One Spectacular Night Airshow

Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 10:45 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The article highlights the night airshow at AirVenture 2011, showcasing America's top airshow performers.
Bob Carlton's Super Salto sailplane, powered by a jet engine, created dramatic trails in the night sky.
Gene Soucy performed in his "Showcat" Grumman biplane, a modified former agricultural aircraft, often with wingwalker Teresa Stokes.
The night show concluded with a fireworks display.

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America’s best airshow performers take to the air for a night in the skies at AirVenture 2011.

The T-6s flown by the team are powered by Pratt & Whitney R-1340 AN-1 engines. Jon Whittle

The airplanes top out at a max speed of 212 mph.

Bob Carlton’s Super Salto sailplane leaves amazing trails in the night sky. Jon Whittle

** Hi sailplane is powered by a military-grade 225 pound thrust jet engine.**

Carlton performed in the sailplane multiple times during the week of AirVenture.

A long exposure tracing Carlton’s progress across the starry star.

Airshow performer Gene Soucy flies vertically in his Grumman biplane. Jon Whittle

According to Soucy, his airplane is the first agricultural aircraft to be used in the airshow circuit.

It is also the first Grumman biplane to be used in airshows since the 1930s. Jon Whittle

The “Showcat,” as Soucy calls his airplane, is one of 1,800 Cats in use throughout the world. Jon Whittle

A former crop sprayer, the aircraft was modified into an airshow-ready airplane over a six-month period. Jon Whittle

**Soucy and wingwalker Teresa Stokes have taken the Showcat to aviation events throughout the country, dazzling audience members with their maneuvers.
** Jon Whittle

Fireworks brought Oshkosh’s night show to an end.

For more on AirVenture 2011, check out our Oshkosh 2011 full coverage page. Jon Whittle

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