I dressed like a defense worker/ female aircraft mechanic (I hate calling it a "Rosie the Riveter" look, because it's just a stereotype, but that's essentially what it was.) I wore my Freddie's of Pinewood gray overalls, a blue chambray shirt, saddle shoes and my hair in a bandana. It was a good look, and very comfortable! Sure beats my usual stockings, girdle, heels etc! It was also a bit serendipitous- I picked up the shirt for 75 cents (brand new Eddie Bauer!) at a thrift shop the night before. It was perfect- a darker blue chambray fabric that matched the period fabrics I was emulating. And my pocketbook was a metal lunchbox.
I have to say that I was asked to have my picture taken as "Rosie" more than I ever had been before when I just wore a 1940s dress. I'm sure it helped that I always had at least one child in tow, and they were dressed in vintage as well- people took their picture a lot. My daughter wore a blue feedsack dress with buckle shoes and my son wore overalls and Converse sneaks.
Some reenactors and vehicles. If you have never been to this event, imagine this scene x100 and you will begin to get an idea of the scope of it.
Me at the controls of a Curtis C-46 Commando transport. This is one of the most unheralded aircraft of the Second World War- a workhorse of the China-Burma-India Theater, flying "the Hump" over the Himalayas. A good friend of mine spent the war as a crew chief for one of these based out of India, and I have done several speaking engagements with him and a program based on this aircraft. So needless to say this was a thrill for me to finally get to see one up close. Like their counterparts, the C-47s (Douglas DC-3) some of these are still flying everyday in Haiti and Alaska.
The stars of the show- the only flying B-29 in the world and a B-17.
B-17 taxiing. Unlike a lot of other air shows, you can really get up close to everything here.
If you've never been to Reading Pa.'s WWII weekend, make your plans now for next year- June 1,2,3 2012!
WW2 planes = my idea of heaven. Glad to hear you had such a good day for it.
ReplyDeleteForgot to mention that they have a ton of vendors selling vintage clothing, housewares and military stuff! I picked up a 1940s dress that fits great for $10!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds amazing! I'm kicking myself for missing last year's "Meeting of Mustangs and Legends" that happened just outside my town, ugh.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a great time! I get forced to air shows on occasion (seeing as I'm married to an aerospace engineer), but none of them have vintage vendors. I'm jealous!
ReplyDeleteI'd love it! My dad flew in a B-24 as a radio man. I want to sit in one of those~
ReplyDeleteOh cool! I like the jeeps. I'd drive one of those bad boys!
ReplyDeleteAhhh! I was there too! I wish I'd have thought to see who else was going. We could have had a blogger meet up.
ReplyDeleteNo way! I might have seen you- what were you wearing? Next year I want all the PA/NJ bloggers to go and do a meet up!
ReplyDeleteI should be there next year! It looks like a fantastic event.
ReplyDeleteI was in jeans and a t-shirt — not very 1940's. Lol. I'll be better prepared for next year.
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