Category Archives: aircraft ownership

Warbirds in Review during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025

Posted on by

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

Sun N Fun 2025 Forums

Posted on by

If you are at Sun N Fun 2025 check out my forums.

Location  – Room 10.
Tue, April 1 – 10 things you need to know before buying aviation insurance @ 9:00:00 AM
Tue, April 1 – Aircraft Buying 101: Picking the best aircraft for you @ 10:00:00 AM
Tue, April 1 – What’s the Real Cost to own an aircraft! @ 11:00:00 AM

Wed, April 2 – Alternate aircraft ownership options @ 9:00:00 AM
Wed, April 2 – Aircraft Buying 101: Picking the best Aircraft for You @ 10:00:00 AM
Wed, April 2 – 10 things you need to know before buying aviation @ 11:00:00 AM

Thu, April 3 – Alternate aircraft ownership options @ 10:00:00 AM
Thu, April 3 – What’s the Real Cost to own an aircraft! @ 11:00:00 AM

Centennials for Fairchild, Travel Air aircraft at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025

Posted on by

Centennials for Fairchild, Travel Air aircraft to be celebrated at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (February 26, 2025) — Two iconic aircraft types from the Golden Age of Aviation between the World Wars, Fairchild and Travel Air, will celebrate their centennial years during activities at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025. The 72nd annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The 100th anniversary year for each aircraft will welcome those airplanes to the AirVenture flight line, with additional programs and activities held in conjunction with the Fairchild and Travel Air type clubs. All owners of Fairchild and Travel Air aircraft are invited to be part of the centennial activities.

“Each of these aircraft companies were founded in 1925, but took very different paths through their histories,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Each of these aircraft types made unique contributions to the world of flight, especially the momentous era from 1920 until 1940.”

Fairchild Aircraft was founded in 1925 as a builder of aircraft stable enough for aerial photography and mapping. While the company created a significant number of civilian passenger airplanes in its first 15 years, it was during World War II that the company turned to military aircraft production, especially trainers and transports. It continued that focus through acquisitions of Hiller Aircraft and Republic Aircraft in the 1960s. Its final major production aircraft was the legendary A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the Warthog, from 1972 through 1984.

The EAA Aviation Museum currently has the oldest Fairchild aircraft in existence, a 1927 FC-2W model. It is in early American Airlines markings as it served as an early carrier after flying for Interstate Airlines.

The Travel Air Manufacturing Company’s short history was a partnership of three famous names in aviation history: Walter Beech, Clyde Cessna, and Lloyd Stearman of Wichita, Kansas. The three men were part of the Swallow Aircraft Company but in 1925, struck out on their own to create versatile biplanes in a 30-by-30-foot space in downtown Wichita. After some early success, the partnership separated with Stearman and then Cessna moving to their own businesses. The company was eventually absorbed into the Curtiss-Wright Corporation in 1929 and ended production in 1931 during the Great Depression.

EAA continues the legacy of the company with its Travel Air 4000, which is one of the oldest aircraft in the world offering passenger flights with its seasonal operations at the EAA Aviation Museum’s Pioneer Airport.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s membership convention. Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.EAA.org/airventure. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.EAA.org.