Gorgeous weather and airplanes go together almost as well as gorgeous weather and boats. Yes, I give the edge to maritime adventures over aeronautic ones, but it’s mighty close!
The William R. Fairchild International Airport in Port Angeles hosted a military/public safety appreciation and fly-in and so, of course, I headed out west with my camera. With a wide array of aircraft, live music, WWII renactment camp, public safety vehicles, an RC model display, near-constant airplane take-offs and landings, there was plenty to keep me interested.
For a nominal fee, you could take a short flight on one of several small planes. The sign-up list was sold out by noon!
You could even take a flight on the Commemorative Air Force Rainier Squadron’s vintage WWII aircraft, a 1944 AT-19, one of nearly 500 sent to the United Kingdom as part of the Lend-Lease Act. CAF aims to save an example of every aircraft that flew during World War II. The money earned from the flights allows them to restore and maintain the plane. They flew the plane up from Auburn, 90-minute flight, but at least no ferry or Hood Canal Bridge to fuss with.
The Apache attack helicopter from JBLM was defintely a fan-favorite!
I’m not much of a videographer, but I’ll share this little clip.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Friends of Willie and Joe World War II reenactment camp. Friends of Willie and Joe is an award winning, all volunteer, living history group in Western Washington that focuses on talking with the public and displaying and demonstrating the items used by US servicemembers.
The models are handmade by one of the Willie and Joe volunteers, who often has to fabricate the pieces he needs to build the model. A couple of young men wanted to buy a model, but no sale.
Lots of emergency vehicles to look at, in and even climb through.
Links of Interest:
- William R. Fairchild Airport – website
- Commemorative Air Force, Rainier Squadron – website
- Friends of Willie and Joe – website, which is quite out-of-date
Location:
1402 Airport Road
Port Angeles, WA 98362