July 2007Monthly Archives

We got in late yesterday afternoon and got our admission wrist bands.

The aircraft parking areas looks quite occupied. There was some concern around the newsgroups that the price of fuel could keep traffic down, but it looks like the flyers may have just been saving up for the one big event.

We didn’t get much time to look around yet. We got a look at the prototype of the Cirrus LSA. We’ll get further info on that today. Eclipse showed a concept 4 passenger single engine jet.

The Beach Boys played to a crowd quite a bit larger than last year. The weather cooperated with no thunderstorms this year. When the warm-up announcer asked what songs they wanted to hear, the crowd responded with “All of them!”, and they weren’t disappointed as the Beach Boys played about all of their famous songs.

I’ll try to send a few updates during the day.

Warhawks, Inc.’s latest project, P-38L “Ruff Stuff,” will have its namesake nose art applied on the first day of Airventure 2007 

The latest restoration project from the shops of Warhawks, Inc. of Granite Falls, Minnesota, will arrive on the hallowed grounds of Airventure 2007, project complete, save one important detail.  On the first day of the Air Show in Oshkosh, the P-38 fighter will receive its final step of the restoration process when it will have its nose art applied by an expert painter.  The nose art will depict the aircraft “Ruff Stuff,” the mount of Wisconsin resident, Norbert Ruff, a P-38 lightning pilot in World War II with the 80^th Fighter Squadron, based in Australia and New Guinea.  This unique Oshkosh event was spearheaded by Erik Hokuf, lead restorer at Warhawks, Inc.

The idea for this event was born a few months ago when Hokuf and his fellow restoration shop workers were discussing the game plan for applying the unique nose art.  In addition to displaying the shop’s latest restoration at Oshkosh, Hokuf wanted to come up with a unique way in which Warbird air show enthusiasts could get involved in the restoration and experience something out of the ordinary.  “I wanted to give the crowd something new and unique to take home from the air show, something memorable to talk about when recounting Airventure 2007.”

The artist who will be painting the P-38’s nose art is Stefan Hokuf, one of Erik Hokuf’s older brothers.  Hokuf has completed numerous antique car painting projects, but this will be his first foray into painting nose art on vintage fighters.  One can rest assured, however, that given the quality of work that has come out of Warhawks, Inc. in recent years, the artist was chosen with care.  “I feel privileged to have been asked to put the final touch on this project, both to put my skills to use, and to honor all the men and women who served, specifically, the pilot of this aircraft,” Hokuf said.

“Ruff Stuff” will be parked in the Warbirds area of Oskosh, for those interested in observing the nose art application.  The event will kick off on Monday, July 23, at approximately 10:00 A.M. in the Warbird Parking Area.

Here are a couple notices of announcements that we’ve received. We don’t know the details yet, but we’ll keep this post updated so those going there will be able search out the latest information.

EADS Socata will be making an announcement
Tuesday 24 July – 11.30 AM
at the EADS Socata booth, Main Exhibition ground
Booth # 186-189 / 195-198

Lancair will be unveiling a new aircraft on
Wednesday July 25th – 10:00 AM
at the Lancair tent, North Aircraft Display, Booth 456

CubCrafters will debut an all new, second generation light sport airplane Tuesday July 24, 1:15 PM. By incorporating the very latest safety features, construction materials and design improvements, a new standard will be set in capability, utility, and performance in light sport aircraft while being fully compliant with all LSA certification regulations.

60 years later our lost warriors come home; Men Missing In Action since the Pacific Battles of World War II are finally being returned to their families.  

Six years and seven expedition’s in the making, Last Flight Home (www.LastFlightHome.org) will screen four times through AirVenture 2007 (http://www.airventure.org/).   Last Flight Home is the story of searching for and finding WWII MIAs in the South Pacific islands of Palau.  Dr Patrick Scannon founder of the BentProp Project, the film’s focus has traveled to the islands since 1993 (www.BentProp.org) and is instrumental in finding no fewer than 30 aircraft wreck sites, most with MIA’s associated with them.

Speaking of Dr. Scannon’s Project Brigadier General J.L. Jones former Commandant of the Marine Corps states: “For more than half a century, the fates of hundreds of these men have remained concealed… while loved ones have lived with the pain of not knowing. Through your tireless efforts, the families and friends of many of these brave airmen have finally achieved closure. You have helped show that no Marine is ever forgotten”.   Family member Marty Haak writes “Thank you so much for “Last Flight Home.” Can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. It was a wonderful thing you did and you nearly brought Donald back to life”.

The film makers Daniel T O’Brien and Jennifer Powers will be present for the screenings along side their subject Dr. Scannon, several BentProp team members will also be present. 

Last Flight Home follows the search, discovery and identification of US WWII Aircraft in the jungles and waters of Palau. Then the story comes home to the family members left wondering and hoping over 60 years for something, anything…. Maybe even closure.

The US lists 88,000 men and women Missing In Action, MIA from her battles across the globe. 78,000 are missing from the battles of WWII alone. Dr Scannon and his team are chipping away at this impossible number one airman at a time. Last Flight Home brings this remarkable story to you.

 Blue Skies

Jennifer Powers and Daniel T O’Brien

Contact Jennifer Powers 530-666-2148  info@BentStarProject.org

Aviation innovation, heritage and fun showcased throughout the grounds

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. – (July 10, 2007) – Aviation enthusiasts from around the world are counting the days until EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration, July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.  The 55th annual convention of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will showcase the best of aviation’s innovations and heritage.

Each year, EAA AirVenture welcomes more than 10,000 aircraft to the weeklong celebration, along with a total attendance of more than 600,000 visitors from 65 nations.

“Simply put, Oshkosh is the place to be for anyone who enjoys flight, innovation and the best aviators’ gathering in the world,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman.  “EAA AirVenture is not only aviation’s family reunion, but also the place where nearly every facet of flight is on display, as Oshkosh is the international crossroads where people enjoy and celebrate the freedom of flight.”

EAA AirVenture’s aircraft lineup is filled with the latest flight innovations along with the legendary aircraft of aviation’s first 100 years.  There are brand new jets that are revolutionizing the aviation community, unique homebuilt and vintage airplanes, and more aircraft of every size, shape and origin.

In addition, EAA AirVenture 2007 will offer more than ever before, from nearly 1,000 forums, workshops and seminars, to special activities for young people and families, to renowned aviation movies each evening under the stars.  All of these activities are included in AirVenture admission, as is an encore concert by the Beach Boys on Monday, July 23, at 5:30 p.m., immediately following the opening day’s afternoon air show.  This concert is presented by Eclipse Aviation, Ford Motor Company, and Innovative Solutions & Support.

EAA AirVenture 2007’s features and attractions include:
·    F-22 “Raptors,” the U.S. Air Force’s newest front-line fighter jet, that will be on display and flying on Thursday through Sunday, July 26-29;
·    The sleek and mysterious U-2 spyplane, that will be on display on AirVenture’s showcase AeroShell Square;
·    More than 300 Warbirds that include fighter airplanes from World War II and classic fighter jets, many flying in spectacular shows throughout the week, with expanded programs on Friday and Saturday, July 27-28;
·    The Goodyear Blimp, one of the world’s most recognizable aircraft, on ground display and in flight demonstrations on July 23-27;
·    Military aircraft such as the Harrier jump jet, C-17 transport, and A-10, F-16 and F/A-18 fighters, plus special fly-bys of the B-1 and B-2 bombers, F-117 stealth fighters, and other activities in honor of the U.S. Air Force’s 60th anniversary;
·    A variety of special programs, from the 75th anniversary of Beechcraft airplanes and the 60th anniversary of its famed Bonanza model, to introductions of several new airplanes by manufacturers from around the world throughout the week;
·    A brand new “Learn To Fly Center,” hosted by EAA and the National Association of Flight Instructors, that opens the world of flight to those who have only dreamed of flying in the past;
·    Daily afternoon air shows with the world’s finest civilian aerobatic pilots, more than 800 aviation exhibitors, and nearly 1,000 forums, workshops and seminars;
·    Special activities for families and young people that help them discover and enjoy aviation, including the enormous KidVenture area;
·    More than 2,500 showplanes that include homebuilt aircraft, vintage models, ultralights, seaplanes and much more.

With all of the activities, EAA is an outstanding value for individuals and families.  An EAA membership supplies even more value, with special EAA-member discounts available on merchandise and food.

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is the world’s greatest aviation celebration and EAA’s yearly membership convention. 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 www.eaa.org.  EAA AirVenture information is also available through the World Wide Web at www.airventure.org