(War) Bird-Brain

[ArtioZen]

Last weekend saw the annual Mid Atlantic Air Museum (of Reading PA) WW2 weekend - mercifully placed between day long dowpours. I love walking around the static display and flight line - getting up close to these classics and then having the slight inconvenience of a rope cordon as they start em up and taxi them by for a flight - smells like victory! So I get under the right engine of a B25, turn around and can see a C47, a Mustang and another B25 within 100yds. A B17 and "the" B29 are on property and frequently in the air - but strictly no-touchy! Unfortunatley the B24 still needs a nose gear rebuild after a heavy landing and was OoA at home base.

I really want to be around for the Widow taking to the air again!

On a milsurp note the vendors cater for re-enactors but often have real items at great prices -I got a NOS "tin" L1A1 cleaning kit and a well loved (characterfull) '03 leather sling combined for the same as the cost of entry. Almost every type of small arm on display with the re-enactors from all combatant nations - most are great condition originals.

This year featured more young folks in period dress than ever - along with period sound track which was punctuated by the "rattle" of Island and French Scene re-enaction and the "fire a fifty for five" deal in the background. oh and then there are 250 or so vehicles to drool over! - gearhead heaven!

Next stop Cosford in late summer during an overdue UK trip and then a long wait till next June to return to my "happy place".

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[WarPig1976]

I remember the first time I saw a B17, I thought they'd be bigger. The Corsair is huge!!
Thanks fur sharin

[ArtioZen]

Hi WarPig - yes the Corsair is huge! So is the Helldiver (my first one up close) - kind of strange for foldable carrier born types. In previous years I have counted upto 96 radial cylinders on various aircraft firing up around me as they ready for the grand finale. When it comes to engine noise - count me in!

[WarPig1976]

I have to get over there one time to see the show. Sounds like a blast.!!! FYI, willow grove naval air station, well what used to be WGNA has a small aeronautical museum free to the public.

[jmoore]

Saw the B29 in flight by chance about a month ago. The sound of radials always gets my attention. So went out, looked, and there it was!

[WarPig1976]

On the other end of the spectrum.
Years ago I was in Jennersville PA at the ex mother in laws outside smoking.
Happened to look up and there's a B2 stealth bomber heading straight at me at about 1500-2000 feet. No sound whatsoever!!! As it passed overhead still nothing. Not until it was well passed did I bearly hear her engines.
That was neat, why it was flying over Eastern PA I have no idea.

[ArtioZen]

Awesome! I too keep an ear and an eye to the sky especially for warbirds en-route (especially if droning radials). The B29 is now using a hybrid engines with better power and reliability - custom made from those used on Skyraiders and Boxcars - there are videos on YouTube - an extraordinary undertaking to keep history in flight! Cost was between $3M and $4M. CAF book rides in various aircraft for the air show schedules = trip of a lifetime (still $aving).

The B2 used to do a slow fly-past for the the Willow Grove Air show (when the base was operational - as observed above). I saw it from my yard about 8 years ago - very exciting! I did go to the museum there some time ago, while they still had the ME 262 - it’s still worth the trip as they have tours and talks by veteran pilots (one flew the actual aircraft on display)

I was recently reading the website for the last flying Avro Vulcan XH558 - destined to be grounded due to airframe life/fatigue (even after extensive and expensive upgrades) - enjoy it while you can! The sound of 4 Olympus engines get you on your feet - typically draws rain out of a cloudy sky!