Yesterday, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) announced that the Military Aviation Museum’s Douglas AD-4 Skyraider, based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, will participate in EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this July as part of the 75th-anniversary commemoration of the start of the Korean War.
As previously reported on Vintage Aviation News, the Military Aviation Museum had initially planned to bring its Messerschmitt Me 262 reproduction to Oshkosh this year [click HERE]. While flight preparations for the jet continue in Virginia, the museum’s Skyraider is now confirmed for the event.
Built in 1949 at the Douglas plant in El Segundo, California, this AD-4 Skyraider saw extensive combat service during the Korean War. It was first deployed from May to November 1950 aboard the USS Valley Forge (CV-45), followed by a second deployment on the USS Essex (CV-9) from June 1951 to March 1952. The aircraft returned to the Valley Forge for a final tour from November 1952 to June 1953.
AirVenture’s Korean War commemoration will highlight the rapid advancements in aviation technology between 1945 and 1950. While piston-powered aircraft like the Skyraider played a crucial role in military operations, the era also saw the rise of jet-powered fighters and bombers, signaling a major shift in aerial warfare. Additionally, 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the Skyraider’s first flight, which took place on March 18, 1945.
As always, AirVenture will showcase a unique and exciting lineup of warbirds. Stay tuned for further updates. To learn more about the 2025 EAA AirVenture, visit https://www.eaa.org/airventure.
