What To Expect at 2023’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

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The Photorecon.net team will be out in force again at this year’s AirVenture 2023, reporting on just some of the many highlights (at least, what we think are the highlights) of the world’s largest gathering of aviators and aircraft at one place.

First things first, 2023 is the 70th Anniversary of the Experimental Aircraft Association – the EAA. Through the efforts of thousands of volunteers and enthusiasts, the celebration – which has become AirVenture Oshkosh – will once again attract headlining acts, cutting edge technology, and a wide range of historic aircraft and aviators to their yearly celebration. What to expect from 7 decades of experience? Here’s a few tidbits of information about what you’ll see in our digital aviation magazine after we attend.

In the air and on the ground, there’s always something interesting, exciting and even unique to see and learn about! The event runs from a Monday through the following Sunday, with daily four-hour-long air shows each afternoon. Every day is different, here are the themes of 2023:

Monday July 24th – A salute to air racing. At the central ground display venue, the Boeing Plaza, there’ll be an array of racers on display. The air show will feature top-name aerobatic performances, military A-10, F-22, and U-2 flights, plus a large group of arriving warbirds, including a just-restored C-121 Constellation!

Tuesday July 25th – Innovation. New technologies like electric airplanes will be displayed on the ground and in the air. The afternoon show will feature more aerobatics, and an EA-18G Growler demo and Legacy Flight

Wednesday July 26th – Women in Aviation. Aviation accomplishments by women will be featured, and the afternoon air show will feature women aerobatic performers. Air Force A-10 and F-22 displays will occur too. The first night air show will commence at 8 PM, complete with fireworks as the finale.

Thursday July 27th – It is a Corsair day in a nutshell… featuring the movie Devotion at the nightly cinema; approximately 10 of the “Bent Winged Birds” may be on hand. Another version of a Navy Legacy formation is expected, and another visit by a U-2 Dragon Lady is slated to occur too.

Friday July 28th – A Salute to Vietnam’s 50th Anniversary. Warbirds and active military aircraft will be featured. The C-121 Constellation is expected to depart today, during the air show.

Saturday July 29th – The US Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command (AETC) will be featured, as well as an air refueling presentation between a Wisconsin Air National Guard KC-135 and Boeing C-17. The second night air show will commence at 8PM.

Sunday July 30th – All good things must come to an end, and Sunday’s air show is a shortened and earlier version, with an exciting list of aerobatic performers.

Some of the earlier-announced warbird highlights for this year include: a pair of P-51 Mustangs ( –B and –D versions) restored as “Old Crow”, the mount of Brig. General C.E. “Bud” Anderson (he is slated to attend at a Warbirds in Review session) on Tuesday. The P-51C “Thunderbird”, a racing veteran, will be the focus of a discussion on Wednesday afternoon, as well as a newly restored P-47D Razorback Thunderbolt. Pilots and restorers will be talking about their experiences in the Warbirds area.

A pair of Boeing outsized freighters will attend… NASA’s Aero Spacelines Super Guppy (a modified Boeing KC-97 tanker) will be attending Monday through Wednesday, and A Dreamlifter outsized cargo jet modified from a stock B-747 will be on the grounds too).

The Wisconsin Air National Guard are switching from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the F-35 Lightning II, a new F-35 and a KC-135 tanker are expected to be displayed.

The only flying Fairchild C-123, named “Thunder Pig”, will be in attendance… the C-123 is a Vietnam-era work horse airlifter.

Civilian homebuilt aircraft anniversary celebrations include:
The Midget Mustang, 75 years ago

Whittman Taildragger, 70 years ago
Thorp T-18, 60 years ago

Hiperbipe, 50 years ago
Sonex 25 years ago
Van’s RV-10 20 years ago

As of the beginning of 2023, an incomplete list of air show performers who were expected this perform this year includes:

AeroShell Aerobatic Team (T-6s)
Randy Ball (MiG 17)
Vicky Benzing (Stearman)
Bob Carlton (Super Salto)
Kevin Coleman (Extra)
Dell Coller (Jet Waco)
Susan Dacy (Stearman)
Kyle Fowler (Long-EZ)
Kyle Franklin (Piper Super Cub)
Michael Goulian (Extra)
R.J. Gritter (Decathlon)
Greg Koontz (Decathlon)

Nathan Hammond (Super Chipmunk)
Rob Holland (MXS-RH)
Jerry Kerby (RV-8/T-28)
Lee Lauderback (P-51)
David Martin (Beech Baron)
Jessy Panzer (Pitts)
Jim Peitz (F-33 Bonanza)

Red Bull Air Force
Ken Reider (RV-8)
Bill Stein (Edge 540)
Skip Stewart (Prometheus 2)
Jim Tobul (F-4U Corsair)
Hubie Tolson (Sukhoi SU-31)
Trojan Phlyers (T-28s)
Bernie Vasquez (Sea Fury)
Patty Wagstaff (Extra)
Scott Yoak (P-51)
Matt Younkin (Beech 18)
Misty Blues (Parachuting)

These are just a few of many fantastic opportunities to witness and take part in the ever-growing volume of aviation history that will occur at Oshkosh, Wisconsin’s Whittman Regional Airport this year. Oh, and a few more reminders…

If you’re flying in, please remember to read the NOTAMs, there might be some changes from last year’s procedures.

Because of Boeing’s generosity, kids under 18 years old can attend free of charge!

Finally, all of these attractions are planned, but their appearances may be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances… all photos here are from last year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh or stock photos by the author. See you there?

Ken Kula

Assignment and Content Editor, writer and photographer A New Englander all of my life, I've lived in New Hampshire since 1981. My passion for all things aviation began at a very early age, and I coupled this with my interest of photography during college in the late 1970s. I spent 35 years in the air traffic control industry, and concurrently, enjoyed my aviation photography and writing adventures, which continue today. I've been quite fortunate to have been mentored by some generous and gifted individuals. I enjoy contributing to this great site and working with some very knowledgeable and equally passionate aviation followers.

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