The Commemorative Air Force New England Wing, North Hampton, NH, and the Maine Center for Classic Aviation are preparing to host the first Wings of Freedom: A Gathering of Warbirds event on June 20 in Pittsfield, Maine. The event will combine vintage aircraft, reenactors, fly-ins, and community activities across two nearby locations: Pittsfield Municipal Airport and Thompson Memorial Field (ME62), a grass airstrip that serves as the home of the Maine Center for Classic Aviation. Organizers said the event is intended to recreate the atmosphere of the rural flying fields used during the 1940s while honoring the men and women who served in military aviation. Funds raised during the weekend will support restoration work on the New England Wing’s Fairchild PT-23 trainer, which is currently undergoing an engine overhaul and aileron replacement.
(Image credit: CAF New England Wing)
The idea for Wings of Freedom reportedly began with discussions between New England Wing officer Andrew Constantine and Maine Center for Classic Aviation founder Sam Canders. Activities will begin at Pittsfield Municipal Airport with a Young Eagles Day hosted alongside EAA Chapter 736 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Events will later shift to Thompson Memorial Field, a site named after Second Lieutenant John E. Thompson, a Maine native who flew the Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star during the Korean War. Thompson was lost on April 7, 1951, during a ground attack mission over North Korea after his aircraft was hit by enemy fire. Although he ejected, his parachute failed to deploy, and only his helmet was recovered. He was later declared killed in action.
(Image credit: CAF New England Wing)
Canders, Thompson’s nephew, established the field in his honor. The airstrip has become home to several vintage aviation projects, including Canders’ original plans-built 1929 Pietenpol Air Camper, which follows Bernard Pietenpol’s early homebuilt aircraft design powered by a Ford Model A engine. Other restoration and construction projects based in the field include a restored 1946 Aeronca Super Chief and a Corben Junior Ace Model E currently under construction. The event is expected to feature a range of antique, classic, and military aircraft. Among the visiting aircraft planned is the Wings of War Museum’s Cessna UC-78 Bobcat “Bamboo Betty,” which recently completed restoration work and is expected to make its northeastern debut at the event. Originally built for the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941 as a Cessna Crane Mk. I, the aircraft has since been restored in U.S. Army Air Forces markings.
(Image credit: CAF New England Wing)
The Owls Head Transportation Museum plans to bring two restored Boeing Stearman biplanes, while Operation HIGH FLIGHT from Nashua, New Hampshire, expects to display its Navy N2S-3 trainer both on the ground and in the air. Organizers said rides in the open-cockpit trainer are planned, with proceeds supporting the New England Wing’s PT-23 restoration project. Cape Cod Airfield owner Chris Siderwicz is also tentatively expected to attend with a 1940 Douglas DC-3 believed to be the only surviving flyable Douglas Sleeper Transport from the prewar period.
(Image credit: CAF New England Wing)
Additional aircraft expected at the gathering include Piper J-3 Cubs, Taylor J-2s, L-19 Bird Dogs, a T-28A Trojan, and several Pietenpol Air Campers. The weekend will also include food trucks, live music, camping, and a fireworks display. Organizers said parachutists from Vacationland Jumps are expected to open the Saturday evening concert with a flag jump demonstration. For more information about the event, click HERE. For more information and to support the CAF New England Wing, click on this link: necaf.org.
(Image credit: CAF New England Wing)
