EAA AirVenture Ends

Oshkosh, WI (WFRV)- EAA AirVenture wrapped up today, with what's being called a successful year from organizers.

Every year the show changes and adapts, this year over 200 Piper Cub J3 aircraft were on hand to celebrate the planes 75th anniversary, possibly a record for that many at one event.

Once again attendance totaled around half a million, with only a few rainy days and a few minor accidents.

"Every year has its own challenges here at AirVenture, very hot in the beginning of the week, then we had some small storm cells, all in all very successful, 69 nations were here, lots of aircraft special aircraft, new aircraft, it was a very successful event," said Dick Knapinski, Communications Director at EAA.

One of those special aircraft was flown by visiting pilot Bob Schafer. His plane, an Cessna 02-Skymaster was used by pilots to observe and mark targets during the Vietnam War.

"They were really at the pointy end of the spear with only their microphone as their weapon, extremely effective, respected, many didn't make it back, we enjoy saluting them and telling their story, this very airplane flew in combat in southeast Asia," Schafer said.

Before Schafer took off to head back home. Local 5 got his take on the week at EAA.

"It was a great year, every year Oshkosh is great, every year Oshkosh is different, number one you can't see anything, this year was different for us, we had some different opportunities to do some different things, so we had a great time as always."

EAA AirVenture returns to Oshkosh one year from today.