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Before I head north let me introduce Jim Thomas with his beautiful Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser.  Jim is parked in the same row as I am.  The Ultralight runway is across the dirt road in the background.  Quick now, what is unusual about Jim's Piper Super Cruiser?

Answer: It's metalized!  There aren't many of these around.  Jim put a lot of work into restoring this beauty and is rightfully proud.  No, he didn't do the metalization.  That was done by a company called Met-Co-Aire back in 1954.  Jim lives in California but flew to Oshkosh via Fairbanks Alaska -- a slight detour.  He is currently building a Lancair Legacy.  I spent a lot of time talking to Jim throughout the show.  He is a great guy and a complete aviation enthusiast.  Meeting and talking to people like Jim is, for me, one of the best things about Oshkosh, and camping by your plane is the best way to meet such folk.  For those who would like to know more about Jim's plane, here is a picture of the information plaque he has on his prop.  Ok, now let's head north to see what we can find.