Granted, Aerospace Perceptions has been a little short on
the “space” aspect of late. But with the East Coast yielding a punishing
schedule of airshows in striking distance from AP headquarters, it’s a case of
enjoying the feast before the annual famine sets in after the summer.
Sometimes, though, heading to what seems like it might be nothing
more than a specialized airshow turns out to be a lot more – something much
bigger than a simple rendezvous of aircraft. That was the case with the Mid-Atlantic
Air Museum’s World War II Weekend, held the last several days at Reading
Pennsylvania’s regional airport, also frequently referred to as General Carl A.
Spaatz Field.
This year is the 32nd such event, and it is far
from just an airshow.
The facility hosted dozens upon dozens of rare or unusual
1940s military vehicles representing all combatants of “The Great War.” They
traveled through and around sprawling installations and encampments which
supported combat reenactments, with hundreds of people in the garb and uniforms
of eight decades ago. It was all here. And attendance in the neighborhood of
100,000 people reflects the excitement of crowds anxious to actually see elements
history instead of just reading about them or viewing depictions in films and
video.
This overwhelming event’s official title may put an emphasis on aviation but, in reality, about the only things that were missing were battleships and submarines. For anyone with an appreciation of this hugely important era of history, the annual World War II Weekend is a “must see.”
A majestic pass by the B-29 Superfortress high over the General Carl A. Spaatz Field.
