Hawker Beechcraft Corp. will celebrate two milestones at this year’s AirVenture in Oshkosh: The 60th anniversary of the Beechcraft Bonanza and the 75th anniversary of Beechcraft.
The celebrations begin with the Bonanzas to Oshkosh arrival on Saturday, July 21. More than 100 Bonanzas and Barons of all models will make the annual trek from Rockford, Ill., to Oshkosh. The formation flight includes Bonanzas from almost every one of the 40 models and each of the 60 years the aircraft has been in production, according to company officials.
Among the airplanes at the front of the group will be a 2007 special-edition 60th anniversary Bonanza G36. Nearby will be one of the earliest Bonanzas still flying, a 1947 Model 35 Bonanza, serial number D-18, which is owned by the Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma, Tenn.
“Joining the Bonanzas to Oshkosh flight will be a real treat for me,” said Hawker Beechcraft Corp. Chairman and CEO Jim Schuster, who will fly in the special-edition Bonanza G36. “Flying along with 100 other aircraft in formation must be quite an experience. Our Beechcraft Bonanza owners have such a wonderful passion for their aircraft; it truly is an honor for me to be a part of the flight.”
On July 22, the company will host a “Beech Party” in the North 40 aircraft parking area where hundreds of Barons and Bonanzas will be parked. There will be food, entertainment and presentations from a number of special guests. Hawker Beechcraft’s own house band, “The Sons of Beech,” will perform.
On July 23, the opening day of the show, Aeroshell Square will feature a Beechcraft Heritage display exhibiting at least one of each model of the aircraft Beechcraft has built over the years, beginning with a Beech Model 17 Staggerwing. The centerpiece of the display will be the 1947 Model 35 Bonanza D-18, the 60th anniversary Bonanza G36 and a special-edition 75th anniversary Baron G58. About 25 aircraft are expected to be on display.
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