2021 EAA Air Adventure Extravaganza!

I've been to a lot of air shows over the course of 10 years since I got into photography. I have also attended many air shows before I got into photography too because of my huge love of flying and aviation.

However, the one air show I have always wanted to come to since my youth is none other than the EAA Air Adventure event held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This air show in my book is the "granddaddy" and "ultimate" of all air shows.

Here you will see the greatest variety of aircraft demonstrations I would never be able to photograph anywhere else. There were also several "once in a lifetime" opportunities that would happen right here in the course of the 4 days I got to attend this magical event. I was very much like a boy going to Disneyworld for the first time and experiencing all this great excitement.

Coming to Oshkosh and attending EAA Air Adventure has been a dream that was 30 plus years in the making. I would like to give a huge shout-out to Marge and her sister Shari for their great hospitality and assistance in making this lifelong dream a reality.

In the course of the 4 days, I attended this air show. I took some 4,000 pictures and eventually broke it down to 200 plus pictures of some of the greatest flight demonstrations and displays you'll never see anywhere else but here.

Well come along with me as I take you on this "once in a lifetime" journey as this great dream comes true!
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As you see there were no comforts and were often exposed to the elements of the weather and altitudes could be brutal. I remember it was very loud once all 4 engines were at their full power. So, this would be why a lot of these guys would have hearing losses later in life.
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As you see there were no comforts and were often exposed to the elements of the weather and altitudes could be brutal. I remember it was very loud once all 4 engines were at their full power. So, this would be why a lot of these guys would have hearing losses later in life.

  • ..And day one wraps up with a series of crop duster aircraft flight demos. There was also a storm brewing nearby which is why the sky was so dark, but it never got close enough to cause any concerns thankfully.
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  • Day 2 - Day 2 begins with a very emotional and a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will cherish for a lifetime. In this long set of photos, I am about to take a ride on the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress! A WWII bomber that saw action against the Germans and the Japanese regimes.<br /> <br /> My grandfather (Leonard F. Goike) served as a gunner (ball turret position) on this legendary aircraft. In my youth I was very lucky to have him tell me a few stories of his missions. He is the reason why I love planes and hold the high respect for our military. He lived until I was 18. His life and legacy inspired me to love the history of WWII and the great aircraft that were developed that would have a lasting impact on America and the world. We should never never forget!<br /> <br /> Here I would have the opportunity to honor his memory.
  • Here is the ball turret position where Grandpa Goike would spend up 8 hours in this contraption fending off enemy aircraft attacks.
  • As you see there were no comforts and were often exposed to the elements of the weather and altitudes could be brutal. I remember it was very loud once all 4 engines were at their full power. So, this would be why a lot of these guys would have hearing losses later in life.
  • When we boarded the aircraft and took our seats. Just by luck or a strange premonition. They put me in the seat where all the radio equipment is located at that you see here. Before I got into photography. I was a DJ. Somehow, they must've knew that...LOL...
  • Looking down on the ball turret position.
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  • This is for you Grandpa! I know you were smiling down on me.
  • This is one of the open canopies where I could get this one-of-a-kind view just inches from my seat.
  • The views of Appleton and Lake Winnebago.
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