Hawkeye’s Squawkbox

As Oshkosh winds down, some of the aircraft remain behind to perform more duties while in the area. The Goodyear blimp being one of them. The blimp has been “floating” over my house apparently giving public relations rides to VIPs, Dealers and Media people.

The only complaint from this household is from my German Shepherd, she barked at it as it flew directly over the house…I don’t know if she dislikes it because of its size, the noise or just thinks it is a huge ball to play with that is out of her reach.

I’m hoping for a sunset shot this evening if it is still flying around that late. It may be going to do some official NFL video work in Green Bay while in the area.

I found myself digging through the stash for my old Goodyear Blimp kit with the lighted sign. It is tucked away in a plain brown box shoebox. I think I picked it up at a Thrift Store or Yard Sale somewhere.

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Well another AirVenture has come and gone. Even after a day of relaxing I am still feeling the impact both on my body and my spirit. The legs are a little sore and I’ve gotten the start to a nice sun tan, next year I’ll have to get more walking in before the show arrives which will make my wife happy.

This years AirVenture was my vacation, though it was a working vacation. Hosting guests such as Greg Drawbaugh from Draw Decal. Greg spent his first time ever at Oshkosh, he kept saying he was in sensory overload. Sounds, sights and smells of aircraft everywhere. He was constantly peering through his cameras viewfinder taking reference pictures with future decal sheets in mind. Greg is already planning on coming back next year, but will allow for two days…you just cannot do it all in one.

While on the flight line a gentleman asked if we knew when the Warbird Show was going to occur, at the beginning of the air show or as the last act? Given it was a Warbirds Extravaganza, it normally was the last act of the show because of the pyrotechnics involved. He was faced with a choice, stay for the Warbirds and miss his tour group bus back to Appleton or leave to catch the bus and miss the Warbirds. We found out Steve was from the UK and was staying at a hotel in Appleton not far from my home. I invited him to stay, that we’d give him a ride back afterwards.

After the show ended, I called my wife letting her know we’d have another guest for supper. Steve spent a couple hours with us sharing his passion for aviation, photography and traveling. Though the time was short we all had a good time and made a new friend in the process. Another unique facet of the AirVenture experience.

The Gallery now has the last of the pictures I am planning on adding. These are just a fraction of the ones I took, many are detailed reference shots for future modeling projects. This years AirVenture is still fresh in my mind, but attention has already started towards planning for next year. Hope to see you there!

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A very exciting day today! Had the opportunity to see and meet, though very informally Harrison Ford. I’m waiting for a copy of the picture that was taken of a group of us with him. A simple event that will always be a nice memory to have of AirVenture. The V-22 Osprey arrived and put on a little show. Tomorrow it will do its full routine. Watched the F-22 Raptor perform today as well, it was impressive too.

The highlight of my day was being allowed to observe the taping of an interview of Red Bull Aerobatic Helicopter Pilot Chuck Aaron. Chuck has an amazing story about his personal history in the field of aviation. He has accumulated over 18,000 hours of helicopter time. Even with several engine failures, he has never damaged an aircraft or been injured. I’m looking forward to building this meeting into a lasting friendship. Chuck and I share a similar dream. Chuck  donated a model of his Red Bull  BO-105  Helicopter to the  EAA Museum. That’s what ’s in the box I am holding.

John Travolta brought in his Boeing 707. It really is a great contrast to today’s airliners. I can remember flying across the Atlantic enroute to Europe as a kid in one very similar. A sad sight for me is when the F-4 Phantoms depart, but it is still an awsome aircraft to watch depart with its burners lit.

I’ll get to adding today’s pictures to the Gallery as soon as I can. Greg from Draw Decals arrived this evening and we are kicking back catching up on things since our last meeting at Nordicon. Tomorrow we’ll get up early and grab a quick breakfast so we can get on the grounds early. This is Greg’s first time at AirVenture, he is anxious to experience being totally immersed in aviations greatest event.

I’ll be sure to share our experiences in my next report.

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