MVPA 11th Annual Fall Rally in Spooner, WI – 2011

MVPA 11th Annual Fall Rally in Spooner, WI – 2011

Spooner11v2
Our hosts for this event for the past 11 years, Kevin and Thea. Sadly, this was the final party.

Spooner11a

M561 Gama Goat going for a swim. Slow moving devil.
M561 Gama Goat going for a swim. Slow moving devil.

Spooner11c2 Spooner11c

Part of the Spooner Yacht Club being launched. Roger Hirschberger's GPA doing the towing.
Part of the Spooner Yacht Club being launched. Roger Hirschberger’s GPA doing the towing.

Part of the Spooner Yacht Club being launched. Roger Hirschberger's GPA doing the towing.

Spooner11f

Spooner11z3Spooner11g Spooner11h

The mamma duck has left her ducklings in the lake by themselves.
The mamma duck has left her ducklings in the lake by themselves.
The mamma duck has left her ducklings in the lake by themselves. Eight of them in her brood. Now, if Louie could just get his old Johnson outboards to start.
Eight of them in her brood. Now, if Louie could just get his old Johnson outboards to start.
Louie finally got his tandem outboards going and motored the string for a leisurely lake tour.
Louie finally got his tandem outboards going and motored the string for a leisurely lake tour.

Louie finally got his tandem outboards going and motored the string for a leisurely lake tour.

Well, this was bittersweet for me. This is my old DUKW that I sold to Tony last year. He made quick work of the restoration and this was the first swim. Man, that thing sure sounded great!
Well, this was bittersweet for me. This is my old DUKW that I sold to Tony last year. He made quick work of the restoration and this was the first swim. Man, that thing sure sounded great!
I went for a GPA ride with Chuck Kronlund.
I went for a GPA ride with Chuck Kronlund.

Spooner11n

This is looking inside the LVT4.
This is looking inside the LVT4.
This is looking inside the LVT4. Stacey went for a ride and became quick friends with Wes Nettles. Wes is the mechanic that maintains the aircraft radial engine that powers this rig. He also works on Kevin's L19 Bird dog.
Stacey went for a ride and became quick friends with Wes Nettles. Wes is the mechanic that maintains the aircraft radial engine that powers this rig. He also works on Kevin’s L19 Bird dog.

Spooner11o Spooner11p

The L19 Bird dogs doing some aerial recon and demonstrations.
The L19 Bird dogs doing some aerial recon and demonstrations.

The L19 Bird dogs doing some aerial recon and demonstrations.

Spooner11q2

Spooner11r1

The lake was kinda weedy. Evidence here and stuck to everything that came out of the lake.
The lake was kinda weedy. Evidence here and stuck to everything that came out of the lake.
A slight mishap. The fuel pump on the LVT went out stranding the troops. Lee took his M416 trailer with the 25 Merc and maneuvered it to a better spot for retreival by the DUKW and finally the M543 wrecker.
A slight mishap. The fuel pump on the LVT went out stranding the troops. Lee took his M416 trailer with the 25 Merc and maneuvered it to a better spot for retreival by the DUKW and finally the M543 wrecker.

A slight mishap. The fuel pump on the LVT went out stranding the troops. Lee took his M416 trailer with the 25 Merc and maneuvered it to a better spot for retreival by the DUKW and finally the M543 wrecker.

Spooner11s3 Spooner11s4 Spooner11s5 Spooner11s6

Young and old alike enjoy the water show.
Young and old alike enjoy the water show.

Spooner11t1 Spooner11t2

We arrived at the air field to see the rest of the collection after spending all morning at the lake.
We arrived at the air field to see the rest of the collection after spending all morning at the lake.
Sherman tank.
One of the two Shermans.
One of the two Shermans and the M60.
M60

Spooner11t5 Spooner11t6 Spooner11t7 Spooner11t8

Looking across the runway at one T6 and the event hanger.
Looking across the runway at one T6 and the event hanger.

Spooner11u2 Spooner11u3 Spooner11u4 Spooner11u5

The afternoon convoy getting set to head out.
The afternoon convoy getting set to head out.

Spooner11w2 Spooner11w3 Spooner11w4 Spooner11w5

The aircraft getting ready to head up for strafing runs over the convoy.
The aircraft getting ready to head up for strafing runs over the convoy.
Spooner11x2
Kelly is in 49.

Spooner11x1Spooner11x4

Stacey was in with Dave Schmitz who you see here. He is a long time pilot.
Stacey was in with Dave Schmitz who you see here. He is a long time pilot.

Spooner11x6 Spooner11x7 Spooner11x8

Stacey was all smiles afterward. I heard reports of a lot of Whooping and even a Happy Dance!
Stacey was all smiles afterward. I heard reports of a lot of Whooping and even a Happy Dance!
As for me, after the convoy, I needed a quick "ten". Thank goodness for a nice comfy couch in the hangar!
As for me, after the convoy, I needed a quick “ten”. Thank goodness for a nice comfy couch in the hangar!
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.