CISS at the Indy Air Show

08/01/04

By Gerry Whitson

Bob Currie and Don Reid represented CISS at the Indy Air Show in Mount Carmel on

July 31 and August 1, 2004. On Friday July 30, Bob, Don, Nyal Williams and I loaded Bob’s 1941 TG-2 on the trailer in Alexandria for transport. The plan was to tow the glider to Mount Carmel, but Mother Nature did not cooperate. Once we arrived and Bob checked in with the organizers, we (Bob, Don and I) began putting the TG-2 together.

Bob working hard under the direct supervision of Don!

After completion of the assembly phase, we moved the glider into its show spot. This time Mother Nature decided that the glider needed washing. A light rain fell for the next hour and cleared the airport of exhibitors and ground crews.

Mike and Cheryl Beckage provided me with a ticket to Friday nights “Picnic and Symposium with the Thunderbirds”. Cheryl worked as a volunteer at this event. Mike, Cheryl and I had the opportunity to mingle with air show sponsors, ground crews, exhibitors and the Thunderbirds. This event was held in the Vitesse hanger at the Mount Comfort airport. Speakers included Brigadier General Dan Cherry, General Lloyd W. “Fig” Newton, Brigadier General James D. Latham and Brigadier General Jack Dickey. All four were past Thunderbirds.

Thunderbirds at the Friday night symposium

Saturday was my crew day in Alexandria. Because of the low clouds, I decided to drive

down to Mount Comfort and check-out any new arrivals. Forty-five minutes later, I was walking towards the TG-2. Bob and Don had everything under control. Don and I headed towards the P-40 and P-38. Within 30 minutes, I was headed back to Alexandria. The clouds had begun to dissipate and blue sky could be seen. Bob and Don manned the air show all day Saturday and Sunday. They passed out over 50 CISS information sheets.

If you are interested in seeing the TG-2, Don tells me it is in the Atterbury-Bakalar museum in Columbus, IN. The museum will keep the glider in flying condition, and allow Bob to fly it for special events.

One of the advantages of being on ground crew was getting to watch the air show during

the Friday practice session. Here are some photos I shot:

F-15 and P-51 flying in formation

A P-40 Warhawk and P-38 Lightning

Thunderbirds

Thunderbirds

Thunderbirds

Thunderbirds

I would like to thank Bob Currie, Don Reed, Mike and Cheryl Beckage for taking

time to represent CISS and the soaring community at the Indy air show. If anyone

would like a copy of any of the photographs, please let me know. I will copy them

onto a diskette or CD for you.

Blue Skies,

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