DETROIT, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Special appearances by Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey, of The History Channel's Mail Call, the U.S. Navy's F/A-18C Hornet and the U.S. Air Force's F-16C "Viper" Tactical Demonstration Teams and a special tribute to the P-47 Thunderbolt will head up the spectacular entertainment lineup for the "Chrysler Jeep Superstores Thunder Over Michigan" Air Show, August 9th and 10th at Willow Run Airport. The lineup announcement was made by title sponsor Chrysler Jeep Superstores Advertising Association President Jim Schebil and Air show Director Kevin Walsh.
ChryslerJeep Superstores became the first-ever title sponsor of the 10-year-old event last year.
The two-day "Chrysler Jeep Superstores Thunder Over Michigan" airshow at historic Willow Run Airport August 9 and 10 features more than 90 military aircraft in flight and in up-close, on-the-ground displays. Aircraft tours, aviation souvenirs, kids' play area and summer family fun are all included with discounted admissions as comfortable as $20 in advance with children 15 and under free.
This year's event will also feature a special segment dedicated to the beloved stalwart WWII Heavy Bombers. North America's largest armored WWII battle reenactment, complete with numerous armored vehicles and aircraft is also scheduled.
Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey, of Full Metal Jacket fame will be on hand for both days of the event to sign autographs and take pictures in honor of the event's 10th anniversary. The Golden Globe-nominated Ermey is working on the films Cat Tale and Black Mountain, and has appeared in numerous film and television productions over the last three decades.
A wide variety of vintage and modern military fighters, bombers and transports will help round out the show.
Proceeds from the show will go to the 20-acre Yankee Air Museum restoration project planned to replace the fire-ravaged facility that left eight vintage aircraft in ashes when it burned to the ground Oct. 19, 2004.
"This year promises to be exciting with a salute to the warbirds of World War II," said Walsh. "These are the rugged but beautiful aircraft -- like the B-17, or the rough and tough P-47 Thunderbolt -- that helped to create heroes in the 1940s, and stir the American imagination about the possibilities of flight.
"We are able to present an exceptional show and eliminate children's admission fees at the same time this year thanks to the ChryslerJeep Superstores stepping up again as our title sponsor," Walsh said.
Willow Run airport was the site of the world-famous Willow Run Bomber plant that turned out one B-24 bomber every 55 minutes and more than 8,500 planes in the course of World War Two (WWII). Leaders like England's Winston Churchill called this area the "Arsenal of Democracy" when the auto industry quickly switched production to build bombers needed to win the War.
"We're taking our hometown dealer involvement tradition to a new regional level with the title sponsorship of this air show and other major events this summer as our gifts to the community," Jim Schebil, president of the ChryslerJeep Superstores Advertising Association said. "Families can have a great time for little money while enjoying one of the premier air shows in the nation."
More than 90 aircraft are featured in the air and on the ground. Aerial displays will also include a Soviet MIG-17F, and the C-130H Hercules heavy-lift military transport aircraft.
The "Camp Jeep" driving experience will be free with test demonstration rides on a special Jeep wilderness course. Technical displays and product specialists will be on hand to answer questions. The Chrysler Mobile Showcase featuring a host of interactive displays, including Wii video games and a chance to design your own Chrysler vehicle, or to take a test drive in the latest Chrysler vehicles, will also be on hand at the event.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. Parking is $5 per vehicle now and $10 at the gate. Children 15 and under are free. New this year is the addition of flight-line chalets, a tented area that can accommodate up to 300 people per day. Adult flight-line tickets are $25 per day in advance and $40 per day at the gate. Children 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.
Tickets are available at www.starticketsplus.com or by phone at 800-585-3737. For more information and airport location directions, visit the event Web site at: www.yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow/index.htm .
The ChryslerJeep Superstores Advertising Association is made up of the 39 independently owned Chrysler Jeep Superstores in Southeastern Michigan from Monroe to Fowlerville and from Clinton to Port Huron. To find out more, visit www.chryslerjeepsuperstores.com .