Any news on warbirds at EAA Oshkosh 2006?

[Former Member]

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

[Dan K]

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...

[Former Member]

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.

[Warbirdnerd]

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

[warbirdguy]

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

[Dan K]

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

[TimAPNY]

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

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

[dj51d]

Speculation would (might) include:

Ron Fagen's recently completed P-40 (maybe P-38, too...maybe?)

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

[Former Member]

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

[warbirdguy]

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

[Former Member]

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

John

[warbirdguy]

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.

[Former Member]

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

[Trey Carroll]

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

[Dan K]

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?