Warbird Information Exchange

Just a quick question for those who have been around for while.

As far as warbirds go, what have been the largest gatherings of a specific type we have seen? For instance the Gathering of Mustangs and Legends (I attended) had 77 Mustangs. We saw 4 P-47s at TOM this year and 4 P-40s at Geneseo too. I saw pics of 3 P-38s at POF last year. B-25s and B-17s at TOM in years past. What about Corsairs and Spitfires? Or F4Fs, TBMs, Skyraiders, or T-33s?

I remember when stationed at Andrews in the 90's, there was a huge warbird flyby in NY that had a gaggle of T-6s on the ramp at ADW. I think there were 40+ there alone plus onsey twosies of other types including a constellation. Anyone have more info on that operation?

A few years back POF had 5 P-47s flying for the show with another three on the airfield, one of which was on display, the other two in storage.

They've had 4 P-40s, 3 P-38s & 3 Corsairs at various times I can recall.

Other than trainers and warbugs, you quickly run out of airworthy aircraft and pilots -

I think the maxes I've seen (fly) are four Hurricanes and sixteen Spitfires. Flying Legends usually maxed at about 12 Spitfires, but not all flying. If you include statics, most type-lists at Duxford can add one or two more - three Lysanders on the flight line for instance.

One year had the Bristol Blenheim (ARC) two Lysanders (SOT / ARC?) and the Gloster Gladiator (Shuttleworth) flying together - all of the worlds running Bristol Mercury engines...

_________________
James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

OSH used to do this in the early 90's.

5 P-47's flying in '93.

And in '94 the F4U gathered. I thought it was 12 or 13 fliers, but I'd have to check. Good times.

Anyone with a better memory chime right in.

_________________
It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

I thought there were like 85-87 Mustangs at the Gathering in Columbus last year??


Ted

12 TBMs at Yankee in 2004.

Jim

Duxford 9/10 September 2000 - The 60th anniversary of the Battle of Britain airshow.

There were 21 airworthy Spitfires present of which 20 flew each day. Lack of pilots was the concern.

There were also several non flying Spitfires on the field at this time.

...and it was just about impossible to capture them all in one shot as special dispensation was granted for them to arrive in groups, line abreast, from the rear of the crowd line and all to the strains of 'Land of Hope and Glory' on the public address.

Was there ever a finer moment?

PeterA

I may be mistaken, but I thought there was some sort of gathering of Spitfires in the US in the early 90s maybe? Arizona perhaps? Bill Greenwood might know?

Rich

PS- Thunder over Michigan last year had B-25s, about 15 I think. Also, there was a gathering of B-25s in honor of the Doolittle Raiders in Columbia, SC some years back. About a dozen there, I think.

_________________
Rich Kolasa
www.crystalgraphix.com

We had the 4 P-40's at Chino the same year as the 5 P-47's as a matter of fact......2005. That was a fun year!

_________________
-Al Sauer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spookythecat

What a fantastic sight, Peter! I would have very much liked to have been there!!


Ted

TOM tried to do a gathering of Skyraiders in 2006 but unfortunately this effort fizzled out when only 1 of an originally expected 7 Skyraiders made it to the show. Hopefully someday a real gathering of 5 or more in one spot will come about. T-33s would make an intereting gathering. I know that T33Driver has said he is hoping for at least 4 at Oshkosh next year (there were 3 this year), and a large grouping of T-33s and/or other vintage jet types would be nice for Thunder some day.

I think that the mid-90s warbird flyby you are referring to was a planned large gathering of WWII warbirds that was to fly over New York in 1995 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of victory in WWII. As I recall it fell well short of expectations, being largely a gathering of T-6s and SNJs without the large participation of fighter, bomber and transport warbirds that were originally hoped to be part of this.

14 (?) Mitchells at Thunder in '07

8 Forts at Thunder '05

5 Forts, B-24 and Lancaster in one formation at Geneseo 91...unforgettable

S.

I've got shots somewhere of the same formation, but with THREE Lysanders (SOT / ARC / Shuttleworth). Six Mercuries in formation. A sad thought that only the two Shuttleworth machines are still airworthy (Gladiator and Lysander) out of those 5 aircraft.

Legends in the past has had 4 Skyraiders together, plus 4 Hurricanes (with a fifth from the BBMF flying later in the display IIRC) over the years.

And how about three BrisFits together at Legends and Old Warden in 2006 - almost certainly never to be seen again.

If I recall, Breckenridge had quite a few B-25's show up at one time. I'm sure someone here will have the exact number and hopefully some pictures.

Gary