AirVenture 2004 marked another expansive year at Oshkosh, with the showground filled by a broad mix of warbirds, homebuilts, classics and modern general aviation types. The event continued its tradition of combining flying displays with hands‑on access to aircraft on the flightline, giving visitors the chance to see both rare restorations and contemporary designs at close quarters. From frontline military demonstrations to grassroots experimental projects, the 2004 gathering reflected the full spectrum of aviation culture that defines AirVenture, set against the familiar backdrop of summer activity at Wittman Regional Airport.
Steam‑powered “ornithopter” parade vehicle with charity wing‑walking display, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 2004.
A hand‑built, steam‑powered ground‑based ornithopter used in a fundraising performance, with a lady “wing‑walking” from a tall rear platform to raise money for charity. The machine incorporates oversized wooden wheels, decorative fabric wings and a theatrical chassis, with a small child’s cart in tow. The portable buildings and visitor vehicles in the background place the scene on the AirVenture showgrounds during the 2004 fly‑in, reflecting the event’s tradition of inventive, community‑driven displays alongside the main aviation programme.
Avid Catalina amphibious ultralight, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 2004.
A kit‑built Avid Catalina parked on the grass flightline, identifiable by the Avid Aircraft bird emblem on the engine pylon, its characteristic pusher engine installation and shallow hull for water operations. The aircraft carries a purple, teal and white striping scheme across the wings and tail, with a cockpit cover fitted while parked among other light aircraft during the 2004 fly‑in.
Republic RC‑3 Seabee (CF‑FGW), EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 2004.
A Canadian‑registered Republic RC‑3 Seabee parked on the grass flightline, showing the type’s characteristic strut‑braced high wing, pylon‑mounted pusher engine and deep boat‑hull fuselage. Finished in silver with maroon and yellow striping, CF‑FGW sits among other light aircraft during the 2004 fly‑in, representing one of the most distinctive post‑war amphibians to remain active in private ownership.
Ultralight trike amphibian, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 2004.
A float‑equipped weight‑shift ultralight positioned at the water’s edge during AirVenture 2004, showing its cable‑braced delta wing, open tubular carriage and rear‑mounted pusher engine. The aircraft is fitted with aftermarket composite floats of unknown make, the branding visible on the port float but not confirmed. Finished in bright yellow sailcloth with twin floats, the ultralight is prepared for water operations on a calm lake bordered by trees.
Seaplane Base, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 2004.
A line of visiting floatplanes moored at the EAA Seaplane Base on Lake Winnebago during AirVenture 2004. The sheltered inlet, timber dock and tree‑lined shoreline provide the characteristic setting for the event’s water‑operated aircraft, with several brightly painted floatplanes resting on the calm lake under clear summer skies.
One‑off tandem‑seat parasol floatplane, photographed at the Oshkosh Seaplane Base during AirVenture 2004, finished in red and white and featuring open cockpits, a tractor engine and twin metal floats typical of bespoke homebuilt designs.
Heath V‑Strut floatplane at the Oshkosh Seaplane Base during AirVenture 2004, a tandem open‑cockpit parasol design built to the classic Heath V‑strut layout and fitted with straight twin floats in a red and white scheme with yellow struts.
Piper PA‑18 Super Cub NC70647 on straight floats at the Oshkosh Seaplane Base during AirVenture 2004, finished in classic Cub yellow and showing the type’s characteristic high‑lift wing, tandem cockpit and tall rounded tail.
Piper PA‑18‑150 Super Cub N8521Y on straight floats at the Oshkosh Seaplane Base during AirVenture 2004, finished in white and red and showing the type’s classic high‑wing STOL layout, tandem cockpit and tall rounded tail.
Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey N612MJ at the Oshkosh Seaplane Base during AirVenture 2004, a lightweight amphibious flying boat with a fibreglass hull, high strut‑braced wing, pusher engine and distinctive duck emblem on the fin, finished in bright yellow.
Piper PA‑18‑150 Super Cub on straight floats at the Oshkosh Seaplane Base during AirVenture 2004, finished in yellow and orange and showing the type’s classic high‑wing STOL layout, tandem cockpit and rounded tail surfaces.
Piper PA‑18 Super Cub N9401P on straight floats at the Oshkosh Seaplane Base during AirVenture 2004, finished in white and red and showing the type’s classic high‑wing STOL layout, tandem cockpit and rounded tail surfaces.
Cessna 172 Skyhawk on straight floats at the Oshkosh Seaplane Base during AirVenture 2004, showing the type’s characteristic high wing, strut bracing and swept‑tail profile.
Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey amphibious flying boat in blue and white afloat at the Oshkosh Seaplane Base during AirVenture 2004, with float‑equipped Cessna 172 positioned on the shoreline behind.
The Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey is a two‑seat, amateur‑built amphibious flying boat developed in the United States during the early 1990s. Designed around a fibreglass hull with stabilising sponsons, the SeaRey combines a strut‑braced high wing with a pylon‑mounted pusher engine, giving the aircraft excellent visibility, short take‑off performance and the ability to operate from both land and water. The type employs a retractable amphibious undercarriage, allowing transitions between runway and water operations without configuration changes to the hull.
SeaRey kits were supplied in various engine configurations, most commonly using Rotax powerplants in the 80–115 hp range. The aircraft’s light weight, low stall speed and forgiving handling made it popular with private builders seeking an accessible entry into recreational amphibious flying. More than 600 examples have been completed worldwide, with many operating from lakeside strips and seaplane bases across North America.
The aircraft shown here, N123XM, is finished in blue and white with yellow and green fin markings and is seen afloat at the Oshkosh Seaplane Base during AirVenture 2004. Its configuration clearly displays the SeaRey’s characteristic features: the fibreglass flying‑boat hull, side‑by‑side cockpit beneath a clear canopy, pylon‑mounted pusher propeller, and conventional tailplane carried on a short fuselage boom. The aircraft behind it is a float‑equipped Cessna 172, illustrating the contrast between hull‑type amphibians and float‑equipped landplanes within light aviation.
The aircraft is a Lake LA‑4‑200 Buccaneer, a factory‑built, four‑seat amphibious aircraft produced by Lake Aircraft in the United States. The LA‑4‑200 is the uprated 200‑hp development of the original LA‑4 series, powered by a Lycoming IO‑360 mounted on a pylon above the fuselage driving a pusher propeller. The type features a fibreglass flying‑boat hull, fully retractable tricycle undercarriage, strut‑braced high wing, and a cruciform tailplane mounted high on the fin to clear the propeller slipstream.
The example shown, C‑GENS, is afloat at the Oshkosh Seaplane Base and is finished in white and blue with yellow and green fin markings. The aircraft behind it is a float‑equipped Cessna 172.
Volmer VJ‑22 Sportsman in a silver and white scheme afloat at the Oshkosh Seaplane Base during AirVenture 2004, showing the type’s tractor‑mounted pylon engine, strut‑braced high wing and wood‑and‑fabric flying‑boat hull.
Aviat A‑1B Husky N990HP — A bright‑yellow Husky floatplane photographed in two settings, showing the type’s characteristic angular fin, single faired wing strut, tandem cockpit and rugged float installation. N990HP represents a classic example of the A‑1B’s role in bush flying and water operations, combining short‑field performance with excellent handling on lakes and rivers.
Aviat A‑1B Husky N990HP — The bright‑yellow Husky rests at the water’s edge, secured by a bow line to a buoy, showing the type’s characteristic angular fin, single faired wing strut and tandem cockpit layout. The A‑1B variant is widely regarded for its short‑field capability and stable float handling, making it a favourite among bush pilots and private owners operating from lakes and rivers. N990HP exemplifies the rugged, versatile nature of the Husky on floats.
Aviat A‑1B Husky (unidentified) — Climbing away over the open water of Lake Winnebago, the Husky is already more than twenty feet above the surface, its floats fully clear as it settles into its initial climb. With no shoreline visible in the frame, the aircraft is seen against a wide expanse of lake and sky, capturing the clean, unobstructed departure profile of a float‑equipped Husky.
Zenith STOL‑series floatplane (unidentified) — A brightly painted Zenith high‑wing STOL aircraft rests on its floats in calm water beneath a partly cloudy sky. The under‑hung Junkers‑style flaperons, thick constant‑chord wing and Rotax‑type cowl identify it as one of the Zenith STOL family, widely used in the homebuilt community for short‑field and water operations.
Republic RC‑3 Seabee (unidentified) — Seen on the grass at AirVenture 2004, this Seabee amphibian displays the type’s distinctive boat‑hull fuselage, pylon‑mounted Franklin pusher engine and high‑mounted wing. Finished in white with blue and gold trim, it represents the enduring appeal of the post‑war Seabee among private pilots and amphibious‑aircraft enthusiasts attending the 2004 Oshkosh gathering.
Lake LA‑4‑200 Buccaneer (unidentified) — Seen on the grass at AirVenture 2004, this LA‑4‑200 Buccaneer displays the type’s characteristic boat‑hull fuselage, nose‑mounted pylon engine and low wing. With its retractable amphibious undercarriage and distinctive forward fuselage profile, the Buccaneer remains one of the most recognisable light amphibians attending Oshkosh during the early 2000s.
Curtiss JN‑4 “Jenny” (scale replica “3501”) — Displayed on the grass at AirVenture 2004, this scale reproduction of the famous Curtiss JN‑4 trainer carries period‑style U.S. markings and the classic Jenny two‑bay wing cellule. Built in reduced scale for modern operation, the aircraft retains the distinctive rudder profile, wooden struts and open tandem cockpits that made the Jenny the best‑known American trainer of the First World War era.
North American SNJ‑5 Texan “602” — Displayed on the grass at AirVenture 2004, this U.S. Navy‑marked SNJ‑5 wears the classic post‑war yellow‑wing trainer scheme with red‑and‑white tail stripes and a Felix the Cat unit emblem. The SNJ served as the Navy’s advanced trainer during and after the Second World War, preparing generations of naval aviators for carrier and fleet operations.
Beechcraft T‑6A Texan II “MY‑558” — Parked on the ramp in USAF training colours, this T‑6A represents the Air Force’s primary turboprop trainer used for initial pilot instruction. The Texan II’s tandem cockpit, four‑blade propeller and distinctive white‑and‑blue scheme mark it as the backbone of modern U.S. undergraduate pilot training, with aircraft from Columbus AFB carrying the “MY” tail code.
Boeing CH‑47D Chinook “326” — Displayed on the flightline at AirVenture 2004, this U.S. Army CH‑47D represents the long‑serving tandem‑rotor transport helicopter used for troop movement, heavy‑lift and battlefield support. The D‑model’s characteristic engine housings, sponsons and matte Army finish are clearly visible, reflecting the configuration that formed the backbone of U.S. Army medium‑lift capability through the 1980s and 1990s.
Spartan A‑12 NC718N — Displayed on the flightline at AirVenture 2004, this Spartan A‑12 represents the elegant, low‑production cabin biplanes built by the Spartan Aircraft Company in the early 1930s. With its distinctive fuselage lines, enclosed cabin and classic Golden Age styling, the A‑12 served private owners and flying clubs during the inter‑war years. NC718N is one of the few surviving examples of this uncommon type.