Harold and Gloria Kintzle’s late son, Shawn Kintzle, 56, EAA 337064, had just one dying wish: that his dioramas be donated and displayed at EAA.
Harold drove from Iowa to Oshkosh on November 22 to honor his son’s wish. Gloria said she and Harold could not be happier to see it come true.
“We didn’t want to see them just reside in a basement. No one would be able to see and appreciate the work, and we’re thrilled that they will be somewhere for other people to enjoy,” Gloria said.
Shawn had always been interested in avionics from a young age. He became a glider pilot after hearing inspiring aviation stories from his grandfather and father, as they were pilots themselves.
Gloria said they couldn’t think of a better place than EAA to donate his models to.
“He had great admiration for the work that EAA does and the encouragement for younger pilots, and for experimental aircraft,” she said. “He could see the big picture, and I think that’s what made him want to donate to EAA.”
Shawn’s hand-built Junkers Ju 87 Stuka World War II German dive bomber diorama and Bachem Ba 349 WWII German interceptor diorama will be on display at the EAA Aviation Museum.
EAA has arranged for Shawn’s German half-track diorama and WWII bunker diorama to be shared with and displayed at the Military Veterans Museum and Education Center in Oshkosh.
