Warbird Information Exchange

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed on this site are the responsibility of the poster and do not reflect the views of the management.
It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 9:39 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Classic Wings Magazine WWII Naval Aviation Research Pacific Luftwaffe Resource Center
When Hollywood Ruled The Skies - Volumes 1 through 4 by Bruce Oriss


Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 2 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 5:20 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon May 31, 2004 1:15 pm
Posts: 3
Location: Reeds Spring MO
Well, I finally made Oshkosh... I have been wanting to attend since I was 14 years old, and I must admit I was somewhat afraid that I had built up expectations in my dreams that could not be filled in reality... Boy was I ever wrong...

I am still reeling from the event. I don't know of any other experience that I have had in my life that has had such a long lasting after effect... Our 12 hour drive home was full of dreams and memories that I am sure will stay with us for a lifetime. The event far exceeded my wildest dreams of what it would be like. The TOTAL immersion in the 1940's has left me longing to return. The Living History camp was full of tents, vehicles, some plane parts, and Living Historians that were second to none. The authenticity still gives me chills.

I will be posting numerous pics on my website http://www.327th.org as soon as I catch up with all the 21st century real life issues that piled up while I was in Oshkosh. I have had time to Photoshop a number of the classic shots from the photo-ops and have put them in a multimedia presentation.

Special thanks goes to Bill Fischer and all the EAA / Warbirds staff, along with Chris, Kevin and everyone else that helped in the organization and arrangement of our camp, I give a snappy salute...
Great job guys.

Greg "Boot" Alexander

_________________
Gregory W Alexander
92nd Bomb Group (H) WWII
Living History
Visit My: 92nd BG website


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Aug 10, 2004 8:58 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu May 06, 2004 6:51 pm
Posts: 32
Here's my After Action report for anyone interested in a neophytes view from the Living History section.

=========

This was my first year at Oshkosh, and it lived up to its legendary reputation without reservation. I tried to approach the event with no preconceived level of expectation (how could it be as great as it has been rumoured!?) and I was bowled over with the depth, hospitality, competence, immersiveness and quality of the experience. I came away with excellent new friends, hundreds of pictures, and indelible memories.

The WW2 encampment was located a mere 50 yards from the parking area for the 2 P-40s and 20+ P-51s. Walking to 'work' each morning provided a memorable vista of dozens of dew-covered warbirds glistening in the morning sun. I have to admit that this was one of my favorite times of the day - still a bit cool, no tourists, and a moment to catch the occasional sunrise photo unencumbered by the crowds.

Our working encampment consisted of 4 officers' wall tents, a GP medium which acted as the museum, a low cargo tent, a HUGE maintenance tent and eventually an additional GP small. Reports indicated that the area was a bit more constrained than in previous years, which made for a bit of a cramped condition, but nothing that made a serious impact on our operations.

We had an excellent motorpool at our service which consisted of several jeeps, a WC 52 (our primary transportation), a halftrack, a bomb truck and several bicycles.

Several photo opportunities presented themselves which often provided us with freedom to climb around, over, and into a number of warbirds on the flight line. The P-47, B-25, B-17 and Helldiver shoots were particularly rewarding, with Chris 'Huffy' Huffnus additionally gaining access to the cockpit of P-51D 'Sweet Revenge'. A special photo-op for the WASP enthusiasts yielded some excellent shots at the B-25 'Devil Dog', including group photos with some of the actual WASP veterans in attendance.

Evenings at the civilian camping area invariably featured camp-side serenades by the RAF contingent, and ad infinitum recitations of various Monty Python sketches. Citation for the best impersonation of 'Ralphie' from The Simpsons goes to our own Chris Huffnus, whose assertion that 'It tastes like burning' forced beverages of all kinds through the nostrils of many in the campsite.

The impressions represented at the headquarters camp ran the gamut from beginner to expert, with everyone doing their best to fill gaps and glean anything that would improve their performance. It says a lot about this event that the calibre of the participants was so very high.

I can't recommend highly enough to everyone that you make room on your schedules for next years AirVenture.

It took me roughly 15 hours of driving in each direction, and I count it as time and gas extremely well spent. It was a real pleasure to meet Chris, the Wisniewski family, and so many passionate AAF living historians - and to be in the proximity of so many legendary pilots and aircraft was a truly memorable experience.

CAVU and Tail Winds to you all,
Rob 'Rudie' Hoskins

_________________
It's still the same old story : The 'Eighth' gets all the glory : And yet someone must die : The odds are always too d@mned high : As flak goes by...


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 2 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 14 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group