Hi all. At 0500 on the 26 of Sept, my son Karl and I departed by
car for Columbus, Oh. Arrived
early in the evening, had dinner, and retired. It had rained, and was damp
and cool. Friday morning, in a pouring rain, we drove the eighty or so
miles further west to the USAF Museum. I had been there a few times
before, but it was Karl’s first visit. He’s a USAF veteran, so had
more than a passing interest. We spent about 6 hours there, before heading
back to Columbus in glorious sunshine. Since my last visit, the third
large building had been built, and most exhibits were now finished. I took
a lot of pictures, but the lighting is weird, and many of them came out
very dark. The airplanes themselves, are posed for maximum in person
visibility, but not good for photographic purposes. Each display also has
a hip high fence around it, preventing folks from getting too close.
Some of the exhibits are
set into simple dioramas, accompanied by manikins in period costume, posed
realistically around the planes. One memorable diorama depicts a training
unit BT-9 nosed over, with a couple of mechs, and an instructor chewing
out the hapless pilot. There’s a Me-109G-10, with a couple of mechanics
in conversation in front of the left wing.. Jimmy Doolittle is talking to
the pilot of a B-25 preparing to take off from the Hornet. One whole
building is dedicated to military aviation during the Cold War, and the
last building high lights the Space Race, and the latest aviation
landmarks, including the F-22 Raptor, and a brief description on how it
performs. This info came in handy for me in the next few days.
We didn’t
get to the cafeteria, so I cannot comment on it. The souvenir shop
features model kits, a large book shop, diecast models, library,
selection of aviation and WWII era CDs and DVDs. There is a
good selection of sweatshirts, ball caps, reproduction leather jackets and
aircrew caps’ (You know, like Sefton wears in Stalad 17), jewelry, unit
crests, decals, and patches.
Next morning, we got up to a beautiful day, ideal for our main
purpose for the trip. Our first day at the ”Gathering of Legends Air
Show”. The next 2 days were the actual show, while Friday was for
arrivals, and practicing.
This was the best day for photography of individual planes, as the crowd
was smaller. What a sight, a double row of P-51s tail to tail for at least
a quarter of a mile. All kinds of color schemes, some very authentic
schemes, a few good schemes
applied to the wrong version of P-51, some very bogus schemes, the all
yellow Hoover –51, and an all silver racer with wee cockpit canopy, and
contra rotating props. Down the end, a touch of class, an Allison engined
P-51 (no sub designation). 2 B-17s, one OD and the other NMF. 2 B-25s, 1 C-47, 2 late model p-47-Ds, a Tora Tora Zero,
P-40-E, P-40-K, P-63 Kingcobra, a gorgeous Waco biplane (Turns out it is a
modern reproduction, that you can purchase one of.), AT-6’s (SNJs?),
Stearman PT-17’s, and 1 of the last 2 surviving Lancasters. At one time
or another, pretty nearly all these planes performed. There were, count
‘em , 76 P-51s on display. 20 flew in formation, forming the characters
“51”. Vintage bombers performed simulated low level bombing runs, and
on the ground explosions simulated with flame and black smoke, the
detonation of the bombs. Impressive as all get out. Now all of this
against the backdrop of C-5As and Galaxies. The USAF contributed
demonstrations of the F-15, escorted by a ’51, an F-16 accompanied
by 2 Mustangs, plus as a piece de resistance, an F-22 Raptor. This
miracle airplane put on a display of
incredible maneuverability, the like of which I’ve never seen
before. This damn thing can invert itself from a climb to a dive in
less space than a Pitts Special. It can climb to a peak, and then slide
down again, backwards. Oh and did I say noisy? The B-2 made an appearance,
but did 2 flybys and gone. The USAF did it’s best to salute it’s 65
year old vets, both airplanes and men, as it possibly could.
Click on
images below to see larger images
Did I say men? I did meet Joe
Peterburs, who shot down an Me-262 flown by Walter Schuck, ritter Kreuze mit
Eichen Laube. Schuck survived the war, and the two have become friends.
I met
and shook hands with three of the Tuskegee Airmen, who had a large tent
dedicated to them and their accomplishments. This tent was shared by a display
in honor of Capt. Eddie V. Rickenbacker, WWI ace, race car driver, former owner
of the Indy Speedway, and President
and CEO of Eastern Air Lines. (Thus becoming my ultimate boss as I joined EAL
while he was still “the Man”) I had great conversations with the man who is
the curator of the Rickenbacker Museum, part of Mott’s Military Museum. This
museum presented a terrific display of half tracks, Sherman tanks, Artillery,
jeeps, and 1 lonely fully restored Schwimmwagen. Met Mr. Mott, and was most
unhappy that time didn’t permit a visit. There were tents galore with all sorts of souvenirs and
memorabilia for sale. Virginia Bader even had a tent, selling prints.
Talked to
her, and got the wonderful news that although he passed through a bad time last
year, Bud Mahurin, P-47 ace extraordinary, has greatly improved. She spoke
glowingly about her friendship with this great man. Met Gil Cohen, the artist
who painted my Spirit of Atlantic City print with Mahurin shaking his crew
chief’s hand upon his return from a mission.
Did I tell you I had a great
time? That would be a gross understatement. My attendance at this event marks
one of the greatest events of my
life. Too soon, it was late Sunday afternoon, and we were leaving the field.
Back to the hotel, quick supper, and into the rack for an early Monday am
departure for home. I’ve shared as much with you as is practical. I’ve had
to leave out events and impressions I’m sure you’d enjoy, but hopefully your
editor will find space for this report, and a few of the pics I’m sending with
it. ‘Til next time, have fun, Hal
Yeah, even amongst such august
company, the 2 Jugs were still impressive.
Hal
Click on
images below to see larger images
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