One of the most amazing aspects of the B-17 (Model 299) is that the design first flew in 1935. Here’s a quick chronological review of some corresponding first flights:

Vickers Wellesley: First flight June 19, 1935

Boeing Model 299: July 28, 1935

Whitworth Whitley: March 17, 1936

Vickers Wellington: June 15, 1936

Handley Page Hampden: June 21, 1936

Amazing…

Ndege, congrats on your Airventure plans. I live near Oshkosh and have been attending since 1978. I would be happy to attempt answers to your questions.

http://www.airventure.org/

http://www.airventure.org/2008/events/seaplane_base.html

You can prepare now by studying maps and getting yourself oriented with the grounds.

For clothing: layer. Temps can range from 90’s (F) and humid during the day to 50’s at night. Thankfully the weather patterns have been a bit cooler this year so far (70’s-80’s). You’ll want sunscreen for the day and mosquito spray for the seaplane base at night (I’m assuming you’re camping there).

Try to get the earliest shuttle bus to the Airventure grounds. The longer you wait, the more bodies will be between you and your favorite aircraft for pics.

You will simply be unable to see everything at Airventure in two days. If warbirds are your primary pleasure, then a select few are displayed at Aeroshell Square (just east of the main gates). A number of primary trainers choose to display with the antique/classic aircraft (just south of Aeroshell Square), but by far the majority of warbirds are parked at the north end of the Airventure grounds.

Food service is available throughout the grounds, but lines get long. Try eating at an irregular time to avoid delays (ie. I usually lunch at around 10:45 AM). Best meal deal: A local church group runs a food stand just outside the main gate. Prices cheaper…service quicker and friendlier.

Runways 9/27 (very active) and 18/36 are landing arrivals constantly…especially early in the week. You will not think it possible that large warbirds could arrive or depart without your knowledge, but such is the enormity of OSH. Don’t hesitate to ask bystanders near a favorite aircraft if it is going to be airborne at a certain time of day.

Oh yeah: And for anyone else who will be around, I’m quite serious about the WIX party. Zack Baughman (works for EAA) and his wife Jenn live on the EAA grounds and host a picnic for warbird fans on Thursday. If you can handle typical hearty Midwest fare (dieters beware), beer served cold (bottle feels good against a sunburned forehead), and friendly folks who speak warbird then I think you’ll enjoy yourself (They let me come since I bring the tables and chairs:D). Location is easy to find. Just don’t forget the last shuttle of the day back to the seaplane base leaves at around 8:00 PM (I think :rolleyes:).

Questions?

FAA database entry includes a snail-mail address.

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNumSQL.asp?NNumbertxt=959AD&cmndfind.x=13&cmndfind.y=17

First two pics are mostly Martin 250CE, but missing quite a bit–plexi top is crudely done. In ETO, turret would have been found in B-24, B-26, Ventura, and Canadian-built Lancs.

Mrs. Lindy’s:

Harvard
Vulcan
Lancaster
Hurricane
Lysander ……. (only since I painted one)

Lysander? Sexy? Goofy Brits.

Just show the lady in your life a pic of an F-82G (carrying what the crews called the radar “dong”), and she’ll know exactly what’s on your mind. 😉

http://www.nurflugel.com/Nurflugel/n_o_d/images/airplanes/twinmustang3d.jpg

So Sorry Sir but no not a Skyraider and yes I can make them harder if you like.:eek:

Surely you can understand my confusion after viewing this:

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1107010368051352886aJxRwo

Jerry Gabe’s “Polar Bear” is most-definitely not a P-51A.

It’s true that “Moon” Spillers–the original restorer/creator–retrieved the remains of a P-51A from Alaska, but only two or three minor bits of that recovery (including its identity :rolleyes: ) went into Polar Bear. The aircraft is mostly a modified D-model airframe. Firewall forward is Allison of course, with cowling bits both traded for and some created from scratch.

Awfully nice pics though! 🙂

Tom,

Any chance you’d be willing and able to post the web address for that Australian hammer forming site? TIA.

Dan