I’d love to do something like this in the Auster
http://generalaviationnews.com/2015/11/15/around-the-world-in-a-kr2/
Although I’m sure he needed a bit more planning than he implies (just for permits for a non-certified plane in some countries, and more for the more authoritarian countries he had to pass through on his trip!) That was one great thing about when I did my 2 months off touring the US in a Cessna 140 – I could get up, pack my tent, look at where the weather generally was best and just head that way with no need to get permits or even ask anyone for PPR or airport opening hours etc. (Once or twice I changed my destination in-flight because something looked interesting on the chart).
The KR was stored in a local hangar for a while, and it was fun to chat when he returned to get the plane and continue onwards. We discussed some of the planning issues and my impression was that things ‘on the ground’ do not always operate as they might appear to operate in prior discussion.
This Cessna 140 made it to Oshkosh and back to Argentina earlier this year.
Speaking of flying to Oshkosh from far away… the craziest I remember is a Kompress (a kit-built helicopter) flying in from French Alps. Pilot went on to the west but his trip ended in Russia. I don’t know if he ever managed to get his machine back or whether it’s still rotting there.
Looking at the mogas STC there are some useful vintage round the world candidates. Prompted by the mountain wind thread, the Beech Staggerwing looks a nice long legged IFR platform that might cope with mogas.
http://generalaviationnews.com/2011/05/16/warbirds-airshows-and-autogas/
A Howard DGA would be great for around the world flying, if you can afford to feed 450 HP. 1100 nm range, same engine as the Staggerwing, less complex, more modern
…and here is one for sale at between a third and half the price of a Staggerwing. DGA being damned good airplane.
This is a very interesting story:
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/southernsun/1/tpod.html
And there is Jon Johanson and his RV-4. He did it three times: East, west and north-south
Thanks for that link. A very inspring and brave story.