WEYERS CAVE – It was a gorgeous Saturday to be in the air on May 16.
Several decades-old planes sat on the runway of the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, and dozens of locals came out to see the functional, airborne and historic relics of international war turned into a delightful afternoon for both adults and children.
The World War II Warbird Expo came to the airport thanks to the preservation efforts of the Capital Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization based at the Culpeper Regional Airport.
“Our mission is simple: keep these warbirds flying to honor the thousands of men and women who built, serviced and flew these vintage airplanes,” reads the about us page of the Capital Wing website.
The Capital Wing brought the show to the airport to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday, bringing several types of planes:
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The TBM Avenger, the largest single-engine bomber of World War II, powered by a 14-cylinder radial engine producing 1,900 horsepower.
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The PT-17 Stearman, which served as the primary trainer for virtually all U.S. Army and Navy pilots during World War II.
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The Fairchild UC-61 Forwarder, a 1930s-era design used for anti-submarine patrol missions during the war.
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The Stinson OY-1, an exceptionally rare warbird, with logbooks documenting combat observation operations during the Battle of Saipan in June 1944.
Fuji Phil takes to the skies over the Shenandoah Valley
These weren’t the only planes on site. Phil McLanahan is a retired member of the Navy and the owner, mechanic and pilot of one of only five Japanese Fuji LM-1’s still airworthy worldwide. The plane was built with American technology after World War II and was designed for domestic protection and surveillance of Japan in a time when the country wasn’t permitted to have a standing army. It was intentionally not equipped with guns.
“We’ve had the opportunity to restore and maintain World War II airplanes,” said McLanahan. “This one, obviously, is post war, but our TBM Avenger fought in the war … it’s just amazing we can preserve this American history.”
Philip McLanahan, the pilot, mechanic and owner of one of only five Japanese Fuji LM-1’s still airworthy worldwide.
This News Leader reporter and 29 News reporter Kira Fullington joined McLanahan in the air on the Fuji. When introducing himself, McLanahan first said he just got his license to fly last week, a mischievous grin on his face. He actually bought the plane in the mid 2000s, restoring and maintaining it over the decades.
Unfortunately, McLanahan said he wouldn’t be able to do a barrel roll with passengers without parachutes on board, per regulation. Maybe this was for the best, as turning around mid-flight to return to the airport, the plane nearly rotating 90 degrees, the ground visible directly off the tip of the wing of the plane through the window, created about three times the effect of gravity, 3Gs, of centripetal force that can make most people freeze in fear and excitement, the only thing left to do being to let go and enjoy the experience.
McLanahan said pilots have a reputation for being similar to little boys and their toys, and his enthusiasm was infectious.
The Capital Wing of the national Commemorative Air Force came to the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport on May 16 and 17.
“Our whole goal is, obviously, to inspire kids and the next generation in aviation,” McLanahan said. He later added, “My uncle took me flying when I was 10 years old, and my head’s been in the clouds ever since.”
Upon landing, the Fuji rolling across the strip, McLanahan reached to the passenger side door and popped it open, the wind whipping as he laughed. Once the flight came to a close, and after being interviewed, he excitedly put a sticker from The News Leader on the Fuji, taking a little piece of the Shenandoah Valley to his next show.
“You’re competing with the Blue Angels,” he joked.
The Capital Wing of the national Commemorative Air Force came to the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport on May 16 and 17.
Expected and unexpected landings greet the crowd
After the Fuji landed, a type of helicopter, the Alouette II, was next. The helicopter wasn’t giving rides, but was instead demonstrating the maneuverability of the aircraft. The crowd stopped as the Alouette II twisted and twirled and glided through the air just above the airport’s runway before it ascended.
The Capital Wing of the national Commemorative Air Force came to the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport on May 16 and 17.
Then, in the distance, another plane appeared. It looked larger than the rest, and several members of the crowd squinted toward the sky to get a better look at what was coming in. As it approached, it became apparent it was a modern plane, American Eagle written across the side.
Heather Ream, the airport’s director of marketing, confirmed it was part of the airport’s flights to Chicago that began in February but those at the expo seemed to watch it with the same intensity as the other planes. Passengers disembarked and the airport staff unloaded the plane as another of the Commemorative Air Force’s planes – the TBM-3 Avenger “Doris Mae” – prepared to take off.
The Capital Wing of the national Commemorative Air Force came to the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport on May 16 and 17.
Across the crowd, families watched the planes come and go, bought food from the food trucks outside the airport, children slipped into the gunner’s chair of a turret photo booth and the airport celebrated a successful Saturday warbird expo.
After the event, the Commemorative Air Force’s Facebook page filled with video and pictures of the many pilots on their way home or to the next show from the event, including from the Alouette II and another with a gorgeous view of the valley and its hills.
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Lyra Bordelon (she/her) is the public transparency and justice reporter at The News Leader. Do you have a story tip or feedback? It’s welcome through email to lyra@newsleader.com. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Warbirds take flight at Shenandoah Valley airport