Tall ships may be all the rage this week. But fast planes will briefly steal the spotlight as they provide soaring spectacle this afternoon at the Ruston Way waterfront.

High-flying military hardware has been a big attraction at Freedom Fair for years. And about 100,000 revelers are expected to flock to Tacoma’s Fourth of July celebration to see planes, pirates, party bands and, of course, pyrotechnics.

The Tacoma Air Show portion of Freedom Fair will take place from 1:30 to 3 p.m., with tactical and rescue demonstrations, and appearances by modern fighters and classic aircraft from World War II. Here are just a few of the pretty toys that will be on display.

U.S. Navy F/A 18 Super Hornet

What: A supersonic, carrier-based aircraft with deep roots in the Northwest. The Navy replaced the F-14 Tomcat with this jet in 1999.

Dimensions: 56 feet long, 16 feet tall, 40-foot wingspan

Top speed: Mach 1.8

Ceiling: 50,000 feet

Range: 500 miles

Firepower: It has a 20 mm gun mounted inside the nose. Wingtip, outboard and fuselage stations can be armed with Sidewinders, Sparrow and AMRAAM missiles.

Fun fact: Armed forces in the United States, Canada, Australia, Spain, Kuwait, Finland, Switzerland and Malaysia have deployed this fighter.

C-17 Globemaster III

What: Those massive cargo planes you see circling Pierce County’s skies as they fly to and from McChord Air Fore Base

Dimensions: 174 feet long, 55 feet tall, 169-foot wingspan

Top speed: 515 mph

Ceiling: 45,000 feet

Range: Global with in-flight refueling

Fun fact: This big baby can be loaded up to 585,000 pounds and still take off.

F-16 Fighting Falcon

What: A versatile, lightweight jet fighter valued for its maneuverability and power

Size: 49 feet, 5 inches long, 16 feet tall; 32 feet, 8-inch wingspan

Top speed: 1,500 mph, Mach 2 at altitude

Ceiling: 50,000 feet

Range: 500 miles

Firepower: It’s got a 20 mm multibarrel cannon and external stations that can be equipped with AIM-9 sidewinder missiles and can carry two 2,000-pound bombs.

Fun fact: The plane’s official name is the “Fighting Falcon,” but many pilots call it the Viper – you know, like “Battlestar Galactica.”

P-51 Mustang

What: A ground support and reconnaissance plane that helped the Allies win World War II

Size: 32 feet long, 13 feet tall, 37-foot wingspan

Top speed: 370 to 445 mph (later models were faster)

Ceiling: 41,900 feet

Range: 2,200 miles

Firepower: Mustangs carried an assortment of .30- and .50-caliber machine guns. The Mustang IA was armed with 20 mm cannons.

Fun fact: During World War II, the P-51 Mustang destroyed more enemy aircraft than any other fighter in Europe.

B-25 Mitchell bomber

Size: 53 feet long, 16 feet tall, 68-foot wingspan

Top speed: 300 mph

Ceiling: 23,500 feet

Range: 2,000 miles with extra gas tanks installed

Firepower: The B-25 has a nose-mounted .30-caliber machine gun, four .50-caliber guns and a pair of turrets. That’s not to mention 3,000 pounds of bombs.

Fun fact: The Doolittle Raiders flew B-25 Mitchell bombers during their famous April 18, 1942, air attack of Japan.

Freedom Fair has taken a big hit this year, losing corporate sponsors to Tall Ships Tacoma and a faltering economy, according to Doug Miller of the Tacoma Events Commission, which puts on the festival.

“If we can’t get some serious and widespread support from the public for this event, we’re going to be facing some real challenges in keeping the tradition going in the years to come,” he said.

Organizers are requesting $5 donations, and donation stations will be set up along the Ruston Way waterfront today.

Five Freedom Fair attractions

Freedom Fair fireworks extravaganza (10:10 p.m.): Marine Park between the Lobster Shop and Katie Downs will be prime real estate for catching Freedom Fair’s explosive grand finale. KLAY-AM (1180) will broadcast the fireworks show live, and master of ceremonies Mike Berriochoa will provide the play by play.

Back to Beale Street Blues 2009 Challenge (3:30 p.m., Car Toys Blues Stage at Duke’s): The Crossroads Band, the Al Earick Band, the Michal Miller Band, and the Randy Oxford Band will judged on 30-minute sets, with the winner advancing to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis next February.

Pole vault competition (10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Les Davis Pier Park): It’s the world’s longest-running beach pole vault series, according to Doug Miller, the director of Tacoma Events Commission, which puts on Freedom Fair. “The public just loves it,” he said. “It’s become one of the most popular things we present on the waterfront every year.”

Lost Boys Pirates Cove (10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Marine Park): Arrr! With guys dressed up like pirates and a 33-foot Winnebago turned pirate ship, this is a good spot for entertaining the littlest landlubbers, mateys. Plus, you can buy a map for Captain Bill’s Lost Treasure Hunt, with the chance to score train tickets, aquariums and other cool prizes.

Dog training demos (10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Marine Park): Sit Means Sit trainers teach techniques for getting even the most mischievous mutts to behave.

Show & Shine Car Show (10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Lobster Shop): Hot rods and classic cars will be on display in the parking lot near the Lobster Shop restaurant.

Ernest Jasmin, The News Tribune