EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017: Boeing Plaza - B-52H and B-1B Bombers

Strategic

By Fred Harl

bombers were prominently featured among the Boeing Plaza aircraft displays. Along with the two remaining flying B-29 Superfortress World War II era bombers, two current strategic bombers, the B-52H Stratofortress and B-1B Lancer, were the main attractions. The B-52H from the 93rd Bomb Squadron, 307th Bomb Wing, at Barksdale AFB, LA sported the squadron's centennial nose art. The 93rd BS is the Formal Training Unit for qualifying B-52 aircrews. The B-1B is from the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess AFB, TX.  It is the Formal Training Unit for the B-1B Lancer fleet.    

Wings Over Whiteman Has Stealthy Surprise Following Day-Long Aerial Delights

By Carmelo Turdo

Wings Over Whiteman again proved itself to be a Midwest hub of aerial entertainment, featuring top civilian and military performers and an asset only Whiteman AFB in western Missouri can provide: the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. Airshow organizers wove together a series of dazzling exhibitions in the air and on the ground, emphasizing Big Iron like the C-17, C-5, RC-135, C-130, B-52, B-1B and of course, the B-2. Warbirds were in great supply, including a Boeing (Stearman) A75 Kaydet, PV-2 Harpoon, Douglas A-26 and Fairchild PT-23.  Performing in the airshow were P-51D Mustang "Gunfighter," Vought Corsair, Aerostars, Mig-17, Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter, Team RV, Red Steel Jet Team, Trojan Phlyers, Herb and Ditto, and headliner U.S. Army Golden Knights Black Team.  

Special thanks to Lt. Savage and the Whiteman Public Affairs team for arranging access for The Aero Experience to fly with the U.S. Army Golden Knights and photograph the airshow.  Here is an overview of the airshow, and future posts will focus on individual performers.