Our 2023 Performers

Thunder Over Dalhart brings you some of the most high profile and extraordinary performers to keep you on the edge of your seat. From lighting quick Jet Trucks on the ground to heart pounding and agile aerial parachute teams. Meet the incredible individuals and groups who are truly masters of their craft.

Keep checking back for more updates on performers!

A-10 Thunderbolt ll Demo Team

w/P-51 Mustang Heritage Flight

(P-51 Pilot Tommy Williams)

A-10C Thunderbolt II

Pilot Capt. Lindsay "MAD" Johnson

Mission
The A-10C Thunderbolt II is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against light maritime attack aircraft and all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles.

Features
The A-10C offers excellent maneuverability at low airspeeds and altitude while maintaining a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform. They can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time, are capable of austere landings and operate under 1,000-foot ceilings (303.3 meters) with 1.5-mile (2.4 kilometers) visibility. Additionally, with the capability of carrying precision guided munitions and unguided munitions, they can employ above, below and in the weather. Their wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. Using night vision goggles, A-10C pilots can conduct their missions during darkness.

Thunderbolt IIs have Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS), goggle compatible single-seat cockpits forward of their wings, Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems, and a large bubble canopy which provides pilots all-around vision. The pilots are protected by titanium armor that also protects parts of the flight-control system. The redundant primary structural sections allow the aircraft to enjoy better survivability during close air support than previous aircraft.

The aircraft can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles up to 23mm. Their self-sealing fuel cells are protected by internal and external foam. Manual systems back up their redundant hydraulic flight-control systems. This permits pilots to fly and land when hydraulic power is lost.

RED DEVILS F/A-18

VMFA-232 “RED DEVILS”

The VMFA-232 “Red Devils” are a Marine Fighter Attack Squadron, based out of Marine Corps

Air Station Miramar, or better known as FIGHTERTOWN, USA. Miramar is no longer a home to the Navy,

but to the Marines since 1997. Dozens of various Marine Aircraft are stationed there, from helicopters

to transport aircraft, and of course – fighter jets. VMFA-232 is the oldest and most decorated squadron

in the Marine Corps, born in 1925. They currently fly the F/A-18C and F/A-18D, the single-seat and two-

seat variants of the LEGACY Hornet. While the Navy has transitioned to the F/A-18E, F, and G SUPER

Hornets, and the Marine Corps is nearly complete with its transition to the F-35, the Devils are one of

few remaining operational LEGACY Hornet squadrons, and are anticipated to be the last.

F/A-18C “LEGACY HORNET”

The F/A-18C is well known for its versatile capability of being both a Fighter Platform AND an

Attack Platform, deployable from land or an aircraft carrier. The legacy hornet can carry more ordnance

than any other aircraft in the Marine Corps inventory, and can transition from long range aerial

intercepts, to employing air to surface ordnance against land and sea targets, while still being one of the

most deadly dogfighting platforms to date. And it can do all of that in one flight. The aircraft flown in the

movie TOP GUN 2 is also an F/A-18, just the Super Hornet, rather than the Legacy Hornet.

CAPTAIN RICH WEIDNER

Captain Rich Weidner is 29 years old, from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Penn

State in 2016. Captain Weidner has served in the Marine Corps for 7 years, flown for 6 years, and has

been an F/A-18 pilot for 3 years. When not flying, Capt Weidner is the Officer in Charge of the Powerline

Division. His 20 Marines specialize in the maintenance of the powerful twin afterburner engines of the

F/A-18, and are without a doubt the hardest men and women in the squadron. Rich has been stationed

in Virginia and Florida, as well as Corpus Christi and Kingsville, Texas from 2017-2020. He has lived in San

Diego, California since then. Rich’s hobbies include grilling out, enjoying time off with friends, surfing,

and most importantly hanging out with his German Shepherd.

AFTERSHOCK Jet Truck

This 1940 Ford Fire Truck boasts TWIN Rolls-Royce Bristol Viper Jet Engines totaling over 24,000 horsepower and holds the Guinness Record for Fire Trucks at an amazing 407 MPH!

Mark Smith is our Primary Driver for our newest AFTERSHOCK Jet Fire Truck. With a long career in Drag Racing starting in the early Eighties, he's pretty much done it all, having driven many types of Drag Cars then moving over to 300 mph Jet Dragsters then to Jet Trucks.

Recently retired with over 25 years at Halliburton Energy in Oklahoma Mark has moved to Springfield to continue his Racing Career driving AFTERSHOCK for Darnell Racing.

Jodi Rueger Airshows

Not only does Jodi have the looks, this girl has the skill. Come out and watch as she rips up the skies in her Pitts S-S1

Mini Jet Airshows

MINI JET AIRSHOWS is a lifelong dream of the pilot Tom "Lark" Larkin. Having watched the BD-5J perform as a child at a local airshow, and then later becoming a fighter pilot, airline pilot, and aerobatic pilot; it was always his dream to do airshows in a "mini" jet.

What started off as a half partnership in an RV-6 with his brother Larry, eventually turned into time in a Christen Eagle, Panzl, Staudacher, and several other aerobatic aircraft...culminating in the once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase and perform in a SubSonex Jet. At only 500 lbs with speeds up to 300 mph, it puts on one of most unique and exciting airshows in the country!

Patriot Parachute Team

Witness a once in a lifetime performance filled with heart-pounding stunts. The Patriot Parachute Team takes "extreme" to new levels! We perform in only the most high profile, and high pressure environments. Watch with amazement as we fly our parachutes inverted or straight towards the ground at over 100 mph! The Patriot Parachute team will be returning for the 2023 Airshow!

Devil Dog Squadron

The Devil Dog Squadron is a volunteer organization of the CAF, dedicated to flying, maintaining and preserving a WWII B-25 bomber aka the Devil Dog. The squadron's volunteers come from all walks of life and have a wide variety of backgrounds. The B-25 has a Texas based female pilot Beth Jenkins. We are excited the Devil Dog will be returning and selling rides again at our 2023 show!

Purchase B25 Rides Online Now!

devildogsquadron.com

Mike "Spanky" Gallaway

Watch Mike “Spanky” Galloway perform Aerobatic acts in his Extra 300/SX. Spanky is also the voice you will be hearing throughout the airshow, as he is our announcer as well!

Viper Airshows

Jason Newburg

The Viper is an airshow aircraft designed to entertain and leave a lasting impression.

Franklin Flying Circus

Kyle Franklin is a third-generation pilot and has been performing professionally in Airshows for over 25 years. Son of the late Jimmy Franklin, Kyle was born into the airshow industry. Learning to fly at the age of 8 and performing his first wingwalk at the of age 14. Kyle started performing professionally as a wingwalker and stuntman at age 17 and became the World's First Jet Windwalker at the age of 18. A few years later he started flying his Ben Whabnoski Comedy Act in the Piper Super Cub that he learned to fly in, an act that today is still a fan favorite. Over his career he has created and performed over 12 different airshow acts in 6 different aircraft including, Pirates Skies, Immortals and Dracula. Kyle continues to re-invent himself to bring something new to the airshow industry and to keep up with ever changing pop culture.

Elizabeth (Liz) Franklin, Kyle's wife, comes from an aviation family as well. She is a licensed tail wheel pilot and instrument pilot. She's also a long time attendee and volunteer at EAA Air Venture, where she and Kyle first met. Liz and Kyle fell in love when she came to Kyle's airport for tail wheel instruction. Not long after, she became and essential part in the family's flying business. Most notably her part as the pilot that Kyle steal the airplane from in his comedy act.

Blastards Pyro

David Linebarger is the Unit Leader for the Commemorative Air Force Blastards Pyro Team. During the airshow you will experience first hand the noise, the heat and excitement of simulated ground explosions and special effect pyrotechnics. The well timed and highly choreographed demonstrations are performed by the Blastards, a unit of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). These dedicated team members volunteer their time and efforts to bring you bone rattling reenactments true to our Nation's History. The Blastards team members do not personally receive any pay for their labor. All funds generated are donated to WWII aircraft owned by the CAF. Blastards have been able to donate over $200,000 back to the CAF aircraft to "Keep'em Flying". Team members are located all over the States and travel across the USA. The Mission of the CAF Blastards is to stir the hearts of all Americans, the spirit in which these aircraft are flown in the defense of our Nation. The team works to perpetuate the memory and sacrifice that were and are made by those who have served our country so that we may continue to enjoy or Freedom. The Commemorative Air Force is a non profit organization dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition and remembrance. Our Mission is to Educate, Inspire and Honor.

Ladies for Liberty

The Ladies for Liberty have been known for their renditions of 1940s, WWII, 1950s Korean War Era, and 1960s Vietnam War Era music. They are still presenting this program of the Andrew Sisters style of music through their own rendition of vocals, costumes, hairstyles and the spirit of patriotism reminiscent of the 1940s and 1950s.

We have been honored to attend and perform four times in Normandy, France for the DDay Anniversaries.

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy...Shoo Shoo Baby...Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree... Alexander's Ragtime Band...Beat Me Daddy...Bei Mir Bist du Schoen...Oh, Johnny, Oh!...Lullaby of Broadway...These are just some of the songs you will hear us perform. They are sure to bring back old memories for a few and establish new ones for all.

California

TomCruise

Maverick and Iceman

Unbelievable look alike impersonators will be mingling through the crowd for a great Top Gun experience! So, if you've lost the loving feeling, you can still be my wingman. If you feel the need, the need for speed, you can go ballistic and get a pic of Maverick and Ice !

Maverick aka CaliforniaTomCruise

Ice aka thearizonaiceman

Dream Big Entertainment

Dewey Larson and his F/A-18 Jet Cockpit

This is your chance to have the TOP GUN Experience of a lifetime! YOU get to get inside the F/A-18 and have your picture taken for a memory you and your family will NEVER forget!

For a small fee for the photo session, Dewey and his team will make you look like a TOP GUN pilot in the F/A-18.

Air Boss

Ralph Royce

The Air boss is the senior air coordinator for an air show. Ralph Royce began Air Bossing in 1976. He was President of the Commemorative Air Force from 1983 through 1991. He was President of the Lone Star Flight Museum and Texas Aviation Hall of Fame from 1991 through 2003. He has flown a variety of aircraft including many WW2 fighters and bombers. He participated in starting the Heritage flight program with the USAF. Ralph has been the chairman of the International Council of AirShows (ICAS) , Chaired the Safety Committee, and continues to develop programs for the FAA and Air Shows. He lives with his wife in Houston, TX and is an avid racquetball player. He has 4 children and 7 grandchildren.