Warbird Information Exchange

http://www.tnairmuseum.com

WARBIRDS WEEKEND - September 23 & 24, 2006

WHAT IS WARBIRD WEEKEND ? WARBIRD WEEKEND is an informal gathering of vintage, historic aircraft that takes place at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation twice each year, in the Spring and in the Fall. The museum is home to the Tennessee First Squadron Chapter Warbirds of America. Many of those who fly in for these weekend events are chapter members, but more and more Warbirds are discovering the event and come to enjoy the camaraderie and the flying.

The exciting part is, we never really know who is coming or what kinds of aircraft will be visiting. And, like all aviation fly-ins a variety of factors, including the weather, have a lot to do with who comes and what types of aircraft we have here.

Aviation photographers have frequently commented on the quality of the event and the aircraft. Most airworthy Warbirds are meticulously restored and maintained. Another advantage is the museum's location adjacent to the active runway. Visitors are able to witness and photograph the extraordinary airplanes as they take off and land and as they do individual and formation fly-bys.

ADMISSION & HOURS FOR WARBIRD WEEKENDS

Normal museum admission rates apply but during these special events, visitors are issued all-day wristbands that make it easy to come and go during the day.

Museum hours change only slightly. Weather permitting, we may open an hour earlier than usual and on Sunday, we open the same hours as on Saturdays, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.



Dave G

I'll be there. Hope to see both Thunderbolts flying. I haven't seen them fly together since Wicked Wabbit got the new paint scheme. Only Hun Hunter made it to the Big South Fork airshow last weekend. Planes they hope to have in attendence: "A-26, AD-1, P-47's, P-51's, TBM, T-28's, T-34's, T-6's and more."

Also, for those in the area the EAA B-17 Aluminum Overcast will be at McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville the same weekend Sep 22-24.

BK

The Tennessee Museum of Aviation will be having Warbird Weekend Sept. 23-24, 2006. Scheduled to be there will be both of the P-47's, TBM, 2-3 P-51 Mustangs, T-34's, and T-6's, and T-28's. There is one thing for sure.. you never know who else may show up there for the Weekend. If you are one of the people coming you will find out what really is going on that weekend...may be something really "Cool" show up or happen there. Just have to wait and see...or see you there..!!!

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FLY SAFE--FLY FAST
F4U Corsair Historian
Mint Moore III

I know a couple of things going on, but one is there will be 2 Brand New P-47 T-Shirts available next weekend for sale. They are "Hot" off the press's, and one is of Hun Hunter and Wicked Wabbitt together, and the other is of Hun Hunter and a ME-109. The New Shirts where made by the people at Primal Screens "Alpha Strike" T-Shirt Company in Northern Ohio.

_________________
FLY SAFE--FLY FAST
F4U Corsair Historian
Mint Moore III

anyone go to Warbird Weekend, I heard they had something special going on...?????

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FLY SAFE--FLY FAST
F4U Corsair Historian
Mint Moore III

How about a little of This...???!!!
Enjoy.

_________________
FLY SAFE--FLY FAST
F4U Corsair Historian
Mint Moore III

From The Mountain Press


An 'Ermey' of one
Actor here to film for History Channel

By: DEREK HODGES, Staff Writer September 27, 2006

Curt Habraken/The Mountain Press

SEVIERVILLE - History came to life Monday as an episode of The History Channel's "Mail Call" series was filmed at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation.
The show turned its cameras on several World War II-era aircraft that were in the area over the weekend. Those included two P-47 Thunderbolts, two P-51 Mustangs and a TBM Avenger.

In addition to bringing the rare vintage aircraft into town, the show also brought its host, R. Lee Ermey, and veterans who flew the planes on display.

Ermey, himself a Marine Corps veteran, has gained notoriety for his knowledge of military history and for appearances in various war-related movies. Particularly well-known is his performance in "Full Metal Jacket." That knowledge led him into hosting "Mail Call," a show that details military history.

"We tell you anything you want to know about the military, past, present and future," Ermey said.

Each episode is based on inquiries from viewer e-mails. Topics that draw a great deal of interest make it to the show. For the program filmed locally, Ermey said the network received a number of requests to feature the aircraft in the area.

"These planes are the sports car of all the jet fighters," Ermey said. "These are awesome pieces of machinery and this is certainly a beautiful area to see from the air."

Ermey and the fighter pilots took an aerial tour of the area, shooting footage of vistas like the Smokies and Douglas Lake.

Also on hand for the taping was Frank "Lucky" Luckman of Abington, Pa., who flew a P-47 during World War II. Luckman's missions included bombing locomotives, rail cars, cargo shipments, tanks, roads, railroads and bridges.

"The bulk of the ground work was done with the P-47s," Luckman said.

Among his sorties were several to assist troops during the Battle of the Bulge, and others to take out gunners on hills above Normandy Beach during D-Day. Luckman got to take a flight in one of the craft, the first time he's been in that type of plane in 54 years.

"The best part of that flight was when they stated to pull those 'Gs,' because I haven't felt G-forces in 54 years," Luckman said.

For the show, Luckman recounted the P-47's history and his personal experience flying one.

The episode likely will air toward the end of "Mail Call's" current season, though airport spokeswoman Rhonda Melton said she believes the date has not yet been set.

Ermey said the show will appeal to those not particularly interested in military history.

"If you haven't seen it, I think you should check it out," he said. "I can almost guarantee you'll like the show. Unless you want to go through life being stupid, you need to know about things like this. If you grow up ignorant these days, shame on you."
Melton is optimistic the show will have a positive impact on the museum.

"Hopefully it will get our name out here and it will get more people to come visit us," Melton said. "We hope it will mean a lot to people and they'll take note of us."

* dhodges@themountainpress.com

©The Mountain Press 2006
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Guess we better watch it. We don't want to go through life stupid!
Robbie

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Fly Fast Make Noise!

No. It was a monsoon this weekend something like 6 inches of rain in two days. I called the museum Saturday morning to ask if there would be any flying and was told "weather permitting." It was coming down in sheets at the house at the time. I also asked if there were any visiting aircraft and was told no, due to the weather. Therfore, I didn't make the 50 mile journey. Sunday was only a little better and was late afternoon by the time it cleared up enough to fly, apparently. I would have braved the weather had I known Ermey was going to be there. At least I can see what I missed on Mail Call.

I did get to walk through "Aluminum Overcast" Friday before the weather moved in. It was a lot easier walking through a B-17 when I was 17.

BK