EAA Oshkosh Model Day
This past Saturday (April 9) was Model Day at the EAA Air venture museum in Oshkosh. We were invited by David Sakrison (sakrison@charter.net), whom is a volunteer at the museum as well as an avid paper aircraft modeler. Now, when I heard the words “paper” and “airplane” only one image comes to mind. Boy, was I mistaken. We had a chance to see some of these marvels, and I have to tell you they garnered a lot of attention. Dave said he would e-mail us “a starter kit”; I’ll let you know when I see this. The Milwaukee IPMS Club (Richard Bong chapter) had by far the largest display, easily over 100-120 aircraft on display. I’m not sure how many people came in solely for the models (I think the other volunteers were more interested in the models than those whom came to the museum); but we were a hit with the kids, handing out some leftover Spirit of St. Louis and Space Shuttle make & takes. I had fun working on my own M&T of the Spirit, because we were seated facing the museum’s own replica that was built in 1977 for the 50th anniversary of Lindbergh’s flight.
Of course, we had to take a look in the “Eagle Hanger”; which is where the war birds are displayed. For me the most interesting display was the F4U Corsair, which was displayed with the wings folded on a mock carrier deck. Great for detail shots of the folded wings! On the upper level of the Eagle Hanger there are a number of WWII dioramas. Not being a diorama builder, I just wished I had half the talent of the people whom built and donated these displays.
Jim Unger, myself, and my youngest boy Chris, represented the Crew. Chris brought along a 1/48 Tamiya A6M2 to work on, and couldn’t help but pick up another kit from the gift shop. Jim brought several jets, and a P-40 he was just starting. I brought (yes, the car guy) an Academy 1/72 B-24 & my Wright Flier (which I promise will never see the light of day). I did sneak in a car, but it didn’t find it’s way out of the toolbox.
Following are some shots I took during our visit; if you can keep the 2nd weekend of April open for next year, I’m sure you’ll have a good time!
Joe Drew
The view from our tables of the Lindbergh Spirit of St. Louis replica the EAA built & flew in 1977.
My son Chris working on his Tamiya A6M2
Jim Unger, starting a P-40
Chris came up with this display for when we were looking around the museum. He’s laid out all the parts, tools, and instructions, and displayed along a completed Zero.
..and this is Paper! A DC-3.
Here is an F-4 that Dave Sakrison built (again, from paper); he said he got really sick of rolling missiles!
Another Paper replica, this an AWACS.
In the Eagle Hanger, a P-38 painted as Richard Bong’s aircraft. Note the radio-controlled blimp (upper left corner); was flying around all day in the Hanger.
F4U on display in the Eagle Hanger
Another shot of the radio controlled blimp.