EAA Oshkosh
1961
The October 1961 issue was a special edition all about the ninth annual EAA fly-in convention that took place August 2 -6 in Rockford, Illinois. The fly-in featured a number of “firsts.”
Fifty years ago, Duane Cole with his
modified Taylorcraft and Bill Adams with
his 450-hp Stearman were the best of the
best in the air show business. Visitors to the
EAA AirVenture Museum can view Duane
Cole’s Taylorcraft in the Aerobatics Gallery.
Interestingly, all the performers at the 1961
fly-in donated their time and equipment for
the show—an act of kindness that has become
standard practice at Oshkosh today.
Paul Poberezny hand-propping Duane Cole’s
Taylorcraft.
INSIDE THE ISSUE
PG. 19
EAA matriarch Audrey Poberezny had her first ride
in a homebuilt airplane
during the 1961 fly-in—a
two-place Skyhopper
built by Ralph Thenhaus
of Van Nuys, California,
and flown by Norm Ginn.
She tells the story in her
article “First Flights.”
PG. 31
Another first at the ‘ 61
fly-in was the “
Interview Circle,” where Nick
Rezich spoke with pilots
about their planes for the
benefit of the audience. The
tradition continues with
programs like “Vintage
in Review,” “Warbirds in
Review,” and “Plane Talk”
on ConocoPhillips Plaza.
PG. 35
And, just like today, part
of the “EAA Experience”
is camping with fellow
aviation enthusiasts. This
story highlighted camping 1961-style.
View archived issues of EAA Sport Aviation in the
Members Only section at www.Oshkosh365.com.
