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2021 Airshow, Warbird Airshow

2021 World War II Weekend – Reading, PA

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The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum hosted their annual “World War II Weekend on June 4-6, 2021. This is likely the largest event of its kind in the entire United States. In addition to the remarkable airshow, the museum hosts numerous reenactors that set up camps for the weekend as well as hundreds of WWII era antique military vehicles. Every theatre of operations is represented in some fashion, as well as many of the Allied and Axis units. It really is a case of visual sensory overload with so many things to see.

The aircraft lineup is impressive, with some aircraft visiting each year while others rotate. This year had several aircraft that I had not seen in person, so it was a real treat. Weather across the United States prevented several aircraft from attending and maintenance issues claimed several other airframes (a usual problem for most airshows).

This was my first airshow of 2021, so I was very pleased that Mother Nature cooperated by providing beautiful skies and pleasant temperatures. My last experience here was quite the opposite, and the mud on the airfield is legendary for making a mess of everything.

Enough of the warm-up, here are the photos!

Navy Bombers & Torpedo Aircraft

TBM-3E Avenger – “Doris Mae”

Commemorative Air Force Capital Wing flew their TBM-3E Avenger “Doris Mae”. She flies with civil registry N40402.

TBM-3E Avenger “Doris Mae” – N40402

SBD-5 Dauntless

Commemorative Air Force Air Base Georgia brought their SBD-5 Dauntless.

Commemorative Air Force SBD-5 Dauntless – N82GA

Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft

Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft were represented by replicas of the B5N “Kate” torpedo bomber and D3A “Val” dive bomber. Both aircraft are movie prop conversions of American aircraft to simulate the Japanese aircraft. The Kate was the Japanese equivalent of the TBF/TBM Avenger, while the Val is similar to the SBD Dauntless.

Commemorative Air Force Air Base Georgia owns the Kate. DUring Saturday’s flight, the right main landing gear would not properly retract. Thankfully, the issue was only a visual problem and did not result in any further problems.

USAAF Medium Bombers

B-25 Mitchell “Rosie’s Reply”

The Yankee Air Museum brought several of their aircraft including their recently repainted B-25D, now named “Rosie’s Reply”. The aircraft was repainted in early 2021 to represent its combat service in Italy in 1944. The nose art is not authentic, but the other markings are accurate to the airframe. Prior to the repainting, the aircraft was polished aluminum and flown as “Yankee Warrior”.

B-25 Mitchell “Take-Off Time”

Tom Duffy/Claire Aviation brought their B-25N. I do not have much other information about this B-25, but it was a pleasant surprise to see her. I had not seen this one out in several years.

B-25N Mitchell “Take-Off Time” N3155G / 44-30832A

B-25 Mitchell “Panchito”

Delaware Aviation Museum brought their beautiful Mitchell named “Panchito”. The aircraft was very active throughout the day with numerous passenger flights. However, on a flight in the early afternoon, it performed an emergency landing with one engine feathered. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. The aircraft remained for several weeks while waiting for an engine replacement.

Fighters

P-51 Mustangs

“Tiger’s Revenge”is a 2018 restoration into a TP-51 configuration. I believe it to be owned by Ron Lauder and flown out of New York. This was my first time seeing this aircraft and it is very sharp looking.

Tom Duffy/Claire Aviation’s spectacular Mustang “Kwitcherbitchin”. This is another Mustang that I had not seen up until this show. This is a really sharp looking aircraft!

Tom Duffy’s P-51D Mustang “Kwitcherbitchin” – N63476 / 44-63476

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P-63 King Cobra “Miss Betty” – NX191H /42-68941

Commemorative Air Force Air Base Georgia also brought their rare P-63 King Cobra. The aircraft was originally a test bed aircraft, and the markings are authentic to the aircraft.

F4U Corsairs

Commemorative Air Force Air Base Georgia brought their FG-1D Corsair, BuNo 92468 (N9964Z). It is one of the original Commemorative Air Force aircraft, and is painted to in the colors of VMF-312 representing 1st Lt. MO Chance.

Charlie Lynch piloting Mark Murphy’s FG-1 Corsair NX83JC “God Speed” in tribute to John Glenn.

A6M2 Model 21 Zero – NX8280K

Mark Murphy piloted his A6M2

Fighter Formations

Transports

C-46 Commando “The Tinker Belle”

Warriors and Warbirds Museum brought the large C-46.

C-47D Skytrain “Hairless Joe” – N8704/44-76716

Yankee Air Museum also brought their C-47 Skytrain “Hairless Joe”. The museum recently repainted the aircraft in the livery of Captain Richard Cole. If the name sounds familiar, it should be. Cole was the co-pilot of aircraft #1 of the famous Doolittle Raid of B-25s of April, 1942. Afterwards, Cole was reassigned to stay and fly the “hump” over Burma. Cole was recruited by the 1st Air Commando and participated in the invasion of Burma. “Hairless Joe” was the name of his aircraft.

Heavy Bombers

B-17G Flying Fortress “Yankee Lady” N3193G/44-85829

Yankee Air Museum brought their flagship aircraft, their B-17G “Yankee Lady”. The aircraft is painted to represent an aircraft serving in the 8th Air Force, 381st Bomb Group located at Ridgewell, England.

B-29 Super Fortress “FiFi” – N529B

Commemorative Air Force brought their marque aircraft the famous B-29 “FiFi”. For many years, it was the lone flying B-29 in the world. While no longer the only flying example, it is remarkable to see one of the most iconic aircraft of WWII up close and personal, as well as in the air flying.

Around the field

Mid-Atlantic Air Museums current project is restoring the ultra-rare P-61 Black Widow to flyable condition.

Antique Military Vehicle Parade

Trainers and L-Birds

The show featured a wide variety of WWII trainers and Liaison (L-Bird) aircraft.

2018 Airshow

2018 Brantford Community Charity Airshow

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The 2018 Brantford Community Charity Airshow took place on August 29, 2018 at the Brantford Municipal Airport. 2018 had several notable changes, including the name and partnership with the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM).

Mother Nature did not want to cooperate very well, with low ceilings, dark skies and a complete downpour at the climax of the event. Several aircraft were unable to participate due to poor weather conditions allowing a flight to Brantford. However, the bulk of the performers were able to get some of their displays completed.

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum DC-3 Dakota

The CWHM DC-3 opened the event with the Hamilton Sport Parachute Team onboard to bring in the colors. The low ceiling did not allow them to jump, but the aircraft made several nice passes. The aircraft displays the the markings of RCAF No. 435 and 436 Squadrons, which operated in Burma during 1944-45 and whose slogan was “Canucks Unlimited”.

Danny Richer’s BAC 147 Strikemaster

The Strikemaster is a retired light attack aircraft designed by the British and also used by several allied air forces. The design is the armed version of the Provost trainer and first flown in 1967. Danny Richer owns several warbird aircraft including the Strikemaster and a T-28 Trojan, and flies out of the Brantford airport.

Commemorative Air Force B-29 Superfortress “FiFi”

The Commemorative Air Force brought their B-29 Superfortress “FiFi” for the only Canadian appearance of the year. FiFi was the lone flying B-29 for a number of years and has been featured in several movies including “The Right Stuff”. The aircraft was rescued from U.S. Navy Proving Ground at China Lake, California and restored to flight. She flew regularly until 2006 when new engines were required. After a long 4-year re-engine project, she returned to flight.

Allied Heavy Iron

In a very rare formation, the B-29 was joined by the CWHM Lancaster. This formation showcased the USAAF and RAF/RCAF’s two largest bombers of WWII. Although similar in size, the Lancaster could carry a larger payload than the American designed B-29. The CWHM Lancaster is the only flying example in North America and is always exciting to see such a rare piece of military history in the sky. The roar of four Merlin engines is also amazing!

Allied Heavy Bomber Salute. The Allied forces two largest bombers the Lancaster and B-29 in a rare formation.

RCAF CF-18 Hornet Demo

The RCAF CF-18 Hornet demo team brought the noise with a flat show demonstration of the Hornet. This year’s demo jet is painted to in a celebration of the 60th Anniversary of NORAD.

RCAF Heritage Flight

At the conclusion of the CF-18 demo, the rumble of the Lancaster could be heard in the distance. Unknown to the spectators, the team had special plans to perform the Heritage Flight with the Lancaster! We could not believe our eyes as the two aircraft joined together in formation and made the turn towards the showline. Sadly, the weather also decided to turn into a downpour at the same time. The first pass is captured, but the rain forced the camera gear into the bag. Still, it was a special formation and one I will remember for a long time.

RCAF Snowbirds

The Snowbirds were able to take to the skies to close the show. The heavy rain from earlier passed and the cloud deck began to rise. The team was still required to perform a flat show, but it is equally impressive as the high show. The variation in the sky can be seen in several photos.

“Doug The Great”

A longtime staple of the ground portion of the Brantford show has been Doug Hunt. He stands out in the crowd for obvious reasons, but really brings a fun element to the show. Doug also resides in Brantford and is a multi-talented performer. Details about his other talents and his world record can be found at his performer website.

Doug is always happy to stop and talk to the kids and take photos. It is hard to determine who is having more fun, the kids taking photos with him or Doug himself. I always enjoy seeing him each year and the kids flocking to see him up close.