I’ll be there 🙂

I would second the recommendation about Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago. In Detroit the Henry Ford Museum has got a pretty decent aviation collection on display, they opened a new gallery in late 2003. Not much interest in the way of warbirds but some excellent vintage planes.

I’m admittedly biased, but like JDK above, I’d already had Oshkosh built up as being this massive, incredible thing… and when I attended it was one of those rare times in life when something delivered more than the hype.

which is the best way to get there from the UK

This is the year to come, exchange rate is fantastic if you’ve got pounds.

It’s about time someone from the UK organised a direct charter to Oshkosh like the Aussies & South Africans do every couple of years.

Most economic way is typically to fly direct into Chicago and rent a car – 3hr drive north. Housing: for the true Oshkosh experience you can camp economically in the EAA Campgrounds for $18 a night. Hotels are very expensive (even if you can get a room) University sometimes has some rooms, much more affordable. Lots of local people rent out rooms in their houses, or even their whole house. Again this can be a lot more affordable than a hotel. Oshkosh housing info

PFA do an organized trip

I am pretty certain that, although substantial work was carried out with that goal in mind, the Merlin was never actually run. The project was abandoned at some point – probably mid to late 80s.

The Royal Scottish Museum had a complete Parnall Panther and Avro 504 until the 1940’s… then they scrapped them (just the engines & selected parts remain at the Museum of Flight)

The Ryan Hangar at Oshkosh contains a Ryan STA in Guatemalan Air Force markings, a Ryan SCW and a flying replica of the most Ryan of them all – the NYP, better known as the Spirit of St Louis.

You can see the hangar on the Pioneer Airport Webcam but the doors won’t be open until the snows have been and gone 🙂