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2012 Airshows This was the second of two and most likely the last major gathering of B-25s at Urbana, OH to honor The Doolittle's Raiders on the 70th Anniversary of the famous and war changing attack on April 18, 1942. Two years ago in 2010 there was a similar gathering which brought together (17) B-25s for the fly-by at the Air Force Museum. Urbana is the staging area for the aircraft before they all depart for static display and the fly-by at the Air Force Museum. This year the goal was (22) B-25s to make the event. However, due to weather and other issues, as of Sunday only (15) had arrived. However, for the warbird aficionado and enthusiast that was able to get to Urbana on Sunday April 15th, the events and flying were for all intents and purposes a one time experience that will be hard to ever replicate or repeat. Several things changed at Urbana from 2010 to 2012 that made April 15, 2012 special. First were the days it was held. In 2010 the B-25s arrived and gathered on a Thursday and Friday. This was done so they could fly out on Saturday morning for static display at the Museum on Saturday and then do the actual honorary fly-by on Sunday, April 18, which was the 68th Anniversary. So the arrival and display days at Urbana were on weekdays when many people obviously had to go to work. This year, with April 18th being on a Wednesday, the Urbana event was on the weekend. While Saturday was for the most part a washout, Sunday was the day everything came together to make for a memorable experience. The weather cleared up, was warm and sunny and although windy, it was right down the runway. So Sunday was a great day for people to come out to see this great gathering of warbirds. And come they did, with an over packed parking lot and a continuous minor traffic jam out on the road in front of the airport. Another key change was emphasis this year B-25 Warbird Rides. In 2010 I do not remember that many B-25s giving rides to the public. If memory serves me correctly only one or two were doing it and it was somewhat limited. This year there was a coordinated effort among the B-25s along with the Champaign Air Museum that hosted the event to promote the rides to support the B-25s. The price among all the Mitchells' was the same and they all had a table to sell their rides in the Museum's hangar. So as a person that wanted to take a ride, it was one-stop shopping. He/she could walk in and then talk and book with whichever B-25 was the most desirable. And there were plenty to chose from, with 8-10 of the B-25s on hand providing the service. So with the weather driving most of the crowd to come out on Sunday, the fact that the B-25s had a coordinated and well publicized ride program this year, and the fact that the economy is somewhat better than it was two years ago, Urbana became a very busy airport with at least (50) B-25 ride sorties during the day. Also new this year was a spectator viewing area (the Bullpen) right next to one of the taxiways which allowed more than just the media to get up close and personal with the B-25s as they were taking off, landing, and taxiing back in. And when it comes to the Warbird Sound Index Factor, the B-25 Mitchell has the highest value when it comes to decibel level. So if there is one aircraft that can give the most warbird radial sound on take-off, the B-25 is first choice. And do you know what? To see and hear all of these great B-25s coming and going all day it only cost $5. Five Bucks!! In an era where some airshows are charging $30 at the gate along with added charges for access to the hot ramp or special photo areas, this was a steal!
The next section needs some explanation. On Saturday I was informed that B-25 Betty's Dream of the Texas Flying Legends Museum would be coming in on Sunday after having been delayed on Saturday due to the violent weather in that part of the country. Museum management had previously decided that if its B-25 was going to have to take such a long mission to Urbana that it needed fighter escort. Like all of the fighters in the Museum; P-40, P-51, F4U and A6M2. The group set out from Houston, TX early Sunday morning with an original ETA of 1:00 PM. As those of us that work with Warbirds know arrival times can be "fluid". In this case there were still weather delays enroute and the time slipped to 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM with then the apparent word at 5:40 there was not going to be a Sunday arrival.
All of this for five bucks!!
Titusville (Tico), FL
Urbana, OH B-25 Gathering
B-25 Fly-Over at
Doolittle Reunion, Dayton, OH
MCAS Cherry
Point, NC
Shaw AFB,
Sumter, SC
Whiteman
AFB, Knob Noster, MO
Boeing Field,
Seattle, WA
Kokomo Air Show,
Kokomo, IN
CWH Airshow,
Hamilton ON
Indianapolis Air Show, Greenfield, IN
Indianapolis Executive B-17
Texas Raiders
Thunder over
Michigan, Belleville, MI
Gratiot
Community Airshow, Alma, MI
Marion Fly-In/Drive-In,
Marion, IN
Fort Wayne Air
Show, Fort Wayne, IN
Waukegan, IL
Glendale Airport, Kokomo,
IN
Indianapolis
Regional Airport, IN
Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport, IN |
