World War II Weekend 2026

Story and photos by Shawn Byers

The Mid Atlantic Air Museum hosted its 36th Annual World War II Weekend on June 4, 5 and 6 at Reading Regional Airport.

This is one of the three annual air shows I attend so they are extra special to return to each and every year. This show is also a favorite of Mrs Byers.

I am typically a Friday and Saturday attendee. In the morning, I photograph all the aircraft giving rides while the sun is in my favor. This was also the only flying I saw B-29 “Fifi” do as she taxied back to the ramp prior to the Saturday performance.

Although I am all about the aircraft, I have dedicated more time to capturing the many reenactors. It is one of, if not the largest gatherings of reenactors in the nation. I typically spend a little time at a spot I call “the intersection of the show”. Vehicles pass, infantry march, a female ball player may ride by on a bicycle. They are in character and it is a joy to watch them at their craft.

Later in the morning, we walk through the flea market on the north side of the grounds looking for a World War II treasure or other militaria. Friday is the best day as anything worth having will sell quickly.

I decided to stay inside the grounds for the Friday flying. It was hot and severe clear. My intention was to capture the Iwo Jima reenactment but they do not do that on Friday. Lesson learned and I’ll keep trying. There was also enough of a south breeze that some aircraft used the crosswind Runway 18 to depart and recover on Friday and Saturday.

Participating aircraft featured three special guests. From the Commemorative Air Force’s Airbase Arizona, B-17 “Sentimental Journey” and B-25 “Maid in the Shade”. The latter did not fly during my time there. Also, from Michigan, the A-26B “Silver Dragon”.

Saturday was another nice day, albeit a tad cloudy and I took in the afternoon air show from the Photo Pit on the south side of Runway 13/31.

The first aircraft to takeoff was the C-47, “Placid Lassie”. Onboard was the Airborne Demonstration Team. With period accurate canopies, these jumpers are at the mercy of the wind. It was breezy enough to carry jumpers into the crowd or the parking lot. “Placid Lassie” then performed a few flybys before landing.

The next aircraft to fly were the Liaison and training aircraft. Since they are slow and affected by the winds, they turned right over the photo pit, even waving at us down there.

The Jersey Jerks T-6 Demonstration Team performed next. On Friday, they used the crosswind runway, so I had some favorable views on the takeoff and entry maneuver. Near the end of their display, they flew toward the crowd line and executed the Missing Man formation.

A large group of aircraft took off from Runway 18 to make up the Navy Flight. A Helldiver, Dauntless, Avenger, Kate Replica and a Sky Raider then made racetrack patterns around the crowd. Some of the Sky Raider passes were joyously close to our location at the photo pit.

The visiting A-26 performed in a solo slot. It had an attack designation in WWII but is similar in size to a B-25 with two engines. It showed how much of a hot rod it can be in flight.

The Bomber Flight was next. B-25s “Panchito” and “Take Off Time” joined special guest, B-17 “Sentimental Journey” and a Navy R4D for flybys. Some passes were flown with bomb bay doors open.

As I mentioned, B-29 “Fifi” taxied out for her solo display but turned around with some sort of problem.

The final slots were for the fighters. The Bell P-63 performed a solo display. With its Allison Engine, low altitude performance has never been an issue.

The P-51D “Red Nose”, a regular in Reading, performed next while the P-61 went to a hold point.

The P-63 joined up with the P-51 and performed a few flybys together. This completed the flying portion of the show.

Later on Saturday, a thunderstorm rolled through. Fortunately, it was out of the way in time for the night runs which were part of the Photo Experience. Three aircraft were run on the ramp that was wetted down by the local fire department and lighted by Pete Lerro’s company. The three aircraft were the Stearman, the P-63 and the A-26.

We used Sunday to pack up and make a leisurely drive home, another successful WWII Weekend complete.

I wish to thank the media coordination of Nick Chismar, his immediate predecessors but still involved, Dave and Christina Brown, the volunteers, the vendors, the Muhlenburg Fire Department, Pete Lerro, the reenactors, the special guests (people and airplanes), The Greatest Generation, and the pilots.