World war II Weekend

[digger242j]

If you ever get the chance, the WWII Weekend at Reading PA. is well worth a visit. http://www.maam.org/maamwwii.html

There's plenty of vintage airplanes, but it's so much more diverse than just an airshow. The place is full of reenactors who re-create the WWII era right before your eyes. Since I know how much you all like pics, here's some of the "Old Iron" they bring along with them...

[digger242j]

A few trucks and jeeps...

[digger242j]

Cat D-4 dozer.

This was actually owned by the Navy, and is displayed by a contingent of Seabees. It has loader tracks rather than the original dozer tracks, but it's obviously been restored with a great deal of care, and no small expense...

[digger242j]

A "Benford"...

[digger242j]

A heavy wrecker, and a tractor and lowboy...

[digger242j]

Another wrecker; the boom also swivels to do crane work...

[digger242j]

A half track.

Also, for the snow removal guys, here's a fellow demonstrating a new snowmelter for sidewalk use... :wink2

[digger242j]

Also, I want to say that everybody we spoke to at the show (and everybody in Reading in general, actually), was SUPER nice. The reenactors are all very knowlegable about their stuff, and more than willing to talk all day about it. The pics don't really do justice to how well restored and kept up this eqipment is, and how much effort has gone into showing it. And I didn't get pictures of even 10% of everything there is to see and watch.

If anybody is interested in seeing the airplanes too, just say so.

Like I said, if you ever get the chance, it's well worth the trip... :thumbsup

[Jeff D.]

If anybody is interested in seeing the airplanes too, just say so.


"So"............there I said it.Now cough em' up!!

[digger242j]

Thanks, Jeff. I can always count on you to increase my workload.... :rolleyes:

Be patient, I need to re-size them....

[Jeff D.]

Be patient, I need to re-size them....

Aww,just forget it then.

All this waiting has become tiresome.My interest has waned.(insert little yawning head here)


:bouncegri

[digger242j]

Too late. You asked for them, and now you're going to get them, and you'd BETTER enjoy them. (As soon as, like I said, I get them resized....)

[xkvator]

we're waiting:rolleyes:

[Jeff D.]

we're waiting:rolleyes:

I know!!I think we could've built a plane faster.

He says he's re-sizing them.I picture Digger with a pair of scissors,and polaroid scraps all over the floor.:bouncegri

[tylermckee]

batch resizing is your friend

[digger242j]

Here, is one just to keep you happy.

It's FDR giving a speech from the doorway of a C-54 that flew in the Berlin airlft. Douglas MacAuthur is walking down the airstairs, probably on his way to show Jeff his corncob pipe. :eek:

We have nothing to fear, but fear itself. (That, and we really need to worry about Digger--did you see all the explosives he got from those Seabees?)

[Jeff D.]

It's FDR

Yup,it certainly couldn't be Gerald Ford,cuz he's not rolling head over heels down the stairs.:rolleyes:

[RonG]

Digger,thank you for sharing those,I love to see the old military stuff.I took over a thousand pics while I was overseas in the early '60s,mostly B/W and I developed the film and printed the pics in the darkroom at the service club we had on base there.I have scanned them all into the computer and have lots of pics of the heavy equipment I ran and the jobs I did while I was over there.My assigned dozer was a TD-18 cable control but I drove the lowbed too the last year I was there while breaking in a new operator to take my place.
Thank you for all the effort posting the pics,I never get tired of looking!!Ron G

[norrodbh]

Great pictures ! Thanks !

[Jeff D.]

.....over a thousand pics while I was overseas in the early '60s,........

I hate to go off course on Diggity-D's thread here,but......

Ron,where were you stationed oversea's?Korea,perhaps?

I ask because my father was inbetween Korea and Vietnam much of the middle/later 60's & early 70's,and he was into B/W photography as a hobbie.Were you stationed on any bases where there were Air Force or Navy planes?Know anyone with last name of Dahlgren?

Just curious!!

[digger242j]

I hate to go off course on Diggity-D's thread here,but......

It's really sad to watch a once-reformed thread hijacker as he falls off the wagon. All twelve of those steps, down the drain... :(


:waving

[Jeff D.]

It's really sad to watch a once-reformed thread hijacker as he falls off the wagon...

Well.....of all the wagons I could've fallen off,this is the least destructive.:rolleyes:

I was just trying to help you anyways!! You could hear the crickets in this thread,as everyone was quietly waiting in anticipation of those plane pictures.

Or are you going to post them with Squizzy's vacation pics??

Oh,wait........we didn't get them either.:wink2

[digger242j]

For those who don't know, HEF's "Thread Hijackers Anonymous" works like this; If you start to feel the need to hijack a thread, you call THA, and another member comes over and sits and drinks with you until you're both to drunk to type... :drinkup

[digger242j]

Here ya go, wiseguy. See what happens when you rush me? I get all flustered... :Banghead

[RonG]

Jeff,I was stationed at Downs Barracks in Fulda Germany from 6/60 to 12/62 with the 58th Engineers supporting the 14th Armored Cavalry who were there doing border patrol.That name does not sound familiar,that is to say that I probably saw that nametag before but did not know anyone personally with that name.
I will enclose a link to a page with some info and pics on it.
If you scroll about 3/4s of the way down you will see a series that I sent with some H-34 helicopter pics on it.Ron G

http://usarmygermany.com/Units/ArmoredCav/USAREUR_14thACR.htm

[Squizzy246B]

For those who don't know, HEF's "Thread Hijackers Anonymous" works like this; If you start to feel the need to hijack a thread, you call THA, and another member comes over and sits and drinks with you until you're both to drunk to type... :drinkup

I called and nobody came...:crying ...seems the THA doesn't have a branch down under :rolleyes: so,,,this what happens when you let a 3 year old loose with a digital camera:

[Squizzy246B]

Ok, I'll stop it.....Great thread though digger...just one more:bouncegri

[Jeff D.]

Ron,thanks for the link.That's interesting stuff.I'm guessing that you're paths wouldn't have crossed though.I think he went in the Navy in 59 or 60,but flew out of Brunswick Me. until about 64,then switched to Air Force.The he was overseas allot of the time until about 71,but I don't think any Germany,just Vietnam and Korea.

That would've been too small a world,had you two met.

Digger and Squizzy.I now see why you guys were holding back on those pics.
And Squizzy,I think it's now just going to be just called "TH",not "THA".There's not much use in the "A" when Digger's the one running it.But don't worry I won't tell who else is a memeber.:bouncegri

The Military equipment does make a good thread though,D-train.If you can resize all the light fixtures out of the way,the planes would be interesting to see:thumbsup

[Squizzy246B]

Well Jeff..you fit in here well seeing as its the "Old Iron" forum:bouncegri :rolleyes: BTW..the pics....I got plenty more:yup

[Jeff D.]

..you fit in here well seeing as its the "Old Iron".....
....the pics....I got plenty more:yup

Most of my equipment would need to be IN this section,although you're still longer in the tooth than me,so there!!:yup

As for the pictures,um...........I think someones at the door,I gotta go.:rolleyes:

[reel knotty]

Cat D-4 dozer.

This was actually owned by the Navy, and is displayed by a contingent of Seabees. It has loader tracks rather than the original dozer tracks, but it's obviously been restored with a great deal of care, and no small expense...
http://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1301&stc=1&d=1149452948

Hey Guys. Just to shed a little more light on these machines.
The dozer is a 1942 D-2 cat that was restored about 5 years ago. When we found her the top cover was off of the clutch case and left open to the rain. After countless years of rain and freezing it cracked the case. We are lucky enough to have a local bone yard that helped us find the parts we needed. This CAT did come from the navel proving ground, which we believe converted it to hydrolic. We do play with it from time to time.


http://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1304&stc=1&d=1149453079

The Benford is actually a Bamford. It is a British machine and they are still in use on farms across the pond. It has a single cylinder Lister deisel engine that is hand crank start. We believe the year is between 1938-1942.

We are now looking for a 1940's era fork lift or loader to add to our collection (we are SeaBees so we need to make our set up easier) If anyone kows of anything please shoot me an email...


Nate

[reel knotty]

and here are a few plane pics for you.

A Lancaster Bomber under Old Glory:

[reel knotty]

Corsaire:

[Jeff D.]

Thanks for the info and pics Nate,

And welcome to the forum.

You wouldn't have any pictures of a Navy HU-16 in your collection would you?It's has twin radial recip engines,and is amphipibous.I know this one old guy who'd get a real kick outta seeing one again.:yup

Thanks.

[reel knotty]

i'm affraid I don't. There are still several in the air although I haven't seen one in years. I think the last one I saw live was in Key West about 10 years ago. That one was privately owned.

[Electra_Glide]

this what happens when you let a 3 year old loose with a digital camera:

I dunno, did you see this one:

http://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1331&stc=1&d=1149558850

I think the 3-year old takes better pictures than digger... :laugh :laugh :laugh

:slomo

[digger242j]

Hey! I took that one for all the fellows over at "Outdoor Lighting Fixtures Forums". Somebody had the nerve to fly a B-17 through the background and ruined the shot, so I figured I'd post it here where nobody would recognize the difference...

[GOT HAZ?]

Hey! I took that one for all the fellows over at "Outdoor Lighting Fixtures Forums". Somebody had the nerve to fly a B-17 through the background and ruined the shot, so I figured I'd post it here where nobody would recognize the difference...

Thats pretty funny:laugh You made me laugh at my computer.

[Jeff D.]

There are still several in the air although I haven't seen one in years.

I saw one from a distance at a military air museum in Phoenix Az. but they weren't letting anyone near it.I don't know if they were going to restore it,or what.They did have alot of other planes though.A very interesting mix of WWII stuff up to some early Migs,an O-2,and even a century series fighter.

My biggest impression came from climbing around in a B-25 Mitchell.I never realized how utilitarian,crude,and small the interior of some of those bombers were.

I'm curious as to what "SeaBees" denotes?Did it come from "CB" which stood for something else?

Does your group do any other shows around the country?Oshkosh perhaps?

I've been tempted to check that show out,that would give me an extra incentive.

[reel knotty]

Hi Jeff,
Yes SeaBee AKA CB AKA Construction Batallion. We are a division of the Navy although we worked more closely with the Marines. During WWII we would land with the Marines to help secure the pacific islands. As the resistance eased the marines would run security for us as we built the runways, roads and barracks before moving on to the next island. During this period we wore USMC uniforms although our paycheck did come from the Navy.

The Reading show is our largest show. We do several other smaller shows but only on the east coast. We all have full time jobs so it makes it a little tough to run across the country although we would love to do it.


If you know any WWII USMC vets ask them about a SeaBee as they are the ones that appreciated us the most.

Or just ask this guy:
This is me with Gunnery SGT R. Lee Ermey

[digger242j]

We took a peek into the Gunny's tent, and then a look at the line--the loong line, and decided he had better things to do than meet us.

Is he really like what he seems to be like? My impression is that he's a guy who achieved fame and fortune by simply being himsef. Nice work, if you can get it... :yup

[reel knotty]

no question! he is a great guy. down to earth and very friendly. But i still wouldn't say anything about his mother. We invited him down to our camp for a beer but he never made it.

[digger242j]

And now, without further ado, the airplane pics. You figure out what they are--most should be readily recognizable to any kid who ever wasted the time he should have been studying, by building model airplanes instead. (That would be me...) :wink2

[digger242j]

More--the last two are of two different planes.

[digger242j]

More...

[digger242j]

and more...

There are probably another dozen or so decent ones, but I don't want anybody to get bored...

[Steve Frazier]

That shot of the C-47 is calendar quality!!

I love the old war birds, they used to put on a war bird show here at our County airport, but it's been quite a while since they've had the show. Thanks digger!

[digger242j]

That shot of the C-47 is calendar quality!!

Thanks. It is one of the better ones I got. The weather wasn't very nice, as you might be able to tell. I imagine many of the flying pics would have come out better if the sun had been out.

Here are a few more. A couple of them I fiddled with the brightness and contrast, so they look better.


The bottom one is the Marines, raising the flag on Iwo Jima.

[digger242j]

When we flew to Reading for the show two years ago, we unfortunately needed a tire repair when we got there. American Flight Services (at that time, Reading Flight Academy), took immediate care of us, and in short, treated us like valued customers, even though we'd never been there before. This year, the weather was not good enough to fly, so we drove. While there, we stopped in to say hi. Even though we weren't there to spend any money this time, they still treated us as if we were their most valued customer--like we were there spending our money every day. Anybody in a "service" type business could learn a thing or two from these guys.

Here's a pic of one of the guys in charge, right out there working, like so many of us in the construction business do... :thumbsup

[digger242j]

Last one. If you liked the C-47 one, you should like this one too.

[Orchard Ex]

When we flew to Reading for the show two years ago...
Digger, what do you fly? I'm right near Patuxent River NAS so we get the Blue Angels every other year. The show has been drawing fewer warbirds every time though. A real shame. I love the sound of a big round engine or a Merlin roaring overhead. Great pics BTW!

[digger242j]

Digger, what do you fly?

:( When they coined the phrase. "If God had intended man to fly, He would have given him money", they were thinking of me.

I took ground school, but never really had the wherewithall to actually get my ticket. My friend Don has a Cessna Cardinal RG, and I get the chance to fly with him, although not as often as I used to. Also, I was in CAP for a few years, and flew as an observer in their 172s and 182s. I can flight plan, work the radios, and navigate to wherever you want to get to, and I've had enough stick time that if you had a heart attack, I'm pretty confident I could land the plane without scratching it. Also, my wife is an Air Traffic Controller, and way back when, she actually got to solo before she ran out of money, so aviation is dinner table conversation around my place much of the time. But sadly, no wings for me.

The Blues are coming to Wings Over Pittsburgh in July. A couple years ago they were at the Latrobe Airshow (just east of here), and I hauled a Kawasaki Mule out there for CAP to use during the weekend. I got to see them practice on Friday, and then saw the show both Saturday and Sunday. :)

And I agree--nothing else sounds like those old round engines! :yup

I noticed you mentioned oil sampling for aircraft engines in that thread. Do you fly?

[Jeff D.]

:thumbsup Those are excellent pictures Mr. Digger.I guess I feel bad about yanking your chain now(but not really).

Thank you.

[Orchard Ex]

I got my private ticket a little while back and owned a Cherokee till I got the "little bit speedier" bug and sold it to build a Van's RV-9A to cut down on the flight time to GA on visits to the in-laws. I miss the Cherokee - sold it to a guy in PA... The kit building slooooooowed way down when I decided to start my company and get away form DoD work. I've got the tail done and the wing kit is in hand but not started. I try to bum rides anytime I can with my buddy's who fly. I never really liked the high wing planes, but that Cardinal - especially the RG, would be an exception.
The thing I really love about flying is how pretty the landscape is from a couple thousand feet or so...

[digger242j]

I thought I'd bump this to the top.

It's scheduled for the first weekend in June this year. We're planning on going again. It's a good idea to book your hotel room early...

:usa

[reel knotty]

don't forget to stop by and visit the SeaBees. We got a new toy for this year. :usa :drinkup

[Jeff D.]

don't forget to stop by and visit the SeaBees. We got a new toy for this year. :usa :drinkupWere you able to locate a 40's era forklift or wheel loader like you were looking for previously?

[reel knotty]

we found a Hough I think its an H30 that we will put forks on for loading and unloading the truck then have the bucket on for the show. Shame of it is the guy we bought it from took some time and really had it painted up nice and bright construction yellow..... only so we can repaint it to a dull olive drab

why would you paint anything bright and shiny? Olive Drab is a much better color :beatsme

[Jeff D.]

why would you paint anything bright and shiny? Olive Drab is a much better color :beatsmeOh I agree, but I think they do that so those civilian "Construction Workers" cas actually find their way back to the equipment when they've left it parked amongst trees and vegitation.***

It's easier for them than leaving a trail of breadcrumbes.:cool2

[reel knotty]

i guess that would make it a bit easier for the civies

[Jeff D.]

we found a Hough I think its an H30 You snuck this in there on the edit. You guys do have good taste!!:thumbsup

I've a H30B. It may be old & antiquated, but it still does everything I've asked of it yet.

I hope she'll work out good for you guys.:)

[reel knotty]

thanks, yeah she is in real good shape. The steering has a little play in it and a weld is broken on the tortion bar but other than that she is fine. Motor and hydrolics are in top condition. After i get it painted and stenciled i'll post some pics.

[stumpjumper83]

hey, i know where that case si and trailer sleep, a friend owns them.... bet he doesnt know that they are on here. He is working on an american crawler airborne dozer and pan now.

[wrenchbender]

Hey digger that 1942 Diamond T looks just like my 1951 Diamond T6X6 5 ton wrecker. Specs on the door are pretty much the same also I think I get a little better MPG than that.Well she used to look like that.We changed the tire size first went from 900-20's to 1100-20's and that was to much for the road. Although it was much better in the mud and what little snow we get around here. Added a bumper under the bumper on the front built a rear bumper added lights on the cab and horns painted it red & black and a few other mods. Around these parts she is known as Big Monkey cause she can hang on to about anything. I'll see if I can find a pic or two and post'em later.

[knucklehead98]

Jus thappened to dig up this old thred. I noticed alot of people mentioning the Seabees on here, and was wondering if anyone happened to be in Danang @'69 to 71.dad was there not sure when, we don't have the best relationship. But thought it may be neat if I were to find somone he may know.Just a thought(usually gets me in trouble)

[Dwan Hall]

I spent a good bit of 69 and 70 about 150 miles south of there @ Phu Cat but I know there is no way I would have known him.

[bear]

Digger there are all kinds of interesting things like that in Pa, one reason I like the state. A few years ago before marriage some freinds and I stopped at the reinassance fair and tried to snag some maidens. Some scary guy with scythe ran us off. Pa does love it's history and I have spent prolly 6 vacations there attending different festivals and such never got to do the military thing time money and vacation never in the right place. maybe next year, but please make sure the scythe is at home? Plesae?

Another thing R. Lee Ermy is one tough dude. Only thing he'll here from me is yes sir no sir. Guess boot camp never wears off huh?

[woodchuck2]

Awesome photo's, love the old iron.

[Cat287B]

15730

15731

[Cat287B]

Took these pics last May, should be in the air by now. I'm sure it'll be in a Warbird airshow soon. I'll try and post more pics,putors slow tonight.
Pete

[bear]

That's a good lookin' arow-plane there. The airframe and powerplant classes at my school would love to have a look at her. I would too.

[Steve Frazier]

Is that the one they raised from under the ice? There are supposed to be only 6 P-38s left in existence. My friend's grandfather was a pilot in one.

[Cat287B]

No its not Glacier Girl. Its Putt Putt Maru. She's in Kissimmee Fl at a shop that restores and maintains old Warbirds.
This one flew in about 2 years ago from out West. It was sweet to watch, real quiet, exhaust comes out on top.
Google Putt Putt Maru its got a hell of a story, can't remember all the details.
Pete

[Cat287B]

15745

15746

15747

[bear]

Here's a coupl links about the bird and her pilot.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_H._MacDonald


http://www.acepilots.com/usaaf_macdonald.html

[Cat287B]

22322

22323

22324She's up and flying again,having trouble posting pics will try the rest later.
Pete

[Cat287B]

Here's a few more. I'm hoping I'll get a chance to see it fly this week.
Pete22325

22326

22327

[KCB]

Excellent WW II machine photos.

[NZLOGGER]

Great photos, more so as our New Zealand army using some of this gear in the 60s when I served. The first truck photo of a GMC CCKW-353 these trucks as war surplus had a long use here in New Zealand converted as logging trucks and pulling a two axle pole trailer. NZ LOGGER

[Buckethead]

Nice pictures! I was lucky enough one time to see a B-17 fly over on it's way to an airshow. The next day I saw a B-24! There are only one or two still flying.