 mph in four Extra 300L aerobatic planes.
The Warbird Heritage Foundation will also bring a Douglas AD-1 Skyraider, a U.S. single-seat attack bomber of the late 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s.
The air show begins at 2 p.m. Enthusiasts will encounter World War II bombers on the airport terminal’s ramp area, including a B-25 Bomber named “Georgie’s Gal” from the Liberty Aviation
Displays will also include Bill Stein in his Edge 540, which has a paint that continuously changes color based on the constantly varying angles between the spectators and airplane.
Kyle Franklin is bringing his Demon Biplane called “Dracula” with its tapering fuselage, speed ring cowling, and sloped windshield which hearken back to the racing airplanes of the 1930s.
Admission is free. There is a $5 parking fee per vehicle. Open house hours will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, go to OakGov.com/aviation and click on the OCIA Open House and Air Show banner.