BIPLANE EXPO'S 10TH BIRTHDAY BIPLANE BASH
                        May 31 - June 1, 1996
                       Bartlesville, Oklahoma
                        Frank Phillips Field

        The Tenth Annual Biplane Convention and Exposition scheduled
for Bartlesville, Oklahoma on May 31 and June 1, 1996, will honor in
tribute the two highest scoring U.S.Fighter Aces in Europe in World
War II.

        Retired USAF Colonel Francis "Gabby" Gabreski, originally from
Oil City, Pennsylvania, and Lawton, Oklahoma native, Robert S. "Bob"
Johnson were young combat fighter pilots assigned to the legendary
56th Fighter Group in England in the I943-1944 era.  In some eighteen
months of European combat flying, Gabreski shot down 31 German
aircraft and Johnson 28 Lufwaffe fighters. Many of their victories
were gained as they flew as a two aircraft team. Gabreski was to
finish World War II in a German prisoner of war camp after being
captured following a forced landing on the Continent.  Later in Korea,
Gabreski achieved an additional 6 1/2 victories over Russian-built
Migs to run his score to 37 1/2 enemy aircraft and become the highest
scoring surviving U.S. air ace in history.

        Following World War II Johnson became a test pilot for
Republic Aircraft in New York and retired several years ago.

        Both of these famous American military pilots received their
early air force pilot training in the historic Stearman biplane.

        The Biplane Expo, the largest gathering of biplanes in the
world, is celebrating its tenth anniversary. The event annually
attracts upwards of 500 aircraft of which 150 or so are biplanes from
the USA, Canada and Mexico.  Many of the biplanes are show class
aircraft and are considered some of the finest in the world.

For further information please contact:

Charles W. Harris, Chairman
Joan Howerton, Administrative Assistant
7215 East 46th Street
Tulsa, OK 74145

(918) 622-8400
(918) 665-0039 FAX