WWII Weekend at Reading PA this Weekend

[Aragorn243]

I wasn't planning to go this year, but circumstances changed. My brother decided to come with at least two of my nephews. So, I'm a tour guide once again.

Hopefully I'll have some pics. Weather looks decent.

This is a really awesome event but as it's nearly the same every year and it seems like I was just there about two months ago (time and aging oddity) I was skipping it.

[Bob Womack]

A friend went a few years back and got to meet his Tuskegee Airmen heroes. A significant time for him.

Bob

[Sapper740]

I've heard there is a big WWII reenactment in or around Erie too.

[Aragorn243]

It was a beautiful day, blue skies with clouds, low humidity, strong breeze. I did get lots of photos but I'm still working on them as a lot came out very dark and I need to lighten them, not sure why this camera does this, the first hour or so were great, then they got dark. A couple of years ago they were so dark I couldn't see anything. My old camera never did this.

Observations. Fifi was the only big bomber there, it was flying pretty much all day. There were two B-25's on the field but only one flew and that was during the show. I heard from others that the second one started up and shortly after shut back down. Two Avengers there, one flew off, disappeared and then came back, no show, no photo passes, the other didn't move. A Corsair was there, I didn't see it, it flew Friday, had it's engine cut out and landed immediately with no power. One P-51 flew in the show and was giving rides, P-40 in the show, P-63 in the show 5 Primary trainers of different types, 4 AT-6's in the show, a Dauntless and two reproduction Japanese planes in the show. One C-47, no parachute drop due to the high winds. I believe that's about it. As far as this show goes, it was a very small showing but probably a good glimpse into the future, fewer planes as costs get prohibitive and they simply wear out.

So if you see a show somewhere close, better go now.

Typically, years ago there would be anywhere from two to four big bombers, several transport types, five P-51's, numerous other fighters a large grouping of Pacific War planes and they would all be flying.

The ground displays at least seem to be holding their own or even expanding slightly. There are a lot of reenactor groups and they seem to be growing. The Japanese group hasn't been there for a couple of years now which is odd. I did see three walking through once with a flag but then they disappeared. The Chinese Nationalist group got a lot smaller as did the Russians. There was an Italian area with no Italians and a Bulgarian area with two Bulgarians. British contingent was very large, the Germans are extremely well represented both in men and equipment, they had five "tanks" a couple of halftracks, etc. And of course the US dominated in numbers and size.

I bought some books off the author in the hanger, he and his publisher were NOT happy with the show and were complaining about the admission cost which does keep going up but wasn't ridiculous in my opinion and I told them so. It was $42 this year with free parking. I told them it costs $12,000 and hour to operate Fifi and they both looked shocked and stopped fussing about the price. I think they thought the price was going to keep people away but it was packed. Largest crowd I've ever seen.

But that's part of the fewer planes. Just too expensive to pay them to come. There is going to be a breaking point with the admission cost.

[Bob Womack]

The local museum has an actual Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero very nearly restored to both museum and flying condition. Apparently they are finalizing a few things before certification. I can imagine it will become a real draw, given that when it flies, it will be one of only two that are flying with their original engines.



Bob

[mmppres]

That was all that was talk about at the gun show in Oaks Pa. It put a hurtin on attendance. Crowd all went to the air show. As the weather was so nice.

[Aragorn243]

The local museum has an actual Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero very nearly restored to both museum and flying condition. Apparently they are finalizing a few things before certification. I can imagine it will become a real draw, given that when it flies, it will be one of only two that are flying with their original engines.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ationMus-1.jpg

Bob

I would be making a point to go see that fly. That's what used to be good about this show. But they haven't had anything new or unique in several years.

[Aragorn243]

[browningautorifle]

Seeing that glowing Northrop P61 in the first pics, although no wings...brings back to mind one of our now passed members that started his military career flying in those. RIP Cosine26, I wish you could have given me a tour of that aircraft. Here's to those guys' memory.

https://www.milsurps.com/member.php?u=5127

northrop P61 warming up for takeoff - Google Search

[Bob Womack]

I want to hear a Douglas Dauntless fly. The local museum is restoring one of the ones that went into Lake Michigan to flight. I think it also flew at Midway. The latest Midway movie made 'em sound like Kitchenaid Mixers. I've never heard a radial sound that way.



Bob