Kilted "Regiment" Reading Air Show 2011

[BobsYourUncle]

Well, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Recreated, the Black Watch Recreated, the Royal Highland Regiment of Canada [Black Watch Canada Recreated] and the Queens Own Rifles Canada Recreated, formed up together as B Company, Commonwealth Forces had another great reenacting weekend at the Reading Air Show put on by the Mid Atlantic Air Museum at the regional airport in Reading, Pennsylvania. I posted at length about last year's event in this thread, giving a full explanation: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ir-show-59805/

Once again, we were joined by Pvt Jim Leddie, A & SH 7th Bn, who served from 1939 to 1946--the whole lot. This is the very battalion that we portray in our reenacting impression. We had a chance once again to have our pipers play a mini concert for him, and we did an honorary march past, and eyes right salute. Here is Jim under our Regimental fly, with two other surviving vets who came to share with us. The three of them proved to be quite lively and spry--they teased each other unmercifully, and they told each other many stories that I don't think would have come out had they not been together:



There are dances in the large hanger both Friday and Saturday nights. Here is part of our turnout last Friday night:



Here we are decked out for the Saturday night Hanger Dance. There is a group of reenactors who do a great Japanese impression, one of them stood for a photo with us:



Some fine young women do a high quality impression of the Andrews Sisters, and yes, they take their act behind the mike and perform several sets at different venues at the Air Show:



Some of the lads with another singing group, the Manhattan Dolls:



Bill McKee of our group and another gent with a cigarette girl, who is actually one of the event coordinators:



A very nice fellow named Mick leads an Irish Guards reenacting group, this weekend he set up and ran the NAAFI. At the dance he shifted into a King's African Rifles impression. Here he is behind the counter at the NAAFI:



Well, that's me for now. Enjoy!

[Spartan Tartan]

What a fun looking event! I'm jealous I'm not close enough to be able to enjoy it. Thanks for the pictures.

[cessna152towser]

Looking good!
Kilts AND Planes AND Bonnie Lassies all in the one action packed weekend, I wish I could have joined you!

[walkerk]

Thanks for the pictures. Looks like you had a grand time.

[Ancienne Alliance]

Very impressive. Very well put together.
Congratulations.


Best,

Robert

[Highlander31]

Looks like a great weekend. I'll bet those stories were interesting to hear.

As a pilot, I have always wanted to fly several of the old warbirds. However, just listening to the engines, is enough to make me smile.

Although, I think Alex said it best,...

...Kilts AND Planes AND Bonnie Lassies all in the one action packed weekend, I wish I could have joined you!

[CDNSushi]

I'm dreadfully curious -- this being 2011, was the cigarette girl ACTUALLY selling REAL cigarettes?

[BobsYourUncle]

Looks like a great weekend. I'll bet those stories were interesting to hear.

As a pilot, I have always wanted to fly several of the old warbirds. However, just listening to the engines, is enough to make me smile.

Although, I think Alex said it best,...

One of the great things about the weekend from a reenactor's perspective is that while in camp, or marching about, or talking to the visitors about your unit, there is the constant taking off and landing of these period aircraft.

Some times they take off and land in squadron strength, with the roar of engines in unison. You look up from a conversation to see a sortie of Mustangs banking just enough off the deck...it is enough to make you think you have traveled back in time. There is no other experience like it. I recommend putting the weekend in your itinerary for next year.

[BobsYourUncle]

I'm dreadfully curious -- this being 2011, was the cigarette girl ACTUALLY selling REAL cigarettes?

Um, I'm afraid I wasn't focused on her cigarettes...I don't know whether they were real. I suspect not as selling real ones requires a license, tax reporting, etc.--all a little heavy duty for a reenacting impression.

However, my friend who was running the NAAFI had more than a half dozen brands of period cigarettes in stock, all of the cartons were filled with bubble gum cigarettes. He did not have proper permits, licenses, etc. to sell tobacco--he also didn't want to promote smoking where children are in attendance.

[tulloch]

Looks like a wonderful time. Wish I could be there.