June in Eastern Pennsylvania is often known for its unpredictable weather. While some years bring sunshine with only scattered showers, others deliver sudden thunderstorms that seem to appear out of nowhere. As anticipation built for the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s 34th Annual WWII Weekend, many found themselves glued to weather forecasts that changed by the day. Despite predictions of rain and scattered storms, the sounds of warbirds once again filled the skies over Reading Regional Airport, as more than 1,500 reenactors and thousands of visitors descended on the field.
With a star-studded lineup of aircraft, this year’s airshow promised to be one for the books. Although two previously announced aircraft—the Warbird Factory’s TBM-3E Avenger “Ida Red” and the Military Aviation Museum’s P-40E Warhawk—were unable to attend, they were swiftly replaced by Vintage Flying Machines’ AD-5 Skyraider and the Military Aviation Museum’s Flug Werk FW-190A, both of which dazzled the crowds.
By Friday morning, spectators were already streaming in after the gates opened. With over 1,500 reenactors spread across the grounds, there was always something to see. Visitors explored the encampments and static displays, including four “gooney birds”: C-49 Wild Cat, C-47 Placid Lassie, C-47 Luck of the Irish, and C-53 Beach City Baby, all open for tours. Nearby, a line formed outside the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation’s C-54 Spirit of Freedom, as people waited to explore the flying museum.
But just around the corner, two aircraft in particular captured the spotlight. Parked near the museum’s legendary P-61 Black Widow were Warren Pietsch’s gleaming P-51C Thunderbird and the Military Aviation Museum’s Me 262—the first time a jet fighter had ever taken part in this event. The crowd was mesmerized, some drawn to Thunderbird‘s deep blue mirror-like finish, others eager to see the Luftwaffe’s iconic jet fighter up close.
While the airshow portion had yet to begin, ride flights were already in full swing. Spectators gathered at midfield to watch CAF Airbase Georgia’s P-51D and T-6 Texan roar into the sky. Across the airport, the Delaware Aviation Museum’s B-25J Panchito raced past the photo pit, drawing long camera lenses. Then came the unmistakable rumble of a B-29 Superfortress: Doc took off for a ride flight, marking its first appearance at WWII Weekend since 2018—filling in for regular participant Fifi, currently grounded awaiting new engines. Another welcome return was the CAF West Texas Wing’s SB2C Helldiver, also making its first appearance since 2018.
As noon approached and ride flights cycled through, the official airshow began. Placid Lassie and Wild Cat kicked off the program with two paratroop drops from the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team. After their check pass, the C-47s made two precise jumps over the field before each returned for a photo pass. Following a final flight from Panchito, Friday’s flying schedule was cut short as scattered thunderstorms rolled in, bringing steady rain for the rest of the afternoon.
Fortunately, the skies cleared just in time for the evening activities. Reenactors, guests, and big-band tunes filled the main hangar for the first dance, while ride flights resumed. The break in the weather also allowed the first portion of the WWII Weekend Photo Experience to take place—a golden-hour walk along the flight line. Photographers made their way down the ramp, capturing moody sunset shots of the Skyraider, Airbase Georgia’s FG-1D Corsair, and the Helldiver. But the highlight was Doc, silhouetted against the setting sun. Before the night was through, an impromptu airshow broke out as an Air National Guard C-130 performed touch-and-go landings.
Saturday brought more of the same weather, beginning with hours of steady rain. Despite the grounded aircraft, crowds still poured in. As many say, WWII Weekend is more than just an airshow. Reenactors carried on through the rain, engaging with visitors, staging mock battles, and showcasing living history across the village and encampments. Visitors spoke with pilots, toured the aircraft, and gathered in the main hangar to hear stories from WWII veterans—often considered the most meaningful part of the event.
By Saturday afternoon, the skies cleared again and the flying resumed. Ride flights returned, and Wings of War’s T-50 Bamboo Betty took to the skies, joined by a fleet of other vintage trainers. On the ground, the Jersey Jerks formation team were already taxiing. Their precision aerobatics wowed the crowd—until yet another storm forced a temporary halt to the show. Undeterred, the audience stuck it out, and the Navy flight took off soon after the skies cleared.
The Skyraider, Zero (a modified T-6), Wildcat, Helldiver, and Corsair launched and made sweeping passes over the airfield. After a few rounds, the Corsair broke formation and returned for a solo display. Piloted by Mark Todd, the gull-winged fighter screamed over the field with vapor trails curling off its wingtips. The iconic whistle of its supercharger echoed over the photo pit.
Next came Jerry Wells in the Bücker Jungmeister, wowing spectators with the aircraft’s unmatched agility. Then came the bomber flight: with Doc prepping for a ride, Panchito and Beach City Baby made their rounds. The crowd buzzed with anticipation—would there still be time for a fighter display? The answer came with the roar of engines as both P-51s, the FW-190, and the Me 262 fired up. The four fighters took off in formation, with Pietsch making a dramatic pass in Thunderbird right over the photo pit. The piston-powered trio made formation passes while the Me 262 swept behind them in wide arcs. The sequence was fast, tight, and exhilarating—more like an air race than an airshow. The moment was historic, marking the Me 262’s first major airshow appearance in over a decade.
Saturday’s condensed but thrilling show closed with the Corsair taking to the skies one last time for a solemn missing man formation. As the evening continued, the main hangar once again filled for the big dance while photographers returned to the ramp for the night shoot—now in its fifth year. Thunderbird, Bamboo Betty, and the Helldiver were positioned under dramatic lighting provided by Lerro Photography, with water sprayed on the pavement by the Muhlenberg Fire Department to enhance the reflections.
Sunday brought one final battle with the weather. With another front expected in the afternoon, organizers shuffled the schedule to get ahead of the rain. The show opened at noon with a paratroop drop, followed by Thunderbird making tight passes over show center. Trainer flights and the Jersey Jerks followed, but as the clouds darkened again, the show was temporarily grounded. Still, visitors persevered—taking cover under wings and tents, refusing to let a little rain ruin the day.
By 4:00 PM, the skies had cleared, and flying resumed. Jerry Wells performed once again, followed by a high-speed fighter display. The Me 262 quickly caught up with the piston fighters in the air, while Doc taxied for her final ride flight of the weekend. With the rain clouds gathering once more, the fighters landed and were quickly moved to shelter. Doc then took off, making a series of majestic passes over the field to close out the show—just in time, as yet another storm rolled in for the evening.
Despite battling some of the most challenging weather in recent WWII Weekend history, the air boss, pilots, and organizers kept the show moving. Thanks to their tireless efforts—and the unwavering dedication of the ground crews and volunteers—every aircraft flew, every ride happened, and the crowds were never disappointed. Even in the rain, WWII Weekend proved once again why it remains one of the premier living history airshows in the country. The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s 35th Annual WWII Weekend is scheduled for June 5–7, 2026.
