PHOTOS: Fly Iowa 2024 (2024)

Fly Iowa 2024 came to an explosive conclusion Aug. 31 at Clarinda Municipal Airport-Schenck Field as the B-25 bomber “Miss Mitchell” performed a simulated attack complete with a wall of bombs depicting the destruction of the bombs dropped from the aircraft during World War II. The wall of fire was produced by the Tora Bomb Squad special effects team and could be felt by the thousands of spectators attending the show. More photos on A6 and A7.

Cutting a fine edge with the wing of his Pitts biplane is Bob Richards as he skims past the towering flames created by a pyrotechnic charge during the Fly Iowa Air Show presented Aug. 31 at Clarinda Municipal Airport-Schenck Field. Richards presented a solo aerobatic routine as well as a tandem flying exhibition with pilot Brian Correll.

Tipping its wings as it flies through the clear blue skies over Clarinda Aug. 31 during the Fly Iowa Air Show is the B-25 bomber "Miss Mitchell." Stationed in North Africa and Italy during World War II, "Miss Mitchell" completed more than 130 missions with no crew fatalities.

Climbing through the afternoon sky Aug. 31 is the P-51 Mustang "Gunfighter" that participated in a World War II battle reenactment presented in Clarinda as part of the Fly Iowa Air Show. "Gunfighter" was joined by fellow P-51 Mustang "Tuskegee Airmen" and B-25 bomber "Miss Mitchell" for the battle simulation.

Providing support for the B-25 bomber during the World War II battle presented Aug. 31 during the Fly Iowa Air Show in Clarinda was the P-51 Mustang "Tuskegee Airmen." The distinctive red tail of the plane was the trademark of the Tuskegee Airmen, a squadron of African American pilots that saw combat during World War II.

Soaring over Clarinda Municipal Airport-Schenck Field Aug. 31 is the B-25 bomber "Miss Mitchell" for a simulated bombing run during the Fly Iowa Air Show. The Dolittle Raid on Tokyo, Japan, in 1942 by the United States featured 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers.

Team Vortex pilots Brian Correll, red plane, and Bob Richards, white plane, streak past each other as a pyrotechnic charge is detonated Aug. 31 at Clarinda Municipal Airport-Schenck Field during the Fly Iowa Air Show. The team wowed the crowd with various tandem flying maneuvers.

Adam Obrecht, president of the Iowa Aviation Promotion Group, addresses the large crowd that attended Fly Iowa Aug. 31 in Clarinda. Brittany Nielsen, left, served as the announcer for the air show.

A member of the Lincoln Sport Parachute Club descends toward Clarinda Municipal Airport-Schenck Field Aug. 31 with a large United States Flag to open the Fly Iowa Air Show. A crowd of thousands took advantage of the picturesque conditions for the event.

Pilot Erik Edgren leaves an intricate design in the sky as he performs during the Fly Iowa Air Show held Aug. 31 in Clarinda. Edgren performed a dead stick routine where he turned off his engine and turned his 1939 Taylorcraft T-Clips into a glider before executing a roll to landing.

Brian Correll gives the fans a good look at his Pitts S2S biplane Aug. 31 as he performs a photo pass during the Fly Iowa Air Show in Clarinda. Correll also executed an inverted routine where he cut a ribbon only 20 feet above the ground.

Sitting in the co*ckpit of a plane from the Civil Air Patrol is Henry O'Hearn, 2, and his father, Rory, of Shenandoah. The plane was displayed at Clarinda Municipal-Schenck Field Aug. 31 as part of Fly Iowa.

Jacob Livingston, 5, of Tingley receives an autograph from pilot Bob Richards following the Fly Iowa Air Show held Aug. 31 at Clarinda Municipal Airport-Schenck Field. Clarinda last hosted Fly Iowa in 2005.

Leaving a trail of smoke is Bob Richards as he passes in front of the crowd in his Pitts biplane Aug. 31 during the Fly Iowa Air Show in Clarinda. Named Machaira, the stunt plane features an Evel Kneivel inspired paint scheme.

A special Flight Night event was held Aug. 30 at Clarinda Municipal Airport-Schenck Field to kick off Fly Iowa 2024. Erik Edgren presented a night performance in his specially illuminated Taylorcraft T-Clips.

A group of spectators wait to enter the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit Aug. 31 during Fly Iowa in Clarinda. The exhibit features a mobile movie theater with a 160-degree panoramic screen that provides visitors an immersive experience of being in the co*ckpit with the Tuskegee Airmen.

Thousands of spectators packed the grounds of Clarinda Municipal Airport-Schenck Field Aug. 31 for the Fly Iowa Air Show. Gates for the event opened at 10 a.m. and various children's activities and food trucks were available to help visitors pass the time for the 2 p.m. air show.

Winging through the air Aug. 31 during the Fly Iowa Air Show in Clarinda is pilot Doug Roth in his Staudacher "Superstar." Roth has more than 7,000 hours of flight time and has participated in aerobatic competitions for 25 years.

Scaling a rock wall is Emerson Oberton, 9, of West Des Moines during Fly Iowa held Aug. 31 in Clarinda. The rock wall was provided by the Iowa Army National Guard.

Making her way up a bounce castle wall is Lila Hansen, 10, of Clarinda during the Fly Iowa event held Aug. 31. A variety of children's games and activities were offered prior to the Fly Iowa Air Show held Saturday afternoon.

Playing with his toy airplane is Parker Wissel, 7, of Clarinda as he waits for the Fly Iowa Air Show presented Aug. 31 at Clarinda Municipal Airport-Schenck Field.

Pilot Erik Edgren celebrates with the crowd after completing his performance Aug. 31 in the Fly Iowa Air Show in Clarinda. Edgern presented a dead stick performance where he turned off the engine of his plane and executed tricks as the plane glided back to the ground.

Spectators examine a PT-19 airplane Aug. 31 during Fly Iowa in Clarinda. The PT-19 was built in 1942 and is displayed at the museum for the Great Plains Wing of the Commemorative Air Force in Council Bluffs.

Fans attending Fly Iowa in Clarinda Aug. 31 had an opportunity to purchase rides on this UH-1H Huey Helicopter. People could also purchase rides on the B-25 bomber "Miss Mitchell" and the P-51 Mustang "Gunfighter" that were featured in the Fly Iowa Air Show Saturday.

Lining up a shot at a disc golf game is Bryce Whitehill, 5, of Shambaugh Aug. 31 during Fly Iowa in Clarinda. The game featured an inflatable structure, like a bounce castle, and required players to throw discs into designated slots to earn points.

Seated in the co*ckpit of his SubSonex mini jet is Tom Larkin and he executes an inverted maneuver during the Fly Iowa Air Show held Aug. 31 in Clarinda. Rather than paint, the mini jet is wrapped in a vinyl covering.