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I was waiting a while to give my response to this thread.
I first soloed in 1978, so I've been around aircraft for a bit. I could never afford my own warbird, (or any plane for that matter) so I'm still a renter. I started to collect a helmet and a goggle or two when I was in college from Jon Aldrich out in California. Wasn't planning to re-enact, but just wanted a set or two. That's when the original AN-6530's were $32.50 and an Extra Large A-11 helmet was $20.00!
Once I got out of school, I started to go to the TICO Show every March. I became a member and by the Mid-80's It was an entire group of us who went down to the show from Connecticut. As a member of the VAC, I felt I had nothing to offer. My buddy and I decided to bring our helmets and Mae West's down and just see if it was something we could do. It was a huge hit with the public and we got great remarks from the VAC members. We even made the Osprey book about the Valiant Air Command's show.
During this time I was also appointed an Associate Curator for Costumes at the New England Air Museum. Dealing with all the personal equipment at the museum allowed me to broaden my knowledge base on the history of flying gear. On Open Cockpit Days, I would come out to the Thunderbolt and give a talk about the equipment and the aircraft. Wearing basic Tans, I would slowly dress in the flying gear and talk to the crowd about what each piece I was putting on was and why it was needed. By the end I was fully dressed complete with a parachute. The public now had a good idea on what pilots wore and why they wore what they wore. I didn't do it for the glory or ego, it was for education and I actually had a reason to use some of that equipment I had been collecting for so long.
In 1989, about 8 of us formed the 918th Aviation Re-enactment Group and our first show was Geneseo. We were invited and did the first Reading WWII Weekend and our membership started to grow. It was very welcome at the shows and the public really enjoyed the "personal touch" we presented. It worked well because we could now help the organization that we were a part of even though we didn't live nearby or have a warbird that we could bring to the shows.
I've been a member of the Airmen's Preservation Society since about 1990 and have done countless airshows and events. They were also the only Re-enactment group invited ti the Andrews AFB show in 1995 to celebrate the end of WWII.
I say all this to give you some background on where I'm coming from.
The question of earning rank, awards and the right to wear the uniform are all valid points. I never served in the military, though I did try to get in both the Navy and the Air Force Flight Programs.
My Uncle was a LT. flying P-51's in the 325th Fighter Group during WWII and was KIA on Sept. 15, 1944. My father was a Flight Surgeon during the Korean War and left as a Captain.
When I wear a my Class A pinks and greens WWII Uniform I only wear my Uncle's wings and my Father's Rank. That's it. It's an honor to them and and honor for me to wear them. In our re-enactment group you could only wear an award or citation if you had been in the military and actually been awarded it.
As I got older, I shifted my "re-enactment job" from aircrew to ground crew. I was getting to old to portray a young pilot. It's funny, but when I look back on our later years, the only two lic. pilots in the group were playing mechanics! We were the only ones that could demonstrate to the public how an E-6B Computer works!
My wife and I actually branched out a bit about 12 years ago and also started working with American Military Medical Impressions doing a complete WWII field Hospital. In this case, we actually perform in the first person and play roles during the scheduled scenarios. my wife is an OR Nurse in real life so it was a natural step for us. We have had nothing but wonderful comments from the public and veterans, the latter usually can't believe it all looks, sound and smells so real.
I'd have to say the only "glory" we get out of it is that the public walks away from these events with more knowledge that when they first arrived. It makes us feel great when a veteran US Army Nurse walks in and just stares and with tears in her eyes says "You got it right." That's about it for my ego trip when I re-enact.
I have had very few problems with anybody in regards to wearing the uniform. Though the WWII uniform requirements and equipment are obsolete, we still require everyone to wear them properly.
I've seen re-enactors with their blouse unbuttoned because it doesn't fit them properly. Long hair and a Crusher hat, covers not being removed indoors, over wieght, beards with the uniform, though in some combat area's that was allowable, but not in class "A" uniform. If you are going to re-enact, do it right and honor the uniform. if it doesn't fit, don't wear it. Wear it properly and according to regulations. Those are the area's that I have a problem with when I see some re-enactors.
I also believe that re-enactors should play a larger role in some of the warbird shows. Today's modern fast paced world has changed the way the public sees things. I think we need to give the public more bang for their buck and really give them a show.
If more shows had a theme and story line with both air and ground echelons performing, it would look like a Hollywood movie. We need to give the public more "show".
To sum up this rather lengthy response, I understand how re-enacting could rub veterans and current military the wrong way, but after having been doing this for 25 years or more, and having been invited to re-eneact at many active military installations for shows, my experiences, doing it the way we do, has been 99% positive.
My 2 Cents on an interesting subject.
Blue skies,
Jerry
_________________
"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."
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But it seems at least that both of you guys (Ryan & Scott) see the purpose of reenacting. I mean, I dont see i as a childish foolish idea. It only enhaces the public's interpertation of the time period were trying to convey. But to each his own.
