Dayton, Ohio – Air Museum Network recently reported on the unveiling of the “Memphis Belle” Exhibit at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. This event was the icing on a “week-long, aviation event filled” cake. Air Museum Network would be remiss if we did not inform our public of all that surrounded this auspicious occasion.
Billed as the Gathering of B-17’s, organizers wanted to replicate the success of last year’s Gathering of B-25’s and pay tribute to the formidable B-17 Flying Fortress and the “Memphis Belle”.
Grimes Field in Urbana, Ohio is no stranger to these types of events or history. This field is a National Aviation Heritage Area and is home to the Grimes Flying Lab Foundation and the Champaign Aviation Museum. Both the foundation and museum would be center stage of this gathering.
With less than a dozen airworthy B-17’s around the world, getting three to participate in the “Memphis Belle” festivities in Urbana and Dayton is a major triumph. The National Warplane Museum‘s Movie ”Memphis Belle” and the Yankee Air Museum’s “Yankee Lady” spent the week at Grimes Field, while the Experimental Aircraft Association’s “Aluminum Overcast” flew out of Dayton – Wright Brothers Airport (due to their runway length requirements). When the aircraft were not flying the paying enthusiasts, they were on the ground open for tours and photo ops of all kinds. It is also important to mention that, while the airworthy Flying Fortresses were on the tarmac, The Champaign Air Museum’s “Champaign Lady” was inside the museum’s hanger under restoration. This project is one of several B-17s being restored to what is hoped, airworthy status.
The aircraft were to perform a flyby and land at Wright/Patterson AFB (by the museum), where they were to remain on display for museum visitors. Unfortunately the weather scrubbed the landing. In the company of five P-51’s, the aircraft performed a flyby that made chills run down the spine of all those present.
Thankfully, the weather cleared the following day, and a second attempt was made and the bombers were able to land. The Movie ”Memphis Belle” was unable to accompany the flight due to mechanical issues, but was able to perform a flyby later that day. The B-17s “Aluminum Overcast”, “Yankee Lady”, P-51 “Swamp Fox” and a PT 19, flew around and over the museum before landing.
What followed was the most unusual, unique and awesome sights ever seen in aviation. While preparing to fly over the Air Force Museum, “Aluminum Overcast” looked like it was on a collision course with another aircraft. Inbound, off the starboard wing, was none other than VC-25 (29000), commonly known as “Air Force One”. While it may have appeared that this 747 was part of the flyover, it was not, nor was the President of the United States on board. The United States Air Force regularly uses Wright/Patterson for training.
As the vintage WWII aircraft landed, VC-25 maintained a constant vigilance over its aging elders.
The weather conditions were a big factor during the entire week. The aircraft were forced to depart Wright/Patterson early as bad weather was approaching. The following days, the aircraft were at Grimes Field and Dayton (Wright Brothers Airport) available, open to the public for rides and tours.
In an attempt to maximize coverage, Air Museum Network teamed up with group of talented photographers. Each photographer was able to offer their perspective of this gathering.
One might think that being around these aviation events gets old. The truth is that it doesn’t. These events are all special. It isn’t just because of the tribute aspect, it is the unique nature of the event. This gathering was organized in conjunction with the unveiling of the most well know Flying Fortress. It will never happen again. That is what makes it special. While Urbana, Ohio may seem in the middle of nowhere, it is dead smack in the heart of an Aviation Kingdom. It all started here, Dayton, a bicycle shop and two Brothers with the Wright stuff.
Air Museum Network would like to extend our special thanks to : Courtney Caillouet, Ernie Muller, Chris Smith and Bryan Redeker for their photographic contributions to this article.
