Historic planes draw crowd to Mansfield Lahm Airport
Eighty-eight-year-old Ralph Woods of Wooster was among the first visitors to arrive Wednesday to the AirPower History Tour, which runs through Sunday at Mansfield Lahm Airport, to see the historic WW II aircraft on display.
Presented by the Commemorative Air Force, the tour gives visitors a rare opportunity to view the aircraft up close and tour the cockpits when the aircraft aren't flying. The CAF is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to honoring American military history by keeping the majestic aircraft flying.
Woods, a U.S. Air Force veteran during the Korean War from 1953 to 1957, dished his walker to climb into the cockpit of a B-29 Superfortress "Fifi" to reminisce about his days as a crew chief in a plane just like the bomber.
Woods' wife Phyllis took photographs and marveled at her husband's excitement inside and outside the plane.
Woods said he served four years and never saw combat.
"I was in research and development, it was the forerunner to NASA," he said. "We did a lot of high altitude research... I've been 10,000 feet higher than one of these is supposed to fly."
Woods said he travels to see historic planes whenever he can.
"It was wonderful," he said, after climbing down a ladder at the nose of the plane, unaware he had gotten a minor cut on his elbow.
The lively veteran talked with a couple of the crew members, telling them he started out his career in the Air Force as a mechanic.
The crew members and Woods talked airplane maintenance, and thanked him for his service.
"I've got to go plug an old cooler unless you want to do it for me, Ralph?" a crew member said, making Ralph laugh.
Woods said he returned from the military to help his father farm since his dad need him. He sold the farm in 1984 and finished his career as a farm and general maintenance repairman.
Woods said he was hoping to sign up to ride in the B-29 but rides on Saturday and Sunday in the two bombers in the show are sold out.
Waiting to tour the B-29 cockpit next were Randy and Mary Breymaier of Perrysburg, who also came to Lahm airport to see the historic aircraft. Randy said his father Darrell served in the U.S. Army and was a gunner during World War II in a plane just like this one.
Mary held an 8-by10-inch black and white photograph of her father-in-law and the crew with a B-29 bomber.
The twosome marveled at the history of the huge aircraft with 12 barrels as a tour guide shared information outside the plane with them.
And nearby, Lois Hartzler of Wooster took photographs. She also came early to learn about the planes.
A retired Grove City German language teacher, Hartzler said she loves aviation history.
"It's a thrill," she said of being able to see the planes up close.
Also an early riser, Jerry Ennis, 79, of Kent, a U.S. Air Force veteran and a self described "camera buff," headed to Mansfield early Wednesday morning to take some photographs.
He spent 24 years in the Air Force and was commissioned in 1964 having served in ROTC.
"I have nothing but the highest regard for all who flew the bombers," he said.
Tiffin resident Dennis Lynch was approaching the B-29 on the tarmac pushing his father Gerald Lynch, 91, in a wheelchair.
"It flew over our house Monday, really low," Dennis said. "We decided to come and see it."
Gerald served as a medic in the U.S. Army in the Korean War, stationed in Texas. Gerald, who said he was drafted into military service, smiled at the size of the aircraft.
Tour leader Jacques Robitaille said the event brings WW II vintage aircraft to sites across the country during the summer months.
Robitaille, a U.S. Air Force veteran, has been part of the organization for eight years and lives in Dallas, where the nonprofit is based.
When he retired, he began flying with the AirPower History Tour, which owns and operates WW II classic aircraft.
"It's been my hobby, my passion, since I retired," he said.
Robitaille said these planes are living history.
"They are not replicas. They are not models. They are the real deal," he said. "They were manufactured during the time of the war."
What brings people out to the show?
Robitaille said for the older men, it's a time to remember.
"A lot of folks come out because they have a connection to these aircraft, in the sense that my father flew one, my grandfather flew one," he said. He said the veterans who flew on the planes share stories with the crew members of the AirPower History Tour and "the stories start to come out."
In addition to the bombers, the show has a couple of smaller airplanes, a Stearman and a T-6 Texan, both trainer type aircraft both available for flights.
"Our mission is to honor, educate and inspire," he said. "To honor the men who flew them, the women who built them and educate the general public of the role of these aircraft during the war and the role that of greatest generation played in securing our freedoms and to inspire young people for careers in aviation."
The AirPower History Tour runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday at Mansfield Lahm Airport. Admission is charged. Plane rides are available for a fee. For prices and more information go to airpowersquadron.org/mansfield-ohio.
Saturday is Mansfield Lahm Airport Day 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the airport. Young Eagles flights are offered to attendees ages 8 to 13 starting at 9:30 a.m. A food truck rally, KidsZone and an area showcasing the businesses at the airport will be on tap.
lwhitmir@gannett.com
419-521-7223
Twitter: @LWhitmir
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: AirPower History Tour is 'living history' tour leader says
