For the past 12 years, one of the most interesting and talked about programs presented at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh has been Warbirds in Review. Monday through Saturday of AirVenture week, at 10:00am and 1:00pm, veterans who actually flew in harm’s way are re-united with living, flying examples of the aircraft they flew and the owners/restorers/pilots who have “Kept’em Flying.”The result is a comprehensive program that contains an informative presentation about the aircraft and the critical jobs they did, first-hand historical accounts of combat missions given by those who flew them, and an extraordinary opportunity for the audience to ask direct questions of the presenters. It is highly unlikely that the elements that make up these invaluable programs could be brought together anywhere other than at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, by EAA Warbirds of America.
For several years, it has been Sleeping Dog Productions privilege to record these historically significant presentations in HD video. Having seen them “through the camera’s lens,” we know how valuable and unique they are. This year, we’d like to help spread the word about Warbirds in Review, so a wider audience will know about them and attend them. To that end, we are creating a series of informative clips about the veterans and airplanes that will make up the 2014 Warbirds in Review line up.
Each day of the show, from Monday through Saturday between 10 am and 1 pm, will feature a new lecture in Warbird Alley. EAA Warbirds of America sponsors the events and as their press release continues…. “these informal sessions not only delve into an aircraft’s restoration, operation, and other aspects of owning a valued piece of history, but also spotlight veterans sharing stories about what it was like to fly the aircraft in combat or support the operation as a ground crew member.
Experience military aviation history with some of the most storied aircraft ever built told by the heroic veterans who flew them as the EAA Warbirds of America hosts twice-daily (10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Saturday) Warbirds in Review presentations at EAA AirVenture’s Warbird Alley.These informational sessions explore an aircraft’s wartime operation and restoration, while veterans share stories about what it was like to fly the aircraft in combat or support the operation as a ground crew member.
Preceding the daily presentations at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., the Warbirds Living History Group re-enactors will do an educational talk/demonstration regarding the flight gear associated with the upcoming aircraft. Singers will also provide entertainment from the 1940s-1960s just prior to actual Warbirds in Review sessions. All Vietnam veterans in attendance will be recognized before each session, and book signing opportunities will follow in the Warbirds Merchandise Building.
Here’s the lineup for this year’s Warbirds in Review presentations:
Monday, July 28
10 a.m. – Fairchild PT-19 with owner Richard Smith and Jack Hibbin, World War II PT-19 instructor and author of Take ‘er Up Alone, Mister.
1 p.m. – Lockheed P-38 Lightning and Curtis P-40 Warhawk with Ron Fagen of the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum. Also featuring Christina Olds, author of Fighter Pilot: The Memoirs of Legendary Ace Robin Olds, a book about her father’s experiences as a World War II ace and Vietnam F-4 pilot.
LATEST UPDATES FROM EAA WARBIRDS
6/23/14 shuttle commander, astronaut Joe Engle has just confirmed that he will join this presentation. We don’t have a shuttle to display but Joe flew the P40 so he will share a few stories.
Tuesday, July 29
10 a.m. – North American T-28 with owner Ken Fardie,Rich Welch and Gen Richard Secord., telling the Ravens/Air America story.
1 p.m. – P-51 Old Crow with owners Jim Hagedorn, Jack Roush, and featuring triple-ace Bud Anderson, author of To Fly & Fight: Memoirs of a Triple Ace. Along with Old Crow, this year will highlight Bud’s service in Vietnam with a surprise guest and a story you will not want to miss.
Wednesday, July 30
10 a.m. – Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopter owned by the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, with Maj. Gen Patrick Brady. A Medal of Honor recipient and Huey pilot, Brady is the author of Dead Man Flying.
Note: the AAHF will also bring its Bell AH-1 Cobra.
LATEST UPDATES FROM EAA WARBIRDS
6/23/14 The AAHF will have a short dedication ceremony for their Cobra at the beginning of this program.
1 p.m. – Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog and de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou owned by Cavanaugh Flight Museum with “Caribou Bob” Schrader, Bird Dog pilots the “Catkillers,” Charlie Finch, and Doc Clement. Finch and Clement are featured in the book f A Hundred Feet Over Hell.
Thursday, July 31
10 a.m. – Fairey Gannett with owner Shannan Hendricks, veteran pilot Harry Odone, and crew members Ron Stoner and Kirk Hexum. Jack Morissey will be introduced followed by an appearance in the Warbird store for autographs.
1 p.m. – North American B-25 Mitchell Bomber owned by Fagen Fighters WWII Museum, with special guest TBA.
Friday, August 1
10 a.m. – Douglas A-4 Skyhawk and A-1 Sky Raider owned by Paul Wood, with pilots Dave Waldrop and Skyraider pilot Dick Diller and veterans TBA.
1 p.m. – North American P-51 with owner Tony Buechler and veteran Jerry Yellin. The pilot who flew on the last mission of World War II, Yellin is the author of Of War & Weddings. Tony Buechler has owned this P-51 for 29 years.
Saturday, August 2
10 a.m. – Beechcraft T-34s with multiple owners, representing all service branches and pilot Bob Hoover, author of Forever Flying.
LATEST UPDATES FROM EAA WARBIRDS
6/23/14 autograph session to follow in Warbird store.
1 p.m. – Lockheed P-38 Glacier Girl with owner Rod Lewis along with pilots Steve Hinton, Bob Cardin, and featuring an autograph session in the Warbird store featuring author Bee Haydu, Letters Home: 1944-1945.”
For more information on the series or to see additional work from Sleeping Dog Productions, please click HERE , or visit their Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/
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Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
Warbirds in Review during the week of Air Venture is an outstanding resource of military aviation history. The moderators are well prepared and ask/lead the featured guest through the history of either the aircraft used during WWII, Korea, or Vietnam or what their experiences were.
I give this feature at Air Venture an A+…a must see for all ages.
I flew on willy vectors on the pacific barrer in the early 60’s. I flew as electronic tech. AEWBARRONPAC Barbers Point, Hawaii