Aviation Week’s John Croft flew in a three-ship dawn patrol of P-51Ds on the opening day of EAA Air Venture. He is seen here in the back seat of Lady Alice. Credit: www.julieinthesky.com Photo: Julie Sims
Two of the three P-51s in formation, photo’d from the third ship. John Croft is in the nearest aircraft. Credit: www.julieinthesky.com Photo: Julie Sims
An astonishing seven Lockheed Electra 12A Juniors gathered at Oshkosh—the most at any one time since they were rolled out of the factory in the 1930s. Only 20 are left on the FAA register. A larger version, the 10E Electra, was flown by Amelia Earhart on her ill-fated around-the-world venture. Credit: Mo Spuhler
The giant Gee Bee Q.E.D replica and other airshow performers sit out the dramatic and extensive pyrotechnics set off by the Tinstix of Dynamite aerobatic act that features U.S. national aerobatic team member Melissa Pemberton. Credit: Mo Spuhler
Chuck Aaron in the Red Bull Airbus Bo.105 helicopter performs near-impossible feats that no other rotorcraft can match, thanks to a specially-modified titanium rotorhead, a rigid rotor and other changes to the transmission. Credit: Mo Spuhler
Unveiled at Oshkosh was a new concept of recreational vehicle – a flying fishing boat/water toy. The cockpit lifts up completely to reveal a fishing chair, while girlfriend lollops in a hammock at the back. The MVP (Most Versatile Planes) Light Sport Aircraft will be offered first as a kit. MVP.Aero’s head office is in Minneapolis, with design engineering in Duluth. Credit: Mo Spuhler
Margaritaville for her, while he catches dinner upfront. Credit: Mo Spuhler
Kyle Franklin specializes in dramatic low level and old-fashioned aerobatics in his custom-built scale-Waco ‘Dracula,’ looking like the epitome of 1930s sport aviation. Credit: Mo Spuhler
The diminutive BD-5J minijet and Gene Soucy’s ShowCat endure the blasts from the Tinstix of Dynamite pyrotechnic act. Credit: Mo Spuhler
Justin “Shmed” Lewis makes the BD-5J look as small as it is! Credit: Mo Spuhler
Melissa Pemberton cuts the ribbon in her Edge 540. Credit: Mo Spuhler
Wingwalker Teresa Stokes poses upside down on Gene Soucy’s ShowCat. Credit: Mo Spuhler
Homebuilt RVs love flying in formation! Last October they set a world record for a civilian formation when 49 flew together over Kansas City. Credit: Mo Spuhler
The Nakajima Zero emits smoke after being chased by an F-4U Corsair. This original airframe, one of only three flying in the U.S., is now powered by a Pratt & Whitney engine. Credit: Mo Spuhler
You never know when! Cirrus aircraft are all equipped with ballistic safety parachutes. Credit: John Croft
John was editor of Aviation Week's ShowNews for nearly two decades. He retired in 2020. His background in business journalism before joining Aviation Week includes stints at Reuters, the American Banker daily banking newspaper and as business news editor at the Milwaukee Journal and the Cincinnati Enquirer.
