Warbird Information Exchange

Hey guys,

I was curious if anybody out there has the scoop on on any particular warbirds that plan on attending the EAA Airventure in Oshkosh this summer? Since I only live about 2 hours away, I'm looking at taking my 11 & 13 year old boys for a couple of days.

I was also wondering if any of the touring (flight rides) B-17's will be in Wisconsin this summer?

Thanks in advance!!

John

Hi John,

These are the schedules I've seen so far of warbirds attending Airventure:

B-29 Fifi & LB-30 Diamond 'Lil

Lone Star is planning to bring B-17 Thunderbird, spitfire, & hurricane,

B-25 Pacific Prowler

I suppose Tim Savage won't require too much of an arm twist to bring his Mitchell as well

Obviously B-17 Aluminum Overcast

Cavanaugh indicates they're bringing something, but haven't committed a specific aircraft yet.

Speculation would (might) include:

Ron Fagen's recently completed P-40 (maybe P-38, too...maybe?)
Ray Dieckman's F8F
Howard Pardue's Sea Fury or Bearcat (or both)
An assortment from Rudy Frasca
B-25 Barbie III
CAF Ju-52
C&P B-25
And the typical plethora of North American products.

Ok, next guy's turn to continue the list...

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

Thanks Dan! I would absolutely love to see Fifi and Diamond Lil again...the last time a saw them I was my kids age. I have many fond memories as a kid spending the entire week with free run of the fly-in back in the early 80's, which is probably where my warbird interest developed. My wife and I took the boys down 2 summers ago and they had an absolute blast! I think they've been bitten by the "warbird bug" and have been dying to visit again.

The A-26 Lady Liberty has OSH on her schedule.
Her first time I believe.
http://www.a26ladyliberty.com/events.htm

The Indiana Aviation Museum usually participates with their P-51D, F4U-5N, and T-28B.

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

And as far as touring B-17's go, the only Wisconsin-friendly schedule I see so far is Aluminum Overcast's: West Bend on June 23-25 and Madison just before Airventure. The waiting list for a ride during Airventure can be a long one.

Here's the current schedule:

http://www.b17.org/

So in what direction are you a two-hour drive from OSH? I'm 35 minutes west southwest.

Dan

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

It also looks like it will be in the Motor City the first Weekend of August. That would be cool, assuming its refering to Thunder. I love seening A-26s.

Tim

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www.tailhookstudio.com

The K has been completed? I hadn't heard about that yet.

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Dan Johnson

Dan,
Thanks for the update on the B-17 tours. I noticed the one stop in West Bend, WI for 'Aluminum Overcast' but was hoping for something a bit closer up here in central Wisconsin. Fuddy Duddy stopped by the Wausau airport last summer and the boys got to take a walk through tour. Unfortunately, she was in pretty rough shape and it was difficult getting enough people together at the same time for a B-17 ride.

I'm located 2 hours west/north-west from Oshkosh in Marshfield, WI. I'm originally from Oshkosh and decided to settle back in Wisconsin after a 9 year stint in the Army. I noticed you're located in Princeton, Wisconsin...I think I've been through there a couple times. Isn't that the small town with a bunch of antique malls scattered all over the place?

John

John, the Collings Foundation (B-17 & B-24) usually passes through Wisconsin around middle part of July.

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

Thanks Mike...I'll try to keep an eye on their website for updated tour information.

John

John, I just checked their schedule and they aren't going to be touring Wisconsin this year. Instead they are taking more of a southern route through the midwest making stops in Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois.

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

Oh well...I'll just wait for next year's tour schedule and see if something's a bit closer. Otherwise, it won't take much convincing to toss the kids in the car for a short drive over the border into Iowa or Illinois.

Thanks again Mike!

John

I would think Tom Wood will bring his Bearcat and Frank Strickler might fly his Mustang.

The K has been completed? I hadn't heard about that yet.

All part of the speculation, Mr. Johnson...probably my bad. I spoke with someone from the Fagen camp back in August, and it was stated then that they were aiming to wrap up the P-40 in December and begin on the Lightning after the first of the year. And don't all restorations stay completely on schedule?

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