A major announcement was shared on social media on November 11 by FIGHTERJETS INC., the Texas-based airshow company founded by Randy W. Ball. Beginning in 2026, the company will represent the jets of the Collings Foundation and the Vietnam War Flight Museum — including the world’s only flying F-4 Phantom II, the F-100 Super Sabre, Me-262, A-4 Skyhawk, and A-1 Skyraider. These legendary aircraft will join FIGHTERJETS INC.’s MiG-17s, T-33, and T-37/A-37 for historic demonstrations and rare dissimilar formations.
The return of the iconic F-100 Super Sabre to the airshow circuit in 2026 marks a major moment for fans and historians alike. In partnership with the Collings Foundation and the Vietnam War Flight Museum, FIGHTERJETS INC. will showcase the F-100 in the colors of Medal of Honour recipient Col. Bud Day. The aircraft will appear in solo performances as well as one of the rarest heritage flight combinations in the world: an F-100 and a FIGHTERJETS INC. MiG-17F flying a dissimilar combat demonstration. This pairing highlights the contrast between supersonic American power and tight-turning Soviet-designed maneuverability — sweeping high-speed passes by the Hun followed by the MiG-17’s high-G turns, vertical afterburner climbs, and aggressive aerobatics.
Another standout aircraft joining the lineup is the A-4 Skyhawk, instantly recognizable by the authentic Vietnam-era Playboy Bunny tail art. Carried by real Navy and Marine Corps squadrons, this marking represented camaraderie, confidence, and esprit de corps during long deployments at sea and combat operations over Vietnam. Beyond its famous nose art, the A-4 was one of the hardest-working aircraft of the Vietnam War. Skyhawks flew tens of thousands of missions and became a trusted light-attack platform known for precision strikes, carrier agility, durability, and consistent close-air-support capability. Pilots often flew multiple sorties per day from carriers on Yankee Station, braving intense anti-aircraft fire over North Vietnam. The Vietnam War Flight Museum has preserved this A-4 exactly as it appeared in service — including the distinctive Bunny — honoring both the aircraft and the crews who flew it. Beginning in 2026, FIGHTERJETS INC. will bring this historic “Scooter” to airshows nationwide, giving fans an opportunity to see it up close and learn the story behind its history and markings.
The Collings Foundation/Vietnam War Flight Museum F-4 Phantom II, painted in the famed Robin Olds “Wolf Pack” scheme, will also join FIGHTERJETS INC. for the 2026 season. This aircraft honors Brig. Gen. Robin Olds, the legendary commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon Royal Thai Air Base. Under Olds’ leadership, the Wolf Pack became the most effective and feared fighter unit of the Vietnam War, known for precision tactics, teamwork, and unmatched aerial skill.
Olds flew more than 150 combat missions and achieved 16 confirmed victories. He also masterminded Operation Bolo, the brilliantly executed mission that successfully lured North Vietnamese MiG-21s into a devastating trap — a defining moment in air combat history. Beginning in 2026, this Phantom will perform solo demonstrations, tail-chase profiles, and dissimilar formations with the MiG-17, recreating the high-stakes engagements faced by Olds and the Wolf Pack during the Vietnam War.
Rob Collings explained: “Yeah, so the F-100 and A-4 and F-4 are all owned by the Collings Foundation, but they’re part of a lease to the Vietnam War Flight Foundation for the operational side of it. And they’re in partnership with Randy, especially on a lot of the military shows for marketing and for the logistical side of support.”
With more than 25 years of experience in airshows and military contracting, FIGHTERJETS INC has earned a reputation for reliability, precision, and consistently delivering crowd-thrilling performances. The organization’s disciplined approach to operations and safety has set a standard unmatched by any other civilian jet team. No civilian group has provided the level of jet support to airshows that FIGHTERJETS INC has achieved. Beyond flying, the team’s extensive experience in producing and managing airshows gives them unique insight into supporting events and base open houses from both the performer and organizer perspectives.
FIGHTERJETS INC, based in Tyler, Texas, was founded in 2001 by Randy W. Ball. Before forming the company, Randy spent 11 years flying warbirds and set out to build a premier group of pilots and jets for the airshow community. He has accumulated more than 2,000 hours in the MiG, completing his 1,800th airshow in October 2024. Bill Culberson joined the team in 2015, bringing more than 700 hours of experience in Soviet jets and more than 500 hours specifically in MiGs. Based in Mobile, Alabama, Culberson flies the MiG-17 and the T-33, extending the team’s reach across the East Coast. Michael Terfer came aboard in 2018 with decades of aerobatic experience in the MiG-17, MiG-15, CT-33, and L-39. He is based in Traverse City, Michigan, strengthening FIGHTERJETS INC’s presence across the Midwest. Scott Gusakov, based in Milan, Michigan, has become a familiar presence in the team’s signature formation work. He has flown alongside Randy, Bill, and Michael in multiple multi-ship demonstrations, including the first official four-ship MiG-17 performance at Barksdale AFB in 2025.
It’s inspiring to see three organizations — FIGHTERJETS INC., the Collings Foundation, and the Vietnam War Flight Museum — join forces to preserve these iconic aircraft. Together, they continue the mission of honoring the men and women who flew and maintained them, while bringing history to life for new generations and keeping the legacy of these legendary airplanes alive.
