“The Brat III,” a pristine P-51 Mustang fighter, drew large crowds at EAA Airventure, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, August 2, 2013. // all photos by David J. Eicher
On Friday, August 2, Senior Editor Michael Bakich and I traveled north of Milwaukee some 90 miles to the site of the world’s largest airshow, EAA Airventure, which takes place each July/August in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Some 10,000 aircraft of all types flock to the event along with tens of thousands of enthusiasts, making the control tower in Oshkosh the busiest in the world for this short span. Aerospace companies and organizations like NASA are also on hand, conducting outreach for their latest activities. Huge, complex, and impressive aircraft are frequently on hand, as are experimental aircraft, ultralights, warbirds, performance and show aircraft, and all manner of jets and private birds. It is quite an amazing show.
We have been on the cusp of setting up a star party at EAA for a couple years, which, due to their staff turnarounds, hasn’t quite happened yet. But we are hopeful that next year the big public event we’ve envisioned will take place there.
“Yankee Lady,” a B-17 bomber, stands proudly above interested crowds, EAA Airventure, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, August 2, 2013.
In the meantime, we found that this was something of a quiet year for EAA. Perhaps many folks came early in the week, were drawn by the concurrent State Fair in Milwaukee, anticipating the Packers’ Family Night on Saturday in Green Bay, or something else. But the grounds at EAA didn’t seem as crowded as they have most years. Still, there were thousands of people on hand.
We found little activity among the aerospace vendors, so we concentrated on the flying aircraft, taking pictures of the rare machines on hand, and looked all through the World War II planes, a favorite subject of mine as well as Michael.
It was a great day, and we hope that we will be able to introduce an astronomical theme on the side next year in Oshkosh. Stay tuned.
A restored Japanese torpedo plane drew attention at EAA Airventure, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, August 2, 2013.
“Diamond Lil,” a B-25 Mitchell bomber, sat in pristine condition at EAA Airventure, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, August 2, 2013.
The rarest of all flying WWII aircraft, “Fifi,” a B-29 Stratofortress, was the central attraction at EAA Airventure, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, August 2, 2013.
The immense girth of a B-29 is shown by “Fifi,” EAA Airventure, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, August 2, 2013.
A B-17 bomber flies overhead, its radial engines whirring, EAA Airventure, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, August 2, 2013.