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I thought we'd "go wide" here, as they say in TV, to give you an idea of the vast number of airplanes that came to Oshkosh primarily as transportation and not for show. It's just amazing.

Ken and Carol Wood of Overgard, Arizona own this beautiful Stinson V77. It's a 1944 model, one of about 500 built for the Canadian Air Force as spotter planes. It was released for public sale in 1946 and the Woods bought it in California in 1989.

Ken says the plane sat outside for quite awhile, so it needed a lot of work. The restoration was completed just about two weeks before Oshkosh. Being a military model, it needed everything. There was no upholstery, not much seating (board seats) and no right-side door. But it's a real flier!

The brawny airplane has a 300 hp Lycoming R680. Ken spent a long time getting the engine to stop contributing oil to the soil of Arizona, but it's now in great shape. He says the plane is slow, but very stable, delivering about 105 knots.

"On landing, you've got very good visiblity; the plane settles into a stall at around 60-63," Ken says, "so if your approach speed's at 70, it just goes right on."

Clearly, the Stinson's a family project. Carol continued wiping and grooming the big plane while we talked, making it shine like your Mama's best china. There's a whole lotta surface to deal with.

The two collaborated on a Christen Eagle before settling into the Stinson. Ken says the Eagle was kind of hard to part with, but the Stinson has some wonderful features, too. You can see (right) that what was once pure utility has picked up its touches of luxury. I really liked those chromed control wheels and outside steps.

A couple more for your scrap-book:

That's a Ryan on the left and a whole buncha Red Baron Stearmen on the right.

The air show that takes place every afternoon during the convention is mesmerizing! Everytime you think you might get up and go someplace else, they bring on another act just as good as the last.

I got a beauty of a sunburn (even with a hat) but I just could not bring myself to leave before it was over. When it finally was done, the crowd was emotionally exhausted and ready for dinner. Man!!

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