warbirds

November 7, 2024November 7, 2024

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

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

July 26, 2024July 26, 2024

The Sound of Freedom

AirVenture, Member Stories, Warbirds

By Jim Roberts It’s not every day you get to see and hear an aircraft engine that helped win World War II. Thanks to four dedicated volunteers, a 12-cylinder liquid-cooled ... Read more

July 24, 2024July 25, 2024

From Adversity to Purpose

AirVenture, Member Stories, Warbirds

Last summer, Paul Barnett nearly lost his right leg. A little more than a year later, he’s helping folks climb up into the cockpit of the Corsair he flew in ... Read more

July 23, 2024July 24, 2024

Rare WAAAM Biplanes Highlight Training Command at AirVenture 2024

AirVenture, Warbirds

As the storm clouds of war began to form in Europe in the 1930s, the U.S. Army Air Corps found itself in dire need of a primary trainer for the ... Read more

July 21, 2024July 21, 2024

Distinct ‘Recall’ Stearman Comes to Oshkosh

AirVenture, Member Stories, Warbirds

Story and photography by Robbie Culver Flying to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is a rite of passage for pilots. Months of planning, sacrifices for good weather, and no small amount of ... Read more

July 21, 2024July 21, 2024

15 Years of Entertainment and Education on the Warbirds Tram Tour

AirVenture, Warbirds

By Emme Hornung With rows and rows of thousands of aircraft to see on the AirVenture grounds, it may be hard to know exactly what you’re looking at. Lucky for you, ... 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

June 24, 2024July 2, 2024

A Yellow Bird Adventure

Bits and Pieces, Warbirds

By Michael J. Martin, EAA 1047599, Toronto, Ontario Excerpt: Flying in a vintage World War II warbird is an exhilarating experience that combines the thrill of aviation with a deep ... Read more

May 22, 2024

Warbird Paradise: The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Warbirds

A long-overdue visit to Dayton, Ohio, and the world’s largest military aviation museum.

June 22, 2023June 26, 2023

Commemorative Air Force Warbird Tour

Warbirds

As I have become more involved in all things aviation, I’ve realized something: have no expectations. Not in a negative way, but by having no expectations, the doors open up ... Read more

June 8, 2023June 9, 2023

F-8 Crusader Pilot to Present at Museum Speaker Series

Speaker Series, Warbirds

James Markel, who flew the F-8 Crusader during the Vietnam War, will speak about his career and experiences in the cockpit on Thursday, June 15, at 7 p.m. as part ... Read more

April 6, 2023April 11, 2023

EAA’s The Green Dot — Basler Turbo President Joe Varkoly

Podcast

This time on The Green Dot, hosts Hal and Chris are joined by Basler Turbo Conversions President Joe Varkoly.

February 8, 2023April 11, 2023

Basler Turbo President to Present at Museum Speaker Series

EAA Museum, Speaker Series

Joe Varkoly, Basler Turbo Conversions president, will speak about the process of converting World War II-era DC-3s and C-47s into modern, turbine-powered BT-67s on Thursday, February 16, at 7 p.m. ... Read more

May 5, 2022May 5, 2022

EAA’s The Green Dot — Saving North American’s Archives

Podcast

This time on The Green Dot, hosts Chris and Tom were joined by Ken Jungeberg and AirCorps Aviation’s Ester Aube to discuss the pair’s work saving and preserving original North ... Read more

April 6, 2022April 7, 2022

What Our Members Are Building/Restoring — Wisconsin Taylorcraft L-2

From The Hangar Floor, Warbirds

EAA member Grant Van Den Heuvel takes us through the restoration of his Taylorcraft L-2 in the March 2022 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine.

March 3, 2022

Rare F-100 Super Sabre Attending AirVenture 2022

AirVenture, Warbirds

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force, Dean Cutshall will be bringing an extremely rare F-100 to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022 this July.

February 17, 2022

When Berlin Express Came to Rockford

Air Tours, Chapters, Warbirds

Last September, EAA’s B-25 Mitchell medium bomber, Berlin Express, stopped to visit a very enthusiastic audience in Illinois.

February 10, 2022

Flying the B-25

Member Stories, Warbirds

Thanks to the Delaware Aviation Museum, I found myself enjoying the experience of a lifetime — flying a WWII North American B-25 Mitchell medium bomber.

January 14, 2022

Cascade Warbirds Pilots Salute Lost Naval Aviators

Chapters, Warbirds

EAA members in the Pacific Northwest took time recently for a very special flight.

January 13, 2022

Peace Was Their Profession

Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Recently I had the chance to visit the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Nebraska. They had a few of my favorites like the B-58, B-36, and B-47, and ... Read more

December 16, 2021

EAA Chapter 420 Members Assist in Discovery of B-24J Crash Site

Chapters, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Members of EAA Chapter 420 recently helped discover the wreckage of a B-24J Liberator that crashed in the mountains of Wyoming on New Year’s Day, 1945.

November 12, 2021

Warbirds Squadron 32 5th Anniversary Fly-In

Chapters, Warbirds

Warbirds Squadron 32 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, celebrated its fifth anniversary on September 25, 2021, at Wittman Regional Airport with a fly-in/drive-in.

October 13, 2021

Warbird Recovery Expert Taras Lyssenko to Speak at EAA Museum

EAA Museum, Warbirds

Warbird recovery expert Taras Lyssenko, who helped recover Lewis Air Legends’ F4F-3 Wildcat currently on display at the EAA Aviation Museum, will present about his career and experiences in the ... Read more

September 15, 2021

A Mile-High Aviation Must-Stop

Honoring The Past, Warbirds

A quick tour of the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum.

July 31, 2021

New Coffee Company Supports Warbird Restoration

AirVenture, Stories Of Oshkosh, Warbirds

Warbird Coffee Co., founded by Royal Air Force veterans Adam Berry and Jon Short in November 2020, sells a series of coffee blends that help in the restoration of warbirds.

July 31, 2021

Beloved World War II Ace Zooms in for Warbird Review Session

AirVenture, Warbirds

Bud Anderson has legions of friends and fans at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021.

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 31, 2021

Best of British

AirVenture, Member Stories, Warbirds

It was a Hawker Hurricane and a Supermarine Spitfire that drew crowds at AirVenture.

July 28, 2021July 28, 2021

F4F Wildcat Warbirds in Review

AirVenture, Warbirds

A pristine Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat World War II fighter flew from Texas to be at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 where it was the toast of a Warbirds in Review session ... Read more

July 27, 2021July 27, 2021

Classic German Biplane Design Builds Memories

AirVenture, Member Stories, Warbirds

It’s a pugnacious little biplane, resplendent in World War II German colors. It’s a 1954 Spanish-built clone of the 1930s German Bücker Jungmann trainer.

June 10, 2021June 18, 2021

A Meaningful Model

Honoring The Past, Warbirds

The Oshkosh EAA Warbirds Squadron gave one of its guest speakers a gift that honors a loved one.

May 18, 2021

EAA’s The Green Dot — Divisions Update: What’s New With WOA, IAC, and VAA

Aerobatics, Podcast, Vintage, Warbirds

This time on EAA’s The Green Dot, we sat down with Warbirds of America President Jim “Zack” Olzacki, International Aerobatic Club President Jim Bourke, and Vintage Aircraft Association President Susan ... Read more

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, 2021March 24, 2021

Honoring Your Heritage

Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Vic Stottlemyer of Waukesha, Wisconsin, has a deep-rooted English heritage and has chosen to honor that heritage by owning and operating a de Havilland Chipmunk and Harvard Mk IV.

March 4, 2021March 4, 2021

Restoring a Warbird from Lake Michigan

Warbirds

January 20, 1944, would be the last day above the surface of Lake Michigan for one U.S. Navy dive bomber. It would take 50 years for it to see the ... Read more

November 19, 2020

Tribute To A Trojan

Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Although Vincent Hill, EAA 1066947, doesn’t come from an aviation background, the aviation bug has bit him hard. Even before he learned to fly, his goal was clear: he wanted ... Read more

November 11, 2020November 11, 2020

H Is For Heirloom

AirVenture, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

As the final production model of the Mustang, the P-51H is the highest-performing Mustang ever built, though it entered service too late to see combat during World War II.

October 22, 2020October 22, 2020

EAA’s The Green Dot — C-53 Restorer Jason Capra

From The Hangar Floor, Podcast, Warbirds

This time on EAA’s The Green Dot, the crew sat down with Jason Capra, president and founder of Vintage Wings Inc., who is currently working on the restoration of a ... Read more

Jason Capra — C-53 Restorer

This time on EAA’s The Green Dot, the crew sat down with Jason Capra, president and founder of Vintage Wings Inc., who is currently working on the restoration of a ... Read more

October 8, 2020October 8, 2020

TBM-3E Avenger Joins Lone Star Flight Museum’s Permanent Warbird Collection

Honoring The Past, Warbirds

A newly restored and airworthy WWII-era Avenger torpedo bomber painted to honor former president George H.W. Bush has been recently added to the permanent collection of The Lone Star Flight ... Read more

October 1, 2020October 1, 2020

A Liberator Veteran Shares His Story

Honoring The Past, Warbirds

When the United States entered the Second World War, everyone lined up to fight in their own way. John Neece was one of the men who lined up outside a ... Read more

October 1, 2020October 6, 2020

Giving Personality to a Vietnam Warbird

EAA Museum, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

The Good Widow Mrs. Jones gets a makeover.

September 10, 2020September 10, 2020

EAA’s The Green Dot — Warbirds President Jim ‘Zack’ Olzacki

Podcast, Warbirds

This time on EAA’s The Green Dot, the crew sat down with newly elected Warbirds President Jim ‘Zack’ Olzacki to discuss how he first got involved with aviation and with ... Read more

Jim ‘Zack’ Olzacki — Warbirds President

This time on EAA’s The Green Dot, the crew sat down with newly elected Warbirds President Jim ‘Zack’ Olzacki to discuss how he first got involved with aviation and with ... Read more

August 26, 2020August 26, 2020

Warbirds that Won the War

AirVenture, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

A look at 20 aircraft types you might have seen at Oshkosh this year that played vital roles during World War II.

August 6, 2020August 6, 2020

A Son’s Trip Back in Time

Honoring The Past, Warbirds

How Jerry Bradley followed the faint echoes of his father’s footsteps from Vietnam to an English pub.

July 16, 2020July 16, 2020

EAA’s The Green Dot — Huey: The Workhorse of Vietnam Exhibit

EAA Museum, Honoring The Past, Podcast, Warbirds

This time on EAA’s The Green Dot, the crew interviews one of their own, EAA Aviation Museum Programs Coordinator Chris Henry, about all aspects of the museum’s new exhibit honoring ... Read more

May 14, 2020May 14, 2020

Ike’s Bird — A Little-Known Presidential Transport Has a New Mission

Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Here’s a closer look at Ike’s Bird, a 1955 Aero Commander L-26B that served as “Air Force One” for President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

May 12, 2020May 12, 2020

One Family’s Passion for Vintage Twin-Tailed Aircraft

Warbirds

When Lockheed built the PV-2 Harpoon for the U.S. Navy, the last thing they were thinking of is how one of their aircraft would help a family spend quality time ... Read more

May 7, 2020May 7, 2020

Affordable Warbirds — Liaison Bargain Flyers

Warbirds

A look at liaison aircraft, one of the more affordable warbird options on the market.

April 29, 2020April 30, 2020

Captain Eddie’s Fairey Firefly

AirVenture, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Eddie Kurdziel, EAA 431776, brought his rare Fairey Firefly AS6 to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019, and won Reserve Grand Champion: Post World War II.

April 29, 2020April 29, 2020

Navigating Through a Family’s History

Honoring The Past, Warbirds

When Robert Riley was growing up, he first became interested in aviation through his father’s career, but soon he learned his family’s ties with aviation ran deep. Robert found out ... Read more

November 5, 2019November 5, 2019

Inspiring Our Youth While Honoring Our Heroes

Air Tours, Warbirds

Over the weekend of July 4, I was able to spend some time on the road with the B-17 Aluminum Overcast and, for its first-ever stop, the B-25 Berlin Express. ... Read more

October 24, 2019October 24, 2019

Honor in the Air — Warbirds at AirVenture 2019

AirVenture, Warbirds

The Warbirds area is always one of the most popular places to visit during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

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

September 12, 2019September 12, 2019

Hintons to Headline 2019 Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet

EAA Museum, Warbirds

Father and son Steve and Steven Hinton, both national championship air racers, will be the keynote speakers at the 2019 Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet on Friday, December 13, at the ... Read more

July 28, 2019August 21, 2019

Songbird Among Warbirds

AirVenture, Celebrating Women, Warbirds

By Frederick A. Johnsen Theresa Eaman has been a regular at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for seven years. She brings professional song stylings of vintage tunes to the Warbirds in Review ... 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

May 29, 2019May 29, 2019

TBM Avenger Reunion and Salute to Veterans

Warbirds

EAA Staff Photographer Connor Madison recently visited Peru, Illinois, to cover the 4th Annual TBM Avenger Reunion & Salute to Veterans for a future issue of Warbirds.

May 16, 2019May 16, 2019

Warbird Squadron Hosts Normandy-Bound C-47

Warbirds

Warbird Squadron 30, based at Lloyd Stearman Field (1K1), had the opportunity to host Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber and crew while it is en route to participate in the 75th anniversary ... Read more

May 16, 2019May 16, 2019

5,000 Miles in a Spitfire — To Oshkosh via Vancouver

AirVenture, 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 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

May 1, 2019May 1, 2019

Valiant Genealogy — A Vultee BT-13 Returns Home

Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Jim Irwin’s desk is home to an old glass Jif peanut butter jar full of rusted nuts, bolts, and washers that serve as meaningful keepsakes from his baptism in aviation ... Read more

April 10, 2019April 10, 2019

National Museum of U.S. Air Force Curator to Present on Memphis Belle Restoration

EAA Museum, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Jeff Duford, a curator at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, will present about the restoration of B-17 Memphis Belle as part of the EAA Aviation Museum Aviation ... Read more

April 2, 2019April 2, 2019

Valiant Genealogy — Jim Irwin’s BT-13

Honoring The Past, Warbirds

The Irwin family’s BT-13 Valiant has come full circle for new caretaker Jim Irwin.

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 20, 2019March 21, 2019

Second Chances — Scott McLain and His Father’s Navion

Honoring The Past, Warbirds

Scott McLain has fond memories of many airplanes he’s flown, but none more so than a North American Aviation NA-145 Navion was purchased by Scott’s father, Steve, in an attempt ... 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 27, 2019February 28, 2019

EAA’s The Green Dot — Championship Air Racer Steven Hinton

Podcast, Warbirds

On the latest episode of EAA’s The Green Dot, the crew was joined by Steven Hinton Jr. to discuss his background in aviation and growing up in Chino, his introduction ... 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.

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

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 8, 2018

Chino!

Air Show, Honoring The Past, Warbirds

EAA staffers visited Chino, California in May for the annual Planes of Fame Air Show.

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 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.

September 27, 2018September 27, 2018

Local Community Unites for Inspirational Warbird Flight

Chapters, Warbirds, Why We Fly

Thanks to Inspire Aviation, a 29-year-old Army veteran with advanced leukemia was able to take a special warbird flight and cross an item off of his bucket list.

September 27, 2018October 1, 2018

The Doc Experience

Air Tours, Honoring The Past, Member Stories, Warbirds

EAA member Nick Moore shares his experience riding on B-29 Superfortress Doc.