History

December 18, 2024December 18, 2024

EAA’s Attic — Corsair Pilot Helmets

This piece originally ran in the November 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. These flight helmets were worn by Wesley Todd, who flew Corsairs as a Marine Corps fighter ... Read more

November 7, 2024November 7, 2024

Grumman F8F-2/G-58A Bearcat: An Air-to-Air Photo Mission

History, Member Stories, Warbirds

Story and photos by Todd, EAA 1571783, and Kelley Whitaker, EAA 1571782 Todd, EAA 1571783, and Kelley Whitaker, EAA 1571782, of WhitPics Media had the opportunity to attend the 2024 ... Read more

October 28, 2024October 28, 2024

‘Recognize the Moment’ With Record-Breaking Race Pilot at Museum Speaker Series

Aerobatics, History, Speaker Series

Skip Holm – a highly-accomplished Air Force fighter pilot, Skunk Works test pilot, air show and race pilot, and movie pilot – will be the final speaker for the 2024 ... Read more

October 24, 2024October 24, 2024

EAA’s Attic — Steve Wittman’s Pan Am Passenger Certificate

EAA Museum, History

This piece originally ran in the September 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Back when a commercial flight was still an event to dress to the nines for, Pan ... Read more

October 24, 2024October 24, 2024

EAA Chapters 26 and 441 Join in Peter Bowers Tribute

History, Member Stories

By Ron Wanttaja, EAA 275698, EAA Chapter 26 & 441 Newsletter Editor Dick Scobee Field in Auburn, Washington, just south of Seattle, has been painting large murals on the end ... Read more

October 17, 2024November 12, 2024

What Our Members Are Building/Restoring — Washington Murphy Rebel

History, Member Stories

By Tim Fiedler, EAA Lifetime 256056 This piece originally ran in the September 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. This was started in 1992 by Jim LePard, an A&P/IA ... Read more

October 10, 2024October 10, 2024

The Return of the Curtiss Hawk II

EAA Museum, History

By Hans J. Storck, EAA 1589326, with thanks to Fred Barber, EAA 8784 Al Williams was kicking his 1000-hp Gulfhawk hard over the Cleveland Municipal Airport at the National Air ... Read more

October 10, 2024October 10, 2024

Pioneer Airport at 40: The Stories That Can Be Told…

EAA Museum, History

By Dick Knapinski The vintage airplanes out behind the EAA Aviation Museum have always had their stories. Now that their home, Pioneer Airport, has turned 40 years old, that unique ... Read more

October 3, 2024October 3, 2024

Hang Loose

History, Member Stories

By David Smith, EAA 1298935, and Ronald Smith This piece originally ran in the August 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Following much reporting on the Hang Loose hang ... Read more

September 26, 2024September 26, 2024

EAA’s Attic — Leo Gray’s Tuskegee Airmen Uniform

Attic, EAA Museum, History

This piece originally ran in the August 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. This uniform was worn by Tuskegee airman Leo Gray. Originally from Boston, Gray volunteered for the ... Read more

September 26, 2024September 26, 2024

A Different Sort of Restoration

History, Member Stories

By Kevin Renshaw, EAA 133861 On May 30, the Fort Worth Aviation Museum (FWAM) unveiled the static display restoration of YF-16 No. 2 (USAF tail number 72-01568) following a four-year ... Read more

September 5, 2024September 5, 2024

Uncover the Months Following 9/11 at Museum Speaker Series

History, Speaker Series

By Emme Hornung Returning from the 2023 edition of the 9/11 Aviation Adventure Speaker Series, retired FDNY Deputy Chief Charles R. Blaich brings with him colleague and friend Dr. Michael ... Read more

August 22, 2024August 22, 2024

Reintroducing Solar Riser: The World’s First Crewed Solar-Powered Aircraft

AirVenture, EAA Museum, History

By Angela Satterlee On June 28, the EAA Aviation Museum welcomed back the Mauro Solar Riser aircraft, the world’s first crewed ultralight powered by solar energy. It is on display ... Read more

August 1, 2024August 1, 2024

EAA’s Attic — XP-51 Ammo Can

EAA Museum, History

This piece originally ran in the June 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. This XP-51 ammo can is an original component from the EAA Aviation Museum’s North American XP-51 ... Read more

July 27, 2024July 27, 2024

The Two Flags

AirVenture, History

By Jim Roberts When the 2024 Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight departed Wittman Regional Airport on Friday morning, July 26, a unique passenger was on board. Accompanying the 100 local Vietnam ... Read more

July 25, 2024July 25, 2024

Replica Fighters Association

AirVenture, History

By Robbie Culver In my dreams, I fly a World War I Sopwith Camel. I’m wearing a leather flying coat emblazoned with my squadron’s emblem, a leather helmet, and goggles, ... Read more

July 24, 2024July 24, 2024

WWII Airborne Demonstration Team

AirVenture, History

By Robbie Culver Kevin Conner is part of the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team based in Frederick, Oklahoma, that operates two World War II-era Douglas aircraft, the C-47 Boogie Baby and ... Read more

June 26, 2024June 26, 2024

EAA’s Attic — Joe Engle’s College Binder

Attic, History

This piece originally ran in the May 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Even astronauts feel a sense of pride toward their alma mater! NASA astronaut Joe Engle, EAA ... Read more

June 25, 2024July 2, 2024

Snowbirds: Per Ardua Ad Astra

Aerobatics, History, Warbirds

By Michael Martin, EAA 1047599, Toronto, Ontario The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are a classic symbol, and they are about as Canadian as one can ever be. The RCAF’s motto is: ... Read more

May 2, 2024

Two Historic Aircraft Take to the California Sky

History, Honoring The Past

Todd and Kelley Whitaker, EAA 1571783 and 1571782, took to the California sky to capture two historic aircraft: P-47D Bonnie and P-51D Goldfinger, capturing Bonnie over the Golden Gate Bridge ... Read more

March 7, 2024

EAA’s Attic — American Airlines Stewardess Uniform, 1969

History

Complete vintage stewardess uniforms are hard to come by, and the EAA Aviation Museum is lucky to have this recent donation in its collection. From 1969, this is the American ... Read more

October 5, 2023

How a General Aviator Inspired UFO Folklore

History

The extraterrestrial frenzy we’re experiencing these days is nothing new. General aviation pilot Kenneth Arnold is widely credited with being the inspiration for the modern era of UFO folklore after ... Read more

July 12, 2023

Old Friends Reunited

History

Whether it is in our museum or on the road, it is always wonderful to have a moment to talk with someone associated with an aircraft type that we have ... Read more

May 1, 2023May 1, 2023

There Were Dragons in Canada

Bits and Pieces, History

A brief history of the de Havilland DH.84 Dragon biplane in Canada.

February 9, 2023February 9, 2023

Orin Welch and the China National Aviation Corporation

History, Member Stories

EAA member Brandon Ross Abel remembers his great-uncle — an aircraft designer and cargo pilot who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II.

February 6, 2023

Remember Weenie Jackets?

Bits and Pieces, History

For those of you old enough to still remember the 1970s and 1980s, here’s a touch of nostalgia for you.

February 6, 2023February 6, 2023

Ed Batchelor — A Legend You May Not Have Heard About

History

Learning more about a World War II veteran and Canadian aviation icon.

October 27, 2022November 3, 2022

Repurposing History

History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Breathing new life into some scrap pieces left over from the restoration of EAA’s B-25.

October 19, 2022October 20, 2022

Before Oshkosh, Before AirVenture

History, Member Stories

EAA member John Meyers looks back on a grand adventure from his teenage years when he attended the annual EAA fly-in convention in Rockford, Illinois.

September 20, 2022

Ray Scholar Flies With a Hero

History, Youth & Young Eagles

Ray scholar Daniel Roberts recently had a unique opportunity: flying with a WWII vet aboard B-25 Berlin Express.

September 15, 2022

The Taylorcraft Flies Again

History

A few days ago, my chance finally came to fly in a vintage, single-engine airplane, now long out of production.

September 1, 2022September 7, 2022

9/11 Fighter Pilot to Host Speaker Series

History, Speaker Series

Maj. Heather “Lucky” Penney, EAA 1266991, known for her involvement in attempting to stop Flight 93 on 9/11, will be speaking about her experiences on Sunday, September 11, at 7 ... Read more

August 17, 2022

Remembering How Tom Helped Keep the Spirit of Flight Alive

History, Stories Of Oshkosh

Philip Handleman, EAA Lifetime 227599, joins the many who have taken the time to share a heartfelt tribute after the recent loss of former longtime EAA President Tom Poberezny.

June 15, 2022June 16, 2022

Remembering the Candy Bomber

History, Honoring The Past

A gathering was held recently to honor the memory of Gail “Hal” Halvorsen, the pilot who became famous as the heroic “candy bomber” during the Berlin Airlift.

May 10, 2022May 10, 2022

EAA’s Attic — Voyager Flight Food Packets

Attic, History

A closer look at unused food packets from Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager’s around-the-world Voyager flight in 1986.

April 29, 2022April 29, 2022

WWII Aircraft Ads Discovery

Bits and Pieces, History

Spring cleaning turned up a couple of WWII-era Saturday Evening Post magazines for one EAA member.

April 21, 2022April 21, 2022

North American Aviation Archivists to Present at Museum Speaker Series

EAA Museum, History

Ken Jungeberg and Ester Aube, who are working to digitize original drawings from North American Aviation, will present on Thursday, April 28, at 7 p.m. as part of the EAA ... Read more

December 16, 2021

Life From Below a Bomber

History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Wartime reflections from a B-17 Flying Fortress ball turret gunner.

September 2, 2021September 2, 2021

The Passing of a Mentor

History, Honoring The Past

Gene Schumacher loved anything that flew, and he flew anything he could. Gene bought the flight school that became Pro Flight in 1996, where he became a mentor to so ... Read more

August 31, 2021

NYPD to Assist EAA in Remembrance of 9/11

EAA Museum, History

As a way to remember those lost and honor the memory of the day, EAA has been hosting an event each 9/11 to pay tribute to the heroes of that ... Read more

July 31, 2021

Ace Told His Story at AirVenture

AirVenture, History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Donald McPherson came to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 to get with a special friend from the past. Parked on the Warbird ramp is a Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat restored exactly like ... Read more

July 30, 2021

A Great Big Little Bomber

AirVenture, History, Homebuilding, Member Stories

“It’s just an airplane.” That’s how the late Jack Bally, EAA 348338, a lifelong pilot and builder, described his one-third scale replica of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress — just ... Read more

July 29, 2021July 29, 2021

Poberezny Legacy Tour

AirVenture, History, Honoring The Past, Member Stories

You can learn interesting stories about Paul and Audrey Poberezny, as well as see the 9-acre grounds that they once called home as part of the Poberezny Legacy Tour.

July 24, 2021

Schaick, Scholler, and Mulva – The Names Behind the Signs

AirVenture, History, Member Stories

Like any other medium-sized city, the names of roads and other areas in and around the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh grounds are identified by signs.

June 16, 2021

The Wichawk Turns 50

History, Homebuilding, Honoring The Past, Member Stories

Remembering my dad’s design, 50 years after its first flight.

May 27, 2021May 27, 2021

Memories of a B-24 Radio Operator

History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

One of the things which has always amazed me the most about our veterans, regardless of which era you are talking, is the age at which they were asked to ... Read more

April 15, 2021

New York Nonprofit Organization Restoring Rare Yak-12

DIY, History, Honoring The Past

Antique and Classic Aircraft International, a nonprofit organization based in Long Island, New York, is in the process of restoring a rare Yakovlev Yak-12 to airworthiness.

March 25, 2021March 25, 2021

Lt. Col. Harry T. Stewart Jr., Tuskegee Airman, and a Tribute to His Colleagues

AirVenture, History, Honoring The Past, Stories Of Oshkosh

A young reenactor pays tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen and other veterans of color, and I was happy to be there to document it.

March 18, 2021

A Legacy Remembered Through Art

Celebrating Women, History, Honoring The Past

A C-17 from the 452nd Air Mobility Wing gets a special piece of artwork.

March 11, 2021March 11, 2021

Tribute to the Grandest Aviatrix: NC8407

History, Member Stories

An aircraft was just turning final and my brother stopped the car for a clear view. It looked very sturdy, like our Eads Bridge in St. Louis. We recognized it ... Read more

February 4, 2021February 4, 2021

A New Home for the Hagerstown Aviation Museum

History, Honoring The Past

The Hagerstown Aviation Museum in Hagerstown, Maryland, showcases a number of Fairchild aircraft developed and produced in the local area.

September 23, 2020September 23, 2020

Finding the Right Stuff

History, Honoring The Past

Get a glimpse behind the scenes of a new television series focusing on the legendary Mercury 7 astronauts.

June 4, 2020June 4, 2020

Easy Company Paratrooper Shares His Story

History, Honoring The Past

I have conducted hundreds of interviews with veterans and people of interest in aviation and history. So, why was I nervous for this one? I was about to call one ... Read more

May 20, 2020May 20, 2020

Experiencing the Pacific Theater on the USS Hornet

History, Honoring The Past

As they moved away from the mainland United States, the ship’s captain, Marc A. Mitscher, came on the loudspeaker. Richard still remembers the words he heard come out across the ... Read more

April 16, 2020April 16, 2020

EAA’s Attic — Gorgon Missile Models

EAA Museum, History

Project Gorgon was a decade-long (1943-1953) development program by the U.S. Navy to develop both air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, as well as effective control and guidance technologies.

March 25, 2020March 25, 2020

Looking Back in Time Through a B-24 Bombardier’s Mementos

History, Honoring The Past

When Jack Harrington handed me a stack of B-24 Liberator items from World War II, his only ask to me was, “Maybe you can use this for something and share ... Read more

March 10, 2020June 30, 2020

UH-1 Huey to Make its Home in the Museum

EAA Museum, History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

One day not long ago, a gentleman walked by my office and asked in sort of a grumpy manner, “When is something new coming in?” I told him we are ... Read more

February 27, 2020March 2, 2020

Bailing Out Near Berlin

History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

For Norman Bussel, December 7, 1941, started out like any other Sunday. He was visiting his grandmother along with other family when they heard the news on the radio that ... Read more

February 19, 2020February 19, 2020

The Devil Is in the Details — 1928 de Havilland Gipsy Moth

History, Honoring The Past, Vintage

This 1928 de Havilland Gipsy Moth was originally shipped to the U.S. as part of the company’s first dealership in this country.

February 19, 2020February 19, 2020

EAA’s Attic — Computer, Triple Slide With Instruction Book

EAA Museum, History

This slide rule calculator was designed and manufactured by the Standard Aeronautical Co. of Chicago, Illinois, in 1916. It was intended to “supplement the slide rule for the special calculations ... Read more

February 12, 2020February 12, 2020

EAA Staffers to Present on B-29 Doc at EAA Aviation Museum

EAA Museum, History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

EAA staffers Sean Elliott and Chris Henry to present on Boeing B-29 Doc at EAA Aviation Museum on February 20.

January 9, 2020January 9, 2020

Original Builder Inscriptions Found on EAA Travel Air

EAA Museum, History, Vintage

The mechanics working on the restoration of EAA’s classic Travel Air found something truly incredible when they uncovered its wings: inscriptions on the original ailerons that date back to the ... Read more

December 5, 2019December 5, 2019

EAA’s Attic — Emergency Sustenance Kit — Type E-3

Attic, EAA Museum, History

This World War II escape-and-sustenance kit was developed by the U.S. Army Materiel Command and designed to be hidden in a jacket pocket and carried by air crew.

October 17, 2019October 17, 2019

How We Found Our Way

History, Honoring The Past

How the post office laid the foundation for modern aerial navigation.

October 2, 2019October 3, 2019

The Women Behind the Lightning

EAA Museum, History, Honoring The Past

The EAA Aviation Museum’s P-38 Lightning is an L model of the famous fighter that was built by Rosies. When it rolled down the assembly line in California in June ... Read more

October 2, 2019October 2, 2019

MASH — Memories of a Korean War Helicopter Pilot

History, Warbirds

Richard went from being less than pleased about his assignment to being proud of his role. Many felt that the helicopter pilot’s job was the most important role one could ... Read more

August 29, 2019August 29, 2019

Name These Airplanes!

History, Honoring The Past

Put your aviation knowledge to the test with this short multiple choice quiz.

August 14, 2019August 14, 2019

Our Hike Into the British Columbia Bush to the Canso Bomber Wreckage

History, Member Stories

At 2300 on the night of February 10, 1945, a Royal Canadian Air Force Consolidated PBV-1A* Catalina serial No. 11007, also known as the Canso, took off from RCAF Tofino ... Read more

July 27, 2019July 28, 2019

Suiting Up — C-53 Painted With D-Day Invasion Stripes

Air Show, AirVenture, History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

In recognition of the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the Dakota Territory Air Museum of Minot, North Dakota, participated with its fleet of aircraft in the air show yesterday. In addition ... Read more

July 26, 2019August 21, 2019

Memories Personified ⁠— Patches and the Memories Behind Them

AirVenture, Celebrating Women, History, Honoring The Past

By Kayla Floyd Nancy Walters holds many memories, as well as many patches. Nancy has been coming to the EAA fly-in convention since 1980 when she flew to Oshkosh in ... Read more

July 26, 2019July 26, 2019

Back in the Family ⁠— A Glasair With History Returns to the Fold

AirVenture, History

By Barbara A. Schmitz Austin Bowman, then 14, recalled being upset, even mad, when his parents sold the family’s Glasair in 2000 that his dad, Skip, had built soon after ... Read more

July 26, 2019July 26, 2019

Here for Them All ⁠— 50 Years of Volunteering in Oshkosh

AirVenture, History, Member Stories, Stories Of Oshkosh

By Barbara A. Schmitz Bob Herman has been attending the EAA fly-in convention for 51 years, and volunteering for 50 of those years. “But I didn’t realize I was volunteering ... Read more

July 25, 2019July 25, 2019

Whirling Around the World — Taking a Gyroplane on a Worldwide Journey

AirVenture, History, Member Stories

In 2003, Norman Surplus, then 40, was diagnosed with bowel cancer. The prognosis wasn’t good. “They gave me a 40 percent chance to live 18 months,” he recalled. As he ... Read more

July 22, 2019July 22, 2019

There’s Nothing Spartan About This Executive

AirVenture, History, Vintage

By Fred Johnsen There’s a dazzlingly shiny aluminum aircraft in the Vintage area that carries Royal Air Force roundels on the fuselage, and has the pedigree to do so. It’s ... Read more

July 21, 2019July 21, 2019

First Airplane to Land at Oshkosh in 1970 Is Back in 2019

AirVenture, History, Honoring The Past, Stories Of Oshkosh

John Dyke, EAA Lifetime 3566, generously donated a one-of-a-kind Dyke Delta JD-2 N555A to EAA that will be on the convention grounds in front of the Brown Arch during AirVenture ... Read more

July 21, 2019July 21, 2019

The First Oshkosh — No, it wasn’t in 1970

AirVenture, History, Stories Of Oshkosh

Anyone attending AirVenture this year can look around the grounds and see we’re celebrating something special — EAA’s 50th convention in Oshkosh. Except we’re not. If you read the fine ... Read more

June 26, 2019June 26, 2019

D-Day Plus 75 Exhibit Opens at EAA Aviation Museum

EAA Museum, History, Honoring The Past

The D-Day Plus 75 exhibit has officially opened in the EAA Aviation Museum.

June 6, 2019June 6, 2019

EAA Museum Speaker Series: Jeff Duford

EAA Museum, History, Warbirds

Jeff Duford, a curator at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, visited EAA recently and talked about the restoration of famed Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Memphis Belle.

May 16, 2019May 16, 2019

5,000 Miles in a Spitfire

History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Canadian Dave Hadfield flew this beautifully restored Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX on an epic 5,000 mile flight across North America, including a weeklong stop at Oshkosh for EAA AirVenture 2018. ... Read more

May 16, 2019May 16, 2019

Fifty Years of Happiness — Celebrating a Half-Century of the Hatz

History, Homebuilding

It’s been 50 years since John Hatz made the first flight of his CB-1, a biplane he designed for himself when he couldn’t find exactly what he wanted on the ... Read more

May 1, 2019May 2, 2019

One of a Kind, Back in the Air — The XP-82 Twin Mustang

History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Of the first two XP-82 Twin Mustangs built by North American Aviation in 1945, only one survived the scrapper’s torch. The first airplane accumulated less than 300 hours at PAX ... Read more

April 3, 2019April 3, 2019

A Visit to Tuskegee

History

Driving through the sunny Alabama countryside with my windows down and sunroof open, I was enjoying the breeze and the sights of a rural landscape.

March 26, 2019March 27, 2019

Guess the First Year!

Air Show, AirVenture, History, Honoring The Past, Why We Fly

How well do you know Oshkosh? Pick the year this aircraft FIRST attended Oshkosh convention!

March 21, 2019March 21, 2019

Counter Invader Special Kay Really is Special

History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Special Kay is special for a number of reasons, some of them having to do with the luck (both good and bad) that followed it through its post-military career and ... Read more

March 14, 2019March 14, 2019

EAA Visits the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Boasting a collection of more than 300 aircraft with accompanying artifacts, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is divided by era: The Early Years, World War I, World ... Read more

March 14, 2019March 14, 2019

More Firepower Needed for War in New Guinea

History, Warbirds

John “Jack” Fox and Paul I. “Pappy” Gunn, under the sponsorship of 5th Air Force Cmdr. Gen. George Kenney, field-installed fixed .50-caliber guns in the B-25. The following is Fox’s ... Read more

February 21, 2019February 21, 2019

Old, Loud, Fast, and Proud

AirVenture, History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Here’s a look at several of the jet warbirds we’ve seen fly at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh over the years.

February 18, 2019February 18, 2019

The Restoration of Gipsy Moth C-GZIE

History, Honoring The Past, Member Stories, Warbirds

The story of the Gipsy Moth C-GZIE restoration.

February 18, 2019February 21, 2019

Canadians Check Out the Aviation Scene in Hawaii

History, Member Stories, Warbirds, Why We Fly

During the month of January, my wife and I were lucky enough to spend several weeks exploring and enjoying three Hawaiian Islands.

February 13, 2019February 13, 2019

EAA’s The Green Dot – Memphis Belle Expert Dr. Harry Friedman

History, Honoring The Past, Podcast

EAA’s The Green Dot crew sat down with Dr. Harry Friedman to discuss the Memphis Belle’s history.

February 7, 2019February 11, 2019

365,249,931 Days Ahead of Schedule

History, Honoring The Past

Throughout history, the idea of flying attracted its share of naysayers. Few, however, got it as wrong as this guy.

February 7, 2019February 7, 2019

Memphis Belle Expert Dr. Harry Friedman Presents at Museum Speaker Series

EAA Museum, History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Dr. Harry Friedman, one of the foremost experts on famed Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress Memphis Belle, presented at the EAA Aviation Museum on Thursday, January 17 as part of the ... Read more

January 10, 2019January 10, 2019

Memphis Belle Expert to Present at Museum Speaker Series

EAA Museum, History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

B-17 Memphis Belle expert Dr. Harry Friedman to present on January 17 as part of EAA Museum Speaker Series.

December 20, 2018December 20, 2018

A Picture Worth a Thousand Words

Air Tours, History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Rides on EAA’s B-17 Aluminum Overcast connected three generations of the Culpepper family.

December 19, 2018December 19, 2018

EAA’s The Green Dot — Apollo Astronaut Frank Borman, Plus Bonus Video

Anniversaries, EAA Museum, History, Honoring The Past, Podcast, Warbirds

The Green Dot crew sat down with Apollo 8 astronaut and aviation lover Frank Borman to talk about his mission orbiting the moon, the legendary earthrise photo, his beginnings in ... Read more

December 13, 2018December 13, 2018

The Year of the Air Tanker: The History Behind the Tankers That Visited Oshkosh

AirVenture, History, Honoring The Past

Read about the history behind air tankers, which was a large theme at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018.

November 14, 2018November 15, 2018

History Lives With Warbirds at AirVenture 2018

AirVenture, History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

The Warbirds area is always one of the most popular places to visit during AirVenture. Take a look back at some of the ex-military heavy iron that made EAA AirVenture ... Read more

November 7, 2018

EAA’s The Green Dot – B-17 City of Savannah Restoration Manager Jerry McLaughlin

History, Honoring The Past, Podcast, Warbirds

The Green Dot crew sat down with Jerry McLaughlin, the special projects coordinator at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, to discuss his role in acquiring the ... Read more

October 22, 2018October 24, 2018

The Ultimate Toy Box

History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

As we joined so many last week in mourning the late Paul Allen, EAA 820282, here’s a closer look at just one of the many things for which he’ll be ... Read more

October 11, 2018

B-17 City of Savannah Restoration Manager to Speak at EAA Museum

EAA Museum, History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Jerry McLaughlin of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force to present at Museum Speaker Series.

October 9, 2018

From EAA’s Attic: Link Trainer

Attic, EAA Museum, History

Flight simulators had to start somewhere, and one of the earliest successful iterations was the Link Trainer with origins dating back to the 1920s.

October 4, 2018

A Very Special Avenger

History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Buying a TBM Avenger is always a special event, but it was even more so for the Stoltzfus family when they purchased one from the Soplata collection.

October 4, 2018

Apollo 8 Astronauts Headline Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet

Anniversaries, EAA Museum, History, Honoring The Past

Apollo 8 astronauts Frank Borman and Jim Lovell to speak at Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet.

September 27, 2018September 27, 2018

Apollo 15 Astronaut, Mars Astronaut Hopeful Headline EAA’s Space Day

EAA Museum, History

Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden will be the keynote speaker at EAA’s Space Day on October 6.

September 12, 2018

EAA’s The Green Dot – NASA Chief Historian Bill Barry

History, Podcast

The Green Dot crew sat down with NASA’s chief historian Bill Barry to discuss topics ranging from the pre-NASA days all the way to present day, plus plenty in between. ... Read more

September 6, 2018September 7, 2018

XP-82 – Fate, Circumstance, Necessity

History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds, Why We Fly

After 10 years of work, Tom Reilly, EAA 802376, is close to restoring a North American XP-82 Twin Mustang.

May 24, 2018May 24, 2018

EAA Attends Memphis Belle Unveiling, Visits National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Last week EAA staff had the opportunity to visit and tour the National Museum of the United States Air Force to see the Memphis Belle exhibit opening and the museum ... Read more

May 14, 2018May 15, 2018

Across the Pond: Portugal to Brazil

History

One of many notable transatlantic flights during the 1920s took place from Lisbon to Rio de Janiero.

April 24, 2018

Growing Up With the B-36

History, Warbirds

An EAA member recalls growing up around his father’s B-36, which makes a brief appearance in Strategic Air Command.

April 17, 2018April 19, 2018

Ashes to Ashes: The Final Flight of the P-1

History

The first flight of the title aircraft in the classic aviation film The Flight of the Phoenix would tragically prove to be one of its last.

March 8, 2018March 28, 2018

Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Bob Caron to Present at Museum Speaker Series

Air Show, EAA Museum, History

Vietnam helicopter pilot Bob Caron helped evacuate Americans during the fall of Saigon.

February 8, 2018

Dick Campbell to Present on Battle of Midway

EAA Museum, History, Honoring The Past, Member Stories

Historian Dick Campbell will present on the Battle of Midway, which was a critical victory for the U.S. during World War II.

January 24, 2018

EAA’s The Green Dot – Sandbar Mitchell Restorers

History, Honoring The Past, Podcast, Warbirds

EAA’s The Green Dot crew spoke with Warbirds of Glory Museum staff about the museum and its restoration of the B-25 Sandbar Mitchell.

January 18, 2018January 24, 2018

An Association for People Interested in Experimental Aircraft

History

Back in the last century, a bunch of guys interested in experimental aircraft formed an association — but it’s not the one you’re thinking of.

January 3, 2018January 4, 2018

Preserving Aviation History, Mentoring the Next Aviation Generation

From The Hangar Floor, History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds, Youth & Young Eagles

My visit to the impressive Warbirds of Glory Museum, whose main drive is to grow the skills of youth through restoration.

December 6, 2017December 7, 2017

Waiting for News from Pearl Harbor

History, Honoring The Past

One family vowed not to celebrate Christmas until they knew their serviceman was safe.

December 6, 2017

Stories to Tell: Spitfire Mk. IX

History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

While any warbird brings some history along with it, this particular fighter, a 1942 Spitfire Mk.IX, brought more than its share when it came to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017.

December 6, 2017May 24, 2018

Ol’ Home Week

History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

97-year-old Jep Williamson got back in a B-17 cockpit for the first time in more than 70 years.

November 9, 2017November 15, 2017

He Lived More than Twice

History, Honoring The Past

Being James Bond wasn’t the coolest thing Ken Wallis ever did.

November 2, 2017November 3, 2017

Wright Brothers Banquet Speaker Joe Engle Recounts Pioneering Career

EAA Museum, History

Astronaut Joe Engle is the only person to fly two different winged vehicles in space and will be the keynote speaker for the 2017 Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet.

October 27, 2017November 13, 2017

B-17 History Lessons

History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

A grandfather shares his family’s connection to the B-17 with his grandchildren.

October 23, 2017October 26, 2017

Medal of Honor Recipient Bruce Crandall Featured in Museum Speaker Series

EAA Museum, History, Honoring The Past

Medal of Honor recipient Bruce Crandall evacuated 70 wounded soldiers by helicopter in the Vietnam War.

September 21, 2017

A Supreme Life of Dare Deviltry

History, Honoring The Past

Roscoe Turner looked like a movie star and dressed like a pilot in a Gilbert and Sullivan opera, if there’d ever been such a thing. He set all manner of ... Read more

August 24, 2017August 24, 2017

The Record Holder of all Record Holders

History, Honoring The Past

Jackie Cochran is best known for helping found the Womens Airforce Service Pilots, but her aviation career was full of fascinating and remarkable milestones.

August 3, 2017

F-111 Aardvark Restoration Nearly Complete

Chapters, History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

EAA Chapter 414 has taken on the task of restoring the F-111, and has made significant progress since it was transported from the Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum, which closed its ... Read more

April 13, 2017April 13, 2017

EAA at the San Diego Air & Space Museum

History, Honoring The Past

A couple of EAA staff were in the neighborhood, so they dropped in to the world-class San Diego Air & Space Museum for a quick visit.

March 22, 2017

Two Flight Jackets and One Twist of Fate

History, Member Stories

By John Slemp, EAA 837033 Coincidence: a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection. This definition is restated here as it is central to the story I’m ... Read more

March 20, 2017April 20, 2017

Joe Engle: The Man Who Flew the Rocket

History

America’s space program has spanned many generations. The era of the program a person identifies with the most has much to do with age. For some, the space program will ... Read more

March 16, 2017March 16, 2017

From the Hangar Floor: Returning a Reno-Racing Corsair to its Roots

From The Hangar Floor, History, Warbirds

When most people hear the name Corsair, they think of the World War II warbird as just that — in its military capacity. Few would think of the airplane being ... Read more

March 2, 2017March 2, 2017

Learning to Fly in the Late Fifties

History, Member Stories, Vintage, Why We Fly

By Hans Schroeder, EAA 43437 We all agree (I think) that once you catch the bug, flying never lets go of you no matter how long you abstain. And so, after ... Read more

March 2, 2017March 2, 2017

Grasshoppers Land at AirVenture 2016

AirVenture, History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds, Why We Fly

Light liaison airplanes, affectionately known as L-birds, were indispensable in World War II, serving as artillery spotters, light transports, and even flying ambulances. Take a look back to EAA AirVenture ... Read more

March 2, 2017March 2, 2017

From the Hangar Floor: Replicating Steve Wittman’s Buster

Air Show, Chapters, From The Hangar Floor, History, Homebuilding

Being located in Oshkosh, EAA Chapter 252 has always had a strong connection to aviation great Steve Wittman. It is only fitting, then, for Chapter 252 to have the opportunity ... Read more

March 2, 2017March 2, 2017

A Tri-Motor Ride 84 Years in the Making

Air Tours, Chapters, History

EAA’s Ford Tri-Motor flew a special passenger at its Chapter 1067 stop in Naples, Florida, on February 26: 104-year-old Helen Johnson Collins, who took her first flight in this iconic ... Read more

March 2, 2017March 2, 2017

Magnificent Boeing Plaza at AirVenture 2016

AirVenture, History

There’s a sense of awe that comes over you when you see the magnificent aircraft on display every day at AirVenture. Get a peek at the aircraft that visited us ... Read more

February 20, 2017February 28, 2017

From the Hangar Floor: Canadian PBY to Fly Again Soon

From The Hangar Floor, History, Warbirds

The Fairview Aircraft Restoration Society (FARS) in Alberta, Canada, is nearing the culmination of a dream that started nearly 10 years ago: to restore a PBY5-A, known north of the ... Read more

February 20, 2017March 2, 2017

Old Glory Honor Flight – AirVenture 2016

AirVenture, History, Honoring The Past

EAA, American Airlines, and Old Glory Honor Flight were proud to once again join forces in 2016 to give Vietnam veterans the opportunity to visit the powerful memorials dedicated in ... Read more

February 4, 2017February 28, 2017

The Stories of Those Flying EAA’s B-17 Aluminum Overcast – Col. Richard Bushong

Air Tours, History, Honoring The Past, Member Stories, Warbirds

The B-17G has a remarkable story. One filled with daring missions and personal sacrifice. More than just an airplane, the B-17 is living history that holds a remarkable connection to ... Read more

February 4, 2017March 30, 2017

From the Hangar Floor:
World War I Airplane Comes Home for Restoration

From The Hangar Floor, History, Member Stories, Warbirds

In the early 2000s, when Don Funke, EAA 652318, and a group of friends were discussing the history of aviation in their hometown of Ithaca, New York, they could only ... Read more

January 26, 2017February 28, 2017

EAA Celebrates 64 Years!

Anniversaries, History

On January 26, 1953, EAA began with a with a simple meeting in Paul and Audrey Poberezny’s home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Since then, EAA has been headquartered in first Milwaukee ... Read more

January 19, 2017February 28, 2017

The Spirit of Madison

History, Honoring The Past, Member Stories, Warbirds

January 19, 2017 – During World War II, thanks in large part to the pervasive patriotism of the day, it was a common occurrence for communities to raise funds to purchase ... Read more

January 5, 2017February 28, 2017

30th Anniversary of Voyager Flight

Anniversaries, History

December 22, 2016 – On December 23, 1986, Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager made history, landing successfully after completing a nine-day flight around the world without stopping or refueling in ... Read more

January 5, 2017February 28, 2017

A Legacy Continues

History, Honoring The Past, Member Stories, Warbirds

December 29, 2016 – EAA’s main goal is to grow participation in aviation. It is able to do so thanks to people who are willing to help create the pathway ... Read more

January 4, 2017February 28, 2017

Remembering Bob Hoover – The Greatest Ever

Aerobatics, Air Show, History, Homebuilding, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

January 5, 2017 – He was a legend. To hear the stories of R.A. “Bob” Hoover’s life, one might think they were reading a movie script. Any one story is ... Read more

December 15, 2016February 28, 2017

Doc Checkup

More photos below December 15, 2016 – My last Doc checkup was more than two and a half years ago. Not a very smart or health-conscious way to go through ... Read more

December 10, 2016December 1, 2017

Gene Kranz Speaks at EAA, Donates Flight Helmet

EAA Museum, History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Space program legend Gene Kranz donated the flight helmet he wore during his time as an F-86 Sabre pilot in the Korean War to the EAA AirVenture Museum at Friday ... Read more

December 6, 2016February 28, 2017

The Stories of Those Flying EAA’s B-17 Aluminum Overcast – Jack Dodson

Air Tours, History, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

The B-17G has a remarkable story. One filled with daring missions and personal sacrifice. More than just an airplane, the B-17 is living history that holds a remarkable connection to ... Read more

December 1, 2016February 28, 2017

Saving a Tiger Moth

History, Honoring The Past, Member Stories, Warbirds

December 1, 2016 – For years Liz Matzelle, EAA 576594, dreamed of owning an airplane. Little did she know that the adventure she would go on would result in her ... Read more