USA II 2022
We went to Wisconsin to visit the largest airshow in the world, the EAA Airventure in Oshkosh. We are again presented with an excellent airshow!
Part of the group stayed in a hotel, while others spent their nights at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campus.
After a sensible early start (on Saturday 23 July) at Schiphol Airport to ensure that there were no issues with the long queues through security checks, our small group of enthusiasts made the journey to Chicago on a KLM Boeing 787.
They joined the tour leader and other group members before collecting two rental vans in readiness for the reasonably brief journey to our motel in Sheboygan. Everything went very smoothly and we were soon checked in, before heading off to our first evening meal of the trip.
We had decided the previous evening that there was no need to rush to the arrivals day at Oshkosh, so a leisurely breakfast ensued after good night’s sleep, not even spoiled by a huge thunderstorm. After a brief diversion through a parking lot and drive-through burger joint queue, to avoid a road closure, we arrived at the show on Sunday (24 July).
Collecting wristbands was straight forward and we were soon making our way to our chosen spots for the day’s action, mostly general aviation types with the odd warbird and modern military jet thrown in. Highlights included many Beech Bonanzas, a Ford Trimotor, a flypast of L-39s led by a MiG-15 and T-33, then a KC-46 and Skyraider; something for everyone.
On the way back to the vans, we also managed some great photos of the aircraft in the Boeing Plaza including an MH-47G up close, a C-17 from Martinsburg West Virginia and a Have Glass F-16 from the 115 FS. The journey home was concluded with a fantastic Mexican meal and making plans for the next day.
Setting off early on Monday 25 July, we arrived at the show to drop off a member of the group for a tour of Basler Aviation before making our way inside via school bus and golf cart journeys. The first action of the day was a group of nine Texan/Harvard/SNJs taking off followed by some T-34s and NJ-6/Yak-52s. The early morning sunlight and blue skies made for some excellent photo opportunities, especially as the aircraft taxied past right in front of us.
Whilst the modern fast jets were lacking in numbers this early in the week, the colourful markings of the older aircraft were much appreciated. The afternoon air show was entertaining if you liked aerobatics and aerial demonstrations. If not, then the time could also be taken to wander the mass ranks of P-51s and other warbirds for more artistic pictures.
Fortunately for the fast jet fans, the day was saved by the late arrival of two US Navy EA-18s, aircraft from the USAF including two F-35As and three T-38s as well as a rare civilian-owned CF-5D aggressor, all of which performed multiple fly pasts and spectacular breaks. Once the show was finished, we headed back to the hotel fully satisfied with our first full official day at Oshkosh 2022.
Tuesday 26 July; another early start to the day ensured that the group were in position at the show with the minimum of fuss. Visits to the EAA Museum, Warbird Alley and the Seaplane Base on Lake Winnebago were planned, so a wide variety of photo opportunities were guaranteed.
The afternoon air show was more exciting than yesterday as there were performances by P-51s, a P-40, an F4U and a Skyraider amongst other fighter warbirds, as well as a B-29, four C-47s, three B-25s and a very colourful A-26. Airliners were represented by an Airbus A330 and A321 performing fly-bys.
The day ended with a USAF heritage flight performed in glorious evening light by three Mustangs and an F-35A. Our much-appreciated evening meal was taken at a local Oshkosh bar with a great atmosphere.
It was decided to have another late start today as the evening air show and firework display was to be attended by a number of the group on Wednesday (27 July).
As with previous days, the team members split up to do their own itineraries. The daily air show as ever began with some aerobatics. This was quickly followed by the arrival of a C-17 and then the real highlight of the whole week for many; a U-2 presenting us with four low passes and rapid climb-outs. If the photographers weren’t happy with that, they would never be satisfied. The US Navy performed a legacy fly-past with two Growlers and two Corsairs, which was followed by four Grumman cats, the rarity being the F7F Tigercat.
Many small observation and training aircraft replaced the warbirds of yesterday, so the remainder of the daylight hours were sedate.
Things livened up again as darkness approached, beginning with a USAF heritage flight. Aerobatics aircraft gave us some unusual viewing as they flew with sparklers and other pyrotechnics on wing-tips, then the finale was a large firework show giving us the opportunity for some artistic photography practice!
After a long day yesterday, the group welcomed the generosity of the tour leader allowing them a lie-in on Thursday 28 July! Again, once we reached the show, everyone went their own way to enjoy warbirds, vintage aircraft and modern military jets. The aircraft on the Boeing Plaza had changed, this time with the addition of a C-5M. Various other warbirds had arrived at the show too.
The flying demonstrations began with the arrival of two F-35Cs from VF-125. There followed a display by the Boeing 777 Eco Demonstrator, a C-17 from McChord AFB and one of the aforementioned F-35Cs. Next up were cold war jets in the form of L-39s, an L-29, T-33s, an F-86F and two MiG-17s.
After all of that it was time for the US Navy legacy flight and the USAF heritage flight, unfortunately in poor light, and then best of all, a Royal Navy Sea Fury! Our excellent evening meal was taken at the Black Pig, a local hostelry.
On Friday 29 July we were back to an early start today, arriving at the show in time to see two E-2 Hawkeyes arrive followed some time later by a star of the show; a Mossie!! Those standing at the crowd-line were treated to many of the visiting aircraft departing for home along with two T-38s arriving from Whiteman AFB. Soon though, it was back to the start of the afternoon air show itself, which was interrupted by the sound of the four prop-rotors of two MV-22 Ospreys from VMMT-204.
Again we saw multiple warbirds offering fantastic photo opportunities whilst flying in the warm afternoon sun. Once they finished, it was time for the E-2 and MV-22 to perform, followed by more US Navy aircraft in the form of four Grumman cats with rumbling radials!
After the arrival of the B-29, it was back to the Navy again with the F-35C giving a spectacular show, complemented by two EA-18s. A legacy flight rounded off that segment of the show prior to the unexpected arrival of a MiG-29, two Alpha Jets and four L-39s from Draken Aviation, thus ending yet another spectacular Oshkosh day of flying. The 8th Street Ale Haus enjoyed our evening’s custom before we headed back to our rooms for a well-earned sleep.
The final day at the show (Saturday 30 July) was to be spent rounding up those aircraft pictures in amongst the many warbirds, vintage aircraft and modern military types.
Two F-15s arrived mid-morning and proceeded to beat-up the airfield with several low passes and rapid climb-outs, but apart from the departure of the American Airlines Legion of Honour A321, it was a quiet day in terms of flying action. Even the A-10 was very disappointing, only made three flat passes before landing. So much for celebrating the 75thanniversary of the USAF.
As planned, the group returned early to the hotel so that we could all go out for our final meal in the USA, again to the excellent 8th Street Ale Haus.
On Sunday (31 July), after a relaxing start, we set off for Chicago airport calling at a couple of nicely preserved helicopters along the way. Car drop-off and flight check-in went smoothly and the group were soon making their way home, with many happy memories, and lots of photos, from an excellent aviation event. Here’s to next time!
