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It was yesterday,at the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual "Air Adventure" air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This year's theme was (surprise) "100 years of Flight." We (my brother and some other people) sat through some awards, a talk by the creator of last year's Flight Across America (honoring 9/11), a musical interlude by a very good 13-year old fiddler, and then two astronauts were introduced (can't remember they're names--one was Rescort or Rescot or something). Then, after they bantered for a bit on stage, Neil Armstrong was introduced! He looks old, yes, and he shakes a bit...and, he seemed shy (i.e., sticking to the show's script). But he did make jokes with the host (ABC's commentator for the Apollo 11 launch. Can't remember his name!).
The amazing thing was, right there on stage, they placed a call to the International Space Station. Some of you may not believe this, but it's true! The astronaut on the ISS was Ed-something, and the cosmonaut was asleep! Basically, the astronaut in orbit talked with the three briefly, and was surprised that Armstrong was there. Then, the talk ended and Armstrong addressed the audience. He didn't say anything new; he just told everyone the story of the Wright Brother's flight. He concluded by saying he would be there when they fly the recreation of the Wright Flyer on December 17, 2003, and he hoped to be there for the bicentennial!
What a way to cap a great day! The EAA air show is at an airfield (Whiteman Airfield in Oshkosh...it's by Lake Winnebago on a Wisconsin map), and it has hundreds of planes. There was a B-17 bomber, an F-4 Phantom, an F-14 (which flew over!), an F-16, T-38's, and a C-141 cargo plane flew over the area! Plus, there was an Orbis DC-10, which flies to developing countries to give eye surgery to people. The main attraction was the Arbus A300-600ST "Super Transport", also called a "Beluga," which is HUGE! See a picture of it and you'll know what I mean!
The Air Show was amazing--many aircraft doing many stunts. Diamond Wing Formations, loops, and rolls. The best part was when a Marine Corps Harrier appeared in the middle of the show. It screamed around in a circle, then stopped in mid-air, flew backwards to a landing spot, and hovered to the ground. Then it lifted off again! It was very loud, but worth it!
Oh, one final note--I stood less than 10 feet from Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier! He had been commentating on the air show, then left the building. We followed him around the building, where he signed a few autographs, then left into a tent. Later, we saw him drive away--in a golf cart!
Wow! Neil Armstrong and Chuck Yeager in the same day. I've always wanted to go to EAA Oshkosh. I have been going to the EAA fly-in at Arlington, WA for a number of years now. Lots of Glasairs at the show since the factory making the kits is on the other side of the air field.
I think that my favorite plane over the years has to be the reproduction of the Gee Bee R2 built by Steve Wolfe and flown by owner Delmar Benjamin. It is a much larger and more impressive plane than the flying prop they built for the movie The Rocketeer. The replica shown in the film must be half the size of the original airplane and they got many of the design details totally wrong. Boy that plane is fast!
Another airplane that I am fond of is a red Beach Staggerwing that shows up occassionally. Talk about drop dead gorgeous. I have never seen an airplane with a chrome spinner and chrome accents on the leather seats inside. Pity they don't make them like that anymore. All the Glasairs that surrounded it looked small and feeble. Although I would love to have a Glasair.
Registered: Jun 2003
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He turned 80 this year. We need to enjoy his company while we can. Anyone see his interview in the re-released The Right Stuff DVD? I could not bring myself to buy yet another copy of this movie. One Beta, VHS, and DVD copy is enough. I'll probably get it again if it comes out in some HD format, whatever format they finally decide on.
Neil Armstrong will be 73 years old in August, so we need to visit with him as well if we can. That's just surreal. I often wonder if man will ever walk on the moon again or travel beyond Earth orbit.
Registered: Jun 2003
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Chuck Yeager is still alive and, apparently, still flying! He said so on his air show commentary. Neil Armstrong is still flying, also, according to him.
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Veers have you been able to see the bonus material of the new DVD?
The Right Stuff is one of my favorite films. It was the first time that I can remember seeing the NASA footage of the launch failures and the Mercury missions. My father was sick to death of the whole thing when the movie came out. I think it was just bad timing for the movie in 1982 and its too bad that this film and Blade Runner caused the bankruptcy of the Ladd Company. Funny how most of the box office hits of 1982 have been forgotten and both of the previously mentioned films are classics. I wonder what other fascinating films Alan Ladd Jr. was going to green light that we never got to see.
Sol System are you trying to get my dander up? Don't you remember the AA safety yellow and black Gee Bee R2 at the beginning of the film that was shot down by the Tommy gun wielding hood during the car chase, the Curtis Jenny biplane, the Ford tri-motor, the model of the Hughes Hercules (spruce goose), the autogyro, and the white and black Gee Bee R2 at the end? That makes six airplanes, plus the Luxembourg Zeppelin, which is an airship not an airplane. Did you not like the movie and didn't pay attention?
Registered: Jun 2003
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-------------------- "Lotta people go through life doing things badly. Racing's important to men who do it well. When you're racing, it's life. Anything that happens before or after is just waiting."
-Steve McQueen as Michael Delaney, LeMans
Registered: Mar 1999
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Triton: I have not been able to get the new Special Edition DVD...though I should! I knew it came out some time ago, but I never thought to get it. Oh well.
And there is another classic movie about astronauts: Apollo 13. As well as a mini-series: From the Earth to the Moon.
All of which, with The Right Stuff, have great soundtracks!
quote:Originally posted by Sol System: Jennifer Connelly. Apparently there was some business about a rocket too, but I wouldn't swear to it.
Amen.
The Right Stuff is an excellent film. The sequence with John Glenn's re-entry and the Aborigines is truly magnificent film-making. Anyone here read the book?
Registered: Sep 2000
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quote:Originally posted by TSN: Odd... For some reason, I thought Chuck Yeager was dead.
I seem to remember hearing that he had retired from flying Jets just this year.
I've never seen him live, but I cross Yeager Bridge everyday. A bridge he flew a plane under when it ws first built. Charlestons air port is Yeager Airport.
quote:I seem to remember hearing that he had retired from flying Jets just this year.
I doubt that the retirement was voluntary. Probably Northrup-Grumman didn't let him take up the F-20 Tigershark anymore.
"I get a lot of pleasure out of flying an F-20, but I know a lot of people who have erected barriers, real brick walls, just because they have gray hair, and have permanently cut themselves off from lifelong enjoyments by thinking 'I'm too old to do this or that--that's for younger people.' Living to a ripe old age is not an end in itself; the trick is to enjoy the years remaining. And unlike flying, learning how to take pleasure from living can't be taught. Unfortunately, many people do not consider fun an important item on their daily agenda. For me, that was always high priority in whatever I was doing."
-- From Yeager: An Autobiography
His philosophy about life makes him an even bigger hero to me and role model.
May we be so blessed to enjoy the things we love throughout life.
Registered: Jun 2003
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I went to the Oshkosh Airshow in about 1987, and saw the original Voyager which was featured at the airshow following its trip around the world. I was pretty young at the time, so it didn't impact me as much as I wish it would have, other than pictures and home videos I recall quite an impressive array of aircraft there, especially through the eyes of an 8-year old.
-------------------- Hey, it only took 13 years for me to figure out my password...
Registered: Jan 2003
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