Warbird Information Exchange

We just had the big Eight B-17 gathering at Thunder and next year we can look forward to the mega-Mustang roundup in Reno.

If you could wish for a type fly-in gathering that hasn't really been done yet what would it be? Maybe someone with the finances, capabilities, and like vision will be reading and it will inspire them to make it happen...

I'd like to see:

1) An all-Allison event: mostly P-38s and P-40s. I wonder how many you could get? I'd ask for it at McMinnville, Oregon so that Evergreen would at least get theirs out for engine runs and taxi if nothing else.

2) An all-Douglas affair with SBDs, A-26s, and A-20 or two, a Douglas-built B-17, and...

3) Someday further down the restoration road--an all Bell Cobras event.

4) Race planes of yesterday. Cleveland and early Reno racers.

5) an Axis aircraft only event, ...but then arrange a secret sneak strafing attack of a gaggle of mixed Allied fighters from a nearby field early on the morning of the last day of the show.

Another thought... Isn't March 5, 2006 the 70th anniversary of the Spitfire first flight. Another big gathering of Spits then is certainly VERY warranted. Are there any plans being kicked around?

I think an all Grumman event would be really cool, you could have the Cats plus Avengers and maybe an F9F among other things. You could round up quite a collection of seaplanes too like the J2F, Widgeon, Goose and Albatross. I would also like to see a large gathering of Skyraiders, even though there aren't that many around.

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Matt

I'd like to see a whole lotta P-40s in one place at one time... preferably at Geneseo...


Fade to Black...

LT--

I like #4 from your initial list...few years back at Yankee they did have a small gathering of Warbird racers, which proceeded to steal the show...

The Bell Cobras idea is interesting too: P-39s, P-63s...and AH-1s!

But the one I'd most like to see (Mike, Jim et al, no prizes for guessing what comes next)...is a whole bunch of Furies/Sea Furies in one place.

As to the Spit gathering, I'm sure there'll be plenty of those next spring. I just hope to see more than one in the air at a single event...never have!

S.

I'd like to see a P-47 gathering at their birthplace, Republic Airport. Anyone from the American Airpower Museum reading this???? An event similar to the Corsair Gathering at Stratford would be excellent.

Good ideas listed so far.

How about a mass B-25 gathering at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Billy Mitchell's hometown. They could gather the same days the rest of the NATA folks are in Kenosha, then make the mass fly-up to OSH.

Sure glad I'm not the guy that's going to organize it, though!

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

I went to a small show on a grass field (I think it was in Kent) a few years back. They had warbirds (Spit, Hurri, & Mustang as I recall), antique aircraft, antique autos, and military vehicles. What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon! Some wine, some sausage, some light chit chat...

Why would I want to see 75 Mustangs all in one place? Don't they all start looking the same after a while?

Hmmmmm,

Interesting topic. For my own two cents...I would like to see an airshow featuring ONLY aircraft that either start with a "P" or "B" in their respective titles. In other words...a fighter only show, or a bomber only show. BUT, if a way could be found....I would LOVE to see every flyable Warbird at one massive show....where everything flies.

I know...I know...wishful thinking on my part, sigh...but if I can dream...why not dream BIG right ??

Paul

Of course it may be because Wendover is a old heavy bomber base but I'd like to see a "heavy bomber" gathering - FIFI & Doc, Lil & Witchcraft and then B-17s - this has been done but still would be cool to see. Oh, and I'd like to see it done West of the Mississippi to

Tom P.

How about a gathering of goony birds in Topeka, KS fall of 2006. perhaps as many as 30+ goons, a massive flyover properly escorted by P-51's,P-47's, P-38's, etc. etc.

I would like to see the "Grumman" Gathering.........that would be neat..........but to see all the flying N3N's get together for a flyover at the Navy Yard where they were built would be outstanding!!!

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Long Live the N3N-3 "The Last US Military Bi-Plane" 1940-1959
Badmouthing Stearmans on WIX since 2005

PBY gathering/Flying Boats. Just because it'd be intresting. Maybe a Naval aviation gathering too.

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When all is said and done more is said than done.

How about EVERY Luftwaffe surviving aircraft from all over the world ???
Simply lined up...type by type.....magnificent!!!!!
Not an easy task but....candy for my camera!

A B-25 gathering would be a fly-in I'd love to see as well.