Museum - EAA in Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Jim Tobul is the man behind the stick in "Korean War Hero", but rather than the owner, he considers himself more the caretaker of this beautiful warbird and her storied history. An avid pilot for over 40 years, Jim takes great pride in carrying the legacy of the veteran Corsair to airshows all over North America. Jim's father Joe served in the United States Marines, and instilled his love of military aircraft in his son. After Jim attended college, the two set out to find a warbird to restore and fly. In 1981, they found a Corsair in a lime and avocado orchard near Homestead, FL. Completely dismantled, the aircraft's 10,000 lb weight made for quite a project to relocate, much less restore, but Joe and Jim made the purchase, took the aircraft home to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and began an arduous 10-year restoration.

Tonight! Live Stream Premier "Korean War Hero" The F4U Corsair Thursday, January 7 at 6pm CST / 7pm EST

Amazing air to air footage in High Definition of famous aircraft such as P-51 Mustang Old Crow, Douglas A-1 Skyraider, P-40 Warhawk, B-17 Flying Fortress, Curtiss C-46 Commando and many, many more!

Pearl Harbor was the beginning, for many, of years serving and defending our Country. In December of 1941, Richard E. Cole was a 2nd Lt. in the Army Air Corp Reserves assigned to the 17th Bomb Group at Pendleton, Oregon. On the 5th of December he left on a three day pass and was in Hollywood when her heard the news the the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Tom Griffin was training as a Celestial Navigator and Pendleton. He remembers that there were no rooms for Officers on the ...field so many officers had to rent rooms in town. At 3:30 pm on December 7th, he along with several friends, heard from an excited townsperson about the attack. Later that evening as they were in a local movie theater they stopped the movie and a man came up on stage and said that all the airmen had to report to the field, immediately. Jack Sinise, a WWII Lead Navigator on B-17s with 35 missions. He was 17 when he decided to join the regular Army and study meteorology, Then Pearl Harbor came along. Hear from these heroes about their My Pearl Harbor Day and how it was the beginning to their military service and how it changed their lives forever. Sources: Pearl Harbor Visitors Bureau, National Parks Service, National Archives Photo Courtesy: Larry Lumpkin, CAF, Jim Koepnick

Christmas In Wartime The 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated 15-January-1942 at McDill Field, Florida and equipped with B-24Cs. The Group moved to Barksdale Field, Louisiana and acted as a training unit for the 90th 93rd and 98th Bomb Groups and flew anti-submarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico; the Group claimed 1 U-Boat destroyed. On 26-July-1942 the Group moved to Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma to prepare for overseas deployment. The Ground echelon sailed for the U...K on the Queen Mary on 4-September-1942. The air echelon moved to Grenier Field, New Hampshire and in late September was re-deployed to the UK. Assigned to 8th Air Force at Cheddington from 11-Sep-1942 to 28-Jun-1943. The Group was known as the 'Flying Eight-Balls' and each B-24 Liberator it flew was decorated with a winged bomb cartoon of an 8-Ball (pool ball) over which were superimposed eyes and the nose of a bomb in the squadron colour. The Group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for an extremely hazardous mission against naval installations at Kiel on 14 May 1943. This mission involved drop incendiaries on the target from an unprotected position behind B-17 formations that had dropped high explosives. The Group lost five of its seventeen Liberators in the target area. CLAIMS TO FAME First 8th Air Force Bomb Groups to be equipped with B-24 Liberators Operated from England for a longer period than any other B-24 Group Sustained highest losses of aircraft of any B-24 Group in 8th Air Force Claimed more enemy aircraft than any other 8th AF B-24 Group 153. First Bomb Group to be awarded a DUC for 14-May-43 Kiel CO Col Leon W. Johnson awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor 1-Aug-43 Ploesti.

B-1 Bombers Takeoff With Afterburners Glowing

Ted Tippin I actually took my first flight when I was 6 months old in a J-3 Cub. My Dad fixed a car seat in the front seat of the Cub, so I have been flying since I wasn't even able to walk yet. My Dad is actually an Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic and my Great Uncle is an Inspection Authorized (IA) Mechanic, so I trained under both of them to get my A&P Mechanic’s license and then to moved on to getting my IA to be Chief of Maintenance at Tennessee Flying Machines. We ...specialize in Warbird maintenance and restoration, Tennessee Air Tours in a Decathlon, Stearman and AT-6 and Flight Instruction. I also got my Private Pilot License to fly all the airplanes at Tennessee Flying Machines. Our Mission We are dedicated to keeping our customers happy and their aircraft in safe flying condition. We staff only qualified IA’s and A&P’s. We assure all of our customers great service in a timely manner. Our goal is to get you and your aircraft back in the sky as soon as possible. We work on all types of aircraft, but we specialize in antique and radial engine aircraft.

One of the world's largest annual reunions of warbird aircraft and dozens of associated activities are among the highlights of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. Warbirds enthusiasts know that Oshkosh is the place to see an unmatched gathering of these magnificent restored aircraft. We know that the Warbirds area and programs are among the most popular attractions for attendees during the event, and thousands of people plan their visits to include ...the Warbirds' flying activities. The hundreds of Warbirds at Oshkosh include an all-star roster of the best-known World War II, Vietnam and Korea-era aircraft, including L-Birds, B-29 "Superfortress," B-17 "Flying Fortress," B-24 "Liberator," B-25 "Mitchell, British Avro "Lancaster," P-51 "Mustang," P-38 "Lightning," F4U "Corsair," and many others. Some of the world's top aviation museums and collections, such as EAA AirVenture Museum, Fagen Fighters WWII Museum, Commemorative Air Force, Lone Star Museum, Champaign Aviation Museum, Yankee Air Museum, Collings Foundation and Cavanaugh Flight Museum, private owners and pilots, have warbirds participating at EAA AirVenture that complement the current military aircraft flying and on display. Photo Courtesy of Jim Koepnick.

Looking for a great deal on Warbirds Merchandise? Shop eaa.org/shopwarbirds for great savings! Also remember, if you cannot find what you like here, shop Amazon Smile and enter EAA Warbirds of America Inc, and Warbirds of America receives a portion of the sales from your order.

It's fun, I do it because it's fun. I mean that’s the biggest thing. I get great enjoyment out of this. I have a partner in my T-6, he happens to have his inspector authorization, the two of us maintain the airplane. I work in conjunction with him and we've learned a lot about the airplane over the year, how it works, how it’s put together, how to properly maintain it and all of the aspects from the flying as well as the maintaining gives me a lot of pleasure and it’s somethi...ng I’m capable of learning and then capable of executing and keeping that airplane in the air. It’s very satisfying for me and I try to impart that knowledge to my family and friends and ah, it’s just an important part of my life. It’s fun to find a passion that you can get behind and then work to make it happen and do the task at hand to the best of your ability, which is what I always strived to do. -Rick Siegfried. See more

Looking for something to do in Wisconsin? Check this out!

It was in 1993 that Michael Durant’s life would change. He deployed to Somalia as part of the special forces operations in Somalia. During the Battle of Mogadishu, Durant piloted an MH-60 Blackhawk when it was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade. Despite the helicopter’s crash, Durant survived and defended himself with an MP5 submachine gun with the help of Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart and Master Sergeant Gary Gordon. After Shughart and Gordon were killed, Durant was taken prisoner by enemy forces. He was held in captivity for 11 days. Durant’s experiences in Somalia were later portrayed in the 2001 film Black Hawk Down.

PURCHASE "ADVANCE ONLY" DRIVE-IN PARKING TICKETS DIRECT -- Save time and purchase your WingsOverNorthGeorgia.com carload parking tickets directly from Etix. Hea...dlining the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Jet Demo Team at Rome's Russell Regional Airport Oct 24-25. Click either link below or call the Etix Ticket Hot-line at (800) 514-3849 to purchase "Advance Only Tickets" -- No Ticket Sales Available at the Show! SATURDAY: https://www.etix.com//saturday-air-show-drivein-ticket-pas SUNDAY: https://www.etix.com//sunday-air-show-drivein-ticket-pass-

Charles McGee earned his wings and commission on June 30, 1943, part of class 43-F. McGee remained on active duty 30 years. He flew fighter aircraft combat tour...s in three major military conflicts, completing 405 missions for the Army Air Forces and the Air Force. During his time in World War II, he flew the Bell P-39Q Airacobra, Republic P-47D Thunderbolt and North American P-51 Mustang. He is the only known fighter pilot who flew 100 or more combat missions in each of the following wars: World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Celebrating a 100th birthday is monumental in itself, but for retired Col. Charles McGee, on Feb. 4, 2020, he found himself in the Oval Office at the White House being promoted to brigadier general by President Trump. George Hardy was called to active duty in July 1943 for basic training. In December his group was transferred to Tuskegee Army Air Field for Aviation Cadet training, as part of Class 44-H. He completed combat flying training in early February 1945 in the P47. He was shipped overseas to Italy and flew 21 combat missions over Germany in the P-51. His long military career included the Korean War serving with the 19th Bomb Group at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa where he flew 45 combat missions over Korea in the B-29 aircraft. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1971.

Bill Gius, Vice President, Warbirds of America I’m Bill Gius, I am one of two Vice-Presidents with Warbirds of America, Harold Cannon and I share the role of Vice President, serving you our members, along with other members of our board. We really appreciate the opportunity to work for all of our Warbirds of America Members. Other than taking video at some of the formation clinic, I have been invited there to help support the actual ground operations at each of these events.... And part of that is because this Oshkosh 2020 would of been my 46th Oshkosh event as a Flightline Volunteer. It has been a great privilege to be able to do that for this amount of time and to meet as many great Warbird pilots, members and volunteers, who through their generosity bring themselves and their aircraft to anyone of these events for us to enjoy, share and appreciate the history of the aircraft because that is their passion to keep them flying." -Bill Gius. See more

Happy Thanksgiving to you and all of your families! We are thankful for all of our members and friends near and far.

Did you know that on this day, 80 years ago, the Wooden Wonder took flight for the first time?

Check this out!

"In Their Own Words" General Olds is rated a triple ace, having shot down a total of 17 enemy aircraft during World War II and the Vietnam War. He began his combat flying in a P-38 Lightning named Scat 1 during World War II, and at the end of the war he was flying Scat VII, a P-51 Mustang. Olds was eventually credited with 107 combat missions and 24.5 victories, 13 aircraft shot down and 11.5 aircraft destroyed on the ground. During the Vietnam War in October 1966, Olds ent...ered combat flying in Southeast Asia in Scat XXVII, an F-4 Phantom II. He completed 152 combat missions, including 105 over North Vietnam. Utilizing air-to-air missiles, he shot down two MIG-17 and two MIG-21 aircraft over North Vietnam, two of these on one mission. His military decorations and awards include the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star with three oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with five oak leaf clusters, Air Meda

Attention! Attention! Every spring, Warbirds Magazine features safety-related stories in our March Safety Issue. 2021 will be no different. However, with many of the 2020 aviation events being cancelled, we find ourselves in need of interesting content for your magazine. Here’s where you can make a difference. Take a few minutes and tell us about a safety related topic that can get us in the right frame of mind for the upcoming flying season. It could be something you’ve ...experienced, There I was, or A friend of mine had this happen. We all like to learn from actual life experiences. It doesn’t have to be a novel. Just a couple pages and if you have a hi res (300 d.p.i. or better) photo to go with the story, that’s great. Send them to our Warbirds Magazine Editor, Jim Busha at: [email protected] The deadline is early January, 2021. That is all carry on. See more

CANCELLED: The 2021 Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show HALF MOON BAY CA (November 18, 2020) Organizers of the Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show today released the following statement regarding the 2021 show: Sadly it’s become all too familar but today we’re sorry beyond words to announce that after careful consideration of on-going COVID conditions plus the significant investment of resources required over many months of planning, and our fiscal responsibilities to the non...-profit Coastside Adult Day Health Center, the organizing committee has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show that was scheduled to be held on April 25 at Half Moon Bay Airport." "Our team has been holding out hope the COVID situation would improve but we have to be realistic and it's clear there is not a realistic path forward for this year’s show due to the uncertainty we face in the coming months as well as government-issued guidelines prohibiting large public gatherings for the foreseeable future." "We deeply regret the absence of the 2020 and 2021 shows but the our top priority is the safety and well-being of our attendees, participants, volunteers and all involved." "We’re forever grateful for the incredible public support of the show over these many years and it’s painful to have to share this unfortunate news." "We plan to be back on the field someday but must give this pandemic some time and space for resolution." "It’s been a supremely challenging year for all but we forge on with resilience and great optimism for the future." For those interested in making a tax-deductible donation to support the work of the center, please send checks to the Coastside Adult Day Health Center, 925 Main St., Suite A, Half Moon Bay CA 94019. Donations can also be made securely online at https://www.coastsideadultdayhealth.org/contribute Your continued support is greatly appreciated. Media contacts should be made through the Miramar Events festival media relations office/Tim Beeman at 415-999-2428 or [email protected]

After the heartache of canceling the 2020 National Championship Air Races due to COVID-19 the Reno Air Racing Association is determined to bring the world's fastest motorsport back to the high desert of Northern Nevada in 2021, but it won't be possible without additional support. RARA, a charitable 501(c)3, is asking for help by launching a fundraising campaign to "Save The Races" with the goal of raising $500,000 by the end of the year. Please click the link below to learn more.

Petition to Honor the Candy Bomber. A group hoping to honor 100-year-old Colonel Gail S. "Hal" Halvorsen, famous for his morale-boosting candy drops to the beleaguered German people during the Berlin Airlift, has started a petition to see him awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

This was taken at the Arsenal of Democracy practice. Our TBM forming up with the others. Thanks to the @caf_capital_wing for catching this. Happy Veterans Day to our veterans out there. Thank you for protecting all of our freedoms.

Nelson Ezell moved into High Flight on Sunday November 8th into the arms of the Lord Jesus. He has been battling and overcoming complications since his 2017 acc...ident. He was at home with family when he passed. Nelson inspired many and has left a large void in the Warbird world. His ingenuity, craftsmanship, and honorable business attributes took him into the hearts of all that he worked with. I grew up under his wing and was jealous of his attention to those around him. I later learned that I was important to him but so was every one that crossed his path. Any person that desired to learn from him he treated like a son. Any person to do business with him was treated like family. He is a father and friend too many. I learned that sharing him with the world made it a better place. His character was full of strong virtues and integrity. If all people in the world took just some of the qualities of my father to heart. The world would be a better place. He has left us here at Ezell Aviation with very large shoes to fill and a reputation that needs no improvements. I could ramble on and on about his qualities but He truly needs no explanation to those that knew him. I miss him greatly. We appreciate all the heart felt condolences of emails, texts, posts, cards, and letters. We are having a Memorial service on Saturday November the 14th at 1:PM at the Ezell Aviation Hangar. For those flying in we ask that you not park in front of the Hangar. There will be a missing man flight. - Chad Ezell

Candler Field Veterans Day Celebration Ron Alexander Ron received his primary flight school training at Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas. After graduation from flight school Ron was assigned to the Military Air Transport Service flying C-130E aircraft to virtually every continent in the world. In November, 1966, Ron was assigned to South Viet Nam to fly the C-7 Caribou supporting the Marine Corps and the Army Special Forces. He was based in Danang located in the I Co...rps area of Viet Nam. For most of his flying time, he flew in the area around the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in support of Army Special Forces units and the Marine Corps. The missions were varied and included medevac, resupply, and troop transport. He flew for a total of 12 months in Viet Nam. Two of those months, he instructed new arrivals on procedures used while flying within South Viet Nam. During the 1 year of service in Viet Nam, the Air Force awarded Ron the Distinguished Flying Cross and 2 Air Medals. He then returned to the United States in November, 1967 to Sewart AFB, Tennessee to instruct in the C-7. Ron held the rank of Captain prior to his honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1969. Ron Alexander, known among fellow pilots as a quiet giant of aviation, passed away in 2016. He will never be forgotten. See more

To all veterans of all branches: Thank you for your sacrifice, your bravery, and the example you set for us all. In short, thank you for your service! To all those who have served, and those who continue to serve Thank you for your service!

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Nelson Ezell. He was the EAA Warbirds of America Hall of Fame inductee in 2015. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of his family and friends.

Saturday 11-7 members of Warbird Squadron 31 will be flying as part of a Veterans Day Tribute to our military. The event will be held at Peachstate Airport, (Alexander Memorial) in Williamson GA. There will be T6/SNJ formations, Stearmans, Liaisons with at least 20 Warbird aircraft expected to participate. For more information, please check out this link: https://www.peachstateaero.com/ev/veterans-day-celebration/

Checkout this awesome video from inside the cockpit of yesterday’s final Legacy Hornet flight over Pensacola!

Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served. For one day, we stand united in respect for you, our veterans. This holiday started as a day to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country's service and was originally called Armistice Day. It fell on Nov. 11 because that is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. However, in 1954, the holiday was changed to "Veterans Day" in order to account for all vete...rans in all wars. Dick Rutan Earning his pilot’s license on his 16th birthday, Dick Rutan embarked on an amazing aviation adventure that continues today. When asked how he defined success he told a crowd of students, Success for me is when I can stand underneath the airplane at the National Air and Space Museum and say ‘I built this and flew it around the world.’ That, to me, is my real success. Continuing, he said, You have to find your own pathway, even if it involves taking risks, and don’t accept limitations. -As an Air Force pilot he flew 325 combat missions in the Vietnam War with 105 of them with the top-secret MISTY group. -Chief test pilot for the Rutan Aircraft Factory in Mojave, California and set numerous world speed and distance records in the Rutan Long-EZ. -Made the first nonstop, non-refueling around the world flight in the Voyager aircraft in nine days in December 1986. Brig Gen. Charles G. Boyd, 4-Star General Charles G. Boyd was deputy commander in chief, U.S. European Command, Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany. He oversaw the daily activities of a unified command with an area of responsibility encompassing 82 countries and more than 13 million square miles. The command supports and advances U.S. interests and policies throughout the area. Also, it provides combat-ready forces in support of U.S. commitments to the NATO alliance. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the aviation cadet program in July 1960 and has served in a variety of assignments in Europe, the Pacific, and the Continental United States. He was a command pilot, and flew F-105s in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Boyd was shot down over Laos on February 26, 1966, and was quickly rescued. He was shot down a second time, this time over North Vietnam, while flying his 105th combat mission and was taken as a Prisoner of War on April 22, 1966. After spending 2,488 days in captivity, he was released during Operation Homecoming on February 12, 1973. Boyd was promoted to Major during the time he was held as a POW. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries and then attended the University of Kansas through an Air Force Institute of Technology assignment where he completed his Bachelors and Masters degrees.

Our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Audrey Poberezny.

Are your kids interested in art and aviation? If you have a child between the grades 1 and 6, check this art contest out. https://planesoffame.org/giving-back/student-art-contest-2

A restored Bell P-63 Kingcobra will join Warbirds in Review at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh. The aircraft spent 16 years in restoration before flying again this spring at Atlanta Regional Airport-Falcon Field in Peachtree City, Ga. The P-63, restored and operated by the Dixie Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), served many roles, from test aircraft to air show performer. Former astronaut and retired Gen. Joe Engle, who was associated w...ith the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from the X-15 to Apollo through the Shuttle, will be a guest speaker to share the history of the P-63 and NASA. This P-63 served as a Bell test aircraft until January 1945, when it was transferred to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the forerunner of today’s NASA. The aircraft operated at Moffett Field on the grounds of the NACA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, Calif. It was built in the winter of 1944, bearing the Bell construction number 33-11 (model 33, aircraft 11). It rolled out of the Bell plant in Niagara Falls, N.Y., on Feb. 24, 1944, where it was formally accepted by the United States Army Air Force as a P-63A-6 and given serial number 42-68941.

Please join us for our first formation clinic in Galesburg, Illinois September 5-8th. NATA Preview is leading up to next week’s live stream premier of NATA Formation Clinic - Galesburg, IL., featuring Harvard Mk IV pilot Vic Stottlemyer, T-6 pilot Rick Siegfried and Stearman pilot Bib Pingston. A key mission for NATA is promoting, teaching, and maintaining the skills to fly aircraft in formation. NATA is also a signatory of the Formation and Safety Team (FAST), a worldwide e...ducational organization dedicated to teaching safe formation flying in restored, vintage military aircraft and civilian aircraft. Flying in formation is a an effective way to showcase your NATA aircraft at public events and airshows. The pubic gains an appreciation for the way these aircraft were flown when they were still being flown by military pilots. Flying formation is also very rewarding for pilots and is a fun way to enjoy your warbird! Formation flying also requires discipline and skill, and should not be attempted without proper training. NATA provides formation training and issues Formation and Safety Team (FAST) formation qualifications for T-6, T-28, and B-25 aircraft. Pilots wishing to earn their FAST credentials through NATA must first join NATA as a Formation Member, and then complete our Formation Training Program. NATA hosts formation training clinics several times each year where trainees can progress through the program at their own pace. Instructor Pilots and Check Pilots are present at these Clinics, and when a trainee successfully passes a check ride, a FAST card is issued. There are qualifications for Wingman, Leader, Instructor, and Check Pilot. NATA is signatory to the Formation and Safety Team (FAST). FAST is a worldwide, educational organization dedicated to teaching safe formation flying in restored, vintage military aircraft and civilian aircraft. It is comprised of seventeen signatory organizations whose mission is to support education in the restoration, maintenance and flight of their members' aircraft. For more information about FAST, visit www.flyfast.org. Photo Courtesy David Johnstone. See more

Awesome event happening Saturday! If you are in the area, get your tickets now!

Are you a member that hasn't received your e-blast? Please read this!

Live Stream Event! Jim "Zack" Olzacki - President, Warbirds of America Jim "Zack" Olzacki President, Warbirds Of America... I have been involved with Warbirds since the early 80’s. I have been involved with getting Bob Pond’s Museum started at Flying Cloud Field outside of Minneapolis and I’m a member of and volunteering for the Warbirds of America. Since then I had a little hiatus when I made a move back to Connecticut, but that was for a short period of time while I was getting re-situated. As a result of being involved with Bob Pond, I was exposed to a full assortment of Warbirds and the more I was exposed to them, the deeper I got with falling in love and wanting be apart of it and Bob was so involved in wanting to share them with the public, it was an easy connection for me. And together we had the Museum up and running and recognized world-wide in a book and going off to airshows and sharing them with other people.

Take a look at these great views from the cockpit of the TBM Avenger at Culpepper, VA. Getting ready for the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover!

For those not in the DC area the Arsenal of Democracy Flight on September 25, 2020 you can watch live...