Cleveland Wing CAF to attend Piston Power Show

On Sept. 30, the I-X Piston Power Show roars into town at the I-X Center for three days through Oct. 2. This show is the world's largest indoor display of cars, bikes, trucks, boats and planes. One-million square feet of the I-X Center will feature over 1,000 vehicles.

A local unit of the Commemorative Air Force, the Cleveland Wing, will be appearing at this second annual show. The Cleveland Wing is one of the Commemorative Air Force's 74 CAF units located in 27 states. Scheduled to appear is the Cleveland Wing's historic North American SNJ-4 "Texan" Advance Trainer from World War II.

This type of plane became known as the "pilot maker." A unique thing about this plane is its engine's date of manufacture. The engine's name plate bears the date Dec. 6, 1941, the day before the infamous attack by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor. For the thrill of a lifetime, thirty minutes flights in this historic warbird are available for $295. You can even have the controls to fly it. To arrange a flight, call the Cleveland Wing Hangar at 440-323-8335, or make arrangements at the show. These donations are tax deductible.

Other historic warbirds attending the Piston Power Show are the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, a "Memphis Belle" look-alike. A North American B-25 Mitchell bomber made famous by the Doolittle Raiders attack from a carrier for the first bombing raid on the Japanese mainland. Also appearing in the show will be a Curtis P-40M Kittyhawk and a North American P-51D, one of the greatest fighters of World War II. Yet another plane to be here is a 1955 North American T-28 Navy Trainer. An extremely rare Douglas EA-1E Skyraider, one of 218 built, is also attending.

Another attraction of this show is the M4 Flight Simulator Ride. After climbing aboard, try your piloting skills so you too can get the sensation of being a warbird pilot of either a P-51 or Jet Interceptor.

The I-X Piston Power Show will run from Sept. 30 through Oct. 2. General admission is $15; children ages 7-12, $12; ages 6 and under free. Military discounts with valid military ID. Discounted tickets available at Excalibur Auto Body and Discount Drug Mart. For more information please visit the website at www.pistonpowershow.com.