Like a scene from a World War II movie, the skies over Vicksburg-Tallulah Regional Airport will be filled with planes of all types this afternoon as the Southern Heritage Air Foundation’s “Best Little Air Show In The World” swoops into town.
Performers from all over the world aim to delight spectators with precision flying and an up-close experience with nearly two dozen T-6 Texan aircraft, several P-51 Mustangs and a B-24 Liberator, among others. Over 18,000 B-24 Liberators were built, more than any other Allied aircraft of the war. Only two B-24s in the world are in flying condition and one, Diamond Lil, will be at the show. She belongs to the Commemorative Air Force in Addison, Texas and was built in May, 1941 in San Diego, Calif. She was the 18th off the assembly line and is the only surviving “A” model B-24.
The “war birds” will be buzzing overhead along with some of the nation’s top aerobatics performers, including the AeroShell Aerobatic Team. The team uses AT-6 Texan aircraft, first used by the U.S. military in 1935.
As the longest-running civilian air show in North America, the Aeroshell Aerobatics Team — known for elaborate formations and thick plumes of white smoke trailing each plane — has become a staple of the air show community.

“The AeroShell Aerobatic Team doesn’t go to many small air shows because they are the best in the world,” SHAF board member Dan Fordice said. “They fly in 20-something air shows a year, and they’re all the biggest air shows going.”
The North American Trainers Association, the T-6 owners club, will be flying tight formations and blowing smoke as well. Carl Best, of Dallas Texas, has been flying T-6’s since 1979, but practically grew up in the back seat of one. His mother started flying in 1945 and both his parents were pilots.
“Dan Fordice is the spark plug of the whole thing, he sends out an email to the association members saying we’re having a wing-ding this weekend and everyone comes,” Best said. “I love coming here, it’s the most fun you can have and a great bunch of people.”
Best enjoys flying in formation with other T-6 owners, but really comes to the airshow to see the AeroShell Team. “They’re the best in the world,” he said.
On Dec. 11, SHAF board members, Steve Gustafson and Jimmy Fordham will be recognized along with the other members of the AeroShell team at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas for their performances that have captivated audiences since 1985.
“We’re looking for a big crowd, especially with the weather as good as it’s supposed to be,” SHAF President Patty Mekus said. “It has grown and with the number of participants the show has been extended until 4 p.m.”
The SHAF is using its biennial air show as a way to raise money for the Warrior Bonfire Project. The project aims to help combat veterans ease back into society while helping them cope with both the mental and physical wounds they bring back with them. It started as a deer hunt with six veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and blossomed into a statewide nonprofit dedicated to building friendships among veterans while providing them with a therapeutic release for the scars that war leaves behind.
On Saturday, gates at the airport open at 9 a.m., and flying begins about 11:30 a.m. with nearly a dozen performances scheduled. The show is expected to draw more than 4,000 spectators, Mekus said.
Vicksburg-Tallulah Regional Airport is north of U.S. 80 on Louisiana 602 about 20 miles west of Vicksburg.