Boeing666 wrote:
Flightaware isn't reliable always since it only depends on IFR flights. If the XP-82 flew out VFR it wouldn't show and would just show the last time it flew on an IFR flightplan, which it might have on it's way to Oshkosh. Not trying to be a Debbie Downer as I would definitely love for it to be at Thunder and am hoping the same, it is holding out until Friday.
Has Doc left the area? That still has yet to make an appearance at Thunder. A few other interesting aircraft I am wondering about is the new Rod Lewis Mossie, the Hellcat (which never flew at Oshkosh while I was there), Fairey Firefly that flew twice at Oshkosh.
Weren't there a couple TBMs originally on the Thunder list? Don't see them now. Only one showed up at Oshkosh to my knowledge also. Seems with the Corsairs they could have brought in some other navy birds like the recently restored hellcat, some wildcats, TBMs etc for a navy theme since it is the 75th anniversary of a lot of island hopping.
As of yesterday there are photos of the XP still at oshkosh.
Doc was at Thunder last year, and yes that along with all of the others are back home. XP is all that’s left
Again, NO money left to bring anything besides what’s listed now. Oshkosh doesn’t pay these guys to show up, Thunder has to. Collings is sending the hellcat to the tour and back home, and adding any other Navy birds would (IMO) be a waste of money since it’s not a Navy theme, it’s a Corsair theme. I have a feeling the Avengers are off because there was no reason to have them there (didn’t fit anywhere in the schedule)