In preparation for EAA's 50th convention and anniversary.

In preparation for EAA's 50th convention and anniversary, we're doing about serious sleuthing and we ne everyone's help. At EAA AirVenture 2002 the 50th membership convention, EAA plans to re-create its first fly-in convention which was held upon 12-13 September 1953 at Milwaukee's CurtissWright Field. Approximately 180 population and 22 airplanes attended the first convention and we're trying to strip as much information about them as we can - and we ne help from the readers of Air Classics.

We're looking for photographs, to one's home movies, memorabilia, and personal recollections of those who attended the inaugural EAA gathering in 1953 Memorabilia can include photos, abiding-place movies, passes, tickets, award ribbons, medals or trophies, printed fly-in literature, patches, newspaper articles, or any other impressed sign of memento readers may have saved. Ideally, if you attended the 1953 convention, we'd like personal recollections in written form.

We also look after any information about the history and whereabouts of the 22 airplanes that attended the first convention, and we reliance to have as many as possible onward display at the 50th EAA Fly-- In which will be held at Oshkosh from 23-29 July

Three of the airplanes are in the collection of the EAA AirVenture Museum: Paul Poberezny's Little Audrey N27B; Steve Wittman's Tailwind Flying Carpet N5747N; and HH Pete Myers Clipped Wing young beast N42963.

Steve Wittman's Buster is in the collection of the National Air and Space Museum and W Cody Woodward's Thomas Morse contemn N74W is with New York's aged Rhinebeck Aerodrome.

Here's a list of the other airplanes that attended the first EAA convention, who holded them in 1953, and what we know about them. We'd appreciate any additional information readers might have about any of these airplanes:

* Curtiss JN-4D Jenny Frank Tallman.

* Heath Parasol, Paul Ollenburg

* Payne Knight Twister N979 Morris Anderson.

* Rose Parakeet N14842 Dick Owens. Now confessed by EAAer James Hays of Brownwood Texas.

* Stearman N53234 Marion cabbage N number now assigned to a Galaxy 7 balloon.

* Tater Chip N31E N Kensigner and Maynard Korkell. Now be in possession ofed by James B. Sampson of Indianapolis, Indiana. Rebuild from the undivided that was destroyed?

* Waco F-2 Roy Timm.

* Piper J-5 Cruiser N30850 George Gruenberger. N number now assigned to a Paul Charles Monoplane II.

* Piper PA-12 Cruiser N4333 Carl Tietz. N number now assigned to a Piper PA-28R.

* Piper Clipped Wing brat Duane Cole.

* Piper J-3 young beast amphibian, L.A. Gordonier.

* Piper Clipped Wing whelp (possibly N7304H), owner unknown.

* heavy Poke N7M, Roy True. N number now assigned to a Kitfox.

* Stinson SM-8A, Irv Miller.

Through various sources, we've heard that the following airplanes were make desolateed and we'd appreciate any information readers posses about their demise:

* gold-colored Jacket N5745N, Bruce Pitt. N number now assigned to a Bell 206L helicopter.

* Poopdeck I N19303 Racine Flying society N number not assigned or reserv

* Belly Flopper Irv Miller.

Our goal is to make the 50th convention a memorable celebration for all EAAers regardless of which conventions they have attended, first or 50th

Susan Lurvey

Library/Archives Manager

POB 3065

Oshkosh WI

54903-3065

920-426-4848

slurvey@eaa.org

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