2022 Reading WWII weekend photos

[wls3]

A look from Saturday. The weather was perfect.
More photos later...

[Lynn Allen]

Bill, thank you for the photos...

[wls3]

A few more,
This was a first for me, I'd never seen these two types together in flight before.

[kalamazookid]

Great photos! Thanks for sharing! Nice to see the MAM Airacobra out.

[phil65]

Great photo's..
Any pic's of the Black Widow ?

Thanks,
Phil

[wls3]

Here's a look at "Yankee Lady" also.

Last edited by wls3 on Mon Jun 06, 2022 8:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[phil65]

Thanks...

Phil

[Pogo]

Bill, those pix are fantastic -- THANKS for posting!!

[JohnB]

Gee, only ONE P-61 on display?

[marine air]

Nice pics, thanks. Any progress on the P-61 wings and ailerons? Otherwise it looks the same. The Cobras are supposed to be very easy to fly but are short ranged. Maybe the MAM can source a working drop tank and fly it to more events. It's a neat airplane and too rare in today's skies.

[Taylor Stevenson]

The Cobras are supposed to be very easy to fly but are short ranged.

Easy is, of course, a relative term. I'd argue others are easier in many respects. The 63 takes some getting used to on the ground as it has a free-castering nosewheel and you can get the nosewheel stuck over center if you don't plan a sharp turn correctly. It's an all electrical airplane (minus brakes) and has low flap speed, so you can't cheat with flaps to help slow down when entering the pattern (like a 51). Plus the flaps aren't that big, so its a pretty slick airplane and you have to think ahead to slow it down. Of course, it is liquid cooled, so you have to pay close attention to coolant temp, but it doesn't heat up as quickly as a 39 or 40. You also have an Aero Products prop, so you need to pay attention to it as well. It's an uncomfortable cockpit and is difficult to get in and out of, especially in a hurry. All that aside, its a wonderful aircraft with great visibility and such a unique history/engineering.

You are correct on it being short ranged. I plan on 1 hour takeoff to landing.

[kalamazookid]

Nice pics, thanks. Any progress on the P-61 wings and ailerons? Otherwise it looks the same. The Cobras are supposed to be very easy to fly but are short ranged. Maybe the MAM can source a working drop tank and fly it to more events. It's a neat airplane and too rare in today's skies.

I would also love to see a more comprehensive update on the Black Widow if anyone has one. The museum's Widow's Web page hasn't been updated since 2020.

[DJ Hunt]

Great stuff as usual Bill. Was great to get a chance to chat with you after 3 years or so.

Looking for the civilian registration for the P-39. Help please!

Thanks

Jeff

[p51]

The Cobras are supposed to be very easy to fly but are short ranged.

I was friends with a 8th AF vet back in the 90s. He'd flown B-17s for the 91st BG, went back to the states during the war and flew cobras out of Vegas AAF and then later P-47s for the MD Air National Guard. I remember him telling me that Cobras were 'a handful'. To my mind, that meant they were more tricky to fly than the other stuff he'd flown (though I've confirmed with lot of vet and warbird pilots that B-17s weren't tough to fly and a few vets have told me that Jugs were pretty stable).

[TAdan]

Nice pics, thanks. Any progress on the P-61 wings and ailerons? Otherwise it looks the same. The Cobras are supposed to be very easy to fly but are short ranged. Maybe the MAM can source a working drop tank and fly it to more events. It's a neat airplane and too rare in today's skies.

I would also love to see a more comprehensive update on the Black Widow if anyone has one. The museum's Widow's Web page hasn't been updated since 2020.

The Museum conveniently had a list hanging up near the Widow of items "Completed since end of pandemic" - 46 points long ranging # 1. Support Assembly Radio Compass Indicator to #30 Turret assembly, and #46 Multiple Fuel Cell Mounting hardware units. I appreciated the update. Items 10-14 refer to Aileron Hinges, Brackets, and structure assembly so I would guess they are fairly far along.

They also had a new wing spar on display along side the original as well as an assembled rudder and newly made spoilers for the wings. While progress is never as fast as we'd like it is nice to see them making steady progress. I visited last November and they were kind enough to give me a thorough tour of the Widow. I definetly noted progress from when I saw it last.

As far as the show went, it was another great event. I am so thankful they had three days of perfect weather. There seemed to be more reenactors and vehicles than ever and I was thrilled to see the P-39 and former Texas Flying legends Corsair, two planes I had never seen before. The newly restored Beach City Baby was also a highlight.