JACK, HUGH, TOM & RICK'S BIG
ADVENTURE
TO AIRVENTURE 2003
by Rick R. Jones
Jack made the big trip in his 182 again this year but
it had a greater
purpose than years past. Jack's nine year old grandson Hugh was along for
the fun. This is something Jack has waited nine years for and it was well
worth the wait. Hugh had a blast and we had fun just watching.
Tom Martin was Jack's 182 co-pilot this year. It was Tom's first trip
to Oshkosh too so you would frequently see him with his mouth gapped open while
looking up and around in awe.
I was fortunate enough this year to earn one of the EAA Web Editor awards.
The award was to be presented on stage at the Theater in The Woods.
I scrambled to make last minute plans for the trip. I booked a free commercial
flight up to Milwaukee, rented a car and was lucky enough to book a dorm room at
the university. When it was time to come home the guys convinced me to ride back
in the 182 out of Fond Du Lac. Otherwise I was on standby to get home sometime
Saturday, maybe.
JACK'S PICTURES
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That lucky Hugh gets Chuck Yeagars autograph on his favorite cap.
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Hugh getting a firm shake from Bob Hoover.
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A group shot with Dick Rutan. Left to right, Tom, Dick, Hugh and Jack.
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Hugh giving the Wright Flyer simulator a go.
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Couldn't resist trying on that Black Hawk.
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THEATER IN THE WOODS
Hugh was a real trooper this day. We had him going since 6:00 AM. He finally
crashed and fell asleep bent over double in his seat half way through Chuck
Yeagar and Bud Anderson's war stories. It's evident with his deer in the
headlights stare pictured below. It was after 10:00 PM and Hugh never once
complained.
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Here I am receiving the fifth place Web Editors award from Bob Macky. |
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This group of retired generals along with fellow aviators Jack Rouse and Roy Clark showed the crowd a great time. I wish I rememberd all the names but of coarse Chuck Yeagar and Bud Anderson are the second and third from the left. |
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They rushed us out just as a bad storm was approaching. We trucked it on over to the bus stop and had someone take this picture of us hiding from the rain under the much appreciated shelter. I think we got the last bus and rode back to the dorm in the driving rain. |
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HUGHS H-1 RACER
What a great loss. It was hard to believe when reading the e-mail about Jim
Wright's fatal crash while returning from Oshkosh in the Hughs replica. This
aircraft was really something to see. The craftsmanship was just awesome. I only
wish I had stood around long enough to speak with Mr. Wright.
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The caftsmanship can be seen in the hand shaped engine cowl. |
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The beautiful lines of the Hughs racer. |
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A shot of the cockpit. |
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A neat shot down the tail. The trim system looks like a series of bungies. |
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MAKING A SPLASH
I made an effort this year to see what the sea base was all about. It was a
short school bus ride from the far south end of the field followed by a short
hike down a path through the woods. This was a real treat. These folks are
all laid back in the shade with quite a different pace than at the main show. It
was fun watching the planes come and go.
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There was a steady pace of planes taxing up to unload and then being pulled out for moring in the nice little bay. |
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A Citabria giving Young Eagle rides. Man did I ever want to be seven-teen for the day. |
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Updated
Sunday January 14, 2007
