Convoy 2010 – Attractive show in the air as well

Submitted by Louis Dreyer on 22. July 2010 - 20:09

From 6th to 8th August Birmenstorf AG is again the meeting-point of military vintage vehicles. 600 vehicles from many European countries and 25,000 visitors from all over Switzerland are expected. One of the highlights is an air-show with warbirds from the Second World War.

‘Convoy’ is a feast for the eyes for all fans of well looked-after vintage military motor vehicles of the most varied kinds. Numerous rarities and collectors’ items are already booked.

Airborne operations as on D-Day

The airborne dimension is a novelty. The Organizing Committee has succeeded in putting together an attractive air-show in addition to the terrestrial display. Altogether there are 14 aircraft involved. A Dakota C-47 from England is the leading actor. The machine participated in the airborne operations in Normandy in 1944. Paratroopers in the original outfit of the 101st Airborne Division will bail out above the grounds and, according to the tactics of those days, will be collected in a spectacular action by light armored ‘Weasel’ vehicles. Part of those tactics will be preliminary reconnaissance flights by Stinson L-5 light aircraft used in those days, as well as demonstrations with Piper PA-18.

Dogfights with original fighter aircraft

The above parachuting is accompanied by original fighter aircraft of that war period. World-wide the at present only airworthy Morane-Saulnier MS 406, formerly Swiss Air Force, the American North American Mustang P-51, as well as two Russian Jaks, i.e. the fighters Jak 3 and Jak-9, will present an impressive show. Rarely seen but also participating will be a torpedo bomber of the US Navy, the Grumman TBM Avenger; this type played an important part in the war in the Pacific. Impressive highlights will be dogfight demonstrations, mock attacks, and the formation ‘Missing Man’ with four war aircraft. Together with the business- and feeder-aircraft of the thirties, the Beech-18, the trainers North American T-6 Texan, as well as two Jak-52, this air program amounts to a minor sensation.