Wisconsin Aviation Scene

 Voting has begun in the annual poll by USA Today and 10best.com website. Help EAA AirVenture Oshkosh retain it's title as the nations best airshow Vote by going to either of these web links EAA vote 10 best - Vote

 A significant group of aircraft will make it's appearance this year at EAA 2017, Among them will be the Boeing B-29 Fifi, which will also join the worlds only other flying B-29 bomber "Doc" This will be the first time in over 50 years that multiple B-29's will be flying. CAF B-25 bombers will also appear as part of the 75th Anniversary of the Doolittle Raid of April 1942. also from CAF, the following aircraft will be on display C-47 - That's All Brother B-17 - Texas Raiders A-26 Invader - twin engine bomber B-25's - Miss Mitchell and Devil Dog

 Highlights for this years celebration will be the July 26th evening program where 101 year old Dick Cole, the only remaining member of he original 80 Doolittle Raiders will be in attendance. Arrival of at least 16 B-25 Bombers Several programs at the popular Warbirds of America "Warbirds in Review" speaker series

 The Apollo Program's 50th Anniversary will bring numerous Apollo Mission astronauts to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017  Frank Borman (Apollo 8) Walt Cunningham (Apollo 7) Fred Haise (Apollo 13) Jim Lovell (Apollo 8 and Apollo 13) Al Worden (Apollo 15)

 Helping commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, A rare de Havilland Mosquito fighter/bomber will be in attendance at the 63rd annual Experimental Aircraft Associations (EAA) fly-in to be held July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, WI.

  Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band will return to the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2015 as a grand finale of a daylong tribute to veterans on Friday, July 24th.

 While at the EAA Airventure 2012, I had the great fortune to meet Lt. Col Cary W Salter (retired) while looking over the many P-51 Mustangs that were being displayed. Charlotte's Chariot II - pictured below is owned by Dan Fordice (Vicksburg, MS) and was repainted to look like the plane that Mr. Salter flew during WW II P-51 Mustangs on Display at EAA Airventure 2012

 The day looks to be really nice up here in Oshkosh. Headed over to the warbirds section to check things out.

  Retired Major George Boyd (left), retired Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson (second from left) are two of the eight Tuskegee Airmen scheduled to be at AirVenture 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Elizabeth Rissmiller) Veterans from two legendary World War II military units, the Doolittle Raiders and the Tuskegee Airmen, are among the honored guests this year during the "Salute to the Greatest Generation in the Air" at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012. Doolittle Raiders Dick Cole and David Thatcher, two of the remaining five surviving Raiders who in 1942 flew a surprise bombing attack on Japan, are scheduled to appear.

  EAA AirVenture, the world's greatest annual aviation celebration in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has become known as the home for one-of-a-kind, aviation themed Ford Mustangs.  For 2012, Ford has created a "Red Tails Edition" Mustang to honor the exploits of the famous Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American aviators in the United States Army Air Corps.  This special Mustang will be auctioned off on Thursday, July 26th to benefit the EAA's (Experimental Aircraft Association) Young Eagles Program.

  Ford Motor Company presents legendary rock band in concert July 23 The Steve Miller Band, which has been rocking audiences for two generations, will bring its high-energy show to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh on Monday, July 23, for the popular opening night concert, presented by Ford Motor Company. The concert is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., following the opening day's air show, and is included with AirVenture admission for that day. The 60th annual edition of EAA AirVenture, "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration," is July 23-29.

 Another great EAA started today, and of course i'll be missing out on a lot of fun and cool activities going on this year. - I however will get a chance to make it for the weekend, so i'm looking forward to that. Well, here's whats happening today at EAA Airventure 2011 6:00 PM - Opening Day Concert - REO Speedwagon 8:30 PM - Fly-In Theater - Top Gun Don't forget the exhibit halls are open from 9am - 5 pm Showcase Flights and Afternoon Airshow start at 3 pm

  Bob Hoover: Saluting the "Pilot's Pilot" 10 a.m. - Scotts Warbird Alley (Warbirds in Review: P-51 Ole Yeller) 1 p.m. - ConocoPhillips Plaza (Plane Talk: Shrike Commander with Bob Odegaard) 8 p.m. - Theater in the Woods (Tribute to Bob Hoover, hosted by former Good Morning America host David Hartman) Hoover, a 1988 inductee to the National Aviation Hall of Fame, is best known for his air show performances in a Shrike Commander and P-51 Mustang and a flying career dating back to World War II.

  photo courtesy of Boeing