Although a precursor to summers end, EAA’s annual AirVenture in Oshkosh Wisconsin is always a special treat. I attended again this year (Friday, July 28th), along with an estimated 600,000 others (including Stan Lee and ten astronauts from the Apollo missions)!
The weather could not have been better. Although I was baked by the sun, there was a consistent cool breeze which kept me quite comfortable throughout the day.
“Warbird Alley” is a must see for me every year. Sure, you see a few of the same planes every year – but think about it…your looking at planes made over 70 years ago!
The dedication and spirit of the men and women who put their time, energy, and checkbooks into these planes is unimaginable.
This isn’t like a car show. I’m sure there are dangers to that undertaking as well, but we are talking about flying a 70-year-old, six ton, wood chasse, hundreds to tens of thousands of feet into the air, at hundreds of miles per hour!
The reason I don’t think people understand how enormous some of these planes are, is because I’m surprised myself, every year I walk up to one. The Corsair; pictured above, has a wing span of over 40 feet. That’s the width of your average school bugs. The 2018 Corvette has 650 horsepower, this Corsair has almost four-times as much.
Maybe more impressive are the vintage planes. Everything from Antique (built prior to September 1, 1945), Classic (built September 1, 1945 through 1955), and Contemporary (built from 1956 through 1970) are present at the EAA.
I stopped by the Vintage Red Barn to see David Wenlarz work on metal shaping. Nothing like the clanging of a wood mallet on metal in the morning. This “English Wheel”; shown above, was a tad bit more pleasant.
The daily airshows at the EAA AirVenture are “can’t miss” events! The cost of admission is worth these hours of gratification.
Although you may see some of the same pilots every year, they are always mixing things up: pushing the limit even farther, or combining their efforts. Like Matt Chapman, Rob Holland, Bill Stein (The Forc3) did this year.
It’s one thing seeing these old planes on the ground or taxiing, it’s another thing to see them fly past at 300 miles per hour.
The last few years they have detonated hundreds of pounds of explosives - simulating bombing runs. That is why the bomb-bay doors of the B-25 Mitchell; pictured above, are open.
Not all of the war birds are from WWII, like these three American F-86 Sabres; pictured above, which would have been used during the Korean War.
The only two flying B-29 Superfortress’s in the world, at one place. "FiFi" is pictured above.
The newly restored: Doc, B-29 Superfortress (above), whom just took his first flight since the 1950s on July 17th, showed himself off at the EAA this year - learn more.
The United States of America’s Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, has proven; once again, to be the best.
The 2017 Blue Angel Pilots:
- Commander Ryan Bernacchi (USN)
- Lieutenant Damon Kroes (USN)
- Lieutenant Nate Scott (USN)
- Lieutenant Lance Benson (USN)
- Commander Frank Weisser (USN)
- Lieutenant Tyler Davies (USN)
I was so excited to hear about the Blue Angels coming to this year’s air show. It had been about twenty years since the last time I saw them. Although I have seen other demonstrations by the Canadian Snowbirds and the U.S. Airforce Thunderbirds, neither had been as good as I remembered the Blue Angels being all those years ago.
I don’t know if it was the excitement the pilots showed for being at EAA Oshkosh, or if it was the rumble and roar of “Freedom” overhead - but the show did not disappoint.
Something to watch for at a Blue Angles demonstration is the “Sneak Pass”. Where some of the planes distract you, and another plane burns past at roughly 700 miles per hour (just under breaking the sound barrier), really low to the runway...in this case, the announcer purposely called it from the opposite direction too - I didn't get a picture.
This “Fortus” stunt; shown above, was the slowest they performed - but the most terrifying.
I love seeing the condensed water form around planes. It gives an illusion that man is in control of nature for a few seconds.
Line-Abreast Loop
Inverted Tuck Over Roll
Opposing Inverted to Inverted Rolls
Barrel Roll Break
Tail Sitting
Afterburner
Good Night
This year I tested out my newly purchased Cannon 100-400mm lens. Although much less versatile than my Tamron. I was looking for something with a little more range, and a clearer shot. It performed better than expected.
Alrighty 'nuff said.
Looking like a Badd @$$ being towed around in my BRRRT.
Douglas SBD Dauntless
B-25 Mitchell
Doc, the B-29 Superfortress's Belly - learn more.