Oshkosh by the numbers

[k5083]

When was Geraldine there? I didn't see that one.

Early. Gone by Friday I think.

You left of Vlado's Moonbeam McSwine.

I thought I had seen that, but then lost track among the other bluenoses. So maybe Red Nose (if that's what it was) never registered because it never touched town. It seemed like Dixie Wing was running rides out of Fond du Lac, where the SBD ended up after Saturday, and just making missed approaches to OSH as part of the ride.

You're not mistaking that for the absolutely gorgeous Howard 500, are you?

Umm yes, I believe I am.

August

[Speedy]

When was Geraldine there? I didn't see that one.

You're not mistaking that for the absolutely gorgeous Howard 500, are you?

Umm yes, I believe I am.

August

And you didn't like it? Wow...that was one of the highlights for me. Absolutely gorgeous representation of an executive conversion from an era where that was the ultimate in transportation. One of only two Howard 500's left. Was amazing to hear that thing take off and fly.

http://s1159.photobucket.com/albums/p63 ... tington94/

[SaxMan]

TBMs appear to have been seriously underrepresented this year, given the number of them out there that are flyers. In terms of combat types (i.e. not trainer or transport), IIRC, it is the most numerous in terms of flyers outside of the P-51. Maybe the Corsair would be close in numbers? I guess the smaller numbers of warbirds are due to a combination of rising fuel prices and a flagging economy?

[Speedy]

TBMs appear to have been seriously underrepresented this year, given the number of them out there that are flyers. In terms of combat types (i.e. not trainer or transport), IIRC, it is the most numerous in terms of flyers outside of the P-51. Maybe the Corsair would be close in numbers? I guess the smaller numbers of warbirds are due to a combination of rising fuel prices and a flagging economy?

There were two of them, but only one flew. The second one I didn't recognize, but it looked a lot like Baron Volkmer's old plane from back in the early '70's. It came in on Thursday night and stayed parked with the wings folded in the Jet area for the rest of the show.

[Sabremech]

The Warbird Heritage Foundation had 6 airplanes there this year. They were, F86, A4,T2, L-39,P51, and our T-6. We didn't do much flying in the show, but some good photo flights. Not exactly sure why.
David
WHF Maint

[k5083]

Good on you guys, David. I didn't realize all those birds were WHF. Maybe you should get a tramp stamp!

TBMs always seem underrepresented at Oshkosh and most other shows considering how many are purportedly flying. Maybe it has something to do with sex appeal and the fact that you'll never see "TBM Mania!" as an airshow theme.

August

[Dan K]

How many of the L-17s were real L-17s and not Navions in military paint?

(And I'll also politely ask how many were in accurate military schemes? I've seen too many in"NAVY" paint over the years)

The funny thing is, the one airplane with the actually pretty accurate L-17 scheme was a plain ol' Navion under it!

I must admit I first approached this "NAVY" marked Navion with eyebrows slightly raised...

(Pic by fellow "Microburst 2012" survivor & human tent peg Dan Johnson)

http://www.warbirdsurvivors.com/wix/kos ... G_8724.JPG


...but a little investigation revealed the owner's efforts at recreating a Model 72, Ryan's entry in the 1952 competition for Navy primary flight trainer. You can read a little more about it here:

http://warbirds-eaa.net/ryan-navion-mod ... ed/#Photos

[Return_with_Honor]

As much as I love Oshkosh ~ it isn't what it used to be. I have so many fond memories of attending (25) Oshkosh events since 1982 both as a Warbird volunteer and a spectator, but the days seem to be gone of an exciting (flying) airshow for warbirds. With the high formation fly overs and "daisy chain" mostly straight and level flybys, all I can think about is how great it used to be in years passed. Times have changed and for many obvious reasons and circumstances, but its kind of a bummer. I don't really care for the Aero Shell Center set up where so many great warbirds are parked down there vs. in the Warbirds area, but I'm sure its part of EAA's larger plan for the event and what's better for the public in general. I always enjoy seeing so many friends at Oshkosh and I am certainly grateful for all those who bring their aircraft.

[bombadier29]

Maybe it has something to do with sex appeal and the fact that you'll never see "TBM Mania!" as an airshow theme.

August

As I recall, Thunder over Michigan did a "TBM Mania" show once. It was probably six or seven years ago now. Seems like they had about 8 or 10 TBMs in attendance.

[mlenoch]

Also, my first time in 25 years that the FAA attended the warbird safety forums.


................lots of quips and quotes for this one..................


VL

PS: Several L-39s were broken as a result of the freak storm on Thursday. Their unlocked canopies were blown off. Thus a few less flew during the jet show that day. Oh yeah, and Keppler couldn't get his up either.

[Steven M. Dennis]

There were two of them, but only one flew. The second one I didn't recognize, but it looked a lot like Baron Volkmer's old plane from back in the early '70's. It came in on Thursday night and stayed parked with the wings folded in the Jet area for the rest of the show.

Speedy, your memory is excellent! Currently that TBM is one of the Connie Edwards family warbirds, flown to Oshkosh by Tex.

Bu. No. 53119.

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/avengerr ... 53119.html

[Speedy]

There were two of them, but only one flew. The second one I didn't recognize, but it looked a lot like Baron Volkmer's old plane from back in the early '70's. It came in on Thursday night and stayed parked with the wings folded in the Jet area for the rest of the show.

Speedy, your memory is excellent! Currently that TBM is one of the Connie Edwards family warbirds, flown to Oshkosh by Tex.

Bu. No. 53119.

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/avengerr ... 53119.html

Wow, that's AWESOME! I had no idea it was even still around. But that was my first thought when I saw it taxi in Thursday night. My best memory of that plane is when The Baron ran it around the race course at San Diego in 1971 for 13 laps, being lapped five or six times in the process!

[k5083]

When was Geraldine there? I didn't see that one.

You're not mistaking that for the absolutely gorgeous Howard 500, are you?

Umm yes, I believe I am.

August

And you didn't like it? Wow...that was one of the highlights for me. Absolutely gorgeous representation of an executive conversion from an era where that was the ultimate in transportation. One of only two Howard 500's left. Was amazing to hear that thing take off and fly.

http://s1159.photobucket.com/albums/p63 ... tington94/

All right, I've googled it and agree it is lovely inside, well maintained and a rare plane. I guess I was reacting to the paint scheme. Also agree it made its presence known when it flew.

August

[marine air]

THe things that impressed me the most this year at Oshkosh;
Dinosaur Category- Like the C-82 I saw one year, I couldn't believe a real live breathing C-46 Commando flew in. First one I have ever seen. Ditto for the BMW engined authentic JU-52.
Really amazing to see the R-2800 powered birds in attendance, considering fuel costs. THe C-46, A-26, PV-2, and Howard 500.
THe Spirit Category- or airplanes that wouldn't have been given a ghost of a chance of being there a few years ago; P-38E, P-40C, and A-36.
Odd and Interesting category; Two of 30 built Piper Cubs with the 3 cylinder Lenape 35 hp. engines. ALso on display the 65 gallon hopper for cropdusting in the J-3 and also the tandem axle 4 wheel landing gear for the Cub. Only seen these in old photos!
All of the Mustangs were very nice. No slouches in the bunch. Also noted on the field there were 4 birdcage Mustangs, two with twin machine guns in the nose! XP-51, A-36, P-51B, P-51C. By the way, I noticed changes were made in the XP-51 nose armament, gear doors and scoop intake, from the A-36!

[garbs]

No, the original list seems to have just been limited to types present in numbers of 5+. If by real warbirds you mean combat types from WWII, the total was 47: 23 P-51s, 12 other fighters, 12 bombers.

You are correct, sir. That's all I meant by "Major types". Even then, I left out a few as you can see below. Official totals for the more well known types in lesser numbers are:

B-25: 4
A-26: 1
B-17: 1 (Al Overcast never registered)
B-29: 1 (duh)
BT-13: 4
C-45: 5
C-47: 6
Chipmunk: 3
Corsair: 1
F-86: 1
F8-F: 1
FJ-4 Fury: 1
FM-2: 3
O-2: 5
P-38: 1
SBD: 1
T-33: 3
TBM: 2
YAK-9: 1


Regarding the Navions, J-3's, Cessna Skymasters, DC-3's, Beech 18's, etc which some feel are masquerading as Warbirds, we do not make a point of making them feel unwelcome. If someone wants to dress up a Navion in war paint and is willing to join Warbirds of America, fly it to OSH, register it, maybe fly in the L-bird portion of the show just to get the Pilot hat & mug and a free lunch at the food shack, more power to them. I do not believe that they will win many awards from Eric Paul's crack judging staff, however.

The opposite is also true - every now and then we have a documented Warbird in civilian paint. A couple of years ago a guy flew a Cessna T-41 in civvies in and registered it with us. No problem for us but he had a heck of a time convincing the Flightline Ops crew to let him park in Warbirds.

You will also see a few PT-22's and the like down at Vintage. Have talked to some of these pilots and the WB thing doesn't interest them as much as all of the foot traffic and hanging out with their Staggerwing/Waco buddies.

Cheers