Speedy fighter planes and the gigantic B-36 bomber sped through Williamsport skies Thursday as Air Power Day was observed. Work, business and traffic stopped all over the area to watch the air display.

Fire whistles and sirens heralded the arrival of the aircraft as residents throughout the city and the area looked skyward for glimpses of the latest Air Force machines.
On the ground, speeches by military officials, radio broadcasts, school programs and aerial displays were all a part of making Air Power Day a memorable one in Williamsport.
As with every celebration, the day was not without its unusual happenings.
In South Williamsport when the sirens and whistles announced the coming of the planes, borough residents began looking out windows and pedestrians paused to look up.
The drone of an engine was heard but it was only the Stinson making its daily mail pick-up flight from the Williamsport airport.
About two minutes later a Piper Cub passed slowly over the area.
At 3:19 p.m., the “big stuff” came over in the form of six P-80 jet fighters. They streaked across the city first at 3:20 p.m. flying from the southeast.
After making four “passes” at the city, the planes veered low over the river in a strung out formation and disappeared in the overcast sky to the southeast.
The huge B-36 heavy bomber flew into the area smoothly about 3:25 p.m. It appeared in the southeast.
After banking over the city at an altitude of less than 1,000 feet, the winged monster circled, rattled city windows and returned to its base in Fort Worth, Texas.
A flight of five P-47s zoomed down on the city about 3:45 p.m. and flew several different formations over the city.
The “hill” out in the Grampian area and the “lookout” on Montgomery Pike were thickly populated with onlookers.

Compiled by Lou Hunsinger Jr.