TICO Air Show to Rock Space Coast this Weekend

The F-16s of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds on the flight line at the TICO Warbird Airshow. Photo Credit: John Studwell
The TICO Warbird Air Show will feature the high-flying skills of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and will take place March 22-24. Photo Credit: John Studwell

TITUSVILLE, Fla — This year will mark the 36th that the Valiant Air Command has held its annual TICO Warbird Airshow, and spectators will be able to view vintage and modern aircraft being put through their paces from March 22-24. Some of the main acts at this year’s show will be the renowned Thunderbirds. Luckily, TICO snagged the aces in their F-16s for the first time this year—as it will also mark the last show for the Thunderbirds due to budget cuts imposed by sequestration. Also on show center will be a B-17 Flying Fortress. This year marks the 70th anniversary of  the famous “Memphis Belle” accomplishing 25 missions. 

Image Credit: TICO Warbird Museum
Image Credit: TICO Warbird Museum

This is just one of several acts slated to perform this year. Vintage fighter aircraft such as the P-40 Warhawk, P-47 Wildcat, P-51 Mustang, F-8 Crusader, F-4U Corsair, and numerous others are slated to make appearances. TICO also has something for those who like to see actual battles reenacted as well as for those who want to fly in the aircraft (rides are scheduled to take place in helicopters as well as a C-47 that flew in the Normandy invasion during D-Day).

Plan to arrive early and bring sunscreen (and hearing protection). The gates open at 8:30 a.m., with the  show scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. daily. As in years past, this year’s  TICO Warbird Airshow will allow guests to talk to the crews who flew the missions, get photos taken with the aircraft, and participate in other events. Those who enjoy the thrill of aviation with a splash of country fair will be in for a treat.

For more information, contact: 321-268-1941. You can also email them here: vacwarbirds@bellsouth.net. To find out more about the show, visit their website: www.vacwarbirds.org (you can also purchase advance tickets here). The TICO Warbird Museum is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The TICO Warbird Museum is situated on U.S. Route 1, the same road that the Astronaut Hall of Fame and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex are on. For those visiting Florida’s Space Coast this weekend, this is a good opportunity to visit three aerospace-related attractions within a single weekend.

U.S. Air Force Major Caroline Jensen, the number three pilot for the Thunderbirds, poses for the camera in the lead up to the TICO Warbird Airshow scheduled to take place this weekend in Titusville, Florida. Photo Credit: Mike Howard / Cocoa Beach Photography
U.S. Air Force Major Caroline Jensen, the number three pilot for the Thunderbirds, poses for the camera in the lead up to the TICO Warbird Airshow, scheduled to take place this weekend in Titusville, Fla. Photo Credit: Mike Howard / Cocoa Beach Photography

 

 

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