A Hero’s Tribute at the 2024 Tahoe Truckee Air Show

Tom Larkin comes in for a low pass with his Subsonex Jet while the Commemorative Air Force Mitsubishi Zero warms up fly at the Truckee Tahoe Air Show.

Now marking its 11th year, the Truckee Tahoe Air Show & Family Festival is one event I always look forward to attending. This is a smaller scale air show with an enjoyable small mountain community atmosphere, held against a picturesque backdrop of forested mountains.

The theme for this year’s event, held June 22, 2024, at Truckee-Tahoe Airport (KTRK) in Calfornia, was a memorial to Brig. Gen. Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson, who lived in nearby Auburn and was an enduring presence at the show for many years.

The last World War II triple ace fighter pilot, with 16 aerial victories, he flew west May 17, 2024, at the age of 102. Anderson flew 116 combat missions with the legendary 357th Fighter Group unit, all without taking any damage to his aircraft or aborting a mission.

Bud Anderson at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014. (Photo by Frederick A. Johnsen)

A quartet of P-51 Mustangs went aloft to perform a Missing Man formation fly-by to honor the late ace. All of Anderson’s victories were achieved while piloting P-51 Mustangs.

A formation of P-51 Mustangs conduct a “Missing Man” salute honoring World War II ace Col. Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson.

This year’s air show featured several aerobatic performances, including California native Vicky Benzing flying her recently acquired P-51 Mustang and Coloradan Bob Freeman taking to the sky in his new Extra 330SC.

Vicky Benzing performs in her P-51D Mustang “Plum Crazy.” Clay Lacy owned and raced this Mustang at Reno from 1964 to 1972, winning the National Championship in 1970.

Bob Freeman flies sideways in his new Extra 330. Freeman was a 2017 member of the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Team.

Tom Larkin performed in his diminutive Subsonex Jet and Canadian aviatrix Anna Serbinenko did an aerial ballet in her Super Decathlon.

Former F-15 pilot Tom Larkin makes a low pass in the Subsonex jet at the 2024 Truckee Tahoe Air Show.

Canadian airshow pilot Anna Serbinenko, the “Sky Dancer,” heads earthward in her Bellanca Super Decathlon.

A Mitchell bomber and Zero fighter from the Commemorative Air Force performed a World War II mission reenactment during the morning and afternoon performances.

The Commemorative Air Force’s North American PBJ-1J Mitchell and Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero make a formation photo pass for the fans.

A fly-by of three black T-38 Talons marked the start of the lunch break. The afternoon performance echoed the morning one with some changes in sequence.

A threesome of distinctive T-38 Talons from the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron made an appearance in the skies over Truckee.

Something else not seen often at air shows were glider demonstrations, utilizing a Piper Pawnee tow plane.

A Schweizer SGS glider performed a gliding demonstration.

Walking along the static display line, fans clustered around a few active military aircraft that flew in for the show.

Fast mover fans appreciated a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet from VFA-22 based at NAS Lemoore that was parked next to a slow-mover T-44 Pegasus (military version of a King Air 90).

This colorful Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet was a popular draw among the static displays. The Super Hornet first flew in 1995 and entered US Navy service in 1999 to replace the F-14 Tomcat.

The Beechcraft T-44C Pegasus multi-engine training aircraft has been in Naval service since 1977.

The Nevada Air Guard brought two C-130H Hercules, one on static display and the other acting as a jump ship for the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs parachute team.

This airman waves to the folks lined up for a tour of his Lockheed C-130H Hercules.

A fully restored Vietnam-era OV-10 Bronco warbird also attracted a bit of attention.

This beautifully restored North American Rockwell OV-10D Bronco was recently delivered to a local owner/pilot. This aircraft was one of six acquired from the National Vietnam War Museum in 2018.

The local Cirrus dealer, Mountain Lion Aviation, hosted a visiting SF50 Vision jet. Folks could also peek inside a Pilatus PC-24 and the powerful new Piper M700 Fury that were opened up.

A visiting Cirrus SF50 Vision on the ramp.

The new Piper M700 Fury turboprop was on display. Revealed in February 2024, the M700 Fury is the fastest single-engine aircraft in Piper history.

A Turbo Beaver floatplane towered over a variety of Bonanzas and Cub bushplanes.

This lovely de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Turbo Beaver didn’t need to use the anchor, but the owner kept it handy.

The Turbo Beaver makes a nice backdrop for this Italian SIAI-Marchetti SF260 trainer.

First responder aircraft on display included helicopters from the California Highway Patrol and Placer County Sheriff. Cal Fire only brought a S-2 Turbo Tracker fire bomber this year.

Cal Fire operates 23 of these Grumman/Marsh S-2F3AT Turbo Tracker air tankers in its fleet.

Event admission and parking continue to be free, courtesy of the Truckee Tahoe Airport District. All proceeds from the event go to local youth organizations, programs, and scholarships. Since 2012, more than $390,000 has been raised for local youth.

For more information: TruckeeTahoeAirShow.com