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Post by mrbluesky on Aug 2, 2023 8:33:34 GMT
 Have just got back from my Aeroprints 2023 Bucket List Trip to Oshkosh- The 12 day trip without boring you all too much went like this-
Friday 21st July
Train down to London Euston -then tube to LAP, bus to the Premier Inn Bath Road, then spotting from same.
Saturday 22nd
Up early to get the bus to Terminal 3 at Heathrow to meet up with the rest of our group 15 in total plus two others flying from different airports. Then our AA 787 Flight to Ord- where after clearing security we quickly arrived at our first nights accommodation at the Chicago O’Hare Hilton- where I quickly got down to spotting till about 8pm, when I went down to the bar for a couple of pints and something to eat.
Sunday 23rd
Spotting again from our rooms till 11am when we checked out and picked up our vehicles for the trip and headed to Oshkosh. On route we visited Chicago (Executive) (86 logged) Kenosha 13 logged plus long term resident HR-ARK AN2, and Milwaukee (General Mitchell) where 70 plus were logged including the Blue Angels who were doing a show on the Milwaukee river front. From there we drove to Oshkosh for our six night stay at the University of Oshkosh, basic accommodation but ok.
Monday 24th
The Group met up and after breakfast at the University ($9.25 a day or $41 for five days)- we got the bus outside to Oshkosh to collect our weeks wristbands- then the fun started. Myself I did the Boeing Plaza , the homebuilts which had at least 500 Rv’s, and the North 40 parking before heading back to the University and a few beers at the excellent Kelly’s bar across the road from the University.
Tuesday 25th
Early start again and straight to Boeing Plaza and then the Warbirds which took me at least 5 hours to complete but worth it. Then I did the Vintage and Vintage visitors parking. Before returning to the University and Kelly’s bar.
Wednesday 26th
Bit of a lie in today- Breakfast then pick up our vehicles for our visit and tour of the Basler Factory and graveyard outside. Before Basler we visited the FBO at Oshkosh. Then we headed out to Fond Du Lac and Appleton. Where a substantial log was obtained. Before going back to the University, and of course Kelly’s bar.
Thursday 27th
Back to Oshkosh- Boeing Plaza- then watched the departures before doing the South 40 and back to Boeing Plaza and back to the University.
Friday 28th
Final full day- so after arriving at the bus park- got the bus to the excellent EAA Museum and Pioneer Airport-The it was Boeing Plaza, and bus over to the North 40 far side and the FBO again, before returning to the exhibition and then doing the Microlights- and an early finish about 5pm getting my Oshkosh 2023 baseball cap and somethings for my wife’s cousin’s son and nephews son from the EAA shop. Then of course a few beers and something to eat at Kelly’s.
Saturday 29th
Breakfast then loaded up our vehicles for the trip back to Chicago, visiting the far side FBO at Oshkosh first, Fond Du Lac again, Racine, then the Russell Aviation Museum, which contained 70+ aircraft. Then a couple of hours at Chicago (Midway). Before heading to our hotel for the night the Best Western which is not far from O’Hare.
Sunday 30th
Breakfast then spotted from the hotel till 11am when we returned our vehicles to the car hire at O’Hare and then to the Hilton for our last night in Chicago and serious spotting. Then something to eat and a few beers.
Monday 31st
Spotting from out room till 09:15 then as a group headed to book onto our 12:02 AA CRJ200 Flight to Toronto which was delayed and hour so a few more hit the log book. Short 1 hour flight to Toronto Pearson where a few more hit the books. Before going through security again- for our AA/BA Flight back to Heathrow on BAW A350 G-XWBD.
Tuesday 1st August
Landed at Heathrow just after 6am following a smooth flight. The after collecting my case got the underground to Hatton Cross for about 4 hours spotting – before heading back London (Euston) for my train back to Runcorn, where my beloved picked me up and after a chippy tea went to bed knackered but happy.
The trip was fantastic – Would I go again- No!!! it's hard work but if I was a bit younger maybe- but I would recommend that if there was an aviation trip you wished to go on- it would be Oshkosh- without doubt the best spotting experience I have ever had , and the most aircraft I have seen in one trip ever.
Advice- If you go plan what you are going to do on a daily basis- use the land train’s and buses- do some training before you go- I walked every day for six month’s and although it was hard work at the show it did help and we walked at least 60 miles during the 4 full days there.
All I’ve got to do now is go through my FOUR full log books for Oshkosh plus another for other places visited which should take me the winter to do- thanks for reading.
Happy Days
Bob 
PS- Also apart from the odd Thunderstorm- it was Hot!!!! 
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Post by mrbluesky on Aug 2, 2023 9:14:45 GMT
Apart from the thousands of aircraft seen- one of the main highlights was whilst walking the North 40 and knackered, and this lady was walking from their plane, and I said hello, and they asked me how I was enjoying Oshkosh, I said "Its great but looking forward to a nice beer tonight" The lady only went to her cool box and gave me a cold can of beer- great moment- which I will never forget. Happy Days Bob
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Post by timvlf on Aug 2, 2023 12:03:12 GMT
fantastic trip bobski !! maybe one day i will go
regards tim
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Post by mrbluesky on Aug 2, 2023 17:46:23 GMT
Thanks Tim, great trip, but very tiring- and if you go prepare by doing plenty of walking. Happy Days Bob
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Post by timvlf on Aug 2, 2023 18:46:19 GMT
air britain rally and sywell fly ins are bad enough
regards tim
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Post by mrbluesky on Aug 3, 2023 8:03:31 GMT
air britain rally and sywell fly ins are bad enough regards tim No comparison Tim, unlike any flyin or airshow you will ever go to in the UK- at Oshkosh it is impossible to log everything as you miss stuff taking off and landing- whilst walking the lines of aircraft. But an experience. I am still exhausted now after two nights decent sleeps. It will take me a time to get over the experience, which without harping on about it- was great. But I would recommend that you go if you ever get the chance- there were only 17 on our Aeroprints Trip- but it was well organised with everything sorted out before you went. Would definitely recommend them. Happy Days Bob |
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Post by rfcdave on Aug 3, 2023 12:28:45 GMT
Hi Bob,I must have seen you @ the gate @ O'Hare as I was chatting to a couple of guys I knew before you boarded,myself & Rob Belcher went home via Montreal,some interesting stuff as well.Would have to agree with everything you have stated,it was superb and would I go again,quite possibly.
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Post by mrbluesky on Aug 3, 2023 19:05:17 GMT
Hi Bob,I must have seen you @ the gate @ O'Hare as I was chatting to a couple of guys I knew before you boarded,myself & Rob Belcher went home via Montreal,some interesting stuff as well.Would have to agree with everything you have stated,it was superb and would I go again,quite possibly. Dave, Turned around and saw two lads talking to the elder statesmen of our group- it was a fantastic trip- one that imo will never be beaten by anything in the future or in fact anywhere else I have been in the past. You seem to have been to most of the place we visited. I won't do it again however. One to savour forever. Happy Days Bob |
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Post by mrbluesky on Aug 9, 2023 6:00:35 GMT
Regarding Russell which we visited on our way back to Chicago- it is a Museum not an Airframe dealer which I have seen mentioned in another site. I spoke to the owners son, and he told me of plans that they have to progress the site- although it is a big job. Logged over 70 there. They do have events during the year, and it would be nice to see the UH1's etc lined up instead of piled on top of one another. Regarding Oshkosh, just starting to go through my five almost full log books- four of which are just stuff I saw at Oshkosh, should be finished in a few weeks hopefully. Happy Days Bob
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Post by mrbluesky on Aug 14, 2023 6:19:02 GMT
Not much to talk about aviation wise, have been going through my Oshkosh Logs- just 53 pages checked in log book 1 from Day 1 and the 1,800 aircraft noted- after that only 1,400 plus in the log for day 2- plus 3, 4 (1000 plus), 5 (1000 plus), 6 7 and 8 and 9. The way I am going it will take some time. Reference the University if you go don't expect the Ritz- two beds per room, 1 blanket, one pillow, one sheet, one stretch sheet and a towel. Luckily I paid to have my own room, so I had two of each- so I made my bed up accordingly. We should have had the suites, but got let down, also the rooms had no air conditioning. The majority of the group complained and eventually got their air conditioned room. However as I had set up my room, I opted to stay- and it was only for a week. The food for breakfast was good with all you could eat and drink. Kelly's bar across the road was excellent with basic bar food, but nice cold beer at $5 a pint or $10 for a pitcher of Bud Light. Myself I sat at the bar each night till about 10pm. The staff were great. The girls had a laugh with you, but I think a few struggled to understand my scouse accent.  Happy Days Bob
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Post by mrbluesky on Oct 14, 2023 8:26:16 GMT
Well I finally completed my Oshkosh Trip Log- and in total I made a grand total of 6566- which included 5232 at Oshkosh also 222 Biz hit the books, for the full trip. Would I do it again- No!!! Well her who must be obeyed- who has been great whilst I have been logging- might have a say in the matter.  Would I recommend it? Oh! yes - has been the greatest experience I have had watching planes, when they say there are planes everywhere, there is. I logged everything, some didn't log the Cherokees, and Cessna's etc but I did. I walked every line. Hard work but worth it. Glad I did a lot of walking before I went, because it helped. I have spoken to some people who gave up collecting after going to Oshkosh- I must admit, it has knocked me for 6 and I have got close to that, but now its done- looking forward to some quieter aviation visits in good old Blighty. My beloved will be glad also about me not going around the house anymore singing "Oshkosh Baby". Normality has now returned with a cop here and a cop there- ahhh!!! Bliss. Happy Days Bob
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Post by rfcdave on Oct 16, 2023 12:46:18 GMT
Well done Bob,I'm still doing through my logs but nearly there
To the question would I go again,originally I thought no but now it's yes I would like to go again.
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Post by mrbluesky on Oct 16, 2023 14:20:28 GMT
Well done Bob,I'm still doing through my logs but nearly there To the question would I go again, originally I thought no but now it's yes I would like to go again. Thanks Dave, I thought about it, but although it was a fantastic experience- I think if I went again it would spoil the initial experience so its a definite no for me. Never thought I would see so many planes in one place ever- and I don't think I could stand seeing so many Mooneys, Comanches and Cessna's again. Also never thought I would fill five log books up in a week- but I did. Unbelievable. I have bought a couple of books regarding Oshkosh off Amazon and I have a framed picture of myself standing under the EAA Convention sign at Oshkosh which contains my EAA Membership card and the wristband in addition to the photo as well. Which I can look at with a tear in my eye on a daily basis. One of the lads in our group had been five years running and looked shell shocked. Starting to plan 2024 for places to go- might try and get a few balloons next year. RIAT already pencilled in, and maybe the Midland Air Festival- plus a couple of holidays with my beloved. Think I'll stop talking about Oshkosh now before I bore everyone to death. Happy Days Bob |
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