Owls Head Transportation Museum to host popular Aerobatic Airshow Owners of pre-1993 vehicles welcome to exhibit their wheels

Owls Head, Maine - Classic cars, steam engines and assorted aerobatic aircraft performances will highlight the Owls Head Transportation Museum’s most impressive show of the summer on Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4. From a 450 HP Stearman performing aerobatics to a land speed record car, the Wings & Wheels Spectacular is a thrilling, “can’t miss” annual event.

The annual Wings & Wheels Spectacular is the Museum’s longest running event; the inaugural airshow, known affectionately as “The Rally,” was held in 1975.

Owners of pre-1993 vehicles arriving in their vintage automobiles are invited to exhibit at this sensational show and at all other Museum (non-auction) events. As always, exhibitors receive free admission.

This year’s event will feature a wide range of aerobatic performers displaying their unique talent in diverse aircraft including several aerobatic Pitts aircraft, a 450 HP Stearman biplane, an Ultimate biplane and the perennial crowd favorite Salto Aerobatic Glider. The Museum’s collection of World War I era biplanes will be demonstrated throughout the morning.

A spectacular Aerobatic Air Show will be held both days from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., with shows and special appearances by performers including Dan Marcotte, Bill Gordon, Kendal Simpson and Jim Parker. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early for the airshow, since the time 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.

From 9:00 a.m. until noon on both days of the show, Owls Head Transportation Museum Aircraft Conservator Karl Erickson and our team of dedicated aviation workshop volunteers and pilots will demonstrate the Museum’s unrivalled collection of antique aircraft. The most recent addition to our aircraft collection, the last surviving 1930 Pitcairn PA-7S Sport Mailwing, will take to the skies, and additional planes that may fly for demonstrations include the Museum’s 1941 Stearman, our 1933 Waco, our 1916 Sopwith Pup and our beloved 1917 Fokker DR.I triplane (aka the Red Baron). Our open flightline provides an opportunity for visitors to see, hear and experience the planes close up and visit with our pilots.

On both days of the show a ride auction will be held at the information booth at 12:30 p.m., allowing visitors an exciting opportunity to support the Museum and take advantage of a rare opportunity to fly in an aerobatic plane. The three exciting rides to be sold to the highest bidder each day include a ride with Pilot Kendal Simpson in a Pitts S-2, a ride with Pilot Bill Gordon in his 450 HP Stearman biplane and a ride with Pilot Jim Parker in his Pitts S-2.

On the ground, car lovers will appreciate the dozens of antique and classic automobiles expected.

Museum staff will demonstrate a broad array of trucks and commercial vehicles from the collection, including
our 1910 Buick truck, 1930 Ford Model A truck, 1906 Autocar and 1908 Chase among the list of sensational ground vehicles slated for demonstration at the event.

Rain or shine, visitors will have access to the Museum’s indoor collection featuring dozens of rare antique cars, motorcycles and aeroplanes. Guests will also have an opportunity to view the Museum’s exhibition, MGs & Microcars, showcasing a unique collection of more than 25 MGs and small cars from the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s.

Admission is $15 for adults and, as always, children under 18 are admitted to the Museum and show free of charge. Refreshments catered by French & Brawn Catering and Market Place will be available for purchase at the Caboose during both days of the show. No pets are allowed in the Museum or on show grounds.

Any visitor who renews their membership or purchases a new membership on the day of an event is automatically entered in a drawing for a scenic ride in the Museum’s 1941 Stearman biplane. One winner is drawn at noon and one at 3:00 p.m. each day of the event.

Be on the lookout for the exciting schedule of free children’s educational activities on offer at the Owls Head Transportation Museum throughout August. Programming is varied, and a morning and afternoon workshop session will be offered each day, Tuesday through Saturday. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged, and adults accompanying children will be charged standard Museum admission rates. For schedule information please call Owls Head Transportation Museum Education Director Ethan Yankura at (207) 594-4418.

The Owls Head Transportation Museum is located at 117 Museum Street in Owls Head, Maine, directly off of Route 73. The Museum is open seven days a week, year round. For more information please contact Owls Head Transportation Museum Public Relations Director Jenna Lookner at (207) 594-4418.