Holy moley, I got me a sh*tload of photos to sort through here... and dangit, so many of them are really good, so this could mean quite a few posts.

Let's start on the grass-roots level, which is where this whole EAA thing started 50 years ago... buncha nuts designing, building, and restoring some really fun airplanes.

The Breezy has been around for a long time... usually welded up from plans with a Piper Cub wing and an O-230 or something bolted to it. Aircraft Spruce&Specialty now sells pre-cut tubing kits for them.

This is the one I took a (free) ride in- well worth almost 2 hours on line (besides, standing by the runway during AirVenture is hardly a chore). This one is pretty "standard", with no windscreen and the very common 2-person seat in the back.
The rear stick had been removed, which was a shame.

Yes, that is, in  fact, a steel mailbox attached to the left wing strut. I didn't ask...

     



Another one (there was a gathering of several of them this year) shows the possible range of Breezy personalities... very Army Air Corps.


     


Typically one or two old Craftsman steel tool boxes is attached to the frame under the engine, but this builder had something else on his mind. Or maybe it was all he had handy... 

     



The "office" of that same machine: for the pilot of a Breezy with no nose or screen, it's probably like sitting on the end of a long plank sticking out in front of the aircraft.

But the view, even for the back-seater, is unparalleled. There is simply nothing in the way, and you're out in the oncoming air, just like the pitot tube. I had to look well over my shoulder to see the wing. The only disappointment was not getting any bugs in my teeth. I guess you gotta pay extra for that.


     

Yet another permutation: this one has been flying for 25 years, and if I'm not mistaken, the owner is donating it to the museum this year. Must be a very bittersweet parting...





Now for the "etc." : forgot earlier that I had proof of the meeting of the two shady characters known as "Rottydaddy" and "Mobius."

     

Next: part 6

I have GOT to get me one of those, they look so fun!

I was looking at the last picture, and I thought something about it looked rather familiar.

Those Breezys look like loads of fun.  I looked into getting a ride, but the wait was long, and I didn't want to make my dad sit around waiting for me, so maybe next year.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the pictures.  I didn't really get too many this year, because I saw your big fancy camera, and I figured you'd get much better shots than I would, so I didn't even try.

Woo i drove all the way from Illinois to visit it!  I was there saturday and it was stinking hot.   I took a lot of pictures but my camera that i had at the time was pretty crappy and they didn't turn out that great or i would post them.  But i looked at all the sets and nice photos!