EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016: Vintage Aircraft Introduction

Fred Harl and Carmelo Turdo

The Aero Experience coverage of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016 continues with a new series on the Vintage Area of the sprawling event grounds.  In this first edition, we feature the Vintage Area aircraft on display and some special exhibits.  Generally, the aircraft included in this area are from the 1940s and earlier, though there are others mixed in to show the next generation of civil aircraft that developed from these vintage designs.  Here are some views from the Vintage Area complex and some of the aircraft that were parked in the surrounding fields.

A special exhibit included vintage aircraft replicas: World War I Sopwith Pup and a Fokker Dr.1 Triplane aircraft from the Golden Age Air Museum, Old Rhinebeck's replica SPAD and Fokker D.VIII, Fantasy of Flight's replica Albatros and the Collings Foundation 1907 Curtiss Pusher.  Also on display were a restored 1917 Clerget 9B engine and a Curtiss OX-5 engine.  The OX-5 engine on the Curtiss Pusher was run at published times during the week.

  

  

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016: Airshow Performers - Fly Jive Fly!

Fred Harl and Carmelo Turdo

The Aero Experience was glad to see our friend Jerry "Jive" Kerby flying the RV-8A Wild Blue in the daily airshows at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016.  Jive put the modified homebuilt through its paces in fighter pilot style, flying precision classic aerobatic maneuvers while leaving a healthy trail of white smoke. 

Jive has flown a variety of aircraft in airshows, including the first Heritage Flight QF-4E season in 2005 as Commander of the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron at Tyndall AFB, FL following extensive experience flying F-15s in active service.  Since retiring from active duty in 2006, he has been involved with several high-profile aerobatic acts: The Collings Foundation F-4D Phantom II, Black Diamond Jet Team Lead L-39, Trojan Horsemen Wing and Solo T-28, Team MS760 Morane-Saulnier MS760, and solo performances in many other types.  It is no surprise that Jive calls his aerobatic RV-8A Wild Blue, and when the crowds see it zip by they yell, "Fly, Jive, Fly!"