AirVenture 2004 marked another expansive year at Oshkosh, with the showground filled by a broad mix of warbirds, homebuilts, classics and modern general aviation types. The event continued its tradition of combining flying displays with hands‑on access to aircraft on the flightline, giving visitors the chance to see both rare restorations and contemporary designs at close quarters. From frontline military demonstrations to grassroots experimental projects, the 2004 gathering reflected the full spectrum of aviation culture that defines AirVenture, set against the familiar backdrop of summer activity at Wittman Regional Airport.
Aeronca 7AC Champion (early production), c.1946 — An early example of Aeronca’s post‑war two‑seat light aeroplane, finished in a period Golden Age scheme and displayed in the Pioneer Airport hangars. The first‑generation 7‑series retained several pre‑standardisation features, including a deeper rounded engine cowling and wire‑braced tailplane, before later Champs adopted strut‑braced tail surfaces and revised cowl geometry. Powered by a 65‑hp Continental A‑65 and built with welded steel‑tube fuselage and fabric covering, the early 7AC combined benign handling with short‑field capability, becoming one of the most widely flown training and club aircraft of the late 1940s. This example carries the classic Aeronca tail logo, linking the type back to the company’s Cincinnati origins.
Aeronca LC in bright red civilian finish, exhibited at AirVenture 2004.
The LC’s 1930s streamlining is evident in its gently tapered low wing, spatted undercarriage and pointed spinner — classic hallmarks of Aeronca’s elegant cabin‑monoplane design. Displayed within an indoor exhibit area with additional airframe structures mounted on the walls.
Full‑scale Wright Flyer exhibit at the EAA Aviation Museum, showing the 1903 aircraft’s canard elevator, twin‑propeller chain‑drive system and lightweight wooden structure. Displayed within the museum’s early‑aviation gallery alongside additional period aircraft.
Indoor early‑aviation gallery at the EAA Aviation Museum featuring a pioneer‑era biplane with a wooden framework and fabric‑covered wings, displayed at floor level. Visitors are gathered around interpretive panels, and several early aircraft — including a red triplane — are suspended overhead. The central aircraft resembles an early Curtiss pusher‑type design within the museum’s Wright‑ and Curtiss‑era contextual display.
Spirit of St. Louis replica suspended in the EAA Aviation Museum’s Lindbergh gallery, carrying the NX‑211 markings and characteristic nose script. Displayed against a large Lindbergh backdrop with period‑style patriotic bunting, with visitors exploring the associated exhibits below.
Unidentified Bellanca high‑wing monoplane with uncowled radial engine, displayed as the 1977 accompanying aircraft for the EAA’s Lindbergh Commemorative Tour. Suspended in the Pioneer Airport gallery in its black‑and‑red tour scheme.
Schreder HP‑8 sailplane (N94324), an all‑metal V‑tail competition glider designed by Richard Schreder in the late 1950s. The HP‑8 introduced a new era of high‑performance homebuilt soaring, combining a long‑span low wing, retractable monowheel and lightweight metal construction. Displayed suspended in the EAA Aviation Museum’s main gallery.
Taylor Aerocar I, the pioneering American roadable aircraft designed by Moulton Taylor in the late 1940s. This prototype combined a detachable wing and tail assembly with a fully road‑legal car body, representing one of the most successful attempts to create a practical flying car. Displayed in the EAA Aviation Museum.
Rutan VariViggen (N27VV), Burt Rutan’s pioneering canard‑configured homebuilt aircraft of the early 1970s. The VariViggen introduced many of the aerodynamic concepts that would define Rutan’s later designs, combining a forward canard, swept mainplane and twin‑fin tail. Displayed in the EAA Aviation Museum.
Monnett Moni (N107WX), a compact single‑seat motorglider designed by John Monnett in the early 1980s. Built in lightweight all‑metal construction with a small nose‑mounted engine, the Moni offered economical sport flying with simple, efficient aerodynamics. Displayed in the EAA Aviation Museum.
Rutan VariEze (N7EZ), Burt Rutan’s breakthrough canard‑configured homebuilt aircraft of the mid‑1970s. The VariEze combined a forward canard, swept mainplane, winglets and a rear‑mounted pusher propeller, creating a highly efficient and visually distinctive design that transformed the homebuilt aircraft movement. Displayed in the EAA Aviation Museum.
Loving–Wayne WR‑1 “Love” (N351C), a sleek single‑seat homebuilt sport aircraft designed by Neal V. Loving in the 1950s. Built for efficient, economical performance, the WR‑1 combined a low wing, clean aerodynamics and lightweight construction, becoming one of the most distinctive early post‑war homebuilt designs. Displayed in the EAA Aviation Museum.
Scaled Composites 271 V‑Jet II (N222FJ), an experimental light‑jet demonstrator built by Burt Rutan’s Scaled Composites for Williams International in the mid‑1990s. Powered by the prototype FJX‑2 small turbofan, the V‑Jet II served as the technological springboard for the Eclipse 500 very‑light‑jet programme. Displayed in the EAA Aviation Museum’s Innovations Gallery.
Miller–Bohannon JM‑2 Special “Pushy Galore” (N89XP), the record‑setting pusher‑prop racing aircraft designed by Jim Miller and campaigned by Bruce Bohannon in the 1990s. Featuring a compact low‑aspect straight wing, sleek composite fuselage and rear‑mounted engine, the JM‑2 set multiple time‑to‑climb and speed records. Sponsored by Mattituck and Unison. Displayed in the EAA Aviation Museum.
Rutan Quickie Q1 (N2WX), the early tractor‑prop prototype of Burt Rutan’s tandem‑wing homebuilt aircraft introduced in the late 1970s. This initial configuration featured a nose‑mounted engine, large forward canard and smaller rear wing, reflecting the Quickie’s original development layout before later pusher‑prop refinements. Designed for exceptional efficiency and low operating cost, the Quickie pioneered lightweight composite construction in the homebuilt community.
The Foreign visitors “the British are coming!”
Various Foreign visitors
The Canadian contingent
The Foreign visitors get a flypast. McDonnell Douglas F/A‑18 Hornet, a twin‑engine multirole fighter introduced in the 1980s and operated by the US Navy, US Marine Corps and allied nations. Known for its agility, carrier‑borne capability and versatility in air‑defence and strike missions, the Hornet remains one of the most recognisable modern combat aircraft.
Tom Poberezny addressing the Foreign Visitors, speaking in his role as EAA President and welcoming international guests to AirVenture. His remarks emphasised the global reach of the organisation and the importance of international participation in the annual gathering at Oshkosh.
Diamond DA42 Twin Star, a modern composite twin‑engine aircraft introduced in the early 2000s. Powered by efficient diesel engines mounted in slim wing nacelles, the DA42 combines advanced avionics, low fuel consumption and excellent handling. Shown on display at EAA AirVenture 2004 Oshkosh.
Diamond DA40 on display at AirVenture 2004, shown here in CAPT Programme markings. The composite four‑seat trainer attracted considerable interest for its modern avionics suite, efficient aerodynamics and distinctive bubble canopy, reflecting Diamond’s push toward next‑generation light aircraft design during the early 2000s.
Mooney M20 (early variant), a fast, efficient low‑wing touring aircraft renowned for its distinctive forward‑swept fin and retractable undercarriage. Powered by a Lycoming engine and noted for its exceptional cruise performance and economy, the M20 became one of the most successful personal aircraft of its era. Shown here at AirVenture, finished in a classic blue‑and‑white scheme.
Aeronca 15AC Sedan (N1387H), a four‑seat high‑wing touring and utility aircraft introduced in 1948 as Aeronca’s largest post‑war design. Powered by a Continental O‑300 and noted for its roomy cabin, excellent short‑field performance and distinctive twin‑strut wing bracing, the Sedan became popular with private owners and bush operators alike. This 1949 example is shown on the flight‑line at AirVenture in a red‑and‑cream scheme.
Cessna 170B (CF‑YRT), a four‑seat high‑wing touring aircraft introduced in 1952 as the definitive development of the Cessna 170 series. Featuring the enlarged fin and rudder, dihedral wing and improved handling over earlier variants, the 170B became a favourite among private pilots and bush operators. This Canadian‑registered example was photographed on the flight‑line at AirVenture 2004, finished in a red‑and‑white scheme and tied down beside a small camp set‑up.
Beechcraft Bonanza 33‑series N2YY on the grass flightline at EAA AirVenture, with fellow straight‑tail Bonanza N9785Y parked behind it. The pair represent the conventional‑tail branch of the Bonanza family, set among the dense rows of visiting aircraft that define the world’s largest annual aviation gathering.
Zenith CH 200, an early single‑seat mid‑wing variant of Chris Heintz’s all‑metal sport aircraft series, parked on the grass flightline at EAA AirVenture. The aircraft’s square‑topped fin, framed canopy and lift‑struts attached at the wheel spats reflect the distinctive features of the early CH 200 lineage.
Beechcraft Bonanza V‑tail, finished in a cream and brown period scheme, parked on the grass flightline at EAA AirVenture. The Bonanza’s distinctive V‑tail made it one of the most recognisable light aircraft of the post‑war era, combining high performance with elegant lines that set it apart from other touring types of its day.
Short SC.7 Skyvan 3M (N64HB), the distinctive high‑wing twin‑engine utility aircraft from Short Brothers, parked on the grass flightline at EAA AirVenture. Known for its twin‑fin tail and box‑shaped fuselage, the Skyvan earned the nickname “Flying Shoebox” and has long been valued for short‑field performance, cargo capacity and skydiving operations.
Short SC.7 Skyvan 3M (N64HB) on the grass flightline at EAA AirVenture, its twin‑fin tail and tall, slab‑sided fuselage showing the unmistakable profile of Short Brothers’ rugged utility twin. Designed for short‑field work and rapid loading, the Skyvan became a favourite for cargo, survey and skydiving operations thanks to its roomy cabin and dependable performance.
Jimmy Franklin’s Jet Waco, the unique radial‑engined biplane fitted with an underslung GE T58 turbojet, performing a low‑level pass above a jet‑powered exhibition truck during an airshow display. The combination of piston power, jet thrust and smoke made the Jet Waco one of the most dramatic and recognisable airshow acts of its era.
Cessna 195 “Businessliner”, a classic post‑war radial‑engined high‑wing monoplane, parked on the grass at EAA AirVenture. Powered by a Jacobs radial and finished in a red‑and‑white scheme, the 195 was marketed as an executive transport in its day and is now prized by enthusiasts for its distinctive sound, vintage lines and solid cross‑country performance.
Two North American P‑51D Mustangs in close formation, led by a red‑nose aircraft in European Theatre markings and followed by a yellow‑nose example carrying full invasion stripes. The P‑51D’s bubble canopy, dorsal fin fillet and Merlin engine defined the definitive long‑range escort fighter of the Second World War, and these restored aircraft continue to demonstrate the type’s precision and heritage in flight.
Two North American P‑51D Mustangs flying in close formation, led by a red‑nose aircraft carrying a distinctive red tail with sloping diagonal stripes, followed by a yellow‑nose example marked with a contrasting fuselage band. With their bubble canopies, dorsal fin fillets and Merlin engines, these restored P‑51Ds represent the definitive long‑range escort fighter of the Second World War and continue to showcase the type’s precision and heritage in flight.
North American P‑51D Mustang “Boob Juice”, finished in polished aluminium with a red nose and diagonally striped rudder, parked on the flightline at EAA AirVenture. Carrying period European Theatre markings and wartime‑style nose art, this restored P‑51D represents the definitive Merlin‑powered escort fighter of the Second World War and remains a standout among modern warbird displays.
North American P‑51D Mustang, serial 473029, taxying down the crowd line at EAA AirVenture with its yellow nose and polished‑aluminium finish catching the light. Marked with the fuselage code E and European Theatre insignia, this restored Merlin‑powered P‑51D represents the definitive long‑range escort fighter of the Second World War and remains a highlight of modern warbird displays.
North American FJ‑3 Fury in flight against a backdrop of blue sky and cloud. The FJ‑3 was a naval development of the Sabre, strengthened for carrier operations and powered by the Wright J65 engine, retaining the distinctive nose intake and swept‑wing layout of the Sabre lineage. This example flies in civilian ownership, representing one of the lesser‑seen naval fighters of the 1950s.
North American B‑25H Mitchell in flight, finished in a modern airshow scheme that includes D‑Day invasion stripes not carried by operational B‑25 units in the Mediterranean theatre. The B‑25H, with its solid gun nose and forward turret position, was the heavily armed strafer variant of the Mitchell family, developed for low‑level attack missions in the Pacific and CBI theatres.
de Havilland DH‑82C Tiger Moth, Canadian‑built variant of the classic RAF primary trainer, parked on the flight line during an aviation event. The DH‑82C incorporated local modifications including enclosed cockpit doors and a strengthened undercarriage, while retaining the distinctive swept upper wing and open‑cockpit layout of the Tiger Moth family.
de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth on the flight line at an aviation event. The DH.82A served as the RAF’s principal elementary trainer before and during the Second World War, and restored examples like this one continue to display the type’s distinctive swept upper wing, open‑cockpit layout and classic pre‑war biplane lines.
de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth in RAF wartime trainer yellow, displayed on the flight line at an aviation event. The Tiger Moth served as the RAF’s standard elementary trainer throughout the Second World War, and restored examples like this one preserve the classic red–white–blue roundels and bright training scheme used across the Empire Air Training Programme.
Flight line scene at AirVenture 2004, with a small biplane in the foreground and a mix of vintage and classic aircraft displayed across the grass behind it. Visitors walk among the exhibits as larger piston‑engined types and modern transports form the backdrop at Oshkosh.