The Unofficial 2015 Oshkosh thread...

[Warbirdnerd]

After a Harrier jump jet demo, the F-4 and F-100 will kick off the Saturday night air show with pre-sunset flights and afterburner passes.

And for those who just can't wait, Camp Scholler opened yesterday for campers!

What F-4 is attending? An Air Force bird or Collings?

[Dan K]

What F-4 is attending? An Air Force bird or Collings?

I was assuming this USAF example (carrying SCAT XXVII on nose):

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/18842924@N03/tags/f4/

[BK]

What F-4 is attending? An Air Force bird or Collings?

I was assuming this USAF example (carrying SCAT XXVII on nose):

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/18842924@N03/tags/f4/

SCAT XXVII is to be part of the Warbirds in Review with the newly repainted P-38 SCAT III (ex-Ruff Stuff)

[NathanT24]

I thought the USAF had grounded their F-4s? Could it be Collings after all?

[flightlineaero]

Holloman AFB is bringing Scat XXVII. From what I am gathering, and by no means is this official news, but it might be the last time you see a QF-4 flying as the boneyard is more than likely it's next mission.

[Warbirdnerd]

Warbirds News posted that Cavanaugh's Corsair will be attending OSH and be part of the CAF's Air Power Tour. Cavanaugh is waiting for FAA approval for a ride program on the Corsair too!

[Yak 11 Fan]

So much to look forward to this year. Will be really good to catch up with the Corsair again, not seen it since it left the UK some years ago.

[JohnTerrell]

Not one of the heavy iron warbirds, but it was mentioned on TV a couple nights ago that the Stearman under restoration at Aircorps Aviation, owned by the Texas Flying Legends Museum, will be debuting at Oshkosh. Another very authentic restoration, it is one of five surviving Stearmans that are documented as having been flown by George Bush Sr. during his primary flight training during WWII, which took place in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area based out of Wold Chamberlain Field (modern day MSP Int.). It was also mentioned that later this year the hope is to reunite Bush with the aircraft at the Wings Over Houston airshow.

[Lynn Allen]

Warbirds News posted that Cavanaugh's Corsair will be attending OSH and be part of the CAF's Air Power Tour. Cavanaugh is waiting for FAA approval for a ride program on the Corsair too!

I know someone who will be happy about that...

[pjpahs]

Did not know the Corsair could carry a passenger.

[Warbirdnerd]

Warbirds News posted that Cavanaugh's Corsair will be attending OSH and be part of the CAF's Air Power Tour. Cavanaugh is waiting for FAA approval for a ride program on the Corsair too!

I know someone who will be happy about that...

It is a sweet ride. I was lucky enough to catch a ride in Bob Pond's FG-1D. Luckier still to have the Hellcat and Wildcat as Wingmen. I shot this thru the smoked back window:

[4RG.I.'S]

Looking forward to the show. Any input as to which day would be best as a warbird enthusiast more so than an aviation enthusiast?

[Tim Savage]

Looking forward to the show. Any input as to which day would be best as a warbird enthusiast more so than an aviation enthusiast?

The middle of the week. By Friday/Saturday a lot of the warbirds start to leave. Many of the type groups gather for a long weekend before OSH and everyone is tired and ready to go home towards the end of the actual Airventure week...

I always feel sorry for the general public that shows up on the weekend expecting a big Warbird turnout...

[Dan K]

I always feel sorry for the general public that shows up on the weekend expecting a big Warbird turnout...

[/quote]


Well...go back to the 90's and earlier, and the biggest warbird shows were always on the weekend.

With the 50th Anniversary memorials of WWII, four successive years built up to an Oshkosh warbird crescendo...


1992: Gathering of B-25's (Doolittle Tribute) Two Constellations were a highlight as well.

1993: Five P-47's (Tribute to "Zemke's Wolfpack") Also quite a few Navy birds...same year the Gulfhawk Bearcat lost power on take-off

1994: 12 (Yes Virginia, a dozen) Corsairs. Somewhere I've got some old VHS...

1995: 170+ warbird formation on Saturday. (Didn't attend Sunday, but heard formation was about 150) This included many heavies, four Spitfires, Hawker Hurricane, and, and...


And then...

The really big warbird shows died. For many years the event ran from a Wednesday through a Tuesday, so you can imagine how dead those last two days after the weekend were. I'm pretty sure that's why the current schedule (Monday through Sunday) was adopted.

[Ed Likes]

I have not been a regular attendee of Oshkosh. However I was there in 1993 and 1995. Dan I totally agree with you on SUPER BIG AIRSHOWS ESPECAILLY THE 1995 AT OSHIOSH. I have attended a fair number of airshows over the years. But the 1995 airshow at Oshkosh I have never seen anything like it before or since. I do have Video Tape of that show which I can still play.