Travel to the warmth of Virginia Beach, alongside the bright sunshine of the Atlantic shoreline, where German submarines once hunted merchant ships in the Gulfstream waters. A time from the first half of the last century when everything was much simpler, we knew right from wrong and good from evil. My thanks to the Museum volunteers who park cars, collect tickets, direct patrons and ensure their safety.Join the Military Aviation Museum the weekend of May 21 & 22, for a trip back in time to the memorable days of the Second World War-era. Maybe as soon as June 15th for their Flying Proms Event. I look forward to my next trip down there. Judging from the crowd size, I am hoping that the Museum raised a lot of money to keep those Warbirds flying. The final grouping was the German fighters.Ī Focke Wulf 190 and a Messerschmitt BF-109 launched and flew together and a single Russian Yak 3 flew in this group.Īt some point, the ME-262 replica jet fighter would have flown with one of the groups but it also had a mechanical problem and was scrubbed for the show. Normally, the DeHavilland Mosquito would fly here but she had an engine problem. The British fighters launched next with a Spitfire and a Hurricane. Later, the P-40 Warhawk joined up with the Mustang. The B-25 “Wild Cargo” launched and was joined by the P-51D Mustang “Double Trouble Two”. The next sequence is the air war in Europe. When they return to the ramp, the wings are folded prior to parking. The crowdline is fairly close to the turf strip so the power of these takeoffs can be heard and felt. A Grumman FM-2 Wildcat and an FG-1 Corsair launched followed by the visiting Grumman TBM Avenger “Doris Mae” and the Museum’s Douglas AD-4 Skyraider.

Then the airshow started to get into the strong fighters and bombers of the Navy. The first sequence are Liaison aircraft like the Stinson L-5 and Piper Super Cub and transports like a rare visiting Beech AT-11, a Junkers JU-52, and the enormous winged PBY-5A Catalina.Ī DeHavilland Chipmunk and Tiger Moth flew as well as a Messerschmitt 108. The group of pilots for the museum fly multiple airframes so the sequence of flights depends on the schedule of the pilots. The flag was presented by a small group of reenactors. The airshow began with a departure of four T-6 Texans who performed formation flybys leading up to the National Anthem. They were a bit high in the sky but maybe the FAA will lower the minimums for next year. One change for this year was that the aircraft flew in front of the crowdline rather than an orbit to airshow right. The high sun creates a backlit condition for the flying but the treeline aids in shielding the light. I would swear that it moved in a semi circle but that is heliographically impossible (Wink! Big word). A Hangar Dance would take place after the airshow and carry into the night.įor the photographer, the sun moves from left to right and directly over Runway 11/29. In the morning, aircraft rides are conducted and any transient or visiting aircraft will arrive. The reenactor area seems to grow every year too.

Inside one of the hangars, multiple musical performers entertained and big band music played. This year, the weather could not have been better and the crowds came to a festive event. In years past, weather has been a factor and there is no flying off a turf strip if it is soft. They also typically have a World War I Airshow in the Fall. This adds to the charm of a World War II event. The runway here at Virginia Beach Airport (42VA) is a turf strip. When you enter the ramp area on Airshow weekend, you will see over ten Warbirds parked at the edge of the grass ready to fly. Work was in progress putting it together during the airshow. Jerry’s newest Warbird is a P-39 Airacobra fresh out of the crate from New Zealand. Every year there is a new aircraft, building or display on site. His commitment to preservation and education has grown the museum and the flying artifacts. A private air force resides here thanks to Mr. If you love Warbirds, this is a special place. On May 18th and 19th, The Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, VA held their annual Warbirds Over The Beach Airshow.

Looking Back – My Fort Drum Familiarization Trip.

America’s Civil Air Patrol Enters Its Ninth Decade of Service.

Warbirds over the beach 2016