Story and photos by Scott Jankowski
Jet Warbirds continue to gain popularity at AirVenture with several different types on display and flying in the afternoon airshows. The Warbirds, just like their propeller powered brother, played just as an important of a role in many modern-day conflicts and wars. The majority of these aircraft are former trainers, but some fighters can be found in civilian hands. AirVenture has recognized the importance of these aircraft in aviation history by designating the Warbird portion of the Thursday airshow to jets, dubbed “Jet Days”.
Several unique visitors and first-time attenders were at AirVenture this year and included N262MF, construction number 501243, a reproduction Messerschmitt ME-262B-1A Schwalbe built by the Texas Aviation Factory. This reproduction aircraft is owned and operated by the Military Aviation Museum and Fighter Factory based at the Virginia Beach Virginia Airport. A total of five aircraft have been built, these aircraft are powered by a pair of General Electric CS610 Turbojet Engines, each concealed in very detailed reproductions of the original Junkers Jumo 0048 engines and nacelles. The ME-262 first flew in 1944 and became the first operational jet powered fighter and one of only two to see actual air to air combat in World War II. The other aircraft was the Henkel HE-162. The original production ME-262 had a top speed of 560 miles per hour and a maximum range of 650 miles, a total of 1,430 were produced. The aircraft was named Schwalbe which is German for Swallow, the ground attack/bomber version was named Sturmvogel, German for Storm Bird. This aircraft flew alongside the North American P-51D Mustang in the afternoon airshow.
The other very unique Jet Warbird in attendance, and AirVenture favorite, was N29UB, a 1989 manufactured Mikoyan Gurevich MIG-29UB Fulcrum-B. construction number 50903014896. This MIG-29 saw service with the Ukrainian Air Force as 64BL following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The aircraft was refurbished and demilitarized in 2005 and put up for sale by the Ukrainians. The MIG-29 is powered by a pair of Klimov RD-33 afterburning Turbofan engines giving the aircraft a top speed of 1,520 miles per hour. Approximately 1,600 aircraft were manufactured during its production run from 1981 to 2019. This multi-role fighter is owned and operated by Jared Isaacmen, and is currently the fastest civilian owned jet.
Several other former Soviet Union jets were present and also flew in the afternoon airshows and included several examples of the Polish license built MIG-17, the Lim-5. These aircraft were built by WSK Mielec Factory with Lim being the abbreviation for license-built fighter. A total of 487 of these license built MIG-17’s (NATO code name Fresco) were built with the Polish Air Force being the primary user with 197 examples operated. The four aircraft present this year were NX717MG built in 1958, N1726M built in 1960, N1713P built in 1960, and NX917F a Lim-5R built in 1960. These four aircraft flew several formation passes and single ship passes on Thursday during Jet Days.
The most popular jet warbird to be found is the Czechoslovakian built Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatross. This high-performance trainer was designed in the 1960’s as the successor to the L-29 Delfin, also produced by Aero Vodochody. A total of approximately 2,900 L-39’s were produced with several examples still in frontline service with Air Forces around the world. An advanced version designated the L-159 which is a modernized version with western avionics and a Honeywell/ITEC F124 engine and is in service with Draken International a civilian American company that uses it as an aggressor aircraft for pilot training. There are approximately 300 L-39’s in civilian hands worldwide with the majority in the United States. A used L-39 typically costs between $200,000-$300,000 making them relatively affordable. Several different examples could be seen parked up at Warbirds and also in the afternoon airshows.
Veteran airshow performer Greg Colyer flew in the afternoon airshows in his 1968 vintage Canadair CT-133 Silver Star, construction number T33-610. The Canadian Air Force would operate this two-seat trainer until 2005; Ace Maker Aviation would acquire the aircraft in 2019 where it joined two other Silver Star’s and was aptly named “Ace Maker III”. Greg flew a well-polished airshow routine comprising of several maneuvers including rolls and passes highlighting the maneuverability of this first-generation jet.
Jerry Conley brought and flew one of his 1959 vintage De Havilland DH115 T-55 Vampire trainer to AirVenture this year. This former Swiss Air Force example is one of seven Vampires currently operated by Vampire Airshows. A total of 322 T-55’s were built included 30 built in Switzerland. The Vampire is powered by a single De Havilland Goblin 3 centrifugal flow turbojet engine giving the aircraft a top speed of 548 miles per hour and a range of 1220 miles. A total of 3,268 Vampires of all models were built during its production run and was first introduced into service back in 1946 and was finally retired in 1990.
Several other classic jet warbirds were also present and included the CT-133 Silver Star, Siai Marchetti S-211, and the North American T-2 Buckeye.
Just like their propeller powered brothers, these Jet Warbirds are owned and operated by private civilians and are more costly to operate. Next time you see a Jet Warbird Owner please be sure to thank them for keeping these important pieces of aviation history flying for generations to come. Until next time, “Blue Skies To All!”
