Heritage takes wing

  • By Michelle Dunlop Herald Writer
  • Monday, August 29, 2011 12:01am
  • Business

The son of the man who built the Boeing Co. will be on hand at Vintage Aircraft Weekend at Paine Field.

Bill Boeing Jr. will speak about the Model 40 — the airplane he believes helped keep his father’s company afloat during the Great Depression. The world’s only Model 40C will be at this fourth annual event, which allows visitors to get up close to vintage aircraft, learn their history and watch the planes fly.

This year’s Vintage Aircraft Weekend “will have something for everyone in the family,” said John Sessions, the force behind the event. Sessions founded the Historic Flight Foundation and its restoration center, which is where the event is held.

Roughly 50 aircraft will be on display Saturday, including a Grumman F4F Wildcat, a North American B-25D Mitchell and a Beechcraft Staggerwing. Many of those planes will fly in the afternoon. The U.S. Navy has been invited to bring its EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler aircraft Saturday.

Addison Pemberton, a Spokane-area aviation buff, restored the only Model 40 a few years ago. He’ll join Boeing in the discussion of the Model 40 and will fly it that afternoon.

“He has a very sharp memory,” Sessions said of Boeing Jr.

The presentation by Boeing Jr. and Pemberton will take place around 10 a.m. Other speakers in the morning include Dan Hagedorn, curator for the Museum of Flight; Ted Young, who has written seven books about aviation and military history; and Mike Lavelle, also from the Museum of Flight.

Throughout the day, World War II re-enactors will be on hand, as will restored military vehicles. Aviation High School is sending students and faculty members to show off robotics from the school.

About 5,000 people attended last year’s Vintage Aircraft Weekend, which starts with a big band dance Friday evening. Saturday’s event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets cost $12 for general admission.

Vintage Aircraft Weekend

Friday: Big Band Dance, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Aircraft on display, historical presentations and vintage aircraft flybys.

Location: 10719 Bernie Webber Drive, Mukilteo

Info: www.vintageaircraftweekend.org

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