Dole Institute dedication to feature ConocoPhillips Air Parade for World War II era planes

7/19/03: New details about each plane added to end of this release

LAWRENCE -- More than 20 planes from the World War II era will grace the skies as part of the dedication ceremonies for the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas this July.

The dedication, which is being billed as the "Greatest Generation's Greatest Celebration," will pay tribute to the men and women who served alongside former Sen. Bob Dole during World War II.

The ConocoPhillips Air Parade, which begins at 10 a.m. Monday, July 21, will fly over two of KU's most prominent war memorials: the campanile, which honors veterans of World War II, and Memorial Stadium, which honors veterans of the first world war. The public is encouraged to watch the planes from the stadium, where the air parade also will be broadcast on the video board.

Bill Howell, assistant dedication coordinator, said the air parade was not only a way to recognize the importance of air combat during the war, but it also was designed to pay homage to the men and women in the aviation industry whose hard work helped give the Allied Forces the edge they needed for victory.

"It tells you something about the testament of the American worker and the pride that went into those planes," he said. "They made the best, most reliable aircraft that the world knew."

Along with seeing the planes in flight, the public also will have the opportunity to view the aircrafts up close at the Lawrence Municipal Airport. The public can view the planes at the airport as early as Sunday, July 20.

Among the planes scheduled to fly in the parade are the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, the P-51 Mustang and the F4U Corsair.

Howell said the importance of air combat during the war could not be overlooked.

"Because of air supremacy we were able to take the skies away from the enemy, which allowed us to do a lot of other things like move troops, since we didn't have to worry about Axis aircraft bombing our soldiers," he said.

Doug Jackson, a pilot from Wichita who will fly a replica of the Japanese Mitsubishi Zero, said the vintage aircraft provided a living history lesson that just couldn't be taught in books.

"When you talk to those veterans, they don't feel they were heroes; they say they were just doing their job," he said. "But they were really laying their lives on the line. We want to not only honor them but also remind people of what they went through for freedom."

When the planes are on display at the airport, Jackson said, some of the pilots will let visitors sit in the cockpit, wear a vintage helmet and have a picture taken for a small donation, usually around $5, which goes toward the plane's maintenance and operational costs.

The three-day dedication program will include a military vehicle display and fashion show; a re-created USO-style performance; an evening of dancing to the Glenn Miller Orchestra; and an outdoor band concert by the 312th Army Band as well as the formal dedication. Among the dignitaries attending the events are former Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw, author of "The Greatest Generation."

For more information about the Dole Institute dedication events visit www.doleinstitute.org/dedication.

A list of some of the aircraft scheduled to make an appearance for the air parade and a brief description of their role in the war follows:

P-51 Redtail Mustang
One of greatest single-seat fighters of the World War II era, the P-51 was known for its ability to fly long distances in the escort fighter role, which earned it praise during the long missions to Germany and over the Pacific. Mustangs also were used during the Korean War, and they served in the air forces of some 20 other countries.

AT-6 Texan
Known as the most universally used military training aircraft of all time, AT-6 aircrafts are still flown today. Most of the U.S. pilots in World War II flew this aircraft during their careers.

B-25J Mitchell
A versatile medium bomber that was used on all fronts of the war, the B-25J was made famous by the Doolittle Raiders, who used the plane to bomb the Japanese islands in April 1942.

Boeing B-17
One of the best-known bombers of all time, the B-17 Flying Fortress became famous for its successes during the bombing raids over Europe in WWII. With up to 13 machine guns, the B-17 earned the nickname "fortress in the sky."

C-47 Skytrain
The C-47 Skytrain was the most commonly used transport among the Allied air forces and operated in every theater of war. This durable aircraft inspired imitations by the Japanese and later the Russians. The DC-3 is the commercial version of this aircraft. The C-47 was famous for its dependability, versatility and ability to carry extremely heavy loads. Some of the C-47's most famous missions include transport over the Himalayas, dropping paratroops behind enemy lines on D-Day and assisting during the postwar Berlin airlift. The U.S. military continued to use the C-47 in Korea and Vietnam, and many still fly in other countries today.

Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless
A dive-bomber famed for its performance during the Battle of Midway, where it contributed to the destruction of four Japanese carriers. It also served with distinction at Coral Sea and in the Solomons campaign, and it continued to be used until late 1944. Its slotted dive brakes could be opened in the trailing edge of the wings to slow down its rate of descent when making near-vertical dives on its target.

Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat
The Hellcat was the main fighter for the U.S. Navy during the last three years of the war. It was rugged and reliable, and it had the performance to match or beat Japanese fighters.

Grumman TBM-3 Avenger
A torpedo plane used by the U.S. Navy, the Avenger saw its first combat at the Battle of Midway. It was well-known for its versatility, including its capability to attack with either a torpedo or standard bombs. Distinguishing features include a long internal torpedo bay and a revolving turret for a rear-facing gunner.

Republic P-47D
Affectionately know as "the Jug," the P-47D was a hard-hitting ground-attack aircraft that had a reputation for withstanding damage better than other fighters.

Vought F4U Corsair
Considered the most outstanding carrier-based fighter to be used operationally in WWII, the Corsair was known to the Japanese as "Whistling Death." The Corsair was the first U.S. single-engine fighter to exceed 400 miles per hour.

GERMANY
The "Storch"
This single-engine aircraft acted as a liaison and observation plane. It is best known for it's incredible short take off/landing performance ("STOL")

JAPAN
Mitsubishi A6M-2 "Zero" or "Zeke" (replica)
This was the principal fighter employed by the Japanese Navy and Army during WWII. Though a strong performer in dogfights, the Zero lacked firepower, top speed and protection common in Allied Forces planes.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EACH PLANE DOLE DEDICATION EVENT AIRCRAFT PARTICIPATING

I. Primary Trainers

a) Boeing model 75 (Stearman)
- Army Air Corps and US Navy
- Powered by a 220 h.p. Continental 7 cylinder radial engine
- Army Air Corps designation PT-17
- US Navy designation N2S- 3, 4 or 5
- Cruising speed 100 mph
- Conventional gear biplane

b) Fairchild PT-19/PT-26
- Conventional gear monoplane
- Utilized by the Army Air Corps as primary trainer
- Ranger inline 6 cylinder inverted
- 175 h.p. for PT-19; 200 h.p. for PT-26
- Cruising speed 105 mph

II. Advanced Trainers

a) North American AT-6 Texan (Army) SNJ-3, 4, 5 (Navy)
- Conventional gear monoplane
- Powered by Pratt & Whitney
- 1340 cubic inch radial, 9 cylinders
- 600 h.p.
- During WWII, there were no 2-seat variants for training pilots in fighter aircraft; therefore, all pilots, following completion of training in the AT-6 Texan/SNJ checked out in the fighter by soloing it after a brief ground school.
- Cruising speed 160 mph

III. Fighters

a) P-51C, P-51D Mustang
- No doubt the most famous fighter of WWII. Nearly 300 aircraft survive with approximately 200 maintained in airworthy condition.
- Conventional gear monoplane fighter
- Powered by 12 cylinder V-12 liquid cooled engine
- Designed by Rolls Royce, built under license by Packard Motor Company
- 1350 h.p.
- Armament 6-.50 caliber Browning machine guns
- Provided all important long-range escort of B-17, B-24 heavy bombers over Germany to stem the horrendous losses during 1942-1943 when unescorted bombing missions often resulted in tremendous casualties of US bomber crews.
- Cruising speed 235 KTS

b) Republic P47-D "Thunderbolt" (Army Air Corps)
- Monoplane
- Conventional gear, Single seat
- 8-.50 caliber Browning machine guns
- Powered by an 18 cylinder Twin Row 2000 h.p. Pratt & Whitney engine
- Most successfully employed in European Theatre for ground attack role.
- Cruising speed 210 KTS

c) Grumman F4F "Wildcat" (US Navy/Marine Corps)
- The only fighter in the Navy/Marine Corps inventory as of December 7, 1941 and the only fighter utilized by the Navy/Marines until September, 1943.
- Single seat, conventional gear monoplane
- Powered by Pratt & Whitney 1830 cubic inch Twin Row "Wasp" 1400 h.p.
- Armament for 4-.50 caliber machine guns for the F4F-3
- Armament for 6-.50 caliber machine guns for F4F-4
- Bore the brunt of combat in the first 2 years of the war in the Pacific; made famous for its contribution in the battles of Wake Island, Battles of Guadalcanal, and the Solomons, Battle of Coral Sea and Battle of Midway
- More medals of honor (8) awarded to "Wildcat" pilots than any aircraft in history of the U.S. Military service
- Maintained 9 to 1 victory ratio
- Cruising speed 185 KTS

d) Vought F4U "Corsair" (US Navy/Marine Corps)
- Single seat, conventional gear monoplane
- Armament for 6-.50 caliber machine guns
- Powered by Pratt & Whitney, Twin Row Wasp R2800
- 18 cylinder, 2200 h.p.
- Maintained 11 to 1 victory ratio
- Cruising speed 210 KTS

e) Grumman F6F-5 "Hellcat" (US Navy)
- Front line fleet defense fighter employed by the Navy from September, 1943 to end of war
- Conventional gear monoplane
- Powered by Pratt & Whitney R2800 Twin Row Wasp
- 18 cyclinder engine, 2000 h.p.
- More aircraft destroyed by Hellcat than any other Navy/Marine fighter in WWII
- Maintained an incredible 19 to 1 victory ratio
- Cruising speed 210 KTS

IV. Dive Bombers

a) US Navy Douglas SBD-5 "Dauntless" (US Navy/Marine Corps)
- Dive bomber
- Single pilot with a rear tail gunner
- Cruising speed 150 KTS

b) Grumman TBM "Avenger" (US Navy)
- Torpedo bomber
- Single engine with 2 crew
- Navyÿs principal torpedo bomber during WWII
- Powered by Curtiss-Wright R2600, 1800 h.p.
- Flown by George H.W. Bush as the youngest Navy pilot to see combat during WWII at the age of 19
- Cruising speed 155 KTS

V. Bombers (US Army Air Corps)

a) North American B-25 J Mitchell (Medium Bomber)
- Twin engine tricycle gear monoplane
- Powered by two Curtiss-Wright R2600 engines
- Bomber memorialized by the "Doolittle Raiders" launched from USS Hornet in March, 1942 as first retaliatory strike against Japan
- Saw extensive action in all theatres of combat during WWII

b) Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" (Heavy Bomber)
- Conventional gear monoplane
- Powered by 4 Curtiss-Wright 1820 cubic inch engines (1100 h.p. each)
- This aircraft (along with the Consolidated B-24 "Liberator) bore the brunt of the combat air losses in the European Theatre during WWII.

VI. Utility Cargo

a) Douglas C-47 (Military version of DC-3)
- Twin engine conventional gear monoplane
- Powered by 2 Pratt & Whitney 1830 "Wasp" engines
- Cargo, utility, troop transport, parachute drop plane

JAPAN

Mitsubishi A6M-2 "Zero" or "Zeke" (Replica)

- Principal fighter employed by Japanese Navy and Army during WWII.
- In a turning dogfight could outperform all of our fighters but lacked firepower armor protection over "Wildcat"; lacked top speed of "Corsair" and "Hellcat".
- Conventional gear single seat fighter
- Powered by 1100 h.p. radial engine

GERMANY

"Storch"

- Liaison and observation aircraft
- Single engine, conventional gear
- Incredible "STOL"short take off/landing performance