Since the Curtiss-Wright Travel Air 12W had been returned to flight and was operating beautifully, we decided to take her up to Oshkosh for the big annual EAA fly-in. (Sorry, it will never be Airventure to me!) Director Greg Heckman flew it up on Wednesday, July 15 and we got a great parking spot in the first row next to Vintage headquarters.

Once Airventure, er…Oshkosh started, we were invited to bring the 12W to the new Bill & Myrt Rose display area for its formal dedication by EAA president Jack Pelton and VAA president Geoff Robison. The old C-W provided a perfect backdrop to the short ceremony.

EAA president Jack Pelton, Myrt Rose and VAA president Geoff Robison at the dedication ceremony for the new Bill & Myrt Rose viewing area.

Afterward, Greg Heckman and I were interviewed for a video segment on the three aircraft that were brought in for the display. Here is the 8-minute video provided by EAA:

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Once the 12W had properly marked her territory on the new colored concrete with a few drips of oil, she enjoyed center stage for the rest of the day until being moved back to her parking spot with the rest of the vintage mortals.

The Kelch Aviation Museum’s Curtiss-Wright Travel Air 12W at the new Bill and Myrt Rose display area at Vintage Aircraft Association headquarters in Oshkosh.

The 12W at the new Bill and Myrt Rose display area at Vintage headquarters in Oshkosh. She even marked her territory on the new concrete in true radial engine style!

Later in the week, Greg and I were interviewed again by Budd Davisson for a future article in Vintage Airplane Magazine. Greg flew her home on Sunday, July 26th without any trouble. Many thanks to EAA and VAA for the all the good PR and to the many people who stopped by to chat during the fly-in.

–Pat Weeden, curator