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!

P-51 Mustang showing off it’s nose art.

"Warbird Alley" is a must see for me every year. Sure, you see a few of the same planes - but your looking at planes made over 70 years ago!

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.

P-51 Mustang “Sweet Revenge” taxiing to the runway.

The dedication and spirit of the men and women who put their time, energy, and checkbooks into these planes is unimaginable.

Greasing the flaps of a U.S. Navy Grumman Avenger, the most widely used torpedo bombers of the second World War.
A restored WWII P-51 Mustang, honoring triple ace, Capt. Clarence E. ‘Bud’ Anderson.

People don't understand how enormous some of these planes are; I'm surprised myself. The Corsair; pictured here, has a wing span of over 40 feet. That's the width of your average school buss. The 2018 Corvette has 650 horsepower, this Corsair has almost four-times as much!

Showing off the scale of the Vought F4U-4B Corsair's 13ft tall propeller.

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 EAA.

Line of vintage airplanes, including Wacos from the 30s.

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 here, was more pleasant.

David Wenlarz shaping metal on an English Wheel in the Vintage Red Barn at AirVenture 2017.

The daily airshows at the EAA AirVenture are can't miss events! The cost of admission is worth many hours of gratification.

Michael Goulian (green), Matt Chapman (yellow), and Bill Stein (purple) flying together at AirVenture 2017.

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.

Bill Stein putting his Zivko Edge 540 through the ringer.

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 iconic wing bend of the Vought F4U Corsair.
B-25s, most known for the United State’s first major offensive against Japan, the Doolittle Raid; striking a major psychological blow to their forces.
B-25J Mitchell, named after Colonel, William Lendrum Mitchell, known as the father of US military aviation.

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 here, are open.

A unique collection of history, all in a row.

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.

Three F-86 Sabres flying in formation.
Up close and personal with a B-29 Superfortress.
Doc, a B-29 Superfortress, showing off his shiny belly.

The newly restored: Doc, B-29 Superfortress (above), who just took his first flight since the 1950s on July 17th, showed himself off at the EAA this year - learn more here.

The only two remaining flying B-29 Superfortress's in the world, all in one place. "FiFi" is pictured above.

The United States of America's Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, has proven; once again, to be the best.

U.S. Navy Commander Frank Weisser piloting Blue Angel #5.
A small oil tank injects paraffin into the plane’s exhaust, allowing the Blue Angel F/A-18s to shoot out a 75-foot smoke trail.

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)
Blue Angels performing a high-speed breakaway maneuver.

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.

Blue Angels team performing the Double Farvel maneuver.

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.

U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron demonstrate a mid-air huddle.
U.S. Navy Blue Angels flying in a close diamond formation.
Blue Angel pilots entering each other’s personal space.

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.

Blue Angels showing off their precision while inspecting each other’s tailhooks in flight.
Blue Angel squadron flying in formation with the Death Star (moon) in frame.

I love seeing the condensed water form around planes. It gives an illusion that man is in control of nature for a few seconds.

Blue Angel flying level at a reduced speed, with its nose pointed up.

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.

Lieutenant Tyler Davies (USN), flying Blue Angel #6, does a few flybys bright and early.
Afterburners of the Blue Angel F/A-18 Super Hornet.
Commander Frank Weisser and Lieutenant Tyler Davies playing chicken.