The event was a huge success, and may be the solution for air shows to continue on with the future being unknown. The biggest miss was the static aircraft.
doris mae
Photography: Christian Gross, Chris Rose
Prose: Christian Gross
The Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation was founded in 1929 and would go on to design and build some of the most impactful aircraft in US history. They had such a reputation for durability and reliability that the company would often be referred to as the Grumman Iron Works. The TBF/TBM Avenger was designed as a torpedo bomber and would eventually replace the maligned Douglas Devastator in 1942. Despite a poor showing during Battle of Midway, it would go on to play a major role in World War II in the Pacific. The Avenger would serve in various roles long after the war, from Anti-Submarine Warfare to Fire Bomber. It would eventually see retirement from service in the 1960’s.
The Commemorative Air Force’s Capital Wing, based in Brandy Station, Virginia, operates a restored TBM-3E. Their Avenger (built under license by General Motors) currently wears the markings of a USMC Squadron VMTB-143 aircraft, “Doris Mae”. Full Disc Aviation Photographers Christian Gross and Chris Rose had the amazing opportunity to attend a night run-up session with Doris Mae, hosted by the CAF Capital Wing. Luckily the weather behaved and it was a nice evening to see this beauty come to life.
