The Official Newsletter of the Luftwaffe Aircrew Reenactors Association
Pictured below are some of the members of the LARA who are dedicated to the recreation and portrayal of members of the flying branch of the Luftwaffe. These are NOT individuals with politically radical sympathies. Rather, they are representative of those who wish to creatively examine the life of the German combat aviator.
New members are arriving frequently and photos will be added when available.
COMING SOON...Member impression
biographies and info pages.
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(Larry Mihlon) Director and Founder, Luftwaffe Aircrew Reenactors Association Larry formed the LARA in 2001 with the help
of charter members like Gottfried Dulias, Tim Crist, Neil Hever, Al
Rubenbauer, Chris Curran, Dawn Dupré, Kevin Richter and Later in 2001, Larry portrayed the command pilot of the CAF JU52 at the Frederick Air Show, flying jump seat while being "attacked" by a YAK9 fighter. Serving as managing Director for the international society that the LARA has become, Larry has also worked as German WWII Reenactor Commander at the annual Battle of the Bulge Commemoration and Reenactment at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania (2006 - 2009). In 2007, Walter Schuck (262 ace) presented Larry with a replica Knights Cross with Oakleaves, becoming one of his most unique and special reenacting experiences. Thankful for the active participation of the LARA membership, Larry hopes to continue expanding the association's involvement in both living history, air shows, and furthering support for WWII combat aircraft such as those owned by LARA members, the Commemorative Air Force, world wide museums and the White One Foundation in Florida. He encourages aviations enthusiasts, gamers, reenactors and the general public to do whatever they can to preserve articles of combat aviation history and transcribe the information from veterans so that future generations can benefit from them. |
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LARA Deputy Director - West, Ron is a reenactor of many years and coordinates LARA matters in the West. His cool headed style is his trademark. |
(Dan Jackson) LARA Deputy Director - East, Baron (yes, really) Jackson is a real life leader on many levels. His command style echoes his Texas roots and has served for several years as the Luftwaffe (ground troops) battalion commander at Fort Indiantown Gap's annual Battle of the Bulge.
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(Bob Shawn, "Ernst Udet") LARA USAAF Advisor & Luftwaffe General Officer Reenactor. Bob is a very familiar face at air shows and reenactments along the US East Coast. He is a retired USAF Colonel, WWII USAAF and Korean War Vet, having service time in everything from C-47's to P-47's to P-38's to P-51's. |
LARA Association Advisor Luftwaffe Pilot (Lt.) and Eastern Front veteran, Gottfried is a loyal supporter of reenacting and living history. Donning one of several reproduction uniforms replicating his own genuine article, he speaks to groups around the US about his experiences during WWII. His memoirs were immortalized in the book, "Another Bowl of Kapusta". |
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Major Heinrich Krist (Tim Krist) LARA Central (US) District Commander, Tim was actually party to the original conversation about forming the LARA in the first place. Tim's thorough experience in reenacting is matched by his professional art ability and is the "keeper of the Crest". |
LARA Fighter Pilot Reenactor & Commander of LARA Luftgau V (US Mid Atlantic States)
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(Mike Heenan) LARA Northeast District, New England Group Commander, Mike is a reenactor of other time periods as well. He also commands FG Trupp 419 in Massachusetts, serving as overall FG commander at Fort Indiantown Gap's annual Battle of the Bulge. |
LARA Period Aircraft Coordinator/Builder LARA Northeast District, New York Group Commander Owner, replica Me109G6 GA Pilot |
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LARA Fighter Pilot Reenactor & Commander of LARA Luftgau VI (US West Coast), Marcus Holt. |
(Neil Hever) LARA Groundcrew and Flak Coordinator, Northeast District, Neil is best known for his work with the Gerbirgsjäger unit, Hoch 4 where he serves as a Leutnant. |
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LARA HG Reenactor, Matt DiPalma |
(Jeff Willoughby) LARA StuKa Pilot/Aircraft Builder who is a music teacher and entertainer in present day life. |
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LARA Kriegsberichter, John is the source of some of the greatest reenactment photography ever done. His portrayal of events particularly uses depth of field and focus of the subjects to show reenactors as they rarely are depicted. |
(Geoff Geis, "Hans-Joachim Marseilles") LARA Fighter Pilot Reenactor On Line "Warbirds" Squadron C.O., JG27 |
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LARA HG Reenactor and Spiess to Oberstleutnant Kohl at Fort Indiantown Gap and Reading, Scott Greb
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LARA Living Historian, Woody Barnes. |
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LARA Fighter Pilot Reenactor, Larry Morris has been in reenacting for 6 years and in Third Reich memorabilia collecting for 20 years. He is also a Gebirgsjäger reenactor. |
LARA Living Historian, Bob Hamilton, recreates the personality of the world famous fighter pilot. |
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LARA Storch Pilot Reenactor Owner/Pilot, L-60 Brigadyr (Czech Storch), Denslow has consistently given of himself to the Association and his other group, the venerable GD. |
LARA Storch Pilot Reenactor, Doug Ritter Doug is a living historian and aircraft builder, currently replicating an Fi156 "Storch". His research is currently focused on: "The Last Dogfight" - A Pipe L4 (Cub) observation plane used by US forces and a German Fieseler 156, Storch, both unarmed observation planes, have the distinction of being the last two aircraft to be engaged in known aerial combat over Europe in World War II. The pilot and observer in the Piper Cub named “Miss Me” used .45-caliber pistols and a .30-caliber M1 rifle to shoot down the Fieseler Storch. The Storch landed in a field in Germany with the Piper Cub right behind it, and the German pilot and observer were taken prisoner. |
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(John Fisher) LARA Fighter Pilot Reenactor, John currently serves in the US Military (as to many of the LARA's members) and participates whenever he can. The future of reenacting? We can only hope so. |
(and Storch) LARA Coordinator, United Kingdom Fi156 Storch Builder, Owner, Pilot |
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(Kevin Richter) LARA Fighter Pilot Reenactor, Kevin is also a cornerstone of one of the best known reenactor organizations in the World, Grossdeutschland, commanded by Bob Lawrence (Major Otto Lorenz) |
(Phil Keller) LARA Groundcrew Reenactor, Phil represents the best that reenacting and living history have to offer. |
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LARA Fighter Pilot Reenactor and VERY diverse living historian, Chris has been one of the original and loyal members of the Association. |
LARA Fighter Pilot Reenactor, Todd is one of the favorite Mid West Luftwaffe fighter pilot reenactors. |
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Feldpolizei LARA Fighter Pilot Reenactor and known by some as our favorite Pit Bull, Chuck is a great example of military duty, loyalty and honor. He is also currently serving in the US Military abroad.
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(Scott Thompson) LARA Fighter Pilot Reenactor GA Pilot who sometimes flies his vintage Mooney to Reading. |
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LARA Geheime FeldPolizei & Groundcrew Reenactor, Dwayne Slepetz is an exemplary living historian. |
(Stefanos Papadopoulos) LARA Coordinator, GREECE |
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LARA Luftgau III |
(Todd Price) LARA Central District Groundcrew Coordinator |
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LARA Vehicle Collector and Display Master,
Eastern US. |
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Oberst Mitch Sammons LARA Aircraft Owner/Pilot - JU87 StuKa |
Mark Coolidge LARA Luftgau Commander, South East US |
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Leutnant Walter R. Jänsch LARA Kriegsberichter - Australia, Wayne Johnston |
Rich Moran LARA Groundcrew Reenactor |
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Danielle Butler LARA Helferin Reenactor Coordinator, Eastern US |
Gefreiter Timo Heidler LARA HG Reenactor |
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Unteroffiziere Jurgen Buil LARA Sanitäts, Jack Pritchard - West Coast |
Timo Johnson LARA Reenactor |
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LARA Fighter Pilot Reenactor and one of the original members of the Association. |
(Brian Calabrese) LARA Fighter Pilot Reenactor, Brian is an experienced and versatile living historian who is also a member of GD. |
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(Bill Bennett) LARA Signals Reenactor |
(Rachel Putnam) LARA Helferin Coordinator, Central US |
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Oberfeldwebel Pete Johnston LARA Bomber Crewman Reenactor, Pete sadly passed away in 2008. He was known for his humor and knowledge of various trivia. He maintained membership in both the LARA and the Capital Wing of the Airmen's Preservation Society. He is missed. |
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