Duggy's Back!

On Monday, representatives with the Experimental Aircraft Association told ANN the Douglas DC-3, "Duggy" -- known as "The Smile in the Sky" that helps young people discover the world of flight, and quite possibly the world's friendliest DC-3 -- is scheduled to return to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2006.

The bright yellow DC-3 with the smiling face will be at EAA AirVenture throughout the week on the event's AeroShell Square main showcase area. As in 2005, Duggy will also be used as a jump plane by the Liberty Parachute Team for the opening of the afternoon air show each day at Oshkosh.

The airplane was built in 1942 and served in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. The airplane was then owned by Transport Canada for 50 years before Harry Barr bought it in 1995. In 1998, Harry Thompson and Bob Odegaard obtained the airplane and in 2005, the DC-3 was reconditioned in its bright "Duggy" paint scheme created by illustrator Mitch Carley and began its "Dreams Do Come True!" mission at aviation events throughout the country.

In addition to "Captain Bob" Odegaard, "Captain Rob" Challans -- who is also a business owner of the Duggy franchise - will be at Oshkosh greeting and meeting the kids and parents who attend EAA AirVenture.

The 54th annual EAA fly-in convention will be held July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

FMI: www.airventure.org, www.duggy.com, www.youngeagles.org