Warbird Information Exchange

We're considering skipping Duxford next year and going to Oshkosh instead. (Can't afford both.)
Where can I get the "inside" scoop on what's happening and when?
Is there any point in staying the whole week?
Costs?
That type of thing.
Any assist would be appreciated.

Mudge the prepared

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Land of the free because of the brave

Mudge,

You've got lots of Oshkosh experience lurking at WIX (I've been attending each year since 1978 and I'm still considered a newbie).

I think many of your questions will be answered at the airventure website:

www.airventure.org

Information on hotels, costs, travel connections, ad nauseum can be found there. Once you've completely explored that website, then bring your questions back here.

Airventure isn't for everyone, but if you want to see warbirds, antiques, classics, military, homebuilts, rotorcraft, etc. all in one spot then OSH is for you.

In other words, Mudge: Does size matter?

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

You will need at least a few days to see everything. Where ever you stay you better start booking your room soon!

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Never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly!!

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www.LSFM.org

Trae

I was unable to go this year so things may have changed, but in the past few years the most warbird and Classic activity happened earlier in the week. By Friday most of the judging is done and as a result a lot of folks take there stuff home. Last year the biggest turnout and best show was on Wednesday, After that everything kinda went downhill. Of course there are seminars and interesting demos throughout the week and you may want to check that schedule when it comes out around early June (??) to make sure you aren't missing something you would want to see.

Last year Sunday was really really dead as most everyone had left or was in the process of leaving.

Good Luck- and don't forget to visit us at the LSFM B17 Thunderbird if you do make it.

Steve S

...a "typical" OSH happening...

Where else can you see four distinctly different models of P51's this week, all in one (rather large) area.

XP51 in the AirVenture Museum
Gerry Beck's P51A in Aeroshell Square
Max Chapman's TP-51C plus numerous D models in the Mustang field.

And, just how many Stagerwings over in iIntage/Antique?

etc., etc.

Ya gotta do it at least once. you need enough days on site to experience the many forums, see the m-a-n-y a/c, etc. etc. Don't be detered by other observations about the "best day", etc. Every year is a bit different. The "constant" is somewhat overwhelming choices and diversity.

As has been said - go to the web site and spend time exploring that, then you might have some specific questions for WIXers. (www.airventure.org)

Mudge, you might ask about the local people who rent RV's. They come in and set them up for you and when
you leave they drive it away. Home for the homies. You will walk and walk and walk, cause everytime you are across
the airport, another P-51 that you have never seen just did a overhead and you turn with wife : in tow.
The aerobatic assoc. has a nice area which is half way, both ways.
You won't believe the number of aircraft at same airport.

Lynn

Lynn, what's the word on personal conveyances? Little 2-wheel Razors..gas or electric..something you can throw over your shoulder,but will get U thru the OshMosh without heat-stroke???

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He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
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DBF

Stay at the College!
The ease of the bus ride, breakfast on site.
We have stayed in area hotels, we even stayed in the college in appleton.
The college in OSH is by far the way to go.

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"Hindsight is usually 20% off!"

If you've never been you've got to go. Both Legends and Oshkosh are 'lifetime must do' aviation events, but very different.

The EAA's site is very helpful.

Hook up with a friend (shouldn't be hard).

You should stay as long as you can. It's big. Bigger than you can imagine. The more time you've got the more you'll see and the more chilled you'll be about seeing it. You'll probably spent the first day running about waving your hands and going 'wow'... This is normal.

Costs? Up to you. Seemed reasonable to me. Go for a joy ride.

It's one of the very few things that I believed before I went was over-sold, but when I arrived turned out to be even better than I'd dared believe, and way beyond any PR.

Go.

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Raven

No bikes allowed, some folks sneak Razors in (or buy Go-Peds in the flea market), but they don't work well on gravel or grass. Not much paving around and very crowded. Lots of folks bike from the campground to the display entrance though. Depending on where you are camped it might save a 1/2 mile each way.

I figured that I walked at least 5-8 miles a day as a spectator staying in the campground.

Lynn...sounds like a plan to me. FYI...At airshows, I don't have to "tow" Mrs. Mudge ANYWHERE. She's the one that's saying..."Oh! Look at that! Let's go over there." She's the one who DRAGS me to these things anyway. I sure never want to go.

Mudge the anxious

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Land of the free because of the brave

I would recommend at least five days. The flavor of OSH changes over the course of the week. You'll want to be there for the frenzy of the weekend, but also for the relatively relaxed atmosphere of a few days before that. I frankly would go for seven, or even nine. It is also great to see the exodus of aircraft on Sunday; that's the only time you'll see many of the antiques in action. Just sit down by the runway and watch a Bonanza take off, then a Waco, then an F-86, then a LongEze, then a Vagabond, then a T-34 ... and so on all day.

August

"The college in Appleton" I'm still sweating Ken (no a/c)

Sounds like the Dorms at Geneseo NY. Sweat all night anbd get woke up at 5:30am by all the WW1 a/c taing off and buzzing the Dorms.

I think the dorms were better than the nastie Ramada we stayed in at Batavia NY It made me never want to step foot into another Ramada in my life!

Tim

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I still have nightmares from that horrible noise that first night, Philo!

Good to see you on the boards my brother!

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"Hindsight is usually 20% off!"