War-time pilots were told ditching a B-17, P-51, B-24 and other warbirds was a “last resort.”
warbirds
Victorious veteran describes downing German jet fighter at AirVenture
A standing room only crowd at a Warbirds in Review session during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 was transfixed as Joe Peterburs shared a thrilling encounter between his P-51 and a German Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter during World War II. Joining him during the session were officials with the Military Aviation Museum, who brought the museum’s replica Me 262 jet to Oshkosh.
Picture of the Day: Southern Cross
Scott Piercy submitted this photo and note: “Commemorating D-Day 2025 at the Silent Wings Museum at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (KLBB) in Texas.”
Picture of the Day: We all love warbirds
Robert Erenstein submitted this photo and note: “The sound, the technology, yes, we all love venerable warbirds. Here a P-51 Mustang in US livery, now civilian and based in The Netherlands.”
Warhawk Air Museum’s Memorial Day Fly-Over draws thousands
Each Memorial Day for about 15 years, an historic flight with the Warhawk Air Museum’s three flying warbirds flies along a circuitous route that highlights the Veterans’ Cemetery, Veterans Memorial Park, other parks, hospitals, and other sites in the Boise, Idaho, Treasure Valley.
Picture of the Day: Big brother
Brad Cohen submitted this photo and note: “A PT-19 looking at his big brother.”
Picture of the Day: That’s All Brother
Claire Parr submitted this photo and note: “Photograph taken by me on June 4, 2024, from “Placid Lassie” flying in formation over the Normandy beaches.”
When the Mustang served up a dive bomber
Unthinkable for a pure fighter, the dive bomber versions of the Mustang incorporated a sturdy set of dive brakes that extended above and below the wings when rotated into the slipstream by stout hydraulic actuators.
$100 million donation to the Military Aviation Museum
The donation by philanthropist and businessman Gerald Yagen includes 70 vintage military aircraft that have been collected over the years, the land on which the museum was built, and $30 million to establish an endowment to keep the airplanes flying.