E A A Air Venture Oshkosh 2004
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We visit the Whitman Airport at Oshkosh, Wisconson.
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Experimental Aircraft Association Fly In and Convention. |
Jim has always wanted to go to Oshkosh and so we made it our priority and arrived on Sunday 25th July 2004. Each year thousands of aircraft of every size and shape along with motor homes, trailers, campers and day visitors arrive at the airfield for the annual fly in and convention.
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Already the campsite was nearly full and some pilots were camped under the wings of their aeroplanes.
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Our motor home was over 1.3 miles from the entrance gate so we used the motorbikes for the daily journey-as did many others-
this is just one of the parking places.
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Warbirds, taildraggers, homebuilds, experimentals etc... |
Every day the crowds were treated to a flying display and this B17 was one of the stars.
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As each plane arrived at the airfield a 'greeter' would escort it to its allotted parking place. This lovely Mustang is following the scooter. All the different types of planes had parking lots! |
A Chipmunk just like the one that Jim used to fly when learning aerobatics at Squires Gate, Blackpool. |
All sorts of items were on sale at the Fly Market!!
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Over 700 stalls were selling everything from million pound planes to pin badges.
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Dot fancied this neat mobile tool kit-just the thing for the pits!
The trailer was also neatly kitted out and carried a plane and all the tools etc! |
This display by BD was typical of many selling home build kits-like a flat pack aeroplane that IKEA would stock!
Some kits take up to 10 years to complete!( just like that bookcase)
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Some home builds looked like they had been made from string vests and paper bags!
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Others looked really cute-
can you remember a similar little jet that was flown by James Bond? |
Overhead were 20 Texans in formation while fighters and bombers did runs along the runway with explosions and a wall of smoke. |
We counted fifty aircraft in the air as the display continued to enthral the crowds. No wonder it is the worlds busiest airfield during the fly in! |
Still they arrived filling the already overcrowded campsite and exhibition!
Check out the items on this trailer.
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Unlike British air shows the Military did only a few fly byes.
The Marines in this Harrier captivated the audience as the Americans love NOISE!! |
World War 11 planes-Warbirds-were everywhere.
Many fine examples where in the parking lot and they gave daily displays overhead. |
This plane is a veteran of the Vietnam war and one of the crew was on hand to talk about its history and function.
It also flew during the Warbirds display. ( Jims forgotten the type and make but thinks it is an Intruder)
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Not everyone felt the need to have wings!
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No matter how hard the kids pedalled they never got off the ground but there was always a long queue!
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Jim has lost his way and got his head in the access hatch of this lovely B25 on display. |
Not just planes-anything with an engine! |
Two jet powered trucks gave a display with Bi-planes that sounded like jets and the flames and bangs had the crowds on their toes.
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Honda had a big display of motorcycles and we met this father and son who spent a long time talking about-
--bikes! Dad had a Maico! |
This Honda will never fit in the garage of the Silverstream! |
Motor homes costing as much as the planes and far more luxurious-
these beauties only sleep two but had three TV sets, mirrored ceilings, huge showers, massive fridges and cookers.
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Ford had a huge display of vehicles that included this new Bronco,
a car with attitude. |
Land Rover had a big display and outside a Range Rover was going around a huge rough off road course.
Jim wanted to sign an order for the new Disco! Or a Jaguar or even an Aston! |
Getting around the huge display was hard work! |
This family had a good solution.
Golf carts, school buses and tractor trams helped to get the crowds around the show. The weather was hot and humid most of the time but a rain storm dampened the dust on Friday.
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We proudly carried the Welsh flag in the parade of international visitors.
It attracted a lot of attention as not many people knew which country it represented. Shirley from Toronto asked us if we knew the village where her mother was born- Llanarmon DC!! |
Jim enjoyed a talk with two Aussies and a WW2 German Luftwaffe pilot all with tales to tell!
There were so many interesting people to meet and we spent a lot of time making new friends.
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Forums, workshops, talks, evening shows at the theatre. |
At the WASPS (that's women fliers) we listened to a talk by one of the Tuskegee airmen and he was so charming
The squadron all flew fighters with red tail fins and escorted bombers during WWll. Lectures were given everyday on welding, avionics, tube bending, painting and all sorts of subjects to help with building and maintaining aircraft.
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Another humorous talk was given by (ret) Brig Gen Chuck Yeager and we watched him fly in this lovely Mustang.
He has been flying for 62 years and has so many interesting stories we could listen to him for hours! He claims to have flown every model that has been in service with the USAF. |
One evening we joined thousands of people at the theatre in the woods to hear Burt Rutan talk about Spaceship One which had just flown into space. He introduced Mike Melvill the first private pilot to get his astronaut wings! We watched previously unseen video taken during the flight and were able to ask questions about future developments. Someone wanted to know when the kit would be available for homebuilders!!! |
The EAA has a scheme to introduce young people to the world of aviation. The Young Eagles has given over one million youngsters a flight. Cliff Robertson was the first Chairman then Chuck Yeager took over. We cheered as Harrison Ford took on the job and for several days he and Chuck flew kids in the Ford Trimotor! Fancy that-the first man to break the sound barrier with Indiana Jones as co-pilot!
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The Ford Trimotor.
Another Trimotor-a Fokker was complete with a pilot in German uniform. The Spitfire also had a pilot in period flying clothes.
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This picnic scene was repeated all around the parking areas as friends met to talk about flying.
Almost every plane had a tent beside it and those pilots who couldn't get into Oshkosh were parked out at surrounding air ports. |
The good thing about the Air Venture is all the planes can fly and everyone is able to walk around the field and look-but not touch!
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Some lucky person has a Hunter for personal use!
Amphibians parked on the airfield. and the seaplane base on lake Winnebago and was full. |
This lovely Sikorsky amphibian flew everyday and attracted a lot of attention.
Another replica that had been flown to Brazil was also on display. |
The Ultralights had their own grass runway and display area.
Every morning they flew from 7-1pm then again in the evenings. Some were really smart and painted in bright colours. |
Silver planes were all the rage with lots of stands selling paint removal and polishing kits! |
This Erco Ercoupe was very smart and had a neat cockpit.
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The EAA museum has an interesting display. |
A Lightining.
At the museum any Young Eagle can call up the details of their flight.
The next century of flight has begun!
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At the Voyager display Mike Melvill gave another talk about his trip into space.
Voyager was also designed by Burt Rutan and his brother Dick was one of the pilots. They are working on a new project for Steve Fossett to fly solo non stop around the World. |
Jim is always getting his photo taken with Mosquitos!
Here is one taken earlier in 1952. |
Exhausted we left and headed towards Minnesota. |
--------Gold Wings, MX and Riverboats-------
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