'Olive drab' to grace Oshkosh, Wisconsin's EAA grounds for the 2024 49th Annual MVPA-HA International Convention

Military jeeps painted in a yellow and black checkerboard pattern were often used on military airfields to guide aircraft around the flightlines. The vehicles often had a “Follow Me” sign on the back. Follow me to Oshkosh in September of 2024! MVPA

OSHKOSH, Wis. — For three days in September of this year those “olive drab” collectors who own, restore, and operate vintage, surplus military vehicles will converge in Wisconsin for their annual international show.

The Midwest Military Vehicle Association (MMVA) Incorporated, a local affiliate of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association-Historical Archives (MVPA-HA), will host the 49th Annual International Convention in Oshkosh at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) grounds from September 12-14. By holding this year’s convention and show at Wittman Field the MVPA-HA can add historic warbirds to the 125-150 historical military vehicles anticipated to attend.

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The MVPA-HA, a 501(c)3, has nearly 4,000 members in 83 affiliate chapters worldwide and provides an organization for military vehicle enthusiasts, historians, preservationists, and collectors. These collectors acquire, restore, preserve, safely operate, display, and educate the public on historic military transportation. Members maintain “history in motion” with a wide assortment of vehicles from horse-drawn wagons, bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, jeeps, and light vehicles to heavy trucks, trailers, and tracked armored vehicles. These veteran vehicles support local parades, veteran organization events, school programs, and public displays. More information about the MVPA-HA can be found at www.mvpa.org.

This is the first time the MVPA-HA is holding this military vehicle show, vintage warbird fly-in, vendor trade show, and seminar in Wisconsin, but hopefully it will not be the last time. By conducting this show at the EAA in Oshkosh, the MVPA-HA is able to draw on the expertise of the EAA staff responsible for executing the annual AirVenture. EAA’s annual AirVenture draws 600,000 attendees and nearly 10,000 aircraft every July. Wittman Airport provides the perfect venue for a combined ground and aircraft show in anticipation of a large number of public attendees. Utilizing two of the EAA grounds hangars, there will be ample space for indoor military vehicle displays as well as indoor vendor areas. The large expanse of space around the hangars provides large spots for outdoor vendors to stage bigger items for sale.

While at the show, visit the vendor areas where various military surplus and historical items will be offered for sale, visit the vehicle display hangar and see dozens of privately owned and operated veteran vehicles, hop a shuttle and visit the EAA museum at a discounted rate for show guests, or visit the Military Veterans Museum Education Center (MVMEC) located just south of the EAA grounds.

Thursday evening will feature the live MVPA Auction of military vehicle parts and accessories. Tools, military themed items, as well as items of general interest to spouses and guests will be offered. Friday evening will feature the Annual MVPA Awards Dinner where the owners of the vehicles that were judged are recognized with plaques by the Vehicle Judging Committee. The MVPA Awards Dinner will be held in the Eagle Hangar at the EAA Museum. In the Eagle Hangar attendees will dine and socialize among the historic warbird aircraft displays. All are welcome to register and attend.

For more information, visit www.MVPA.org/convention or send an email to oshkosh24.info@mmva.us. Vendor information and specific instructions for this year’s show can be found on the MVPA-HA website as well.