Oshkosh Colour Report

This year certainly had a few changes that clearly stood out. All the American manufacturers were there promoting their products. There were more kit dealers visible, as were the after-market and modification people. There were more dealers promoting all the prospective new trainer aircraft. All these people used up more real estate than ever before. Visiting aircraft were parked almost to the southern end of the N-S runway, and the official figures to the fourth day for registered display aircraft showed a 20% increase over last year’s rain-soaked convention and a 16% increase over the 1992 figures.

In all, there were nearly 2500 display aircraft registered by the end of the fourth day with increases in all classes. The warbird park hosted some 420 aircraft, while of the custom-built, there were over 700 aircraft to see. Of the antiques, there were 135 and more than 670 classics. Film sellers did a roaring trade and the fine weather helped.

Piper had a major stand and was telling the world that not only are they producing aircraft, but that they are very close to trading their way out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Piper now has 390 employees producing Warrior, Dakota, Arrow, Saratoga, Seminole, Seneca, Malibu Mirage, and even Super Cub aircraft.

In the homebuilt area, there were no wooden Jodels or Volksplanes to be seen, but there were large numbers of composite two-seaters and an increasing number of four-seaters. The warbirds park saw nearly 40 T-28 Trojans plus more jets than ever before. During the daily airshow, eight Corsairs flew past in formation, and for the first time, there were Strikemasters and Jet Provosts on display.

Australia was represented by Nestor Slepcev with his two-seat Fieseler Storch replica, while the Jabiru ST was attracting attention in the commercial display area. On the heavy aircraft display tarmac, GAF Canberra A84-229/N229CA was displayed in its RAAF colour scheme while American owner Steve Picatti stood alongside to talk to all those interested in his jet bomber.

Other attractions included the second public showing of the B-2 Spirit bomber, B-17, Gee Bee racer, Boeing Stratocruiser, KC-135, BD-10 Jet and lots more. Our pictorial display is a mere selection of what one could have seen. If you would like to see more of Oshkosh, visit it yourself. Go with the Australian Aviation/Torii Tours group and enjoy not only Oshkosh but lots more of the American aviation scene as well.