See Over 100 aircraft at the Topeka Airshow. This event is huge.
U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team
The mighty F-16 Fighting Falcon will roar over Topeka in a capability demonstration showcasing the power, speed, and agility of one of the Air Force's premier multi-role aircraft. The Air Combat Command F-16 Viper Demonstration Team at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. performs precision aerial maneuvers exhibiting the professional qualities the Air Force develops in the people who fly, maintain, and support these aircraft.
U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight
The F-16 Viper Demonstration Team will team up with the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation for a unique visual representation of the Air Force's history - from the days of the Army Air Corps to the present. What started out as a one-time event has now grown in popularity and demand, and Heritage Flights are now performed at special events and air shows across the world. Thunder Over the Heartland will be treated to various flypasts of the F-16 Fighting Falcon as it flies in formation with a World War II era P-51 Mustang representing nearly 75 years of Air Force heritage.
U.S. Army Special Operations Command Black Daggers
The USASOC Black Daggers are the official demonstration team of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Based out of Fort Bragg, N.C. - the team is comprised of operational force volunteers throughout the Army special operations community. The Daggers represent the professionalism and dedication of Special Operations Forces and performs aerial demonstrations in support of Army Special Operations community outreach and recruiting efforts. The Black Daggers use the military variant of the ram-air parachute, which allows a free-fall parachutist the ability to jump with more than 100 pounds of additional equipment attached. In addition to the extra weight, the jumper must also withstand high winds, frigid temperatures and low oxygen levels, all of which require the jumper to be highly skilled.
Boeing B-29
Superfortress "Doc"
Presented by
"Doc" is one of only two Boeing B-29 Superfortresses still airworthy and flying in the world today. Made famous for its contributions to the end of World War II and later the Korean War, the B-29 Superfortress is powered by four Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone radial engines, producing 2,200 horsepower each. "Doc" was built by in Boeing 1944 in Wichita, Kansas and initially served as a radar calibration aircraft at Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y.. The squadron's members named their B-29s after the characters in the famed Disney Movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and 44-69972 became was named "Doc". Don't miss the chance to see this incredible World War II bomber as it takes flight over Topeka.
Want a chance to ride in the Doc B-29 plane?
Enter your info and you could be one of two fans who get to take a ride during the show!
Two (2) Grand Prize winners will receive a ride in the Doc B-29 plane and Eight (8) Runner-Up winners will receive an Air Show prize pack and photo opportunity!
DOC B-29 presented by
View official rules.
Must be 18 to enter
Tora Tora Tora
Presented by
For more than forty years, Tora Tora Tora presents a dramatic recreation of the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. This emotionally moving crowd favorite consists of replica Zero fighters, Kate torpedo bombers and Val dive bomber aircraft, eight in total, along with realistic explosions, fire and smoke. An emotional and factual narration complete with President Roosevelt’s address places you in the battle and salutes fallen soldiers on both sides of the conflict. The feature is a vivid history lesson for air show spectators, with Tora's motto "Lest We Forget".
U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker
The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than half a century. Serving as the aerial gas station in the sky, the KC-135 Stratotanker is flown by 190th Air Refueling Wing of the Kansas Air National Guard, based right here in Topeka at Forbes Field. The Stratotanker holds many world records, including a single day record of aerial refueling 90 aircraft in just 24 hours - a record established and remains unbroken since 1981.
U.S. Air Force T-38 Talons
With a top speed of nearly 815 miles per hour, the Northrop T-38 Talon is a twin-engine, supersonic jet trainer operated by the United States Air Force for joint undergraduate pilot training (JSUPT). Teaching the nuances of high-speed flight and basic combat maneuvers, Air Education and Training Command (AETC) has operated the T-38 since 1961. Air show spectators will be treated to flypasts of a formation of Talons from the 49th Flying Training Squadron, 14th Flying Training Wing, based out of Columbus AFB, Mississippi.
U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry
The E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system, otherwise known as an AWACS. Providing real time situational awareness of friendly, neutral, and hostile activities, the Sentry supports with command and control, battle management, surveillance, and early warning of enemy actions during joint, allied, and coalition operations across the globe. Flown by the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, the E-3 Sentry will perform a series of flybys providing a rare look at one of the most intriguing combat aircraft in the U.S. inventory.
Randy Ball
Russian MiG-17
Check Six! The rare Russian MiG-17F will take flight in the 2021 Thunder Over the Heartland Air Show. You do not want to miss Randy Ball's exceptional MiG-17 flight demonstration as he performs high speed afterburner flybys and super low passes which makes his display unlike any other act on the air show circuit today. Made famous by the Vietnam War, the MiG-17F was the primary enemy aircraft engaged in the skies over Vietnam by U.S. aircraft, such as the A-4,A-7, F-8, B-52, F-100, F-105 and its primary nemesis, the F-4 Phantom II.
Aeroshell
Aerobatic Team
Presented by
Rumbling over the skies of Topeka in their 600-horsepower, Pratt & Whitney radial engines, the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team combines nostalgia, romance, and entertainment in their colorful World War II-era North American AT--6GTexans. Flying in the tight diamond formation, the team performs a series of loops, barrel rolls, and dynamic maneuvers full of tremendous smoke and noise which has made them one of the most sought-after air show performances anywhere in the country.
S-2 Tracker
Firefighting Demo
The Grumman S-2 Tracker was developed initially for the United States Navy as an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) aircraft, performing its maiden flight in December 1952 and serving the Navy up through the mid-1980s. Now owned by Bill Garrison, the S-2 you will see at this year's air show has found a new life as an airborne firefighter helping to battle wildfires. Capable of carrying up to 1,000 gallons of water internally, Bill will demonstrate a water drop during the air show, demonstrating the Tracker's unique capability and performance in this high-risk, high-stakes environment.
Matt Younkin
Matt Younkin’s Beech 18 performance is likely the most unusual act on the airshow circuit today. The Beech 18 was never designed for aerobatic flight; however, that doesn’t make it incapable of doing just that. The performance is almost a mirror image of the one his father Bobby pioneered and flew for over 15 years. It begins with a roll on takeoff followed by a series of Cuban eights, point-rolls, and even a loop. The conclusion is a dirty pass dubbed the “Elephant Waltz” in which Matt rocks the huge transport’s wings more than 90 degrees with the landing gear and flaps extended! The performance begins and ends to light-hearted music which capitalizes on an overly obese airplane executing maneuvers that its designers and airshow audience members alike never conceived possible for a large transport plane. As a contrast, the majority of the performance flows with beauty and grace to equally beautiful music and a special tribute to Bobby Younkin.
Brian Correll
s2b aerobatics
Unlike most airshow pilots, Brian Correll didn’t grow up around airplanes as a child. However, he’s more than made up for lost time in the air, accumulating over 9000 hours throughout his career in over 100 different models of aircraft ranging from Piper Cubs to Boeing jets. Brian attended Kansas State University where he majored in Mechanical Engineering, going on to serve in the United States Air Force as a pilot on the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueler. Brian's performance in the Pitts S-2 biplane is nothing less than action packed and will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Shockwave Jet Truck
By far one of the most unique vehicles in the world, Shockwave holds the world speed record for jet powered semis at 376 miles per hour. Powered by three J34-48 Pratt & Whitney engines, it produces some nearly 36,000 horsepower! Owned and operated by Chris Darnell, this is one show you won't soon forget as Chris challenges the airplanes to the ultimate game of wings versus wheels at speeds in excess of 350 miles per hour down the runway!
Kent Pietsch
Kent Pietsch, sponsored by Jelly Belly® will bring his aerobatic comedy act to the skies of Topeka in his bright yellow, jelly bean-decorated 1942 Interstate Cadet aircraft. Pietsch performs extreme maneuvers during his performance such as a dead stick, or total power off, routine from an altitude of 6,000 feet. During the performance, the aircraft’s aileron will fall off during mid-air, and Pietsch will land the aircraft on top of his RV. Pietsch began his flying career at a young age and at 16 years old, took his first solo flight. Following in his father’s footsteps, Pietsch began flying commercial charters for his father’s company Pietsch Aircraft in Minot, North Dakota in 1974. Soon after, he restored his Interstate Cadet and began flying air shows with his father and brother Gary.
Warbird Review
Presented by
Several vintage military aircraft will be on hand to salute our veterans and provide a display of American airpower.
U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint
The RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft supports theater and national level consumers with near real time on-scene intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities. All RC-135s are assigned to Air Combat Command. The RC-135 is permanently based at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., and operated by the 55th Wing, using various forward deployment locations worldwide. More recently, RC-135s have also supported Operation Allied Force in Kosovo, and Operation Odyssey Dawn/Unified Protector in Libya
