Category Archives: airshows

Air Legends Foundation Lockheed Constellation returns to AirVenture 2025

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Air Legends Foundation Lockheed Constellation C-121A returns to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2025

Aircraft is regarded as one of most beautiful airliner designs in history

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (April 3, 2025) — The Lockheed Constellation, regarded as one of most beautiful airliner designs ever created, will return to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2025 for display throughout the entire week. The 72nd edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual fly-in convention is July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The aircraft, a C-121A model that is part of the Rod Lewis collection, is owned and maintained by the Air Legends Foundation of San Antonio, Texas, and is in military markings that reflects its time as a military transport. The airplane, named Bataan, will be displayed on AirVenture’s Boeing Plaza showcase ramp during the week.

“The rarity of flying Lockheed Constellations, along with its unforgettable triple-tail design, makes this aircraft a favorite whenever it appears at Oshkosh,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “We appreciate the work of the Air Legends Foundation to bring this ‘Connie’ back to flying status and bring it to EAA AirVenture.”

Bataan was delivered to the U.S. Air Force in January 1949 to operate within the Military Air Transport Service. After being used during the Berlin Airlift to transport personnel and equipment, Bataan was converted into a VIP transport. During the Korean War, it was used as the personal transport of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who gave it its nickname. Retired in 1965, Bataan was pulled from the boneyard by NASA in support of the Apollo program before it was decommissioned in 1970. From 1970 to 1992, the airplane resided at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum before Ed Maloney of the Planes of Fame Air Museum secured it. From 1995 to 2016, Bataan resided at Planes of Fame’s auxiliary location at Valle Airport in Arizona.

Air Legends Foundation acquired the airplane in 2015, with it being flown to Chino, California, in 2016 for restoration work, which was performed by Fighter Rebuilders. The Constellation made its first post-restoration flight in June 2023 and made its inaugural Oshkosh visit a month later. Afterward, Bataan then went to Aerometal International for its historic interior finish.

About Air Legends Foundation

https://airlegendsfoundation.com

Sun N Fun 2025 Forums

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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

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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.