Gathering of Legends Airshow

& USAF Museum

by Hal Marshman Sr.

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   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.

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   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

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Photos and text © by Hal Marshman Sr