Wings and Wheels Expo 2012

Look in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a… well yes it is a plane, but not just any plane! It the B-17G known as “Yankee Lady” from World War II and it will be flying over the New York metropolitan area all weekend.

The "Yankee Lady" is one of the many antique aircrafts featured at the "Wings and Wheels Expo 2012" at the Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, New Jersey.

            The “Wings and Wheels Expo” is an annual event that exhibits both vintage and modern aircraft along with locally owned show cars. Present also are entertainers, reenactors, and an aircraft hanger's-worth of venders offering military memorabilia, novelty items, clothing, related media, and much more.

Known as The Victory Belles, this trio performs the popular songs of the Second World War.

Rarely seen, a British Supermarine Spitfire is displayed on the tarmac.

            Those who arrive early to the event may be fortunate enough to find parking on the grass along Industrial Ave. near the main gate. Those who do not must park near the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey on Fred Wehran Dr.; from there a shuttle to the main gate is provided free of charge, but one is to expect a wait and may choose to simply walk despite the half-mile distance.

            If only one attraction is to draw you to this years expo, let it be the Boing B-17G “Yankee Lady.”; one of only thirteen flyable B-17 air-frames remaining.

 The B-17 Flying Fortress is a World War II era heavy bomber that was employed for daylight strategic bombing raids on industrial and military targets in the Pacific and European theatres of operation. Comprised of a ten man crew, these bombers would embark on missions that could span 2000 miles and many hours. Though a bomber crew’s tour of duty was twenty-five missions, the immense danger caused by German fighter planes and anti-aircraft fire put the average life expectancy of a B-17 crew in the European Theatre at just fourteen missions.

Flights aboard the “Yankee Lady” are offered for the price of $450.00. For those who do not have the means to spend such money, free walking tours of the exterior and interior of the aircraft will be given at 10am, 1pm, and 4pm. Even from the ground, witnessing the four Wright R-1820-97 Cyclone turbo-charged radial engines (each with 1200 horsepower) roar to life will surely elevate your heart rate.

Below is a video of the “Yankee Lady” taxiing to the runway:

Being both educational and exciting, the “Wings and Wheels Expo” is an ideal family event. The 2012 show continues tomorrow, June 17^th and concludes that evening. Remember, if you’re in the New York metropolitan and hear a thunderous roar overhead, look up.