The organizers were able to bring in every Air Combat Command Demo team for an epic Heritage Flight, as well as the USAF Thunderbirds.
Golden Age Air Museum’s SPAD XIII (Replica)First Flight.
Introduction: Richard Souza
Photography: Richard Souza, Glenn Riegel
Golden Age Air Museum | Bethal, PA
On a quiet Fall day, a small group gathered around Golden Age Air Museum's SPAD XIII (Replica) and gazed at what has been a labor of love for over decade. After a series of taxi tests, it was time for the maiden flight.With final checks complete, museum President Paul Dougherty suited up and climbed in the gorgeous aircraft. Soon, the sound of the Continental engine was all that could be heard. Paul took the SPAD down the grass strip and disappeared. After a couple of anxious minutes, the SPAD emerged and took flight. The aircraft became airborne and before reaching the end of the field the wheels would touch the down. After a series of short flights, Paul brought the aircraft back toward the hangar and shut her down. As the small group huddled around the plane as Paul officially announced the SPAD flies.
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