Reading, MAAM World War II Weekend, Sunday

[wls3]

After an overcast Corsair show in Bridgeport Friday, Reading had blue
sky and slight breeze Sunday. (Sorry Ken)

Again lots of living history on hand. Saw youngest MOH recipient of WW2,
Tuskegee Airmen, member of original Band of Brothers, and saw RAF pilot speak.
Many, many more folks on hand.

Had a nice conversation with Tim Savage under the wing of their B-25.

Oh yeah, Aircraft also.
3 B-25s, B-17 Yankee Lady, 2 TBMs, P-47, P-51, Hurricane, Yak, and PBY
to name some. (Was a little disappointed, no Hellcat as advertised)

Some pictures below and a few more HERE
Better half and I had to leave around 3 so didn't get to see all the flying.

Look forward to other folks photos (TimApNy) of what we missed.
Bill

[Mike]

Nice shots Bill, I especially liked the one of the Yak.

Which Hurricane was there? Did you get any pictures of it?

[TimAPNY]

So where you in the Parking area for the TBMs and PBY? Those are great shots, as you know the Sun was a bit tuff with the Haze.

I'm sorry I missed you Guys. I can't blame you for taking off. it was a ruff day heat wise.

[mrhenniger]

Very nice Bill! Thanks for sharing.

Mike

[srpatterson]

Forgot the step, Sandy.

[wls3]

TimApNy wrote:

So where you in the Parking area for the TBMs and PBY?

Very good Tim, Parking Lot 6 other side of field good place to be, sun at back.

Mike wrote:

Which Hurricane was there?

Fighter Factory Hurricane, I didn't get a picture this year
but see picture below taken last year at Geneseo.

Steve wrote:

Forgot the step,

Also see picture below, I just thought it was normal!

Bill

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Bill,

Exceptional photo's. I bet the whole airshow was a big hit. Thanks for posting them.

Paul

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Quick question,

does anyone know if the MAAM still flys their P2V-7 ? I was a member back when the initially got it when they were still located in Harrisburg, Pa. and recall only seeing it fly sporadically back then. Being now, located in Minnesota it makes it hard for me to keep track of the goings on at MAAM.

And one other one, has any of the members here seen up close and personal how the P-61 project is coming along for them. This is one exceptional project and myself and others are greatly waiting to see this one fly someday. Any progress on it ??

Paul

[Chad Veich]

Nice to see a PBY with the turret and blisters. Whose is it?

[dors]

Quick question,

does anyone know if the MAAM still flys their P2V-7 ?Paul

I have been wondering that myself. Judging from its deteriorating condition I would guess that it hasn't been flown in many years. Didn't they used to have a second P2V?

And one other one, has any of the members here seen up close and personal how the P-61 project is coming along for them. Paul

If only I had a scanner. I got a great picture of its progress recently. The fuselage is shaping up nicely. I was told by a member that even though it appears that not much has happened from the outside great progress has been made with the interior and wiring. Cockpit now has glass. And they seem to have a good jump on the wings/nacelles. They are very close to running out of space in that tiny restoration area. I can't wait to call off of work to go see its first flight. What a sight that will be!

[michael luther]

The PBY is owned by fighter factory

[michael luther]

Russ Strine says that the P2V does not fly, to exspensive (we wanted it for a future show. the number two airplane was sold a couple of years back to a fire bomber CO.

[wls3]

Few pics taken this winter show status of P-61
and the Neptune.

Bill

[Waltz41]

Well, I'm finally recovered and unpacked from the WWII weekend. Got there thursday evening, set up my tent in our 25th Infantry Division Pacific Theater encampment and finished out fixing up our site. I did get to meet up with Tim Savage and a few guys as they came strolling through Thursday evening checking out the encampment. Sorry I never made it over to you at your B-25 to see you Tim!! Friday yes was raining, but it could of been worse, like last year. Just made everything a bit wet and damp, but the inside of my tent was pretty good. Saturday was better, one of our guys actually got married! Yes, and it was for real! Sunday was by far the best day, I am bright red from the sun. Being a reenactor (and not having a great camera) I only have some shots to share of stuff on the ground, but enjoy anyway!



Shot of the Museum's B-25 in the AM sun


RAF setup and Hurricane


Tim's Warbird Digest B-25


Museum's SNJ


Sean Carroll's Yak


Our 25th Infantry Division Group on vehicles in front of PBY


Our camp: 40 mm Bofors AA gun and Watchtower


Nice evening shot of me and my brother in the Watchtower


Close up of AA gun. Man in blue was a Sgt. of a gun crew in WWII. Shot down a total of 7 German planes, including a Me262!


Me helping out Breifing Time!


My Army Air Corp Impression and Bob Baranaskas P-51D


Baranaskas T-6


B-25 Yankee Warrior


Avengers and MAAM hanger


PBY nose / cockpit area


PBY


B-17 Yankee Lady


The wedding chapel!!

[Waltz41]

Hey guys,
one more thing, I don't know if anyone talked to any of the museum staff and I didn't want this to get lost in my above post...but the P-61 should be on it's own gear and displayed out on the asphalt in a year! I talked for a while with some of the staff, they were held up with the 'wing spars?' but now that they have them in, the gear is already installed and next step is basically putting the booms, gear area and fusalage all together. They are building a few more hangers to the right of the main hanger to accomodate the P-61 on it's own legs. They are still though a few more years away from flying it, but this is major news!!

Brian