April 25, 2025

B-52 coming to Newton for air show

By Special to
An Air Combat Command's B-52 is seen in this US Air Force file photograph. A B-52 will fly over Newton during the Fly Iowa 2011 air show on Sept. 17.

An Air Combat Command's B-52 is seen in this US Air Force file photograph. A B-52 will fly over Newton during the Fly Iowa 2011 air show on Sept. 17. (MCT Photo)

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The largest bomber in the U.S. Air Force will make an appearance at Fly Iowa 2011 on Sept. 17 at the Newton Municipal Airport. The B-52H will be flying from Barksdale Air Force Base near Shreveport, La., and arriving during the air show.

Of the 744 copies of the huge bomber that were built, only 97 remain flying today. The last B-52 rolled off the Boeing assembly line in 1961. The B-52 has been the heavy lifting workhorse for the U.S. Air Force for more than 50 years.

“We are very excited that this incredible and historic aircraft will be at Fly Iowa 2011,” said Jim Jones, co-chair of the event. “When you know the history of this airplane, from how it was designed on a piece of paper in a hotel room to meet an engineering deadline, to the fact that the pilots that are flying it today weren’t even born when the last one was built, it gives one a deep appreciation of how well this airplane was designed and built. It ranks with the Wright Flyer, the DC-3 and the Boeing 747 as an airplane that is a benchmark in aircraft development and aviation history.”

Fly Iowa 2011 is a state-wide event designed to showcase all aspects of aviation to the non-flying public. There will be exhibits and displays of aircraft from museums and colleges within Iowa, other military aircraft such as the UH-60 Blackhawk, corporate aircraft, agricultural aircraft, charter and training aircraft and a wide variety of personal aircraft.

Admission to the event is free. There is a pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. Gates to the aircraft open at 9 a.m. There is a pilot safety seminar at 10 a.m., and the air show begins at 1 p.m.

In addition to the airshow, the Iowa Speedway will be holding its fifthth Annual Show ’N’ Shine Hot Rod Car Show in the Speedway parking lot adjacent to the Newton Airport. Admission to the car show is also free (see story on page 1A).

For more information on Fly Iowa 2011, call (641) 485-7219 or 521-4000. For inquiries about exhibits, or to display aircraft call 792-1292.