Fly Like an Eagle

[gary_in_neenah]

With a nod to the Steve Miller Band we've been prepping for AirVenture 2023 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin for some time now. This will be my 7th year as a volunteer moving people and planes at the busiest airport in the World for the last week in July, the 24th thru the 30th. We had something like 630,000 visitors last year so it's no secret to those in aviation and as a local I have a short 12 mile drive to be in the midst of it all. Thanks to Boeing, those 18 and under get in free. The following video is narrated by Harrison Ford, the actor. I met Indiana a few years ago as he's a member, a pilot, and a guest speaker at AirVenture. I think the video can tell the story better than I can. Click on the link labeled "Overview".

Overview

Each year they focus on a specific plane of significance. This year is the Reunion of the WWII Navy Warbird, the F4U Corsair.

So, if you're in Wisconsin or nearby, whether you're an enthusiast or just curious, I guarantee you will be up close and personal to thousands of planes and friendly people from all over the world. Wittman Field is on the south side of Oshkosh, just off the Interstate, Hwy 41. Safe travels and hope to see you there!

eaa.org



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[jd]

If you are even mildly interested in aircraft, this is the event to attend! Went twice when I was a young lad. When I was in college, I worked at a resort's marina in S. WI. A bunch of the warbirds would fly down to the resort (it had an airport too) for lunch. The owner of the marina did a swap with one of the pilots, an hour of water skiing for a ride in his aircraft. The owner did this so his son could go on the airplane ride, only he did not want to (probably afraid). So I offered up my butt to sit in the warbird and it was accepted. Turns out it was a P51 Mustang! What a magnificent machine! We did all kinds of acrobatics, steep climbs, barrel rolls, etc... Something I will never forget and probably the closest I will ever get to space travel in my life! I can't even imagine another aircraft having to go up against this in a dogfight.

Thanks Gary for helping me bring that memory up!

 

[favoritos]

That is a pretty cool experience John. Right place, right time, and some luck added gave you an opportunity not many will experience.

I have not been to Oshkosh. Friends that go talk about it with awe. Most of them are involved with old birds in some form or another and the Oshkosh is the pinnacle. I'm personally fascinated by the sheer volume of older aircraft they move in that airspace.

I was around some old birds as a teen. I worked at a local airport and there were a few big collectors that had hangers. I spent quite a bit of time just washing a fleet of Stearman squadron planes. We also had a qualified shop that brought in a lot of the old stuff for cert. etc. Radial rebuilds were interesting. (Even saw dual bank. Sounds like those were rare.) The shop had Stearman frames from old surplus sitting in crates and who knows what else.

With all that stuff sitting and flying around, the P51 was always unmistakable. Just sitting on the ground, they look impressive. We had one that was polished. It looked too good to fly. Those engines though, wow what a sound. Starting them really gets the blood flowing. I still get chills just remembering the low flybys. The engines had a growl and the low flybys had a scream. Those planes say a lot on the ground and even more when you see them fly. I didn't get seat time, and I can only imagine the experience.

 

[gary_in_neenah]

More from Oshkosh...

World's largest fly-in convention set for Oshkosh in July

For the 70th year, the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in convention is set to take place at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin from July 24-30.

aviationsourcenews.com

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[ICT Sledder]

I'd guess at least half of the aircraft on the ground at Oshkosh were built in the town I spent almost all of my life in before finally moving to the northwoods of MN. An easy majority if you also include third party manufacture of individual parts and engineering services. Great place to live if you want to eat, sleep, work and breathe aircraft. Absolutely terrible place to live if you love the outdoors.

 

[gary_in_neenah]

OK, looks like were about as ready as we're gonna get for AirVenture 23 in Oshkosh. It's Friday afternoon and they're already stacking up for landings. The first link shows the traffic coming in Live with radio content from the tower. Click on the LIVE ADS Window.

AirVenture Live | Air Show Live Stream | EAA AirVenture

The second link is from FlightAware that shows real time traffic.

OSH Wittman Rgnl Airport (OSH/KOSH) - FlightAware

Wittman Rgnl, Oshkosh, WI (OSH/KOSH) flight tracking (arrivals, departures, en route, and scheduled flights) and airport status.

flightaware.com

My first shift starts at 6 a.m. Monday morning. Safe travels for all that visit Oshkosh in the coming days!​

 

[BigSix]

I will second Gary's and John's remarks. I have been to EAA about 10 times now, usually with my dad who was a pilot. Nothing else like it in the world and its right here in Wisconsin! Most of us on this forum like machines and the planes, jets and helicopters you will see at EAA are mind blowing whether you like vintage or cutting edge new aircraft. If you can make it there for a day, you won't be sorry.

 

[gary_in_neenah]

It's Day One at AirVenture today. Here's a Live Camera of the Boeing Plaza. This would be Ground Zero for the Fly In and shows the planes and people of E.A.A. in Oshkosh. This Cam is remote and is livestreaming 24/7. I'll try to add something of interest each day.

Click on this link and then click the arrow.

AirVenture Live | Air Show Live Stream | EAA AirVenture

 

[heckler56]

Here you go Gary. From a app called “flight aware” (great if you travel by air and want to know where your plane actually is (despite what the airline is telling you), what plane is over me now, and weather).

 

[gary_in_neenah]

Here you go Gary. From a app called “flight aware” (great if you travel by air and want to know where your plane actually is (despite what the airline is telling you), what plane is over me now, and weather).

Thanks, we use it all the time especially this week.

 

[gary_in_neenah]

A couple of pictures from Day 1 at AirVenture in Oshkosh.


Hats off to the 148th Fighter Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard, Duluth.


Post World War I. But not by much.


A view of the EAA Campground from a Bell 47 Helicopter.
The kind they used on episodes of TV's MASH.
Interstate Hwy 41 is in the far right of the photo.
​

 

[gary_in_neenah]

Alrighty then...Day 2 of AirVenture is in the books. If you noticed the timestamp on my posting earlier, the alarm went off at 4 a.m. to start my day. I'm no fan of getting up that early, once up then I'm fine with it. So, a couple of pics from the show....

This is Warbird Alley as the sun is coming up over Oshkosh.
As aforementioned, I'm no fan of early Alarm Clocks but there is nothing better than the outdoors at that time of day.
The smells and sounds of that time of the day are very special.


Before they made the F150, the Ranger, and the SuperDuty, Ford made airplanes.
Wasn't much to look at and wasn't very fast, despite having 3 engines, one in the nose and one each on the wings.
But this one still flies and will get you where you want to go.


Don't ask me how an American Citizen or Group can purchase a Russian Mig but they did....and it's here in Oshkosh.
This MIG also known as a Flogger, came out in 1983 to counter our F15 Strike Eagle.
I'm thinking Putin is not going to be happy about this....
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So that's it for today. I'm running on fumes and I still have to get out to ATW to pickup my sister and nephew that are flying in for the Air Show. Hopefully more to share in the days to come.

Gary

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[hybrid]

thanks for sharing the awesome pics Gary
i was there once in the early 90s with my dad
i got to get back
those fighter jets are very cool
i bet that Mig was a couple bucks
would love to know what that cost

 

[jshabadu]

Don't ask me how an American Citizen or Group can purchase a Russian Mig but they did....and it's here in Oshkosh.
This MIG also known as a Flogger, came out in 1983 to counter our F15 Strike Eagle.
I'm thinking Putin is not going to be happy about this....

Gary, when the Iron Curtain fell 25-30 years ago, the Russians started selling many different planes to the west. This particular Mig 23 is based out of Texas and is for sale....$1.4 million. All it takes is money...

My son and I are heading to Oshkosh tonight!

 

[gary_in_neenah]

Gary, when the Iron Curtain fell 25-30 years ago, the Russians started selling many different planes to the west. This particular Mig 23 is based out of Texas and is for sale....$1.4 million. All it takes is money...

My son and I are heading to Oshkosh tonight!

Thanks for the background, 1.4 million for the guy that has everything is not too much to ask.

Safe Travels for you both, you're making memories that will last a lifetime!

 

[gary_in_neenah]

For those following along, Wednesday was Day 3 of AirVenture in Oshkosh. The day began with a Thunderstorm that hit about 7 a.m. and the rain came down in buckets. It's been a dry year in this part of the state so the rain is welcomed. On the other hand, being in a Thunderstorm on an airport surrounded by thousands of large metal airplanes is not the best of choices.

It started like this....


Developed into this....
.
And there but for the Grace of God go I,
your humble servant survived another day.

You may have heard that just south of us in Slinger a parked Ford Super Duty was hit by lightning and isn't so lucky.

Lightning strike in Wisconsin totals truck, melts various components

SLINGER, Wis. (WFRV) – A truck is considered a total loss after being struck by lightning in southeastern Wisconsin on Wednesday. Even though the odds are slim, they are never zero, as a Face…

www.wearegreenbay.com

Once the storm passed we got back to normal activities.


Here's our beloved A10 Warthog in all her glory.
She's ugly and slow and can cut a tank in half with her nose gun...


Pictured here,
the 30 mm Auto Cannon.
She'll get no dates to the prom but we love her dearly just the same.

​

Lastly for today, when I look at any number of C47's in Oshkosh, I can't help but think of one of my favorite series, Band of Brothers.
This was the model plane that the Airborne jumped from on D Day. Some of these survived the war and went on to many years of passenger and cargo service. Some, like this one, are still flying today.

I guess that covers my adventures of the third day of AirVenture in Oshkosh. Hope I'm not boring you guys with this stuff. It truly is an adventure to be around the people and planes of this event. We'll see what tomorrow brings!

Gary
​

 

[wiscrev]

For those following along, Wednesday was Day 3 of AirVenture in Oshkosh. The day began with a Thunderstorm that hit about 7 a.m. and the rain came down in buckets. It's been a dry year in this part of the state so the rain is welcomed. On the other hand, being in a Thunderstorm on an airport surrounded by thousands of large metal airplanes is not the best of choices.

View attachment 68789
It started like this....

View attachment 68790
Developed into this....
.
And there but for the Grace of God go I,
your humble servant survived another day.

You may have heard that just south of us in Slinger a parked Ford Super Duty was hit by lightning and isn't so lucky.

Lightning strike in Wisconsin totals truck, melts various components

SLINGER, Wis. (WFRV) – A truck is considered a total loss after being struck by lightning in southeastern Wisconsin on Wednesday. Even though the odds are slim, they are never zero, as a Face…

www.wearegreenbay.com

Once the storm passed we got back to normal activities.

View attachment 68791
Here's our beloved A10 Warthog in all her glory.
She's ugly and slow and can cut a tank in half with her nose gun...

View attachment 68792
Pictured here,
the 30 mm Auto Cannon.
She'll get no dates to the prom but we love her dearly just the same.

View attachment 68793​

Lastly for today, when I look at any number of C47's in Oshkosh, I can't help but think of one of my favorite series, Band of Brothers.
This was the model plane that the Airborne jumped from on D Day. Some of these survived the war and went on to many years of passenger and cargo service. Some, like this one, are still flying today.

I guess that covers my adventures of the third day of AirVenture in Oshkosh. Hope I'm not boring you guys with this stuff. It truly is an adventure to be around the people and planes of this event. We'll see what tomorrow brings!

Gary
​

Great job, Gary. Keep it up. Enjoying all the pcs and commentary.

 

[gary_in_neenah]

A bit of a change-up for today's AirVenture. Instead of pictures of planes we'll be focused on the pyrotechnics of Wednesday night's Air Show. They feature two Night time Air Shows during the week. The following photos are not mine, this event occurred far past my bedtime. Many people will tell you that they've seen nothing like it, the following pics will give you a taste of the nighttime over AirVenture!

​

And just to test if you've been paying attention...

The Pilot is Unconscious and you have to land the plane. What's the first thing you would do?​

 

[wiscrev]

A bit of a change-up for today's AirVenture. Instead of pictures of planes we'll be focused on the pyrotechnics of Wednesday night's Air Show. They feature two Night time Air Shows during the week. The following photos are not mine, this event occurred far past my bedtime. Many people will tell you that they've seen nothing like it, the following pics will give you a taste of the nighttime over AirVenture!

View attachment 68797

View attachment 68798

View attachment 68800

View attachment 68801

View attachment 68802
​

And just to test if you've been paying attention...

View attachment 68803
The Pilot is Unconscious and you have to land the plane. What's the first thing you would do?​

Change my shorts, because first you say it and then you do it!

 

[skiroule]

Change my shorts, because first you say it and then you do it!

Add my name to that list.

Awesome photos and reports Gary! The size of this event is mind-boggling. I honestly don't know how they pull it off. I guess guys like you hae a lot to do with that. Well Done!