Warbird Information Exchange

[quote="Dan K

NOW...my pipe dream has the BAHF C-97 squaring off against Coulson's Martin Mars for "Best Transport" [/quote]

Dan - I LIKE that pipe dream! Two of my favorite vintage aircraft.....

Now this sounds interesting.....a lot of COLORFUL Coast Guard aircraft hopefully!

http://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/eaa-ai ... hkosh-2016

Dan, my post is non-political. I just haven't heard any status updates on Chuck's project. The work of the restoration shop is completely separate from the politics of the plane owner. Never the twain shall meet.

Since I have a very small part in the Dauntless, I'm looking forward to seeing it up close and personal. Chuck's shop does incredible work.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

And for the flingwing fans, Army Aviation Heritage Foundation has OSH, Thunder, and many other events scheduled for a busy display season.

http://www.armyav.org/home-page.html

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

Mark, do you go every year? This will be my first.

Short answer No!, long answer H*ll No! ... lol ...

Even longer answer ...

Used to go quite a bit as a kid growing up in Michigan with my dad sleeping under the wing of his Globe Swift and hanging out with his Canadian buddy who owner a black P-51. Interesting flying in and out of OSH back then. Formation flying at it's best and worst and probably still is that way. Since I've been living in the "great lie" known as California (lol) I've become spoiled airshow wise, by usually attending Chino for half a day and sometimes Reno for a day. As I've gotten a bit older I can only take so much of crowds. Humans are different in crowds today as opposed to 30 years ago (IMO) ... ruder, fatter, nuttier and the kids crazier ... but that's just one man's opinion. lolol, Seriously? Oshkosh is a different deal all together. If your going strictly to see an airshow you may be a bit disappointed as it's not an "airshow" per say as much as a gathering of all types Business, General and Sport aviation for the means of swapping information, stories, experiences etc. etc. and for sellers and owners to show off their airplanes. Great stuff indeed for those interested in the fine details of certain types of airplanes and lots to see and do if your into that type of thing. Most of the airplanes sit on the ground most of the time though.

If and when I go these days, I usually rent a car and drive up from Chicago early in the morning, on whatever day I go, and spend the day wandering around the place looking at airplanes that the owners spent way too much money on lol. If your a casual aviation guy and never been to Oshkosh, it's like going to The Louvre in Paris. Great place with lots of amazing and interesting stuff but after a few hours your burnt.

All my opinion only of course.

If you've never been trust me you'll have a great time. Brain overload for sure.

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

I'm going to be attending Oshkosh for the first time. I'm flying up with the uncle who got me into flying in his club's 182 (or Bonanza - depending on scheduling). I know there are lots of places to find tips for first timers - but I'm interested in you all's.

What is generally "not to miss" or "must bring"?


Also, specific to warbirds, what's a good plan of attack? Are certain days better for certain things? I'll be there most of a week.

You usually see the most warbirds at one time on the ground from Tuesday to Thursday during the week of Oshkosh (Thursday is the deadline for warbird judging, for those participating). Some start leaving on Friday, or even earlier, and many are gone by Sunday, while others may only fly in for a day or two at any given point in the week anyway. The main warbird air displays usually happen on Friday and Saturday, though I recall a couple years ago the Texas Flying Legends Museum did a warbird airshow all by themselves (they have enough planes/pilots) on I believe the Thursday of the show.

The only must haves for me have been sun screen, comfortable shoes, and a camera.

If you shoot photos the way I do, you'll need spare batteries for your camera!

Richard

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I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw.

Last year was my first year. Biggest thing I learned was to pace yourself throughout the week. Don't try to see everything at once. Pick what you're most interested in each day and don't worry about what you're missing elsewhere, because there's no way you're going to see every single thing. This year, I think I'm going to set up a chair along the flightline down by the warbird area and just watch arrivals most of Monday morning to ease into the week.

Bring extra batteries and memory card(s) if you're into photography. Drink before you get thirsty. I carried in a couple water bottles every day and that was a big help.

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Matt

Light, packable lawn chair and a scanner also. 18/36 freq is 126.6, 9/27 is 118.5, and Airboss is 133.85. No transmitters please! Head to Scott's Warbird Alley and check out the schedule for Warbirds in Review - can't see them all so pick what you want to see. Then see the training command tent on the west side to sign up for the hourly (free) tram ride through the WB area - no new info for a guy like you but it does give you the lay of the land.

Check the WX to make a guess if they'll take off on 18 or 36, plan to post just south of the Trimotor area for 36, south of show center for 18. You won't be able to sit on the line in the WB area as they sterilize it 1 hr or more before start up. Stop by WB Registration after about 1 - we post the daily show schedule on the windows.

Speaking of trams, you can ride from one end to the other - go from WB to Ultralights (12,000 feet M/L) in 30 minutes or so. Main transfer point is west of tower - get off here to visit the area formerly known as Areoshell Square. Not sure who has naming rights this year, but large and/or concourse warbirds will be here.

Enjoy!

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Chris

According to their site, Lewis Air Legends are bringing the P-38 "Glacier Girl", B-25 “Russian Ta Get Ya” and A-20 Havoc. I believe this will be the first public appearance of the A-20.

Something tells me a nose-art paint job is in order.

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Keep Em' Flying,
Christopher Soltis
Dedicated to the preservation and education of The Sikorsky Memorial Airport

CASC Blog Page: http://ctair-space.blogspot.com/
Warbird Wear: https://www.redbubble.com/people/warbirdwear/shop

Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Rumor has it a Texan PBY in CG livery will be one of the headliners in WB in review.

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Chris