EAA's annual AirVenture in Oshkosh Wisconsin brings in over 10,000 planes and 500,000 people from 80 countries. These numbers make Wittman Regional Airport the busiest airport in the world for the seven days the event runs. I have been lucky enough to have attended 4-5 over the years, including this year (Friday, July 29th).
Something to note, all of these planes fly-in, they're not rolled off a flatbed. An unbelievable amount of time, money, and passion has been put into fixing the planes and then maintaining them. Like the B-25 Mitchell shown in the banner. Over 9000 were built during the second world war, of which only ~34 are still airworthy.
One might say it was perfect for an extended jaunt outside on a July day in Wisconsin. 65-70 degree Fahrenheit, light breeze, limited sun, wet/cool from last-night's rain. Although I'm sure I wouldn't have survived a normal sweltering summer day, the lack of light (overcast day) makes photography a little more challenging.
This 65 year-old F4U Corsair didn't mind the wet. Why should I? I say, make the most of the it.
One thing that you could not have missed on Friday was this behemoth moving-out. The C-5M Super Galaxy is a U.S. Air Force heavy cargo transport. It stands ~60ft tall and is about 5 school bus lengths long! From almost anywhere at AirVenture you could spot this guy. At about 10am the Super Galaxy started backing out of its spot, dead center of the airshow, and taxing on the runway.
David Martin flying in his 1930s German Bücker Jungmeister put on a stunning routine - it was like he was dancing on the clouds.
You know that 'WrrRRRrrrRRrrr' noise you made when you were a kid, pretending to be an airplane? The Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, flying their 1938 T-6 Texan's, are the epitome of that sound and feeling.
Did someone say flying boat? The Martin Mars (Hawaii), with a wingspan similar to a Boeing 747, is the world's largest operating seaplane; built as a transport plane during WWII, it's considered to be the largest warbird. Now, with the ability to hold over 7000 gallons of water, it's the world's largest water bomber! There's nothing like dropping thousands of gallons of water on a pyrotechnic display.
The Screamin' Sasquatch; flown by John Klatt, is a one of a kind phenomenon. A 1929 Taperwing with a Pratt & Whitney 985 Radial Prop Engine combined with a General Electric J85 Jet Engine (3,000 pounds of thrust). With the addition of a few other modernizations, this plane can accomplish amazing feats, that many other stunt planes can't, such as going straight up! It was like watching a Buick LaCrosse tear-it-up in a drag race -mind blown.
I'm glad I was able to check the Canadian Snowbirds airshow off my bucket list. I wasn't terribly impressed, in comparison to the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels that is. To be fair, this was their rehearsal for a later show.
Either way, their gracefulness in the sky made great entertainment. That little Rudolph nose-light was adorable too.
Something that always surprises me at AirVenture is the people. Everyone always seems to be in a good mood, strangers will strike up interesting conversations, people are always willing to answer questions, show you around their planes...it's a great atmosphere.
