Category Archives: Oshkosh

NEWLY RESTORED BOEING B-29 DOC COMING TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2017 AS PART OF INAUGURAL TOUR

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World’s only two flying B-29s set to meet at Oshkosh
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (March 24, 2017) — A newly restored B-29 has included EAA AirVenture Oshkosh2017 on its inaugural tour schedule, creating the potential to have two of these World War II-era bombers in one place for the first time in more than 50 years.
The B-29 Doc, which has just completed its restoration in Wichita, Kansas, will be on tour this spring and summer. Its appearance at EAA AirVenture on July 24-30, fulfills a long commitment to bring the airplane to the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration when its restoration was complete.
Doc was built in 1945 and for many years was part of a squadron known as the Seven Dwarfs (hence, the name Doc). The airplane was retired in 1956 as the jet bomber age began and sat as a target for U.S. Navy training missions in China Lake, California, until 1998. A restoration group took possession of the airplane from the U.S. government and hauled it back to Wichita in pieces in 2000. After many years of volunteer restoration efforts, the restoration group Doc’s Friends formed in 2013 to supply the financial resources needed to complete the restoration. Docmade its first flight after restoration in July 2016, 60 years after it had been retired.
“This will be a historic year for our airplane and to say we’re excited about our plans to tour in 2017 is an understatement,” said Jim Murphy, manager for the Doc’s Friends Restoration Program.
It also sets the stage for a historic meeting of the world’s only two flying B-29 bombers, as the Commemorative Air Force’s FIFIis scheduled to return to Oshkosh in 2017. If this reunion occurs, it would mark the first time two operational B-29 bombers would be in one place in more than 50 years.
“We’ve been eagerly awaiting the completion of Doc for several years, and its restoration group has always maintained that one of the airplane’s first appearances would be at Oshkosh,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member benefits who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “This will be a huge moment for EAA members and aviation enthusiasts to potentially see the world’s only two flying B-29s in one place for the first time.”
The appearance of Doc keeps with the tradition of bringing new and significant warbird aircraft restorations to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The annual EAA fly-in convention is the world’s largest annual gathering of warbird aircraft, with more than 350 of them annually flown to Wittman Regional Airport to participate in the event.
About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA. 

APOLLO PROGRAM’S 50TH ANNVIVERSARY BRINGS ASTRONAUT REUNION TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2017

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Crew members from numerous Apollo missions expected to attend
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (January 31, 2017) — Astronauts from the Apollo missions that put humans on the moon for the first time are expected to be at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017, as the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo program.
The 65th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The reunion is expected to be the largest gathering of Apollo astronauts at Oshkosh since the memorable 1994 “Salute to Apollo” program that brought together 15 of the men who were the faces of the American effort to put men on the moon. Many of the activities will be centered on AirVenture’s Apollo Day on Friday, July 28, which is highlighted by a major evening program at Theater in the Woods.
“A number of Apollo astronauts have already committed to the event, as have other people closely involved with America’s space program during that era,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member benefits who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “This will be a rare, unforgettable gathering of the people who met the challenge of flying to the moon and safely returning, representing hundreds of thousands of individuals who contributed to its success. You may never get another opportunity to see the people in person, up close, as you will at Oshkosh this summer.”
It is expected that crew members representing many of the Apollo missions will attend. Those who have already confirmed their attendance include:
Frank Borman (Apollo 8)
Walt Cunningham (Apollo 7)
Fred Haise (Apollo 13)
Jim Lovell (Apollo 8 and Apollo 13)
Al Worden (Apollo 15)

Additional astronauts are expected to confirm their attendance in the coming weeks. Further details on events and schedules will be announced as they are finalized.
About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Images of the Apollo astronauts can be found on the EAA media FTP website:
http://media.eaa.org               ID: eaamedia          PW:airventure2012                 (AirVenture 2017 folder/Apollo 50th file)
 

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2014 Summary

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FACTS AND FIGURES

Comment from EAA Chairman Jack Pelton:
q  “It was a tremendous week on many levels. We filled Wittman Regional Airport with aircraft for the first time in several years, with both aircraft camping and parking areas completely full at mid-week. The cooperation and support of the airport’s east side community made possible the historic first appearance of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at Oshkosh, which brought in many people to our event. Exhibitors reported outstanding business throughout the week, with some selling out of product. We also had a tremendous amount of aviation innovation brought to Oshkosh with new airplanes and aviation technology, and our KidVenture youth area had a record attendance year.”
Attendance: More than 500,000, with a total attendance increase of five to six percent. 
q  Comment from Pelton: “Certainly the Thunderbirds’ first performances at Oshkosh helped the attendance, as Saturday and Sunday (August 2-3) saw 20 percent attendance increases from similar days in 2013. There was another factor, too – a renewed sense of optimism that was reflected in people coming to Oshkosh to celebrate the world of flight. You could feel it among the attendees, exhibitors and our 5,400 volunteers whose work made the event possible.”
Total aircraft: More than 10,000 aircraft arriving at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin.
Total showplanes: 2,649 (308 more than in 2013) – including 997 homebuilt aircraft, 1,050 vintage airplanes, 303 warbirds, 122 ultralights and light-sport aircraft, 91 seaplanes, 40 rotorcraft, 38 aerobatic aircraft and 8 hot-air balloons.
Commercial exhibitors: More than 790
International visitors registered:2,081 visitors registered from 69 nations, with Canada (505 visitors), Australia (416), and Brazil (194) the top three nations. (NOTE: This total includes only non-U.S. visitors registered at the International Visitors Tent, so the actual international contingent is undoubtedly larger.)
Media: 917 media representatives on-site, from five continents.
What’s ahead for 2015 (July 20-26)?  Comment from Pelton:
q  “We’re already planning for 2015, with more details coming as soon as we finalize them. Legendary aircraft innovator Burt Rutan indicated he would like to return to Oshkosh in 2015 to share some innovations with the aviation community. We’re eager to bring the soon-to-be-restored B-29 “Doc” here for a public showing as part of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. And, of course, there will be plenty of other highlights that you can only see at Oshkosh.”

Information updates posted at www.airventure.org

For more information: Dick Knapinski (920-426-6523 or dknapinski@eaa.org)