Warbird Highlights at AirVenture 2023

PRESS RELEASE

A variety of rare and iconic warbirds, along with new restorations, are expected next week at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023.

Dakota Territory Air Museum’s P-47D Bonnie, which was recently restored by Aircorps Aviation, is expected to travel to Oshkosh and will be the first Thunderbolt to attend AirVenture in a number of years. Bonnie is believed to be the only flying Republic-built razorback P-47 in the world. DTAM is also expected to bring its recently restored P-51C Thunderbird, which is one of the more recognizable post-war Mustangs, having won the 1949 Bendix Trophy race in which pilot Joe DeBona set a piston-powered speed record of 470 mph.

Additionally, 10-12 Corsairs are anticipated to attend as part of the AirVenture 2023 Corsair gathering, and a number of Vietnam War-era aircraft are also expected to be in attendance, representing aircraft types such as the A-4, A-1, AC-47, C-123, O-2, L-19, Cobra, Chinook, Huey, and Loach.

Furthermore, Warbirds in Review returns in 2023 with guests that encompass 80 years of aviation and military history. Warbirds in Review an unparalleled presentation series during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh that brings together historic airplanes with pilots and aircraft owners, Oshkosh.

The aircraft and personalities at Warbirds in Review this year include four World War II veterans, two from the Korean War, five from the Vietnam War, and one from military actions in Afghanistan. The schedule as of May 1, 2023 (subject to change without notice).

 

Monday, July 24

• 10 a.m.: Piper L-4 Grasshopper “Rosie the Rocketer” with Rob Collings, Joe Scheil, Carol Carpenter Apacki, and Jim Busha
• 1 p.m.: Walt Ohlrich’s North American SNJ-N502, with John “Pappy” Mazza

Tuesday, July 25

• 10 a.m.: McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornet and Naval Aircraft Factory N3N, with Tammie Jo Shults
• 1 p.m.: P-51B and P-51D “Old Crow” Mustangs, with Brig. Gen. C.E. “Bud” Anderson

Wednesday, July 26

• 10 a.m.: Stinson L-5 Sentinel “Miss Beverly,” with Steve Seal and Chad Hill.
• 1 p.m.: P-51C “Thunderbird” and Republic P-47D-23R, with Warren Pietsch and Bruce Eames

Thursday, July 27

• 10 a.m.: Vought F4U-7 Corsair “Devotion,” with Adam Makos, Lt. JG Sam Clauzel, and Col. Joe McPhail
• 1 p.m.: Cessna L-19 Bird Dogs and North American T-28 Trojan, with Capt. Phil Phillips and Jim Hogdon

Friday, July 28

• 10 a.m.: MiG-21 and A-4B Skyhawk, with Cmdr. Randy “Duke” Cunningham and Cmdr. William “Willy Irish” Driscoll
• 12:45 p.m.: Huey N14SD, Hughes TH-55, and Bell H13, with Maj. Gen. Patrick Brady (followed by veterans salute and veterans flightline parade to Boeing Plaza, sponsored by American Airlines)

Saturday, July 29

• 10 a.m.: B-25 with Maj. John “Lucky” Luckadoo, Staff Sgt. Robert Holmstrom, and Lt. Carl Verbanac
• 1 p.m.: North American P-51C “Tuskegee Airmen” Red Tail Mustang, with Lt. Col. George Hardy, Lt. Col. James Harvey, and Brig, Gen. Enoch O. Woodhouse, II