National Anthem

In addition to the national anthem, the AirVenture 2017 air show opening ceremony also had sky divers.

The Bone

Nicknamed the Bone (B-one), The official name of the B-1B is the Lancer. Here its wings are in the swept back configuration for high speed (supersonic) flight. It was manufactured by Boeing. Its range is listed as "intercontinental". It is a long range heavy bomber. It carries a crew of 4. Boeing says there are 66 of them in service.

Landing

Here, the Bone (B-1B Lancer) has it's wings deployed in the forward configuration for low speed maneuvering and landing.

On the Ground

The B-1B is being tractored over to Boeing Square where you can get a close look at this formidable airplane during AirVenture 2017.

A10 Thunderbolt

The engines on the Warthog are mounted on the fuselage, just ahead of the unique tail assembly. The protrusions visible just ahead of the wing house the landing gear.

A10 Armaments

In addition to the fearsome 30 mm canon in the nose, the Warthog has 10 hard points for weapons mounts under the wing and fuselage.

Thunderbolt

Known affectionately as the Warthog, the A10 Thunderbolt II is a well respected close air support and forward fire control platform. It has been operational since 1978, and still fulfills a critical role as a fearsome tank killer. The Gatling type cannon protruding from the nose is capable of firing 3900 rounds of depleted uranium 30 mm ammunition per second. The airframe is actually built around the cannon. If I counted correctly, this one also has 10 hard points for missiles, bombs, countermeasure pods and/or external fuel tanks.

F35 Lightning II - Joint Strike Fighter

This aircraft is extraordinarily difficult to photograph. My camera's autofocus could see it, but couldn't focus correctly. He's landing here. Do you see the small reflection of sunlight below the cockpit, just on the plane of the wings? Is that the size of the radar reflection? Maybe. I don't know. I guess that stealth technology really works. I think we all own a share in this aircraft, worth a hundred bucks or so. I guess I'm not complaining. It is an impressive piece of engineering art. I wish I could drive it.

F35

This is the F35 Lightning, otherwise known as the Joint Strike Fighter. Probably the most expensive aircraft ever manufactured.

Proteus

According to Wikipedia, "The Scaled Composites Model 281 Proteus is a tandem-wing High-Altitude Long Endurance aircraft designed by Burt Rutan to investigate the use of aircraft as high altitude telecommunications relays. The Proteus is actually a multi-mission vehicle, able to carry various payloads on a ventral pylon. An extremely efficient design, the Proteus can orbit a point at over 60,000 feet (19,800 m) for more than 18 hours. It is currently owned by Northrop Grumman."

Gear Down

The Scaled Composites Model 281 Proteus with gear deployed for landing.

Warbirds

I have no idea how many warbirds are at AirVenture 2017. But there must be hundreds. Here, 22 of them are putting on a light and smoke display, showcasing their formation flying skills. These folks own their airplanes, and pay their own way. The EAA doesn't compensate them at all.

Smoke and Mirrors

Well, no mirrors, but plenty of smoke and clouds. Here the B17 and its escorts perform a fly-by against the hazy sky.

Flying Fortress

The B17 Flying Fortress is a heavy bomber that was used in WWII by the US Army Air Force in Europe, and to a lesser extent, in the Pacific. Here, the B17 is accompanied by 9 fighter escort aircraft.

A closer Look

Here you can see more detail on the B17-G. Seven of the 13 50 calibre (12.7 mm) defensive machine gun positions are visible. German fighter pilots referred to this airplane as fliegendes Stachelschwein, "flying porcupine".

Pilot Training

There are plenty of interesting things for kids in the KidVenture area, near the EAA Museum

Piper Cub

This little workhorse was used in an amazing clown show. It was supposedly stolen from its owner, who ran after it, waving his arms and shouting in distress. The pilot and supposed thief, was stealing the aircraft, but he either didn't know how to fly it, or had gotten pretty well lubricated beforehand. He was really quite skilled. He dragged a wing tip on the ground several times, and did lots of strange yaw maneuvers, and even "taxied" the airplane with only one wheel on the ground.