Reading, PA airshow. A gathering of warbirds

[bobbysocks]

i was playing the other night with a guy who also lives in PA and he had no clue about this really good airshow. so i am posting this for anyone close to the area. its worth seeing. there are great planes, displays, re-enactments, etc. oh, and you can get a ride in a mustang...prices start @ $1495.00 for 20 minutes. i am going to be there saturday and trying to get some of the boys from the 357th to come out.

http://www.maam.org/maamwwii.html
http://www.maam.org/wwii/ww2_sched.htm
http://www.maam.org/wwii/ww2_guests.htm

[hurricane]

ive been thinking about going for a couple of years now.i went to lancaster's air show last year and the p51 was a no show.reading's is bigger and not much further for me.have you been there before bobbysocks?

[bobbysocks]

yeah, was there a couple years ago with dad. its a great show. more than just planes. there are refurbished old german, brit, etc motorcycles ( tons of them )...a guy brought a tiger tank he made ( from what i dont know but it looked cool ). they have a mock french village where re-enactors play out a battle. when we went it was stinking hot and these guys were wearing those wool uniforms. they had working machine guns that fired blanks. then there were the planes! bucket, unless they F'ed it up this year it is well worth the trip. if you decide to head over let me know. i'll give you my cell phone and buy you a beer or something. i think cryptic was thinking of showing up as well..

[hurricane]

i might be able to work it out.i was showing my wife the website and she was thinking about going for the big band on sat. night.will keep you posted.

[hurricane]

don't know if i can make it bobbysocks.if i go it would be on impulse.if your still going take some pics for us.

[bobbysocks]

actually was there all day. had a real good time...a few disappointments but overall pretty happy. will post pics when i get home and DL them onto my computer. do hope you made it though.

[Cryptic Phant0m]

I would have loved to go to this, but with my job I have to give 30 days notice for requested time off.

I am planning on attending next year.

If they still have it next year I want to fly in the B-25J MITCHELL "PANCHITO".:-P:-P:-P

Cannot wait to see those pictures. :grin:

[bobbysocks]

they have it every year. if you want a ride in a B25 you best start saving now. i saw where a 20 minute ride in a 51 was $1400. i hear a ride in FIFI was almost 3 grand. i am sure its worth it....especially if you dont have to explain it to a wife.

[bobbysocks]

the MAAM WW2 weekend is just that...not simply an airshow but an all around WW2 experience. Its different and interesting for people with varying interests that intersect with that era. besides the aircraft there were tons of "en-actors". like the mid-evil festivals we have around here many visitors dressed the part in 40s garb. a mock 40s radio station had performances of abbot and costello and andrew sisters impersonators and provided the background music over all the loud speakers. it was all tunes from big bands and bobbysockers.

[bobbysocks]

there were vendors selling authentic and reproduction clothing, metals, weapons, etc. the weapons were all or most all were working models that shot blanks. for a small fee you could burn a clip from a mp-40. burn through a belt on a mg42 or 30 cal browning.

[bobbysocks]

there were more vehicles here than airplanes. The field actually looked like a battalion had struck camp there. in a previous year a guy brought in a Tiger tank he had made. sadly he wasnt there this year. but some of the nicest vintage cycles were present. harley, matchless, bmw, etc...

[bobbysocks]

there was some pretty impressive wheeled and tracked stuff...

[bobbysocks]

built at the field is a mock french village and several times during the weekend the german and allies would duke it out...

and some pics of the elaborate encampments...

[bobbysocks]

now to the airplanes. this part was actually a little bit of a let down. they had tons of at-6s, pt-19s, cubs, stinsons, etc. and while i would love to jump in just about anything with fixed wings and go for a spin i am here for the warbirds. i can pretty much see a texan or ryan anytime. spitfires, mustangs, etc. is of more interest to me. there were no german ac at all. there was a griffon spitfire but it didnt land...it must have flown down from hamilton, canada for the show and left.
the one claim to fame is that they are restoring a p61 black widow. hopefully it will fly in the next few years. it was on display and they were taking donations and selling stuff about it.

[bobbysocks]

the only 2 non us ac that were there were this jap bomber which i am not sure is actually original. it may be a mock up. and this storch looking ac...sorry i guess there was one german plane.

most of the ac were navy .... i am guessing this theme came from the anniversary of the 100 years of naval aviation.

[bobbysocks]

one of the coolest things was this vintage curtis naval ac which looked like something the wright bros put together. what was the biggest surprise was when it actually flew! now that is something you dont often see!

[bobbysocks]

some of the planes that i could get close enough to..

[bobbysocks]

there were 3 b25s, 2 p51s which i could only get close to the one and the navy planes..

[bobbysocks]

there was one B17 (which i screwed up the pic on ) but the crowning jewel was B29 FIFI. i am wondering if they spent so much on getting FIFI that it put a crimp in the budget for getting other ac. she was a beauty but you couldnt get close which was sad.

[bobbysocks]

it was starting to rain and to get out of the show the line was VERY long. you had to be bussed in and out. so i stood and waited thus missing a lot. you really need 2 days to do this or get there very early and literally run around to see everything. i am going to try to DL this video on here so this may take a few tries. dang! its an avi format and this wont take it. i will have to convert it to something. i will try that tomorrow.

[bobbysocks]

old cars and old coots. there were a several old cars from the era...and some very odd 2 wheeled vehicles. but the thing that made the day special was i got to visit with one of the pilots from my dad's group. i had the distinct pleasure to spend an hour or so with Joe Black (G4-N Mary's Li'l Lamb ) in the center and his son Jim ( on left). he is a very polite and gracious man. it made the day all the more worthwhile. he wasnt one of the vets scheduled to tell his stories to the crowd. he came up for the day but it seems everyone knew he was here. he was autographing prints and programs of people hunting him down in the crowd. all in all it was a good day.

Joe's website

http://webspace.webring.com/people/wu/um_6610/357th.html

[FOZ_1983]

Some great pics bobby, you guys dont realise actually HOW lucky you are. Over here in the UK, we have B25's, B17's, and a few twin seater Spitfires to name a few that are privately owned, but you cant fly in them like you can over their. All issues with insurance etc.

Liking the pics though, the one i actually like the most is the Dauntless!!! Its a plane i do like, thanks for sharing.

As for your pic of the Japanese "val" (think its a val) the chances are its probably a Vultee BT-13. Just slightly modified to look like a Val. No doubt a movie star right their having probably stared in Pearl Harbour/Tora Tora Tora :D

[hurricane]

I know that some of these gatherings are carnival like.Like I told you that I went to the one in Lancaster with my son and his friend down the street.We were going through the fuselage of the B-17.There was a mutiny between two of the crew members.Complete with F-bombs and "find someone else to work for you this summer".But overall it is worth seeing the World War 2 birds.Good job with the pics Bobbysocks.Actually some of the best guys to talk to are the guys who sleep in their tents overnight.The one guy let my son and his friend hold his BAR.It was as big as he was.

[FOZ_1983]

I know that some of these gatherings are carnival like.Like I told you that I went to the one in Lancaster with my son and his friend down the street.We were going through the fuselage of the B-17.There was a mutiny between two of the crew members.Complete with F-bombs and "find someone else to work for you this summer".But overall it is worth seeing the World War 2 birds.Good job with the pics Bobbysocks.Actually some of the best guys to talk to are the guys who sleep in their tents overnight.The one guy let my son and his friend hold his BAR.It was as big as he was.

I know what you mean.

When i was at high school doing history (WW2) the teacher decided to liven it up a little so took us out onto the yard. A minute or two later a couple of those old american army jeeps pulled up with a mixture of actors and vets on board. They had authentic replicas of weapons to which we got to hold.

I have to say... i fell in love with the Thompson. Though wow... how heavy?? it weighed a ton!! It was good to talk to the vets also and hear about their experiences etc. Made it a very interesting history lesson indeed.

Again... some superb pics their Bobby. I like them :)

[McQ59]

Brilliant Dale! Carnival or not... The B29 is truly impressing.

[Cryptic Phant0m]

I just love this bike. :grin:

Sweet photos Bobby.

http://forum.1cpublishing.eu/attachment.php?attachmentid=6215&d=1307335381

[Gilly]

Just glad it's only a month till Duxford as the drool pool would have drowned me otherwise. I've also got the veterans day the weekend before and we have two spits coming in to spend the night....been told I may get to play in both cockpits.....better get the mop out!!
Top pics Bobby, hope Fifi comes this way sometime.

[hurricane]

:grin:the 'carnival 'comment had nothing to do with bobbys thread.it just reminded me of my trip thru the b17.the guys in the b17 were stressed out while the reanactors were camping out and seemed a little more relaxed.maybe cause they didn't have as much money tied up in their gear or they had a bottle stached in their tent.

[bobbysocks]

gilly i hope you do get a chance to see FIFI someday. i screwed up tho...i can be so dense sometimes... i know the flight engineer's wife. i wasnt thinking and emailed her too late. she was actually up here and we could have gotten a tour inside and some truly awesome pics. @#$%^&!!!!!!! :( that'll teach me.

[olife]

i was playing the other night with a guy who also lives in PA and he had no clue about this really good airshow. so i am posting this for anyone close to the area. its worth seeing. there are great planes, displays, re-enactments, etc. oh, and you can get a ride in a mustang...prices start @ $1495.00 for 20 minutes. i am going to be there saturday and trying to get some of the boys from the 357th to come out.

http://www.maam.org/maamwwii.html
http://www.maam.org/wwii/ww2_sched.htm
http://www.maam.org/wwii/ww2_guests.htm

hello bobbysocks!

nice! very nice!!u are very lucky bud!!!i want live in USA!!!!