The Trojan Phlyers aerial demonstration team will be performing at the Dakota Thunder Ellsworth AFB Air Show & Open House this coming weekend (Aug.15th/16th 2015) near Rapid City, South Dakota. Based out of Mid-Way Regional Airport, just south of Dallas, Texas, the Trojan Phlyers have been gracing the skies with their thrilling act since 1995, having performed at over 150 air shows in their two T-28B Trojans from Oshkosh to Acapulco. Decorated combat veteran pilots Col.John Sledge (USMC Ret’d) and Col.Chip Lamb (USAF Ret’d) are the two main Phlyers, although the team boasts a half dozen equally qualified pilots they can call on when needed, as well as a professional maintenance team. Sledge flew the F-8 Crusader over Viet Nam while flying from the carriers USS Constellation, Kittyhawk and Ticonderoga, while Lamb piloted the F-4 Phantom II during his active Air Force career and the F-16 while in the reserves. They each served over thirty years in the military; amassing some 42,000 flying hours between with the inclusion of their airline careers. As such, they are extremely skilled pilots and have developed a keen proficiency in close-formation flying.
The T-28 is a perfect platform for their show, being as nimble and fast as many WWII frontline fighter aircraft, but with much better fuel efficiency and spare parts availability. The two men have honed a marvelous flying routine, with formation takeoffs and precision as tight as any of the active military jet teams. The video below should give a clear idea of what you can expect from their performance at Dakota Thunder…
So come out and enjoy the show at Dakota Thunder this weekend… or follow the team on Facebook.
Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends.
After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups.
Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.
