JET WARBIRDS OF AIRVENTURE 2024

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Story and photos by Scott Jankowski

Jet Warbirds have gained a lot of popularity and also in quantity over the years and now plays a vital role in AirVenture just like their propeller powered counterparts. AirVenture always attracts several different types of vintage jets, including a mix of trainers and fighters. AirVenture sets aside the Thursday Airshow as “Jet Days” for this year the afternoon airshow on 7/25 featured many of these jets.

Four WSK-Mielec Lim 5/6’s, the Polish license-built version of the Mikoyan Gurevich MIG-17 Fresco flew in the afternoon airshows. These included NX717MG, a 1958 manufactured LIM-5C, N1726M a 1960 manufactured LIM-5C, NX917F a 1960 built LIM-5R and finally N6953X a 1963 manufactured LIM-6R. When translated from Polish LIM is an abbreviation for license-built fighter, approximately 600 were built by the time production ceased. The Lim 5/6 was used as a light attack, interceptor and a reconnaissance type of aircraft. All four aircraft would make several solo passes and formation passes, with many displaying the unique afterburner the aircraft possesses.

The Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatross is one of the most popular civilian owned jet Warbirds with approximately 300 within the United States alone. New to Oshkosh and airshow skies this year was N368LA a 1979 manufactured L-39C and painted in a vibrant pink paint scheme. This L-39 was donated to Aerial Angels (the group that owns this L-39) and is painted pink in order to spread Breast Cancer Awareness, support survivors, and raise money for a cure. This generous gift of a former Czechoslovakian Jet has been repurposed to preserve life in the fight against Cancer. L-39’s were constantly seen coming and going every day of the event.

Other vintage Jet Warbirds were also on hand and included several two seat trainers like the Aero Vodochody L-29 Delfin and two different examples of the Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, which is a Canadian license-built T-33 Shooting Star. Both of these CT-133’s are Wisconsin based with N133KK based at Kenosha Wisconsin and NX433RD based out at the Waukesha Wisconsin Airport. David Martin flew a fantastic airshow routine on 7/27 in the Temco Super Pinto/Ezell Aviation EJ-1.

AirVenture for several years now has placed a greater emphasis on Jet Warbirds with several of these Jets flying through the entire week. Just like their propeller powered counterparts these Warbirds are very costly to fly and maintain. If you ever have a chance, be sure to thank a pilot or owner for bringing their aircraft to the airshow you are attending. Do what you can to ensure future generations, get to see living history fly. Until next time, “Blue Skies to All!”.

Scott Jankowski

Scott Jankowski - Franklin, Wisconsin Like so many others my love of aviation started when I was young, very young. I was only three years old when my Parents took me to my first air show here in Milwaukee, the rest you could say is “history”. I would read aviation magazines instead of Comic Books. I would prefer my Dad take me to the airport to watch airplanes instead of throwing a Football around. I grew up watching Convair 580’s, DC9’s and 727’s from the terminal here in Milwaukee, no Stage Three noise compliance back then! I started to seriously take pictures in the Mid 1980’s , for my birthday that year I finally had my first decent camera. I would head down to the airport with my pockets full of Kodak Film and take pictures of anything and everything. It did not matter if it was a Air Wisconsin Dash-7 or a 128TH ARW KC-135E if it had an engine I took a picture of it. I would drop those rolls off to be developed and three days later tear into the envelopes to see the results, which to be honest were not that good but there were a few keepers every once and a while. Fast forwarding to today with much better equipment and skills I spend as much time as I can at both General Mitchell International and Chicago O’Hare which are my Hometown Airports. While times and aircraft have changed the excitement is still as great as it was back all of those years ago. It makes no difference if it is 737, P-51, F-16, or Lear 35 I will not pass on any photo opportunity as you may not get that chance again. Even though my primary focus is on Commercial Aviation I still frequent as many Air shows as I can in the short Summer Season. I am fortunate enough to have EAA Air Venture in my backyard only being only an Hour and Half from my home. I routinely attend Air shows here in Milwaukee, Rockford, Chicago, Ypsilanti and the Quad Cities. I am very fortunate to be part of the Photorecon.Net and PHX Spotters Team and am looking forward to bringing everyone some Air show and Airliner action from the Midwest Region!

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