The Findlay Show, Where vehicle owners, re-enactors, & collectors unite.
The Findlay Show continues to mark the 70th anniversary of the Vietnam War and once again in 2016, Huey 369 was on
hand to keep that in visitors' minds. Saturday's rainy start did keep the chopper and its crew on the ground a little later
than planned, but when the sun started breaking through, it wasn't long before the bird was up in the air giving rides again.
There continued to be an influx of first time attendees bringing their vehicles, but there were also some familiar faces that showed up
with new acquisitions. OMP Vice President, Mike Spradlin debuted his new M998 HUMVEE, member David Thomas traded up for a new
M1078 deuce, and OMP Treasurer, and National Convention Chairman John Cheney II displayed a new MGR1 M31 Honest John missile he has
recently added to his collection. However the most unique, and probably the most functional vehicle to make its debut was the chuck
wagon trailer designed and adapted by Michigander Steve Koenig from a 1976 M116 pioneer tool trailer. It was the hit of the show!
I'm sure the smell of food lofting through the vendor area, or the great lunch it yielded had nothing to do with that! The east
coast was also well represented by Ralph Bennett Jr. who once again made the long trip from Foxborough MA, with his Dodge M56, and for the
second year, Paul Baillargeon of North Smithfield, RI joined him with his fully tracked M901 Hammerhead and Canadian Lynx.
There are lots of different types of shows on the circuit today. Many are pure vehicle shows with no parts sales, or few reenactors.
Others are more geared to parts sales with some vehicles, and then there are the reenactor events with living history camps and battles,
that also have some vehicles to ride into battle or move the troops. However there aren't many shows that bring all of these groups
together in one place like the Findlay Show. Join us again for the 30th anniversary show, May 19-21, 2017.
