The California International Airshow adds performances in the absence of the Blue Angels.

The airshow must go on.

Although the government shutdown cancelled flights by the U.S. Navy’s famed squadron, the Blue Angels and other active duty American military aircraft, there is still a lot happening in the air and on the ground Oct. 4-5 at the California International Airshow in Salinas.

While Monterey pilot Vicky Benzing is an airshow veteran, she is bringing two planes to Salinas for the first time. Her stunt plane is a 1940s Boeing Stearman, which is mostly original—except for the smoke system, of course.

Benzing will perform in the Stearman during the morning portion of the show. In the afternoon she will take to the sky in a purple P-51 dubbed “Plum Crazy,” used in the Reno Air Races during the 1960s and ’70s. It was, in fact, the 1970 national champion.

As always, the field will include a number of displays, from vintage P-51s flown during World War II to something few have seen before.

Joby Aviation, which has a facility in Marina, will demonstrate its futuristic eVTOL taxi. Visitors will be able to peek inside and perhaps ask questions about the unique aircraft. Archer Aviation will also showcase its eVTOL, which stands for electric vertical takeoff and landing. 

Both air taxis are in development. 

Another rarity: Pilot Steve Hinton will fly a fork-tailed P-38 Lightning from World War II.

The airshow also brings big numbers: The 25,000 horsepower produced by twin jet engines mounted in a 1957 Chevrolet pickup truck.

The 350-mile-per-hour truck, named “Smoke N Thunder,” will race aerobatic pilot Ed Hamill on both days.

In between all of this will be a number of aerobatic performances and demonstration flights, including a Soviet MIG 17 and a stalwart C-47. As an added bonus, Precision Exotics aircraft will race Benzing in Plum Crazy.

So while the U.S. military was forced to bow out, there is still a lot going on.

THE CALIFORNIA INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW takes place 11am-4pm Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 4-5. Salinas Municipal Airport, 30 Mortensen Ave., Salinas. (831) 754-1893, salinasairshow.com.