2024 Mid-Atlantic Air Museum's WWII Weekend

Last year was my first time attending the annual WWII Weekend in Reading, PA, at the Reading Regional Airport. When I left, I knew it would become an annual tradition for me. For those who haven't been, I urge you to attend this event, even if it's just once. It's the closest you'll ever get to stepping into a time machine and being transported back to 1944. Hundreds of reenactors participate each year, all dressed in period-style uniforms and clothing.

One thing I knew when I left last year was that this year, I was going to attend all three days of the event. I stayed at a hotel about 20 minutes south of the airfield, and when I arrived on Thursday evening before the show, the excitement was palpable. One reason for this was that I had purchased a 'Photographer's Pit' pass for the event. This pass granted me access to the photo pit located on the opposite side of the airfield, away from the crowds and with the sun behind me. Bagged lunches were also provided to photographers in the pit each day. I want to give a special shout-out to Dave and Christina Brown, the media coordinators for the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, for putting together such a great package and running everything so smoothly.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the best part of the entire weekend—the weather! In the 33 years of the WWII Weekend event, many agreed that it was the best weather ever. Each of the three days saw temperatures in the 70s, with picturesque puffy cumulus clouds dotting the sky every day. You couldn't have asked for better conditions for photography.

Despite a few aircraft cancellations due to maintenance and some planes flying less frequently due to mechanical issues, the overall weekend was fantastic! Thom Richard stole the show with his flying prowess, piloting his own TP-40 Warhawk 'American Dream' and the Commemorative Air Force's P-51 Mustang 'Red Nose' during flight demos all three days. His breathtaking low-altitude maneuvers left the audience mesmerized. It's safe to say that Thom embodies the saying 'fly it like you stole it' with his incredible performances.

Perhaps the best feature of the photographer's pass package is the exclusive access to special photo shoot events reserved solely for pass holders. These include guided dusk and dawn walks along the tarmac, and my personal favorite—the 'night shoot,' where three warbirds run their engines for several minutes under professional lighting. This event is perfect for long-exposure photography, capturing the full spin of propellers and the brilliant blue flames from radial engines. It's truly one of the coolest experiences I've ever had! If you're at all interested in aviation photography and own a decent camera, I highly recommend securing one of these photography passes as soon as they're announced.

On the first day of the show, I opted to skip the photo pit since the airshow segment was only scheduled for two hours. Instead, I planted myself at the far end of the crowd line where the aircraft taxied nearby and flew towards the airfield, providing excellent photo and video opportunities. After the airshow concluded, I headed to the museum pavilion for that evening's dinner of pulled pork and sides. It's worth noting that besides regular tickets, you can also purchase dinner tickets for Friday and Saturday evenings at $16 per person, which ensures a convenient meal location and great food.

Later, I enjoyed some downtime before the dusk tarmac walk. With most of the crowd dispersed, I wandered over to where the Commemorative Air Force was picking up and dropping off passengers who had purchased aircraft rides. This allowed me to capture stunning photos of planes bathed in the evening sunlight from just 50 feet away.

On Saturday and Sunday, I remained in the photo pit for the entire four-hour airshow, and let me tell you, it was an unforgettable experience! Having WWII-era fighter aircraft thunder past at close range, reaching speeds of up to 350 MPH, is something that stays with you forever. Needless to say, as long as I'm able, I'll be attending this show every year!

A special thanks to the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum for putting on another great event! If you can afford the $45 or so, I also encourage you to think about becoming a member of the museum like I did this year. The yearly dues all go towards keeping their aircraft in the air and being able to put on this event every year. Next year's annual WWII Weekend is scheduled for June 6th, 7th, & 8th, 2025. Be there!