EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

Awesome line up, love those Trojans!

EAA member and
CAF "Colonel"

 

That Spad really dwarfs the T-28s.

 

I was told that the rare Boeing YL-15 was supposed to make an appearance.

I only made it to Oshkosh in 1983, spent 3 days there and still didn't see everything! (They were opening the then-new EAA Museum at that show, and I never made it over there.) Next year I'll be retired; maybe I'll finally make it back to the show after 35 years.

 

Good for you! We were so lucky a few years ago the FCA national meet coincided with EAA Oshkosh. A perfect weekend combo.

 

Now that's a sight the world hasn't seen for a long time!

 

Wow! I saw FIFI flying over Birmingham last year and I got to tour inside of it at the airport after learning it was there on display in between flights. I'm glad to see it with Doc. That must be incredible in person to see two at once!

 

I apologize if I have posted this before but during my years in the USAAF I saw 4 B-29's, the first when I was in basic training and spotted one coming over at altitude with number three leaving a trail of white smoke. . Then at Langley Field one on final came in with another on fire. It was there for two weeks to get another engine. Two more at Drew Field when I was there for discharge, one on final as I was walking out to the main gate. Then when I was 67 years old and helping with the 50th Anniversary of the B-29 at Boeing I was fortunate to get a ride in FIFI. I sat in the Bomb Aimer's position for the entire flight and I witnessed the never ending job to herd the B-29 through the air. That job became a wrestling match on final approach to keep the airplane properly aimed at the landing point. One unforgettable point was waiting for take off clearance because it was very hot and the flight engineer said," One more minute and we have to shut 'em down." The late Tom Cloyd, pilot, warned the tower and soon got clearance. Once airborne, the P-51, "Ho Hun" flew along side , 50 feet out, and again i didn't have a camera with me. He warned that a stream of oil was coming out of the number three engine so we had to cut the flight short. I was told that the number three oil tank had been over-filled.
So, that was a memorable experience and completed my list of flights in the WWII airplanes , I flew the L-2, L-3, L-4, PT-13, PT-17, PT-19, PT-22, PT-26. I flew in the UC-78, AT-6, AT-7, C-60, B-34, B-17, B-24, B-25, and the B-29. Please don't take this as bragging, it is simply compiling some things that I was fortunate to have enjoyed. I sometimes feel guilt that I didn't earn it by seeing action but that was something over which I had no control.

 

Looks like they had a fatal crash today

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2017/jul/28/1-dead-after-seaplane-hits-wave-near-wisconsin-fly/

 

Three P-63 Kingcobras? That ought to be a first for many years, nearly as rare as the two B-29s!

 

Jim- Yup, especially since most of them went to the Russians or were painted orange and used as pinball targets. Russians had good luck with them air to air.

 

Great pics and stories. Thx.

 

And there's the YL-15. Strange looking little beast.

And it's nice to see an A-20 Havoc in the air again. I hope this one has a long and safe warbird career.

 

That odd looking little beast never was accepted because it had unfriendly spin characteristics.

 

Just got back, took Reserve Grand Champion for my restored little Tri Pacer!
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Reserve Grand champion ! And you're surprised ? I predicted that one because you've done a great job!

 

Beautiful P-40 "long tail" but I question the insignia with white bars and no red or blue surrounding border.

 

See, I told you so! Congratulations!

 

Awesome job and well deserved!

When I went in 2015 went for all days from first bus to last after fireworks.. hardly touched the sides with several areas yet to get to..

 

well done!

 

Thanks guys