Anyone attend the Warbird Tribute at Sevierville?

[Zachary]

Curious to know what airplanes were there and who the speakers were.

Thanks for any info!

Zack

[BK]

Curious to know what airplanes were there and who the speakers were.

Thanks for any info!

Zack

It was very disappointing compared to previous gatherings, only the two P-47s and a visiting T-6 flew. The weather was perfect so I don't know what happened other than there were other shows the same day that kept aircraft from attending. The 47s did fly three separate times. The museum's T-28 was minus a prop (getting worked on in CO) so it couldn't fly. Don't know why the SNB and Albatross (had oil pans under it) didn't fly. A flight of five T-34s were formation practicing when I got there.

WWII P-47 pilots Frank "Lucky" Luckman 368th FG and Bill Hartshorn 56th FG both gave great talks. I had met both before and I think you interviewed Bill your last trip down here. I overheard someone say Lucky drove himself down from PA in his Z-28 with license plate P-47. The star of the day for me was crew chief Bert Lok 358th FG. His talk was very emotional, funny and heartbreaking. A small group of us got to listen to him "preach" after the crowd thinned out. He has opinions and is not afraid to share them. Zack you need to record this guy. He said he and his wife were moving down here so maybe the next time you visit you can talk to him.

[ktst97]

I overheard someone say Lucky drove himself down from PA in his Z-28 with license plate P-47.

Lucky's plate is TBOLT 3. His Camaro has been parked near the Museum entrance door at the 3 most recent Warbird Gatherings, and probably more. We spent more than an hour with him looking at his photo albums Sunday.
John took off again shortly before 6:00 Saturday to escort the Red Bull helicopter to the airport. It was in the museum Sunday, parked next to Wicked Wabbit.

[TimAPNY]

I was not under the impression that there were suppose to be more aircraft flying in. It was my understanding, which could be incorrect, is that the museum changed format to what was done because of past weather problems.

I liked the format and how it was carried out, It had some talking, some flying. One was not forced to listen to the vets or watch the flying. A few more aircraft would have been great and maybe 2 more aircraft in the air during the demo would have made the loop a bit more lively.

I'd love to know if they need some help with their website, there really seems to be a need for some updates and to keep it updated.


I posted some pictures for Saturday in the Photo section.
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... hp?t=29518

Tim

[BK]

I overheard someone say Lucky drove himself down from PA in his Z-28 with license plate P-47.

Lucky's plate is TBOLT 3. His Camaro has been parked near the Museum entrance door at the 3 most recent Warbird Gatherings, and probably more. We spent more than an hour with him looking at his photo albums Sunday.
John took off again shortly before 6:00 Saturday to escort the Red Bull helicopter to the airport. It was in the museum Sunday, parked next to Wicked Wabbit.

Thanks for the correction. The Red Bull helicopter performed at Thunder Over Louisville Saturday. I hope to see it fly at the museum someday.

Tim, nice photos you want to explain how you got that first shot. I swear it looks air-to-air.