By Mike Heilman & Ed Wells

Cliff Robinson races a motorcycle down the runway in his modified PT-17 Stearman. Robinson, an airshow veteran, has appeared in more than 300 airshows during his career. (Mike Heilman)It was the little show that could. The 5th annual Wings and Wheels Air and Car show was held June 8 at the Kokomo Indiana Municipal Airport (OKK). The one-day event was billed as the largest airshow in the state of Indiana in 2013.  Kokomo can make that claim since the Indianapolis and Gary airshows cancelled due the Congressional sequester. The event drew an estimated 4,000 people.

The annual event is used as a fundraiser with proceeds from food sales and VIP seating going to local charities.  The Event Coordinator, Pam Wild, explains “Our show is completely free, no admission at all.  The pilots are not monetarily compensated in any way.  All they get is a T-shirt and breakfast and lunch. They get gas for the show and the trip to get here. It is an all-volunteer show.  We have the support of the City of Kokomo and they are our biggest sponsor.”