Several weeks ago I stumbled upon a flyer for a 1920s Flying Circus airshow at a local air museum. I printed it out and announced that no matter what I was attending. :-) It happened to the day before my birthday and I was very excited to see this! The thought of a 1920s/30s air show totally thrilled me - present something with historicness AND planes and you totally have me hooked. :-)
Side note - Every time I think of planes in the 1920s and 1920s beads - I think if this scene in Thoroughly Modern Millie.
The event did not disappoint. It really felt like (what I imagined it would feel like) a 1920s era air show. Tons of laughs, thrills, surprises, stunts, and just plan old fashioned fun.
The day started out nice and sunny. When we arrived there was a nice gray blanket of clouds and a very chilly breeze. As the afternoon progressed, the sun came out and we all began to thaw out. It was so warm leading up to Saturday, I do not think anyone thought the temperature would plunge so quickly!
The airfield is all grass and mostly lined with corn fields. Loved it!
This is plane is a 1918 Curtiss JN4D "Jenny". She is beautiful!
There was some suspicious behavior over at Gin's Flowers....
Then there was the 1920s era "Air Race". Think of it as a relay race with planes. Four planes where lined up in a row and these three pilots are warming up to dash to their planes. The fourth had been spending too much time at Gin's Flowers and was beyond tipsy.
I started to record the race and had no idea what was in store for us! The announcers were very hilarious.
Yes....the pilots actually took off and flew in their undershorts and stocking feet!
The ONLY audience participation happened as the fourth (and "tipsy") pilot came up and tried to claim his plane. The reason the video above it cut short is because I was suddenly approached and was grabbed by the hand and taken out to the airfield! He told me they did not want him to fly and asked it I could take the plane up. I said no and that I thought he would do just fine. He laughed, handed me the jug, and dashed off to his plane (thankfully not dropping his trousers while talking with me!)
He had some trouble once he made it over to his plane.
Then he just took off...cinder block and all. ;-)
Crazy flying...at one point his leg was hanging out and he was yelling "Help! How do I fly this thing!"
The Professor came back with his flying bike...this time with an improvement...
This plane is just like the one that Charles Lindbergh bought his wife. Not bad, I would learn to fly if I had a plane like that! This plane is a 1931 Bird CK Biplane.
Look! It's the Professor again! This time with a flying machine that might actually fly!
All of a sudden, Two Face Tony (who escaped the police and they were chasing him most of the afternoon) held up the Professor and highjacked his flying machine!
Oh no! Hang on Professor!
WWI replica planes. I can not believe I did not take a picture of the German triplane! All were replicas, but the 1918 Fokker Dr. I Triplane has an original engine.
Here is the 1916 Sopwith Pup...
When we arrived and were being directed to a parking space I had a sudden fear that mom and I would be the ONLY spectators crazy enough to arrive in 1920s era clothing. Then, I saw a gentleman in the row ahead of us and he was not in 21st C. clothing. That was a relief - there will be at least one person crazy like us. Well...it happens this one other person was none other than one of THE main people that encouraged and inspired my craziness! Mr. P is a history professor, local history guru, expert story teller, and interpreter extraordinaire. He is very well know in the interpreter world and within the National Park system. I was blessed to have grown up watching this man portray many amazing men in history and educate the public. He taught me to look history square in the eye and portray and teach it as it was - not how I want it to be, look at a persona while leaving my 21st C. mindset behind, and not to be "politically correct". Truth is truth - no matter how messy it is. There is no sugar coating with him and it is truly refreshing! It was wonderful to run into him and his lovely wife!
"If you are going to do something, do it right." That is a common motto around here, and we followed through last Saturday. We wanted to pack a few snacks and me being an accuracy nut - I hunted down early 20th C. items that would work well for a picnic. Thankfully we had a lovely picnic hamper with plates, cups, and utensils. We picked up two beverage bottles and I packed other items in wax paper and white cloth. The menu - Ham Salad on French Bread, Cranberry Chutney, Grapes, Dried Fruit with Nuts, two large Dill Pickles, one bottle of Water and one bottle of Raspberry Juice. We have plans for a grand picnic for next time!
Here are three videos of Jerry Wells flying. One is from the Flying Circus event this past June, one from the Lancaster show in August (which I was at and saw this from the ground), and one with some clips of the show last week. Enjoy!
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