Cape air festival opens with bomber run, A-10 show

Regarding what vintage of aircraft best epitomizes cool, Trever Glaus and Trenton Foeste, both age 9, had an old-school-versus-new-school difference of opinion while attending the Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival Friday night.

Trever, of Whitewater, said sleek modern jets impress him the most. His buddy Trenton, of Chaffee, Mo., said the old World War II era planes are more to his liking.

The reason for choosing legendary prop planes like the P-51 Mustang over much faster and more heavily armed aircraft such as the A-10 Thunderbolt was simple.

"They look way more safer than the other ones," Trenton said.

Under a clear sky, the annual air show's opening night at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport attracted several thousand spectators. The show continues today and concludes Sunday.

Although the death-defying aerial feats of stunt pilots flying souped-up biplanes, brought gasps of amazement from spectators, perhaps the most astounding contraption on the tarmac was a jet-powered outhouse.

As it zipped back and forth down the runway, an announcer billed it as "the world's only jet-powered porta-potty."

The show also featured combat demonstrations by the A-10, also known as the Warthog due to its mean look that underscores the power it packs. The Warthog is the Air Force's premier ground attack plane and tank buster.

A vintage B-25 Mitchell, made famous by the Doolittle Raid over Tokyo in 1942 that was America's first strike on Japanese soil following Pearl Harbor, performed a simulated bombing run with synchronized ground-based pyrotechnics wowing the crowd at twilight.

The Army's Black Dagger parachute team opened the show, with four jumpers making a graceful landing amid a trail of red smoke.

In addition to the entertainment in the air, the show also featured performances by daredevil motocross jumpers Cody Elkins and Kyle Lovelace.

Friday was the only night performance on the schedule. Gates open today at 9 p.m. with the action starting at 11 a.m. On Sunday, gates open at 9 a.m. with the show beginning at 1 p.m.

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