MIDLAND For Bill Coombes, getting to fly his North American SNJ-3 is more than just getting to fly a vintage, World War II aircraft.
It also gives him the chance to step in his father’s shoes.
Coombes’ father, George Coombes, was a naval aviator in World War II.
During the war, the SNJ-3 was used by the Navy as an advance trainer for pilots.
“He trained in air planes like this and then he went on to fly fighters,” Bill Coombes said. “When I get an opportunity to fly this, it’s like a tribute to my dad. It’s like I’m reliving his experiences.”
Coombes has been a part of the Commemorative Air Force since 1990 and has lived in the Permian Basin since 1957.
His SNJ-3 will be one of many planes that will be taking part in this year’s High Sky Wing Commemorative 31st annual Air force AirSho.
This year’s event is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. both Sept. 10 and 11 at the Midland International Air and Space Port.
“It’ll be an action-packed day,” AirSho Director Gena Linebarger said. “The biggest thing this year is our presenting sponsor Chevron. Because of their generous sponsorship, we’re able to have general admission tickets at only $5 a person, ages 6 and up. 5 and under are free. This is exciting not only for the AirSho, but for the community.”
Coombes’ plane has flown in each of the last 30 air shows in Midland.
“It has a 600-horsepower engine,” Coombes said of the plane. “It weighs 5,300 pounds. It’s the equivalent of the T-38 the Air Force uses for advance training today. This would’ve been the kind of air craft.”
The plane was built in 1941. Unsurprisingly, it’s undergone some repairs over the years.
“We repainted it,” Coombes said. “It has a different engine in it. It’s polished, which took forever.”
But more than flying, Coombes says he loves showing his plane to everyone, including children and hopes to inspire a new generation of aviation enthusiasts.
“I like to show it off to little kids and inspire them to carry on the history,” Coombes said. “This plane is 80 years old. It was made in 1941 so keeping it flying is important and so is keeping the next generation informed.”
Gates for the event will open at 9 a.m. with flying beginning at 11:15 a.m. and ending around 3 p.m. both days.
Different planes and teams will be performing for audiences throughout the day including Tora! Tora! Tora! which has been around for 50 years.
“It’ll be the reenactment of the Pearl Harbor attack,” Linebarger said. “They are the longest running civilian air show act in the industry. That’s very exciting. We’ll also have some aerobatic aircraft flying which will entertain you and put you on the edge of your seat. We have a jet-truck that will be running down the runway. Just think of it as a truck with jet engines. We still have all kinds of other air craft like B-25s and B-40s as well as various trainer air craft. There’s something for everyone to see.”
That includes children’s activities.
“The kids’ zone will have lots of inflatables to play on,” Linebarger said. “What’s brand new this year is the Chevron STEM Zone. We’re very excited about that. It’s an 80×80 square foot tent that’ll have unique and high quality STEM education modules for the kids to see and do hands-on activities.”
Linebarger also said this year’s AirSho will also feature the T-6 trainer which will do formation flying.
“Before you could advance to a B-25 or even a P-51, you had to go through a training program,” Linebarger said. “These are World War II aircraft so everyone started in the PT-19 and then the BT-13 and then the T-6 before you could advance to the bombers or fighters. We’ll have representation of all those primary trainers at the air show and they will be flying in formations.”
Plenty of food vendors, booths and a car show will also be on display.
“All throughout the day, we have various food vendors and we’ll also have the trade show inside the main hangar with booths that are both educational and merchandise,” Linebarger said. “We’ll also have the car show. We call it the Car Show and Shine. Last year, we had over 200 cars that came by each day for the air show. If you’re interested in participating in that, they’ll be giving out trophies.”
More information about the show can be found online at tinyurl.com/2bm7ez9r.
“The uniqueness about the air show is that there’s nothing like it in our area,” Linebarger said. “Having been able to put this show on for 31 years shows the commitment that we have and the dedication to keeping the High Sky Wing alive and provide history and historical aircraft to the community.”
Another member of the High Sky Wing is Greg Gutting.
“This is our primary fundraiser that we do every year,” Gutting said. “We’re an all-volunteer organization. Nobody you see at air shows is on a payroll with us. They do it because they love the idea and we love to keep the planes flying. For a history teacher like me, that’s important.”
Gutting, who has been a part of the High Sky Wing since 2010, is a retired history teacher who taught in San Antonio before moving out to the Permian Basin.
“When I was teaching, I taught U.S. history and it’s important that young people understand what went on 50, 60, 70 and 80 years ago and further back,” Gutting said. “This helps that. The planes are a big draw for kids especially but just about everybody. The kids love it. When they come into the museums on Saturdays, we love showing them around and getting them up in the airplanes if we can.”
The High Sky Wing is opened on Saturday’s from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. More information about them can be found online at tinyurl.com/5289pvr4.
If you go
- What: High Sky Wing Commemorative Air Force AirSho.
- When: 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (gates open at 9 a.m.) Sept. 10-11.
- Where: Midland International Air and Space Port.
- Where to purchase tickets: tinyurl.com/5kpxjnn3
