Random Ramblings: Aerial Wildland Firefighting

I have blogged about aerial wildland firefighting since 2009. I am not a firefighter and am not a pilot, just an interested bystander who wants to learn more and share what I learn here. Join me here as I blog on the aircraft and the pilots who fight wildland fires from the air in support of crews on the ground. I also blog on concerns affecting fire crews on the ground as well as other aviation and meteorology issues. Learn what it takes to do jobs that are staffed by the best of the best.

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

A quick visit to the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum Ramp

When we landed at Reading Airport yesterday (our destination on my scenic flight), we taxiied to one of the FBOs, which happened to be next door to the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum (MAAM). I suspect that the pilot may have known that the MAAM was next to that particular FBO when he chose that one. Anyway, we parked the Cessna, and as I was preparing to get out of the plane, I looked out the window and saw the MAAM Lockheed P2V-7 (SP-2H) Neptune in full military configuration sitting on the MAAM ramp. My jaw dropped. So, we got out and I took the photos that you see here, including photos of their Eastern Airlines Martin 4-0-4 'Silver Falcon' and their Vickers-Armstrong V745D "Viscount" turbo prop (no separate link on the MAAM page, but she is featured on the MAAM ramp webpage

I am embarrassed to say that in being drawn to the P-2, I did not go and pay homage to their Douglas R4-D6 "Skytrain", the naval version of the Douglas DC-3 passenger plane. So, I am suitably embarrassed at my oversight. My loss, but there will be another opportunity to see her, as I hope to fly to Reading again. So, to the grand ole dam on the MAAM ramp, please forgive my rudeness in not going up to greet you.