Yankee Air Museum shrugs off winter, plans car/plane event

Yankee Lady, the historic B-17 Flying Fortress hasn’t been seen flying overhead for weeks. All of the classic cars were put to bed long ago.
Safe from the harsh elements, winter maintenance continues and the good kids are keeping their cars and planes well covered.
At Yankee Air Museum, the focus is already on Sunday, June 23, 2019. That’s right, two days after the Summer Solstice the Second-Annual Wings and Wheels invitational car show will be held on the west ramp at Willow Run Airport.
“The days are so short now, that even if a warm streak hit, no one at your cruising hangout would notice a stray Studebaker,” chuckled Peter DeLoof, event chairman of Yankee Air Museum’s Wings and Wheels.
“These are the times that try the souls of the car and plane enthusiasts. Our group therapy is in planning meetings and we’re making terrific progress.”
DeLoof, who owns a rare 1922 Fronty/Ford Indianapolis racecar, says the second Wings and Wheels will be bigger, better than the inaugural event last year simply by building on the successful formula.
People like being up close with history and being able to talk with the owners of exceptionally unique cars and planes. The general public is encouraged to attend this event and bring cameras.
The Wings and Wheels committee includes automotive luminaries Bob Lutz, retired General Motors vice-chairman, and Bill Milliken, president of the eminent Points and Condensers Preservation Society. Lutz and Milliken together chair the car selection panel to bring the extraordinary to Wings and Wheels.
“Open the hood of today’s automobile and you see a handsome engine cover,” said Lutz. “Look under the hoods of the classics we present and you see an evolution of engine technology. We have some exceptional one-of-a-kind cars selected for our show.”
DeLoof said the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum has already agreed to send five cars from its collection, including one driven by legendary World War One fighter ace Eddie Rickenbacker. He won’t divulge more cars, but said a Grumman Widgeon is among the rare aircraft slated to appear on June 23.
Cars and planes are appearing by invitation only to assure the highest level of exclusive aircraft and automobiles together in one place, on one day, rain or shine.
People who have an exceptional automobile or plane should contact Elisa Guyton, the event coordinator, at [email protected] to receive an application for the Wings and Wheels Selection Committee to consider.
About Wings and Wheels
This automobile and airplane show is returning on Sunday, June 23, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the ramp at Hangar 1, Willow Run Airport, west side. Located at 801 Kirk Profit Drive, Ypsilanti MI, this is the hangar from which Yankee Air Museum operates its historic planes. Get up close to an array of rare classic cars, selected by invitation only, and historic aircraft all on display together on the tarmac. Outstanding opportunities to chat up the owners and capture great photos.
The general public is welcome and tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the event. Kids 15 and under are free. Plenty of free parking available and food trucks will be on site. Net event proceeds benefit the Yankee Air Museum. Air Adventure rides will be available on Yankee Air Museum’s vintage World War Two era aircraft, a B-17 Flying Fortress, B-25 Mitchell and C-47 Skytrain along with its Waco biplane.
For more information on the event contact [email protected]
Visit www.yankeeairmuseum.org to discover more about the Yankee Air Museum and how volunteers are working to preserve local history with the www.SavetheBomberPlant.org campaign. For more information on the museum, call (734) 483-4030.