Some pics from the WWII Weekend at the Mid Atlantic Air Museum (2 Viewers)

[theBaron]

Hi, all! I wanted to share some pictures I took yesterday at the WWII Weekend at the Mid Atlantic Air Museum. That's just outside Reading PA, at the Reading airport. It combines an airshow of restored WWII aircraft, with demonstrations by reenactor groups, civilian as well as military.

Highlights this year were appearances by some of the original members of the Band of Brothers, Colonel Clarence "Bud" Anderson, and some of the surviving Doolittle Raiders. Also appearing was Ted Van Kirk, the navigator of the Enola ***. My dad wanted to meet him, because they are from the same hometown (Northumberland PA).

And of course, the airplanes! That's all I took pictures of-sorry to give you a bit of a tease about the reenactors! But that's my main interest at this event. So, to give you an idea of what's at the show, here they are.

First, a pair of Mustangs. Here is a P-51C done up as Bud Anderson's mount, "Old Crow":

and a P-51D in the livery of Jim Browning's "Gentleman Jim":

A pair of B-25s on the flight line. The B-25D, "Yankee Warrior":

"Yankee Warrior" is airworthy, and is one of the aircraft that is used to give rides ($450 per person!), but today, she was on the line. And the B-25J, "Briefing Time":

There was a third B-25 on hand and in service as the flying tour bird.

On loan from the Yankee Air Museum in Michigan, the B-17G, "Yankee Lady":

I couldn't get any closer; the "Yankee Lady" was also in service, giving flying tours. You have to sign up weeks in advance, as I found out, to my disappointment. Oh, well, next year...

Also on the ramp, a P-47N:

and an FG-1D:

(end of part one)

 

[theBaron]

(Part 2)

Also at the show, and flying, though I had to leave before it took off again:

A Spitfire XVIII, done up in French markings. They towed her over to the ramp, and we got to get right up to the aircraft. Here are two closer shots:

The museum hosts a miscellaneous group of aircraft, including a number of trainers. They have a couple of AT-6/SNJ Texans, 3 or 4 Stearmans, but also a couple Vultee BT-13s. Here is one in pre-war AAC livery:

The one aircraft I was eager to see this year was a real, live SBD. In the past, it's usually an SNJ that stands in for the Dauntless, when they do aerial re-enactments. But this year, there was a Dauntless on hand. Unfortunately, this was as close as I could get:

I think this one is owned by the Commemorative Air Force (lame-"Confederate Air Force" was such a cooler name!). A ride on this bird was $595. Like booking a ride on the "Yankee Lady", by the time I looked into it, it was too late.

Even cooler than seeing an SBD in the flesh was the surprise announcement that an SB2C was on its way from Pittsburgh. About half an hour later, it showed up. I was able to spot it by the tail (those air recognition flash cards paid off ). Here are some shots of the Beast as she taxied on the ramp:

This is another bird owned by the CAF.

(end of part 2)

 

[theBaron]

(Part 3)

Finally, I took some pics on the Museum's current special project, a P-61 that was recovered from a crash site near Hollandia, New Guinea. The aircraft is undergoing restauration:

The staff expect to make her airworthy, eventually. If I remember correctly, the wreckage was recovered in 1996. It had to be extracted by helicopter; there was no way to get any other powered vehicles up to the site.

All of the work is paid for by donations. You can see a placard in one of the shots, soliciting donations from the patrons. The museum also has T-shirts, caps, and other items to advertise the P-61, even selling the latest issue copy of the Monogram P-61 kit (today, as Revell). I think they'll be able to do it, I just hope I'm still around when they do.

That's all the pictures I took, because after a while, I got so engrossed in seeing everything, I couldn't think about taking pictures It was a great time, and for anyone close enough, I recommend it! Or if you're near such a museum or airfield where shows like these take place, go and visit them. Not only is it cool to see the aircraft close up, but it's also moving and educational to talk to the WWII veterans, as I'm sure you're all aware, and they're leaving us at an ever increasing rate, which I'm sure you're aware of, too. Anyway, it was another great show.

For anyone who's interested, this is the main URL for the Mid Atlantic Air Museum:

http://www.maam.org/

Thanks for looking!

Prost!
Brad

 

[amhuff1]

Thanks for sharing the pictures. I was at the show all weekend. I am fortunate that I live only 10 minutes from the airport. It was great to see all of the veterans. I got autographs and photos of the Filthy 13 vets as well as the Doolittle Raiders. Also got to talk to Bud Anderson and got his autograph as well. I have all of the autographs from The Band of Brother vets but it was still nice to see them. A great time and I would recommend it for next year.

 

[thebritfarmer]

Hi Brad,

Sound like you had a great day. Thanks for taking & sharing the pictures with us.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Great shots Brad! Thanks for sharing . . . wish I could have seen those beauties in person.

 

[theBaron]

Thank you guys for the kind words, and I'm glad you enjoyed them!

amhuff, that's cool that you got to talk to Col. Anderson in person! He was giving a talk to the crowd when I saw him, he was sitting up on the wing of "Old Crow", and told about his first missions, and his experiences.

Yes, well worth the price of admission!

Two years ago, my dad and I went for the first time, and as we were walking around, I heard a familiar voice, and spotted him--R Lee Ermey was there, signing autographs and talking to the crowd. If I had known, I'd have taken along my R Lee Ermey Motivational Figure and asked him to autograph the box.

Next year--a ride in the B-17!

 

[Combat]

I've been to the show a couple of times. Always good fun, but often crowded and hotter than hell. Unfortunately, there are fewer and fewer of the WWII vets that are able to attend the shows. My guess is the window of opportunity to meet these guys is closing fast. A couple years ago I shook hands with Paul Tibbets the pilot of the Enola ***. He passed away not long after. Here is an interesting interview with Tibbets: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2002/aug/06/nuclear.japan

 

[amhuff1]

Brad
I was surprised that Emery was not there this year. He was at the last two shows. I have always wanted to take a ride in a B 17. I just don't know if I can afford it.

 

[Jagdpanther]

I was there on Saturday. Its worth going and worth the admission price. To see all those planes and to meet the veterans is well worth it. I did talk to Bud Anderson and got an autograph I took video of him talking on the wing of the Old Crow. Was also nice to meet members of the Band of Brother.

 

[theBaron]

I should have worn my forum badge!