PROPELLER POWERED WARBIRDS OF AIRVENTURE 2024
Story and photos by Scott Jankowski
AirVenture always puts together a fantastic gathering of both Prop and Jet powered Warbirds, 2024 saw a total of 337 Warbirds in attendance. Once again, this year there was a fantastic mix of propeller powered Bombers, Fighters, Transports, and Utility aircraft, while no records were broken for number of Warbirds in attendance several different examples of the P-51, T-6, T-28, and the C-47/DC-3 were to be found up at “Warbird Alley”, Boeing Plaza, and also in the afternoon airshows.
Several different Heavy and Medium Bombers were on hand this year and included both of the world’s only flyable Boeing B-29 Superfortresses, FIFI and DOC. The Commemorative Air Force operates FIFI, while DOC is flown by the “Friends of Doc” and is based out of Wichita Kansas. These B-29’s took turns being on static display when not flying revenue rides at the nearby Appleton International Airport. Several North American B-25 Mitchell Bombers were present and included the 1944 built North American B-25J named “Panchito” which flew in the afternoon airshows. Another one of the Warbird highlights was the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s 1945 built Avro Lancaster MK. X. This Lancaster is one of only two left flyable in the world and took part in the 100th Anniversary celebration of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Several Fighter Aircraft were found on both Boeing Plaza and up at “Warbird Alley “located up on the North end of the AirVenture grounds. The most popular type once again this year was the North American P-51 Mustang with several different examples on hand. Some of the more notable P-51’s to be seen this year included the 1944 built Reno Air Races #69 and named “Miss Marvel.” Another noteworthy P-51 was a 1943 built P-51A, registered N51Z, which is also a Reno Air Race veteran. Several other annually attending North American P-51D Mustangs were seen and included “Old Crow”, “Moonbeam McSwine”, and “Ain’t Misbehavin”.
Several other Fighter Aircraft were also seen and included several examples of the gull winged Voight/Goodyear F-4U Corsair including N713JT, a 1945 built F4U-4 Corsair owned by Jim Tobul, better known as Korean War Hero. Welcome visitors from Canada were a 1943 built Hawker Hurricane and a 1945 built Supermarine Spitfire both of these aircraft were part of the 100th Anniversary Celebration of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Another very noteworthy Warbird was NX4747D, a rare 1942 built Republic P-47 Razorback Thunderbolt named “Bonnie”. This beautifully restored P-47 is owned and operated by the Dakota Territory Air Museum located at Minot North Dakota.
Transports were well represented this year with several versions of the iconic Douglas DC-3/C-47 Skytrain. Another one of the themes of AirVenture 2024 was called “Turning the Tide” which commemorated the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6th, 1944. The World War II Airborne Demo Team was part of this commemoration and took part in the afternoon airshow on 7/24 jumping from “Wild Kat” a 1941 vintage Douglas C-49. The team is based out of Frederick Oklahoma and wears period uniforms and uses the traditional round canopy parachutes reminiscent of the ones that the Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne used on Invasion Day. Several actual D-Day Veteran aircraft were on hand and included the Tunison Foundation’s 1943 built C-47 “Placid Lassie” and the Commemorative Air Forces “That’s All Bother”. As mentioned, a very rare 1941 built Douglas C-49 named “Wild Kat” was on hand, this aircraft was originally being built for Eastern Airlines but was taken off the assembly line at Long Beach and reassigned to the USAAC (United States Army Air Corps). The differences between the C-49 and the C-47 are very subtle. The Engine Cowlings are shorter on the C-49, and the C-49 also does not have the Navigation Dome on top of the fuselage. This is one of the oldest DC-3 variants still flying.
Trainers were in abundance as usual this year with several examples of the North American T-6 Texan/SNJ/Harvard in attendance. The North American T-28 Trojan turned 75 years old this year, as a result several T-28 ‘s were seen. The Trojan Thunder Demo Team flew in the afternoon airshow on 7/23 with 4 of the single seat, radial engine trainers. Another type widely seen was the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor, this single engine trainer was derived from the civilian Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza.
Utility and light observation aircraft took to the skies on 7/24 and rounds out this year’s selection of propeller powered Warbirds. These included examples of the Cessna 0-1 Bird Dog, Cessna 0-2A Skymaster, and the North American L-17A Navion.
Warbirds have been, are, and will continue to be a key component to AirVenture. What many people are not aware of is the majority of these beautifully restored aircraft are privately owned and operated at their expense. If you ever get the chance thank a pilot for bringing their aircraft to your airshow. It is quite costly to maintain these vital pieces of our history, let do our part to “Keep Them Flying.” Until next time, “Blue Skies to All!”
