Heroes and historic military aircraft have their stories shared at Warbirds in Review during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 22, 2025) — Warbirds in Review, an unparalleled presentation series during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh that brings together historic airplanes with pilots and aircraft owners, returns in 2025 with guests that encompass 80 years of aviation and military history. The 72nd edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention is July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
The twice-daily series of “up close and personal” stories will be held July 21-26 at the Warbirds in Review aircraft ramp, located within the EAA Warbirds of America area on the AirVenture grounds. The series is open to all attending AirVenture.
“Warbirds in Review features veterans, aviation legends, and aircraft that simply cannot be seen together in one place anywhere else in the world,” said Connie Bowlin, past president of the EAA Warbirds of America, who organizes the series. “Many of these veterans maintain that they were just doing their jobs and nothing heroic or extraordinary, but that could not be further from the truth. Their stories and unique perspectives on the aircraft showcased at Oshkosh are insightful, poignant, and important for the public to hear.”
The aircraft and personalities scheduled as of May 22, 2025 (subject to change without notice):
Monday, July 21
- 10 a.m. – North American B-25 “Panchito” – Larry Kelley and family members of the late Doolittle Raiders Richard Cole, David Thatcher, and Robert Hite
- 1 p.m. – Cessna L-19 Bird Dog – POW Col. (Ret.) Bill Reeder; and Col. (Ret.) Charlie Finch, Catkiller 19; plus Gerry Asher (Fort Worth Aviation Museum); and John Carlton
Tuesday, July 22
- 10 a.m.- North American P-51 Mustang Air Racers (Thunderbird, Bardahl Special, and Plum Crazy) – Justin Zabel, Warren Pietsch, Vicky Benzing, Clay Lacy, and Steve Hinton Jr.
- 1 p.m.- Curtiss P-40 Warhawk – Butch Schroeder, Craig Davidson, and David Burroughs.
Wednesday, July 23
- 10 a.m. – Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe and North American P-51 Mustang – Lt. Col. (Ret.) Joseph Peterburs (who shot down an Me 262 in combat during World War II); plus Mike Spalding and Keegan Chetwynd, Military Aviation Museum
- 1 p.m. – Republic P-47 Razorback Bonnie and Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt – Bernie Vasquez and Maj. Nick “Rock” Sand
Thursday, July 24
- 10 a.m. – Lockheed P-38 Lightning Jandina III – Jason Muszala and Robert “Robbie” Robbins
- 1 p.m. – Grumman F7F-3P Tigercat, F6F Hellcat, F4F-3 Wildcat, and F8F-2 Bearcat – Rod Lewis and Steve Hinton Sr.
Friday, July 25
- 10 a.m. – Curtiss-Wright SB2C Helldiver – Ron Fagen, Evan Fagen, and Ray Fowler
- 12:30 p.m. – 75th anniversary of the Korean War with Vought F4U Corsair, Douglas AD-4 Skyraider, and Douglas A26 Invader – Jim Tobul, Kevin Sinibaldi (Military Aviation Museum), and Roger Woolsey
- 1:30 p.m. – Parade – Veterans Tribute
Saturday, July 26
- 10 a.m. – Beech QU-22B – David Valaer
