2011 United States Aviation Museum Air Show
Gathering of Eagles XV
Willoughby Lost Nation Municipal Airport, Willoughby, Ohio
July 8-10, 2011
The 15th edition of the Gathering of Eagles Air Show took flight during a very hot and humid second weekend in July. The event is held at Willoughby Lost Nation Municipal Airport and is presented by the United States Aviation Museum. The organization is made up of a group of volunteers and their goal is to restore and display historical aircraft and related aviation memorabilia. Proceeds from the show go towards the restoration of the B-29 Superfortress "DOC", the last B-29 that can be made flyable. The finished product is an enjoyable, well-run Warbird get-together where the guests are able to mingle with the aircraft and pilots without fighting the crowds that are normally present at larger shows.
Aircraft began arriving Thursday with Will “Psycho” Ward in his MiG-17 Fresco and Verlin "Mac" McIntosh in his T-28 Trojan. By the time Friday evening had concluded, the airport ramp was home to a Stearman and Citabria from Stewart Family Airshows along with the B-17 Flying Fortress "Yankee Lady" and C-47 Skytrain "Yankee Doodle Dandy" from the Yankee Air Museum. Other birds on the field included the CJ-6 “Green Dragon,” CM.170 Magister (Fouga Jet), L-29 Delfín, AD-5W Skyraider, FM-2 Wildcat and the TBM-3E Avenger “Ida Red.” Saturday morning brought the B-25 Mitchell "Panchito" from the Disabled American Veterans organization along with a P-51 Mustang and a T-6 Texan. The C-123 Provider “Thunderpig” from the Air Heritage Museum, a Spartan 7W Executive and a PT-19 were also in attendance.
The B-17 and B-25 flew unscheduled rides throughout the weekend while the show officially began shortly after 11:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The aircraft that were scheduled to fly taxied-out, took-off and flew multiple passes before landing and returning to the ramp. Steve Hanshew started things off in his CJ-6 “Green Dragon.” Once Hanshew had landed, we received our first taste of jet aircraft for the day with Don Goodwin in his L-29 Delfín. Next up was “Mac” in his T-28 Trojan. After the T-28 had recovered, Bruce Anderson took to the skies in the Fouga Magister. Anderson gave everybody some nice LOW passes – you don’t get the opportunity to see a Fouga Magister at an air show every day!
Following Anderson was Emerson Stewart of Stewart Family Airshows, performing an aerobatic routine in his Citabria. Stewart would return to the sky later in the day and pilot a Stearman for the Double Trouble Wing Walking Team! The wing walkers from Saturday’s performance were Ashley Ryerson and Kimberly Stewart (Emerson’s wife). Sunday’s wing walkers were Ashley Ryerson and Jenny Forsythe. I had never seen the Double Trouble act before, but I was thoroughly impressed with how they maneuvered and re-positioned themselves while in-flight! A T-6 Texan flew next, followed by a P-51 Mustang.
Next up was the TBM-3E Avenger “Ida Red” and the FM-2 Wildcat. The two Navy Warbirds taxied out together and took-off, one right behind the other. Watching the Avenger roar into the sky made me wonder in awe how these machines operated from aircraft carriers during World War II. Although they did not fly in formation, having the two of them in the pattern at the same time was enough for this Navy veteran, considering that 2011 is the Centennial of Naval Aviation!
Once the Avenger and Wildcat had recovered, the next Warbird was starting-up in preparation for its flight. The AD-5W Skyraider came to life and “spread” its wings from the folded position (designed to save space aboard an aircraft carrier) to the in-flight position. It was great to see the Skyraider fly and on Saturday we even saw some vapor from the wingtips! Sunday’s exhibition was cut short and the aircraft landed normally after an oil return line broke off towards the end of the flight.
The closing act for both days was the MiG-17 Fresco. “Psycho” flew an outstanding demonstration and the crowd clapped and voiced their approval as he flew past with the afterburner flame trailing from behind the jet! “Psycho” landed without incident on Sunday when a minor issue developed with the drop tank attached to the left wing during the flight. The 2011 Gathering of Eagles Air Show was over and I can’t wait for next year. This is a great Warbird show to attend and I hope to see some of you there as well!
By Anthony Svihlik (acsvihlik@yahoo.com)
