Gallery: Oshkosh Comes Alive for Friday!

Have we mentioned that the weather here at Oshkosh AirVenture 2022 is perfect? We don't mean "near perfect" or "close to perfect." It's perfect. And the mood here, no matter what else is happening in the world, is just as good. So as Jim Koepnick and Art Eichmann covered the airshow grounds, toting big lenses and bags full of bodies, they captured that mood. They probably couldn't have helped it. The highlights of today's galleries? The people! But, okay, the airplanes are amazing, too, and Art got some gorgeous shots of privately owned former military jets doing their thing in the best place in the world for this kind of showing off. Enjoy!

Oshkosh Friday - 1

A MiG 17 Korean War-era fighter flies by the crowd knife-edge at the 2022 Oshkosh EAA Fly-In. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 2

Warbird fans gather around this big WW-II-era Grumman Avenger dive bomber at Oshkosh 2022. Photo by Jim Koepnick

Oshkosh Friday - 3

This one tugged at our heartstrings. The Volkswagen Beatle, Red 3, driven by former EAA head Tom Poberezny at OSH for decades. It was one of several tributes to the younger Poberezny EAA put together around the grounds after Poberezny's death on the morning of the first day of this year's event. Photo by Jim Koepnick

Oshkosh Friday - 4

Showing the kiddos how the B-25 Mitchell bomber goes about business. Photo by Jim Koepnick

Oshkosh Friday - 5

A gust of wind prompts quick action by hat wearers checking out this Skyraider at OSH. Photo by Jim Koepnick

Oshkosh Friday - 6

A C-17 Globemaster heads out of OSH. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 7

A crowd of onlookers at the EAA Seaplane Base watch a Seabee as it docks. No pressure, though! Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 8

Kids old and young try their hands at aircraft construction in one of Oshkosh's more-than 1300 forums this week. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 9

Don't even try. There's no way you can be as cool as this kid or have as much fun! Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 10

A civilian owned T-38 supersonic jet. Yeah, we want one too. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 11

A show-goer takes a closer look at this impeccably maintained and colorfully adorned Lycoming six-banger. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 12

United Airlines brought its impressive Boeing 777-ER-SAF to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for the AirVenture Fly-In. SAF stands for Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 13

A Lockheed Martin C-17 Globemaster taxies out at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, at the 2022 Oshkosh AirVenture fly-in. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 14

A United States Air Force Lockheed Martin C-17 Globemaster flies by at the 2022 Oshkosh AirVenture fly-in. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 15

"Dude, behind you" A C-17 Globemaster ready to touch down at OSH. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 16

Cool heat distortion behind the tail of this F-35. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 17

Air Force blue. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 18

A T-33 pilot celebrates post flight at OSH. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 19

More F-35 goodness. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 20

A Lockheed Martin F-35 doing F-35 stuff we can't get enough of! Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 21

One of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds L-39s... not! A Czech-built L-39 improbably painted in Thunderbird colors. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 22

An L-39 flies by. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 23

A T-33 flies by as pretty as a picture. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 24

A pair of Canadian built CT-33s (front and back) and two SIAI Marchetti S.211 jets fly by at OSH. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 25

A Korean War-era high-subsonic fighter, the MiG 17 was a formidable opponent for American pilots. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 26

A MiG 17 lights it up and heads to the wild blue. Photo by Art Eichmann

Oshkosh Friday - 27

The USAF Lockheed F-35 flew every day at OSH, and we got so sick ... of having to wait to see it again the next day! Spectacular! Photo by Art Eichmann