What We Expect to See at the EAA’s AirVenture 2025 at Oshkosh
The Douglas AD Skyraider design will celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2025
EAA Press Releases with added notes and photos by Ken Kula
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 promises to be filled with dozens of examples of aviation innovations, all gathered in one place. Through some of the EAA’s press releases leading up to the big show, we present a preview of just a few interesting features expected at this year’s gathering.
EAA press release: The aviation innovation and technology of the Korean War era, which this year marks 75 years since its beginning, will be highlighted at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 on July 21-27. The 72nd edition of EAA’s fly-in convention will be held at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The aircraft on display will showcase the transition from piston-powered aircraft to fighter jets, and will be included in air show demonstrations and on display in Boeing Plaza and in the Warbirds area.
“While legendary World War II aircraft such as the Corsair and P-51 Mustang still were widely flown at the start of the Korean War in 1950, a new age of jets rapidly came to the front lines during that time,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “It marked a permanent change in aviation technology that will be prominent at Oshkosh this year.”
Among the Korean War-era piston-powered aircraft already committed are the Corsair, P-51 Mustang, B-29 Stratofortress, AD-4 and AD-5W Skyraiders, PB4Y, and L-5. Jet aircraft committed to AirVenture include the P-80, F-84, MiG-15, MiG-17, and F-86 Sabre. This year also marks the 85th anniversary of the Corsair, the 80th anniversary of the A-1 Skyraider, and the 75th anniversary of the MiG-17.
While elements of these displays will be present throughout AirVenture week, a primary focus will be Wednesday through Friday, July 23-25, that will include air show performances by a variety of these aircraft. In addition, evening programming at EAA’s Theater in the Woods and Fly-In Theater are in development that will correspond to the commemoration of the Korean War’s 75th anniversary. More details on those programs will be announced as they are finalized.
The only two flyable B-29 bombers are expected to appear once again at AirVenture 2025
As noted, warbirds (retired military aircraft) will play a big role in this year’s AirVenture. Some other warbirds slated to perform include: the Air Legends Grumman “Cat Flight” and C-121, the Military Air Museum’s Me-262 replica, both flyable B-29s, a Pinto Jet, T-28s, T-6s and other trainers, Greg Colyer (T33), Class of ’45, Randy Ball (MiG-17), Bernie Vasquez (P-47) and Vicky Benzing (P-51) will be in the Warbird flying shows.
Another EAA Press Release: Warbirds in Review, an unparalleled presentation series during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh that brings together historic airplanes with pilots and aircraft owners, returns in 2025 with guests that encompass 80 years of aviation and military history. The 72nd edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention is July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
The twice-daily series of “up close and personal” stories will be held July 21-26 at the Warbirds in Review aircraft ramp, located within the EAA Warbirds of America area on the AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 grounds. The series is open to all attending AirVenture.
“Warbirds in Review features veterans, aviation legends, and aircraft that simply cannot be seen together in one place anywhere else in the world,” said Connie Bowlin, past president of the EAA Warbirds of America, who organizes the series. “Many of these veterans maintain that they were just doing their jobs and nothing heroic or extraordinary, but that could not be further from the truth. Their stories and unique perspectives on the aircraft showcased at Oshkosh are insightful, poignant, and important for the public to hear.”
The aircraft and personalities scheduled as of May 22, 2025 (subject to change without notice):
Monday, July 21 10 a.m. – North American B-25 “Panchito” – Larry Kelley and family members of the late Doolittle Raiders Richard Cole, David Thatcher, and Robert Hite and 1 p.m. – Cessna L-19 Bird Dog – POW Col. (Ret.) Bill Reeder; and Col. (Ret.) Charlie Finch, Catkiller 19; plus Gerry Asher (Fort Worth Aviation Museum); and John Carlton
Tuesday, July 22 10 a.m.- North American P-51 Mustang Air Racers (Thunderbird, Bardahl Special, and Plum Crazy) – Justin Zabel, Warren Pietsch, Vicky Benzing, Clay Lacy, and Steve Hinton Jr. and 1 p.m.- Curtiss P-40 Warhawk – Butch Schroeder, Craig Davidson, and David Burroughs.
Wednesday, July 23 10 a.m. – Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe and North American P-51 Mustang – Lt. Col. (Ret.) Joseph Peterburs (who shot down an Me 262 in combat during World War II); plus Mike Spalding and Keegan Chetwynd, Military Aviation Museum and 1 p.m. – Republic P-47 Razorback Bonnie and Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt – Bernie Vasquez and Maj. Nick “Rock” Sand
Thursday, July 24 10 a.m. – Lockheed P-38 Lightning Jandina III – Jason Muszala and Robert “Robbie” Robbins and 1 p.m. – Grumman F7F-3P Tigercat, F6F Hellcat, F4F-3 Wildcat, and F8F-2 Bearcat – Rod Lewis and Steve Hinton Sr.
Friday, July 25 10 a.m. – Curtiss-Wright SB2C Helldiver – Ron Fagen, Evan Fagen, and Ray Fowler and 12:30 p.m. – 75th anniversary of the Korean War with Vought F4U Corsair, Douglas AD-4 Skyraider, and Douglas A26 Invader – Jim Tobul, Kevin Sinibaldi (Military Aviation Museum), and Roger Woolsey. Also at 1:30 p.m. – Parade – Veterans Tribute
Saturday, July 26 10 a.m. – Beech QU-22B – David Valaer
A pair of Goodyear blimps will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Goodyear flight operations at Oshkosh
Some other attendee highlights include a pair of Goodyear blimps as 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of Goodyear’s aviation operations, and a Pratt & Whitney Canada Boeing B-747SP engine testbed. P&WC operates the only two 747SPs still airworthy in the world; 2025 is Pratt and Whitney’s 100th Anniversary year too. The USAF’s F-22 and F-35A, the Marine Corps’ s F-35B demos and the Army’s Golden Knights are military teams performing in the air, and of note, an iconic USAF U-2 will be on static display. On Friday, a special pair of U. S. Marine Corps aircraft, a retiring AV-8B Harrier II (VMA-223) and its replacement type F-35B Lightning II (VMFAT-501) will be on static display together. Of further note, the U. S.’s Air National Guard is the featured military component of this year’s AirVenture, and several aircraft will be displayed. Expected Air National Guard participation includes: a KC-135 from Wisconsin, C-130J from Arkansas, C-17A from Alaska, KC-46A from New Hampshire, F-35A from Wisconsin, F-15C from Massachusetts, and a F-16C from Minnesota.
This is a 1932 vintage Fairchild 22 C7B at an earlier AirVenture – Fairchild is 100 years old in 2025
Vintage anniversaries include the centennial year celebrations for Fairchild and Travel Air general aviation aircraft. The International Aerobatic Club will celebrate the Pitts Special’s 80th birthday. Another non-military theme being highlighted is “aviation for the greater good”, and a headlining aircraft will be Samaritan Air’s DC-8-70, the last DC-8 still active in the U. S. register.
Of course, there’ll be other innovations on Whittman Regional Airport’s field, like BETA Technology’s ALIA CX300 CTOL electric air taxi. Aircraft kit builders will find a dizzying array of assembled and unassembled aircraft, many types will be in the air sometime during the week.
For details and information about attending and what else is scheduled to perform in the air, go to: https://www.eaa.org/airventure
For a short daily photographic review of the events at AirVenture, be sure to check back here to https://www.Photorecon.net nightly during AirVenture Oshkosh 2025!
