May 16th, 2022 by WCBC Radio
The Capital Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), in conjunction with the Delaware Aviation Museum Foundation (DAMF), will bring a Warbird Showcase to the Cumberland MD Airport Saturday and Sunday June 18 and 19. The event is open from 10 AM to 4 PM each day with no parking or entrance fees. Warbirds scheduled to appear include a TBM Avenger torpedo bomber, the B-25 Panchito, Stinson L-5 Sentinel, and Boeing PT-17 Stearman bi-plane. The public will have the opportunity to purchase warbird rides in all the aircraft as a tribute to the thousands of men and women who built, serviced and flew them.
The full tour schedule and advance ticketing for any warbird is available online at https://www.capitalwingwarbirdrides.org/. To purchase seats only on the B-25 Panchito you may go to https://delaware-aviation-museum-foundation.checkfront.com/reserve/ online. Flight seats not sold in advance will be available for sale on-site at the Warbird Showcase. Being introduced at this event is a $50 “Inflation Buster” warbird ride in the Stinson L-5 offering the passenger a quick flight around the airport and view of the Queen City. Also available on a limited basis are $50 discounts on warbird rides in the TBM Avenger and the B-25 Panchito. Contact the Warbird Showcase at CapitalWingRides@gmail.com for details. Weather permitting the TBM Avenger and B-25 will perform a flyover of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad #1309 steam locomotive.
History has a way of repeating itself. The first large aircraft to operate from the then new 1942 Cumberland Airport was a North American B-25 bomber. Once again, at the Warbird Showcase a B-25 will be flying out of the Cumberland Airport. For more history, visitors to the Warbird Showcase event can see a 40% scale replica of the 1903 Wright Brothers Wright Flyer aircraft on the second floor of the terminal building. In addition, a Capital Wing member with over 12,000 hours flying 15 different type aircraft will be providing “Pilot Stories” at the entrance Gazebo.
There will be other attractions for the entire family at the airport. On static display will be the Maryland State Police MEDEVAC helicopter, a sailplane from the Cumberland Soaring Group and a Cessna 172 from the Alleghany Flying Club. The Capital Wing will have a B-26 machine gun turret on-site (yes, the kids can climb inside it) as well as its “PX” (Post eXchange) trailer selling warbird-related items. A 1950 Mack Fire Engine will also be on display. Finally, the Short Gap Lions Club will have a food tent on-site so the public does not need to leave to have lunch.
The Capital Wing and Delaware Aviation Museum Foundation are both non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations and are staffed entirely by volunteers. For more information, please contact CapitalWingRides@gmail.com or info@delawareaviationmuseum.org.
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