SWANTON, Ohio — Spectators at the Toledo Air Show Saturday watched in awe as the stunt team 'Tora Tora Tora' recreated the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
That signaled the beginning of the United States involvement in World War II.
'Tora Tora Tora' is Japanese for 'Tiger Tiger Tiger.'
The call pilots made back to ships letting them know the surprise attack on U.S. Navy ships was successful.
"We have to remember when we were attacked just like 911. We have to appreciate where our freedom comes from. We don't want to get complacent," pilot Patrick Hutchins said.
The eight replica planes appeared in the 1970 movie 'Tora Tora Tora.'
It looked like the planes were dropping bombs. But it was actually pyrotechnics set off on the ground. Authenticity air show journalists like Harry Morrow said it makes the show so spectacular.
"And I think the explosions and aircraft flying is what it must have been like at Pear Harbor. The chaos. Did a good job of putting that display on," he said.
In the 47 years of this living history lesson only one pilot has been killed.
It takes years of practice, maneuvering and teamwork to pull off the death defying act.
"We never get below fifty feet. We have a maneuver package in place that allows us to go down to twenty feet but we've set a personal standard of fifty. We never get above 600 feet in that 22 minute act," Hutchins said.
The air show continues all day Sunday at the Toledo Express Airport. Additionally, there will be an explosive encore performance of 'Tora Toa Tora' at 2:20 p.m.