MDFrench
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So there we were at Peachtree City Airport's Falcon Field for the Boots and Wings WWII Day. I finally had my RAF battledress uniform complete and Kathleen and I decided to spend the day at the supposed "airshow," but rain ruined that idea - so we stuck around and talked with veterans and reenactors, who put on a good skirmish later that day complete with an armored vehicle, a Willys Jeep and a German Horch! It was a great experience and the best way to spend a few hours before the evening's 1940s Swing Dance.
We received some funny comments during the day. Kathleen was looking splendid in her A-2 Wasp Jacket and Khaki aviator's cap and the best quote from one dad to his kindergarten-age son was, "Look, it's an RAF pilot...and Amelia Earhart."
I encountered two veteran RAF pilots, one a Mosquito flyboy and the other a Beaufighter and Wellington pilot. Capitol fellows, the both of them! They even gave us some great tea towels as souvenirs. I was one of only three RAF "reenactors" to show up - technically one of only two as one was WAAF. They had on hand a navy trainer, one of the three airworthy SBD Dauntless dive bombers left, two Japanese jobies (one a modified T-6 from Tora Tora Tora) and my personal favorite, an RAF Expeditor. They even had a Sperry ball turret on display - automated display.
While Kathleen was picking out a muffin, I was summarily accosted by a German in Afrika Corps togs with a Panzershreck who pulled his Walther sidearm upon seeing me and told me to get my hands up in German. He almost made me part of the reenactment battle later that day! Anyway, he frisked my holster and asked me where my own sidearm was - I quickly told him my Spitfire canopy was stuck and I had to shoot my way out of my falling aeroplane - I lost it in the jump, I said. He laughed.
Anyway, a great time and here's some photos of the RAF Expeditor and an American pilot who joined the RAF that you might recognize. Oh, please strain your eyes in the second photo to see the tops of my RAF flying boots (early 30s pattern, black leather jobs) I did have the proper and cool footwear and I want everyone to know that!
We received some funny comments during the day. Kathleen was looking splendid in her A-2 Wasp Jacket and Khaki aviator's cap and the best quote from one dad to his kindergarten-age son was, "Look, it's an RAF pilot...and Amelia Earhart."
I encountered two veteran RAF pilots, one a Mosquito flyboy and the other a Beaufighter and Wellington pilot. Capitol fellows, the both of them! They even gave us some great tea towels as souvenirs. I was one of only three RAF "reenactors" to show up - technically one of only two as one was WAAF. They had on hand a navy trainer, one of the three airworthy SBD Dauntless dive bombers left, two Japanese jobies (one a modified T-6 from Tora Tora Tora) and my personal favorite, an RAF Expeditor. They even had a Sperry ball turret on display - automated display.
While Kathleen was picking out a muffin, I was summarily accosted by a German in Afrika Corps togs with a Panzershreck who pulled his Walther sidearm upon seeing me and told me to get my hands up in German. He almost made me part of the reenactment battle later that day! Anyway, he frisked my holster and asked me where my own sidearm was - I quickly told him my Spitfire canopy was stuck and I had to shoot my way out of my falling aeroplane - I lost it in the jump, I said. He laughed.
Anyway, a great time and here's some photos of the RAF Expeditor and an American pilot who joined the RAF that you might recognize. Oh, please strain your eyes in the second photo to see the tops of my RAF flying boots (early 30s pattern, black leather jobs) I did have the proper and cool footwear and I want everyone to know that!
