USA IV 2025
The AirVenture in Oshkosh has become a permanent fixture on the 4Aviation calendar. What other airshow in the world can you attend for a whole week and still be surprised every day by unique participating aircraft (military, civilian, old, new, etc., etc., everything is there), cool formations, and great stories? It’s only here, and that’s why we’ll definitely be back next year.
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Chances are that we will return to the USA for the EAA AirVenture. If you want to be informed if we have details about this, please click the button to send us a message.
On Saturday 19 July, two groups, one from Amsterdam and one from Birmingham, made their way to Dublin. Clearing US Customs in Ireland was amazingly fast and we were soon waiting at the gate for our onward flight to Chicago and then the world’s biggest airshow in Oshkosh.
The trip across the Atlantic went smoothly which unfortunately could not be said for the car rental process. It took us 90 minutes of human and computer delays before we eventually got on the road to our nearby hotel for the night, by which time we were so tired, we went straight to bed for a well earned sleep.
Up and out early on Sunday 20 July, we began by making our way north to a family-run diner for a delicious full-American breakfast. After collecting our wristbands to allow us entry into the show for the whole week, we set off to explore the airfield.
Highlights in the Boeing Plaza were an Arkansas ANG C-130, a DC-8 and a KC-46. A U-2 and shiny silver P-38 arrived to join the many other light aircraft already in place.
Activity continued throughout the afternoon with four A-10s from the Maryland ANG, a trio of B-25s and an OV-10 landing, all of which made great subjects for the photographs of the group members. Five Wildcats made an interesting spectacle as they taxied in to the Boeing Plaza, as did the VC-121 Bataan. The final treat before heading to the hotel was the Boeing 747 SP used by Pratt and Whitney as an engine test bed.
After a good night’s sleep in our luxury hotel rooms (we had coffee!), we made our way back to Oshkosh and into the show. It was noticeably a lot busier on Monday 21 July as this was the first official day. The opportunity was taken first thing to wander the massed ranks of P-51s, T-6s and many other assorted warbirds, including some unique examples such as a Helldiver, a Dauntless and a Vietnam-era UQ-22. As ever, Oshkosh delivered excellent close-up photo opportunities and chances to chat with the crews.
The afternoon was spent at the crowdline, capturing yet more arrivals including several low passes from T-38s, an F-16 and a USMC F-35B with raised “toilet seat’.
During the air display itself, the traditional huge formations of T-28s, T-34s and T-6s entertained us as did several aerobatic performances, even if they were a little long-winded. Heavy metal performances were provided by the USAF in the form of a C-17 and an F-22. The latter then formed up with a P-51 for a heritage fly past to end the show in gloomy weather.
Once back in Green Bay, the group enjoyed another excellent evening meal and beers in our favourite sports bar.
Tuesday 22 July dawned bright and early as we set off for day two at Airventure.
To be different, some of the group made their way to Lake Winnebago and the Splash In. To our surprise, in beautiful light, an HU-16 Albatross was sitting on the water awaiting our cameras so naturally, we obliged. After a couple of hours of calm, we went back to the main show, pausing along the way for six minutes to let a 156 carriage freight train trundle past.
The promised Me-262 landed at the predicted time, but on the wrong runway for the main crowd, so we made do with yet more aerobatics, an excellent and unusual flying demonstration by the two Goodyear blimps, followed by warbirds, a very smoky MiG-29 and four A-10s “strafing” the airfield from high altitude. Sadly, the lack of pyrotechnics made this an under-whelming experience.
The next act, a DH Vampire showed what a low level was, with some excellent passes. The C-17 made a second appearance and the F-35B ended the daily show.
A change of venue for the evening meal was appreciated by the group, by the end of which we had deserved our well earned rest.
Wednesday 23 July was to be special for the group as we had arranged for a tour of Basler. Before giving us a full tour of the facilities, our genial host explained about the company’s history and the marketplace for their C-47 turboprop conversions
Two aircraft were in various stages of construction, and it was amazing to see the quality of the highly skilled work involved. After the obligatory T-shirt purchases, we made our way back to the show side of the airfield for day three of Airventure.
We all went our separate ways to view both the static and flying displays. Today was the showcase for the rare WW2-era aircraft including the Privateer and Me-262, the latter flying in formation with two Mustangs. Korean war and Vietnam war set pieces followed with, finally, pyrotechnics. At last the show was warming up.
One of the group had an extra surprise; a signed comic from the Boeing-inspired super hero Aviatore. What a souvenir! The usual aerobatics were interspersed with other acts of more interest to the true enthusiast, such as an F/A-18 Super Hornet, P-51 Plum Crazy and an F-35A.
After an hour interlude, the evening show began with the usual showmanship; both B-29s were escorted overhead by two P-51s followed by a flame-spouting MiG-17 and a T-33. The various other aircraft taking part in the night show had lights and fireworks on their airframes much to the amusement of the group.
These were followed by an incredible drone show and immense firework display. All-in-all an enjoyable long day, including the judicious use of off-roading to get out of the car park more quickly!
After our late night, technically an early morning, we took a slow breakfast then made our way to Wittman Airport on Thursday 25 July. We successfully gained access to the ramp area so that we could photograph the F-35s and F-22s. Next up was a shuttle bus ride around the perimeter road. On the way back, we stopped off at the Weeks Hanger and collected yet more images of the warbirds both in- and outside.
Once back at the show proper, we were treated to some spirited flying from many cold-war jets before seeing amazing aerobatics by Paul Bennett in the Wolf Pitts Pro together with great Aussie-style commentary and music – totally RIPPER mate!!
Next up was a “whiney jet’ described by the commentator as the first in the world! It was a DeHavilland Vampire for goodness sake. Amongst others, Heinkel and Messerschmidt were turning in their graves, but at least it was a good flying display.
A-10s, this time with pyotechnics, a Super Pinto and P-47 followed, with the show being closed by a low pass from B-29 Doc.
On our way to the car park, the group got caught in a huge rain storm and were thoroughly soaked, which made for a soggy van drive home, but we made it in good spirits.
After a quick change of clothes, the nearby local sports bar was used for a nice evening meal and drinks before retiring for another well earned rest.
The first thing we did on Friday 25 July was to visit Appleton Airport to see if we could capture images of the B-29 Fifi. We managed lift-off photos but it landed at the wrong end of the airport for us.
After arriving at the show, some of the group made their way to the excellent museum whilst others took up position for the air show display.
After an opening act by float planes, the USAF provided a heritage flight made up of a P-51, P-47 and F-35. Sadly, both of the promised F-22 Raptors failed to start and take to the air. The Warbirds of America put on a splendid show today, with five B-25s taking pride of place and a four-ship of C-47s completing a missing man formation.
The inevitable aerobatic displays allowed some time for shopping in the many small booths dotted around the site, before the Grumman Cats took to the stage. Flying multiple Wildcats, a Hellcat, Bearcat and Tigercat they offered many opportunities for great pictures as they flew in formations in front of the huge crowd.
The Red Bull Bo-105 performed aerobatics that helicopters aren’t supposed to be able to do and then the show finished with yet more rotary wings, this time provided by the Wisconsin ANG and their UH-60s. Their airfield assault complete with enormous explosions has become something of an Oshkosh tradition. Our evening meal was taken on the way home giving us the chance to go over the days exciting events once again.
With suitcases at the ready, we left our excellent hotel on Saturday 26 July for the last time this week.
We made a quick call at Basler to see the storage area and nearby wrecks before making our way in to the air show for the last time. Today was a chance to take in all of the items that had been missed during the week. As usual, the flying began with the national anthem, then the Warbirds of America display section. The main attractions on show today were the A-26 Invader, PB4Y Privateer and the OV-10D Bronco.
Aussie airpower came next with a repeat of the incredible Wolf Pitts Pro aerobatics, followed by the Grumman Cats team for the second day running; a great opportunity to get the pictures we missed yesterday. The jet WACO provided an “only in America” fun display for those of us who had never seen it before.
Rounding out our day was the US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet demonstration team. What a great and loud way to finish a fantastic week. Our hotel for the night was in Milwaukee, setting us up nicely for our final day in the USA.
As we had an evening flight from Chicago on Sunday 27 July, 4Aviation had allowed for a relaxing day doing some wreck and relic hunting. We started with two AH-1 Cobras and a wonderful drive through the countryside and small villages of rural Illinois.
Our brunch destination had an A-7, T-33 and another Cobra, but unfortunately no food due to a private event. A quick plan revision led us to an excellent nearby family restaurant and a hearty meal. Fully replete, we then made for the Russell Military Museum, which was interesting in a scrapyard/collectors kind of way, but far too hot to be walking around outside.
Even after the heat of Oshkosh, we were unprepared for this, so we left for the Golden Arches and a cold milkshake. Once we had recovered, we managed to track down F-111 and F-14 gate-guards before making for the airport via a nearly impossible to find petrol station.
Check in was very straight forward and we were soon relaxing and waiting for our flights to Dublin and beyond. Everything went smoothly and we bade farewell to each other with many great memories of this tour.
