‘Warbirds Over Wilmington’ coming to the Port City in the spring

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — To celebrate America 250 during the North Carolina Azalea Festival, America’s first WWII Heritage City will present Warbirds Over Wilmington.

The presentation will be Wilmington International Airport Friday April 10 through Sunday April 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Parking and admission to the event are both free.

This is an official salute to Wilmington designation as America’s first WWII Heritage City. During the warm the airport was Bluethenthal Field, the location of the U.S. Army Air Corps base for anti-submarine patrols off the coast and fighter pilot training.

Multiple WWII warbirds will be flown in including a TBM Avenger torpedo bomber, largest single-engine bomber of WWII, a US Navy North American SNJ, and a very rare Japanese Fuji LM-1, one of five still airworthy.

Headlining the display will be a Japanese A6m Zero fighter built for the movie “Tora!Tora!Tora!”

A simulated attack on the Battleship will be conducted by the Japanese Zero to commemorate the Battle of Guadalcanal August 1942 – February 1943. It is noted that this simulation is weather permitting and as long as all authorization is in place.

The Warbirds Over Wilmington will be joined on display by military aircraft and vehicles of the National Guard and possibly a C-130 Hercules from the US Coast Guard.

Rides in the TMB Avenger and North American SNJ are available for purchase in advance online.

The event will take place at the National Guard hangers, 2240 Control Tower Drive.

The public is invited to watch the warbirds arrive on April 10.