Planes damaged by storms at AirVenture

OSHKOSH - The storms Thursday afternoon damaged a couple of planes at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh.  The wind blew one plane on top of another.

• Photos: Severe weather July 25-26, 2012

David Thompson's three quarter P-51 Mustang is very important to him.

"I've always wanted a P-51 since I was three years old," said Thompson.

But Thursday afternoon's heavy wind and rain did some damage to Thompson's dream plane.

"The aircraft that was tied down next to me had flipped upside down on top of my aircraft," said Thompson.

EAA officials told FOX 11 there were a few reports of damage like this.

There were no reports of serious injuries, even though campers like Shawn Scott had a rough time in the rain.

"I was in the tent, holding it up from collapsing," said Scott, pointing out another tent that had crumpled under the weather.

EAA spokesman Dick Knapinski told us protecting people and property from the weather are two top concerns.

"We are watching the weather constantly.  You probably don't have a more weather-aware group than pilots.  We have the National Weather Service on site," said Knapinski.

Pilots are required to securely tie down planes and visitors are given weather warnings and step-by-step directions on how to stay safe.

"They receive instructions on where to go if there is severe weather - everything from finding secure shelter to if you have to ride it out in your camper or vehicle, what to do," said Knapinski.

As for Thompson, he estimated about $5,000 in damage to his plane, which he said he will definitely pay to fix, saying of his P-51, "I love it very, very much."

The plane that hit Thompson's was tied down. it's unclear how secure that was, however, and Thompson told us he's learned a lesson from this for next year

"I will look at all the other aircraft in the area and make sure I'm secure with their tie downs," said Thompson.