Warbirds and Airshows- Wings over Akron Air Show 2008

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Wings Over Akron, Akron, OH Airshow 2008
June 14-15, 2008 (Photos taken Saturday June 14)
The Wings Over Akron Airshow is another one those hidden gems that does not get the big billing as some of the bigger shows in the Midwest, but for the true warbird enthusiast, it is an excellent event to attend and look forward to. For several years in the early 21st century the event was originally produced by the MAPS Museum located at the Akron-Canton Airport. The last time it was produced by MAPS was in 2006 and in 2008 it was produced by The Wings Over Akron, Inc. In any event, the show continued in 2008 with the same emphasis on presenting an excellent selection of warbirds, many of which are not normally seen in the Midwest, as the organizers reached out to several warbird groups in the east and south to fill the ramp. The show itself takes place at historic Fulton Field in Akron where airships and FG-1 Corsairs were built during WWII. Also across the field from the show site is the Soapbox Derby and the Rubber Bowl, where the University of Akron plays its home football games. All of these structures make excellent backgrounds as the warbirds are taking off or participating in fly-bys.

This pristine AD-4 Skyraider came in for show from the Fighter Factory in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

This immaculately restored Cessna T-50 is operated by the Wright Stuff Squadron located in Middletown, OH and is the oldest of its type still flying in the world. This Crane served as a twin engine transition trainer with the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII.

Larry Kelly brought his B-25 "Panchito" to Wings over Akron and as usual, made some excellent fly-bys for the crowd as usual.

The C-47 "Black Sparrow" is operated by the Great Lakes Wing of the Commemorative Air Force and is home based in Gary, IN.

The Berlin Airlift Association had its C-54E on display, all the way from New Jersey for the event.

A Mansfield, OH C-30 is always a staple of Wings over Akron, seen here taxiing in after performing a flying demo.

This FG-1D was built at this airfield by Goodyear in 1943 and was brought to the show by the American Airpower Heritage Museum in Farmingdale, NY .

This is a Romanian Iar Sa Brasov 823, 36 of which were delivered to the Romanian Air Force in the 70's. There currently 43 registered in the US and this particular aircraft is located at Akron Fulton Field and is owned by Transylvania Airways. This is the first time I have ever seen one.

Dennis Labbe from St. Petersburg, Fl brings his O-2A up to the Midwest each summer so he can participate in the airshow. He is originally from Akron so he always attempts to attend the Wings over Akron event.

Tom Rench from Norwalk, OH also had his O-2A at the show. Tom in the off season will leave his Skymaster at the MAPS Museum located on the west side of the Akron-Canton Airport as a display aircraft.

Air Heritage brought in for static display its Grumman OV-1D Mohawk. This last saw service with the 224th MI Battalion at Hunter Army Air Field, Savannah, GA in 1996.

The "Red Nose" P-51 Mustang operated by the Dixie Wing in Peachtree City, GA. This was the one of the original aircraft that got the Commerative Air Force going in 1950's. "Red Nose" was purchased for $2,500 in 1957 upon being released from the US Air Force after Korea.

Another Fighter Factory Warbird at the Wings over Akron event. This Consolidated PBy-5A was built in San Diego, CA in 1943 and served wiht the US Navy in French Morocco and the Caribbean during WWII.

The very rare Douglas SBD-5 also operated by the Dixie Wing in Peachtree City, GA.

Jim Tobul of Bamberg, SC brought in this 1942 SNJ-4 in Marine markings.

Formation Fly-by of the North American T-6 and SNJs.

1944 Stinson OY-2 that is operated by the Ohio Valley Wing of the CAF.

1941 SNJ-4 operated by the Cleveland Wing of the CAF.

Todd Winemiller of Blanchester, OH taxis out in a 1943 Harvard II painted as an SNJ.

James Keller of Canton, OH taxis out for the formation flight in his 1942 AT-6D.

TBM-3E from the Fighter Factory making a simulated bombing run.

This Twin Beech came all the way from the Ozark Military Museum in Fayetteville, AR.