AirVenture 2013 opened under a banner of resilience. In his remarks that year, the EAA President framed the show as a triumph over adversity, acknowledging the financial pressures, regulatory challenges, and organisational headwinds that had shaped the months leading up to Oshkosh. Yet the event that unfolded on the grounds of Wittman Regional Airport demonstrated the opposite of contraction: strong attendance, a revitalised programme, and a community determined to keep the world’s largest aviation gathering moving forward.
The flightline reflected this spirit. Warbirds, homebuilts, and vintage aircraft arrived in force, joined by a growing contingent of modern composite designs and advanced avionics platforms that were reshaping general aviation. The daily schedule leaned into heritage and innovation in equal measure, with large‑scale formations, precision aerobatics, and manufacturer showcases that highlighted both the history and the future of flight.
Across the grounds, AirVenture 2013 carried the unmistakable energy of a community refusing to be defined by its challenges. From the seaplane base to Pioneer Airport, the show reaffirmed Oshkosh’s identity as aviation’s annual meeting place — a gathering built not on ease, but on the shared determination to overcome obstacles and keep the spirit of flight alive.
Bellanca T-250 Aries N250DJ parked in the flightline at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Designed in the early 1970s by Marvin Greenwood and marketed by Bellanca, the all-metal Aries featured a laminar-flow wing, retractable tricycle undercarriage and distinctive T-tail. Despite its modern design and impressive performance, only a small number were built, making the type one of general aviation’s rarer production aircraft.
1936 Waco YKS-6 Custom Cabin N16249 displayed in the vintage aircraft camping area at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Powered by a 225 hp Jacobs L-4 radial engine, the elegant YKS-6 represented the pinnacle of Waco’s pre-war executive biplanes, combining a comfortable enclosed cabin with excellent cross-country performance. Beautifully restored, N16249 is a fine example of the classic American cabin biplanes that helped define the Golden Age of Aviation and remains a perennial favourite among AirVenture visitors.
McKinnon Grumman G-44A Super Widgeon displayed at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Originally developed by Grumman as a compact amphibious aircraft, this example has been upgraded to the sought-after Super Widgeon standard by McKinnon Enterprises. The conversion replaced the original engines with more powerful Lycoming GO-480 powerplants driving three-bladed propellers, while structural, aerodynamic and avionics improvements transformed the aircraft into one of the most capable and desirable classic amphibians still flying. Equally at home on land or water, the Super Widgeon remains a popular choice for private owners and bush operators alike.
Grumman G-73 Mallard N168WS on display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Developed immediately after the Second World War, the Mallard was Grumman’s larger successor to the Widgeon, offering accommodation for up to a dozen passengers while retaining outstanding amphibious capability. This beautifully restored example, featuring retractable tricycle landing gear and twin Pratt & Whitney radial engines, was one of the finest classic amphibians on the AirVenture flightline and was recognised with the show’s Best Amphibian award in 2013.
Grumman G-111 Albatross N51ZD on static display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. The civil G-111 is the commercial counterpart of Grumman’s renowned HU-16 Albatross, a rugged long-range amphibious aircraft developed for search-and-rescue and utility operations. Powered by twin Pratt & Whitney R-1820 radial engines and equipped with retractable tricycle landing gear, the Albatross was capable of operating from both land and open water. Its impressive size and distinctive flying-boat hull make it one of the most iconic amphibious aircraft ever built, and beautifully restored examples such as N51ZD remain favourites with visitors to AirVenture.
Embraer EMB-314B Super Tucano (A-29B), N314TG taxis at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Developed by Embraer as a light attack and advanced trainer aircraft, the Super Tucano combines turboprop economy with modern avionics and weapons capability. Widely operated around the world for pilot training, border patrol and counter-insurgency missions, it has become one of the most successful military turboprop aircraft of the modern era.
Beechcraft V35B Bonanza on display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. One of the longest-lived and most recognisable high-performance light aircraft ever produced, the V-tail Bonanza became famous for its innovative butterfly tail and impressive cross-country performance. This beautifully restored example formed part of AirVenture’s “Return of Champions” display, celebrating outstanding aircraft from previous Oshkosh award winners.
A beautifully finished modern WACO Classic open-cockpit biplane displayed in the vintage aircraft camping area during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Built using classic Golden Age styling with modern construction techniques, the aircraft captures the unmistakable elegance of the original WACO designs while offering contemporary reliability and performance.
Fairchild PT-26 Cornell N1175N, owned and restored by Ed Escallon, on display in the Vintage area at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Finished in a striking Flying Tigers-inspired sharkmouth scheme with RCAF-style training markings, this colourful Cornell represents the final wartime development of Fairchild’s primary trainer family. Thousands of Cornells served under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, preparing Allied pilots for operational service during the Second World War.
Waco S3HD N14048 is displayed in the Vintage aircraft area at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Built in 1934, this elegant open-cockpit biplane represents the golden age of American civil aviation, when Waco was one of the world’s leading manufacturers of private and executive aircraft. Powered by a Wright Whirlwind radial engine and distinguished by its graceful staggered wings, streamlined wheel spats and polished metal fuselage panels, the S3HD combines outstanding performance with classic Art Deco styling. Beautifully preserved, it remains a fitting ambassador for one of America’s most successful pre-war aircraft manufacturers.
The Experimental Aircraft Association’s Boeing B-17G Aluminum Overcast passes directly overhead during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. This unusual underside view highlights the Flying Fortress’s broad wing, four Wright R-1820 Cyclone radial engines and distinctive bomb bay doors, offering a perspective rarely seen from the ground. One of the world’s best-known airworthy B-17s, Aluminum Overcast serves as a flying memorial to the thousands of aircrew who flew the type during the Second World War, preserving the legacy of one of history’s most iconic heavy bombers.
Vernon Heyrman’s beautifully restored Cessna C-34 Airmaster is displayed on the Vintage flightline at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Finished in striking Civil Aeronautics Authority (CAA) colours, this elegant 1930s cabin monoplane exemplifies the golden age of American light aircraft design. Powered by a Warner Super Scarab radial engine and fitted with streamlined wheel spats, the Airmaster combined impressive cross-country performance with graceful styling. Its award-winning restoration has made it one of the most recognisable surviving examples of the type, preserving an important chapter in Cessna’s pre-war history.
Probably a Stinson SR-5A Reliant, this handsome pre-war cabin monoplane is displayed on the Vintage flightline at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Introduced in 1934, the SR-5A was one of the early members of Stinson’s renowned Reliant family, combining a distinctive gull wing, powerful radial engine and streamlined wheel spats with an enclosed cabin that made it an ideal executive and touring aircraft. Its graceful lines and excellent performance helped establish the Reliant as one of the most elegant American light aircraft of the Golden Age of Aviation, and surviving examples remain highly prized by owners and enthusiasts alike.
Identification is based on the aircraft’s airframe, engine installation and undercarriage configuration, and is considered probable rather than confirmed.
A beautifully restored Ryan PT-22 Recruit (probable identification) is displayed on the Vintage flightline at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Introduced in 1941 as the U.S. Army Air Corps’ primary monoplane trainer, the PT-22 was powered by a Kinner R-540 radial engine and was renowned for its responsive handling and open-cockpit flying characteristics. This striking example, finished in an eye-catching civilian colour scheme with a distinctive red-and-white chequered engine cowl, highlights the elegant lines of one of America’s classic wartime trainers. Although its current paintwork differs from its original military finish, the aircraft retains the distinctive features that made the Recruit a favourite among pilots and aviation enthusiasts alike.
Piper J-3C-65 Cub NC42436 is displayed on the Vintage flightline at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Built in 1945, the J-3 Cub became one of the most iconic light aircraft ever produced, introducing thousands of pilots to aviation with its simple, rugged design and forgiving flying qualities. Powered by a 65 hp Continental engine, the Cub earned an enduring reputation as an outstanding trainer, recreational aircraft and bush plane. Finished in the classic Cub Yellow livery with period Piper markings, this beautifully preserved example celebrates an aircraft whose influence on general aviation continues to this day.
A beautifully restored de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth is displayed on the Vintage flightline at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013, finished in the colours of the Royal Australian Air Force’s No. 6 Elementary Flying Training School at Tamworth, New South Wales. Designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and first flown in 1931, the Tiger Moth became one of the world’s most successful primary trainers, introducing tens of thousands of military pilots to the fundamentals of flight during the Second World War. This example, complete with authentic RAAF training markings and kangaroo emblem, is a fitting tribute to the aircraft that helped prepare a generation of Commonwealth aircrew for wartime service.
1938 Beech F17D Staggerwing NC18781 displayed in the vintage aircraft area at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Widely regarded as one of the most elegant executive aircraft of the 1930s, the Staggerwing combined luxury, speed and advanced engineering with its distinctive negative-stagger biplane wings and retractable landing gear. Originally designed as a premium business aircraft, surviving examples remain among the most admired classics on the airshow circuit.
Beech D17S Staggerwing NC18575 displayed at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Introduced as one of the most sophisticated executive aircraft of its era, the D17S combined retractable landing gear, a powerful radial engine and Beechcraft’s distinctive negative-stagger wing arrangement to deliver exceptional performance and luxury. Beautifully restored in a striking all-red finish, this classic exemplifies why the Staggerwing remains one of the most admired American aircraft of the Golden Age of Aviation.
The Luscombe 8A Silvaire Little Mulligan on display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Although bearing the famous Little Mulligan name and Gulf Oil-inspired markings, this is a Luscombe 8A rather than the celebrated Bellanca racer. The lightweight all-metal Luscombe became one of America’s most popular post-war light aircraft, prized for its responsive handling and economical operation. Aircraft like this remain favourites on the vintage aircraft circuit, where classic paint schemes often pay tribute to aviation’s golden age.
The immaculate Spartan Executive 7W NC17634 on display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Built as a high-performance executive transport during the late 1930s, the Spartan Executive combined all-metal construction, retractable landing gear and a powerful radial engine with a luxurious cabin that earned it comparisons with the finest business aircraft of its era. Beautifully restored in polished aluminium with blue trim, it remains one of the most striking and prestigious classic aircraft seen on the vintage flight line at Oshkosh.
A beautifully preserved 1952 Cessna 170B rests in the camping area at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. The 170B represented the final and most refined version of Cessna’s classic four-seat taildragger, introducing larger, semi-Fowler wing flaps and improved handling. Powered by the dependable Continental C-145/O-300 engine, the type bridged the gap between post-war utility aircraft and the tricycle-undercarriage Cessna 172 that would follow, remaining a favourite among bush pilots and classic aircraft enthusiasts alike.
A 1962 Beechcraft P35 Bonanza sits among the aircraft camping area at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Part of Beechcraft’s famous V-tail Bonanza family, the P35 combined sleek styling with impressive performance, making it one of the most recognisable and enduring high-performance touring aircraft of the post-war era. Introduced as an evolution of the original 1947 Model 35, the Bonanza earned a reputation for speed, efficiency and exceptional craftsmanship, and remains a popular choice with private owners more than half a century after this example was built.
Originally built as a Piper PA-22-135 Tri-Pacer, N53PA has been converted from its original tricycle landing gear to a conventional tailwheel undercarriage. Such conversions are popular among bush and backcountry pilots, combining the Tri-Pacer’s dependable airframe with improved propeller clearance and the classic appearance and handling of the earlier Pacer. Photographed in the camping area during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013.
A 1956 Piper PA-23 Apache sits in the camping area at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Piper’s first successful twin-engined aircraft, the Apache offered private owners and flight schools an economical introduction to multi-engine flying. Its forgiving handling, comfortable cabin and dependable performance helped establish the PA-23 family, which later evolved into the more powerful Aztec.
The EAA’s Ford 4-AT-E Tri-Motor, NC8407, flares for landing during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013, resplendent in the historic colours of Eastern Air Transport. Built in 1929, the all-metal “Tin Goose” helped pioneer scheduled passenger and airmail services across the United States. Today, this beautifully restored aircraft continues to fly from the EAA Museum, offering passengers a unique opportunity to experience one of the world’s most iconic vintage airliners.
Beechcraft Model 18 (Twin Beech) N136JJ taxis at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Restored in a striking polished natural-metal finish, this classic taildragger represents one of the most successful twin-engined aircraft ever built. Introduced in 1937, the versatile Twin Beech served as an executive transport, regional airliner and military utility aircraft, remaining in production for more than 30 years and earning a reputation for reliability and graceful handling.
Beechcraft Model 18 (Twin Beech) N136JJ taxis under the guidance of EAA marshallers during AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Introduced in 1937, the rugged Twin Beech became one of the world’s most successful light twin-engined aircraft, serving as an executive transport, regional airliner and military trainer. Its distinctive twin-fin tail, radial engines and conventional tailwheel undercarriage have made it a perennial favourite among warbird and classic aircraft enthusiasts, with beautifully restored examples such as this still flying today.
Beechcraft Model 18 (Twin Beech) N136JJ taxis across the grass at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. First flown in 1937, the Twin Beech became one of aviation’s most versatile light twins, serving as an executive transport, commuter airliner and military utility aircraft. Powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney radial engines and resting on its classic tailwheel undercarriage, this beautifully restored example captures the timeless elegance of one of Beechcraft’s most enduring designs.
Beechcraft Model 18 (Twin Beech) N136JJ taxis towards the flightline at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Introduced in 1937, the Beech 18 became one of the most successful and versatile twin-engined aircraft ever produced. Built as a tailwheel aircraft and powered by two Pratt & Whitney radial engines, it served around the world as a business transport, regional airliner and military utility aircraft. More than eight decades after its first flight, beautifully restored examples such as this remain popular attractions at major fly-ins and airshows.
Beechcraft Model 18 (Twin Beech) N136JJ taxies head-on across the grass at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. First flown in 1937, the Twin Beech became one of the most successful and versatile twin-engined aircraft ever built. Its combination of twin Pratt & Whitney radial engines, graceful twin-fin tail and conventional tailwheel undercarriage made it equally at home as a corporate transport, regional airliner and military utility aircraft. More than 9,000 were produced, and meticulously restored examples such as N136JJ remain a popular sight at the world’s greatest aviation gathering.
Bellanca 14-19 Cruisemaster C-FGLQ taxis across the grass at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Introduced in the late 1940s, the four-seat Cruisemaster combined Bellanca’s trademark efficient airframe with a hydraulically operated retractable landing gear and flaps, giving it impressive cross-country performance for its era. Its streamlined lines and comfortable cabin made it a popular touring aircraft, and well-restored examples such as C-FGLQ remain regular attractions at major vintage fly-ins.
Mariner amphibian N422HC on display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Designed as a lightweight homebuilt flying boat, the Mariner combines a true planing hull with retractable amphibious landing gear, allowing operations from both water and conventional runways. Its pusher-engine biplane configuration recalls the pioneering era of recreational amphibians, while modern materials and construction make it a practical and capable sport aircraft. This example was exhibited at Oshkosh before the registration was later reassigned to another aircraft.
Volmer Jensen VJ-24W ultralight on display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Designed by Volmer Jensen as a lightweight, high-efficiency homebuilt, the VJ-24W combines a high-aspect-ratio wing with a pusher engine to deliver economical performance and glider-like handling. This individually built example incorporates several modifications to the original design, illustrating the freedom amateur constructors have to adapt and refine their aircraft while retaining it’s distinctive character
Boeing B-29A Superfortress “FIFI” roars overhead during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Photographed from directly beneath, this dramatic view highlights the immense span of the Superfortress’s wing, its four Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone radial engines and the sleek fuselage that made the B-29 one of the most advanced bombers of the Second World War. Owned and operated by the Commemorative Air Force, FIFI remains one of only two airworthy B-29s in the world and was a star attraction at AirVenture 2013.
Mooney M20E Super 21 (N579Q) on the flight line at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Introduced in the mid-1960s, the M20E combined Mooney’s efficient, laminar-flow airframe with a 200 hp Lycoming IO-360 engine to deliver impressive cruise performance while retaining economical fuel consumption. Its manually operated retractable landing gear and distinctive forward-sloping fin have made the M20 series one of general aviation’s most recognisable and enduring high-performance touring aircraft.
Air Zoo’s Ford 4-AT-E Tri-Motor passes overhead during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Seen from directly below, the corrugated-metal classic displays the unmistakable silhouette that earned the Ford Tri-Motor its reputation as one of the pioneering airliners of the late 1920s and early 1930s. Operated by the Air Zoo Museum in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this beautifully restored aircraft was a popular attraction at AirVenture, giving visitors a chance to experience one of aviation’s true Golden Age transports.
Bellanca 14-13-2 Cruisemaster (N74424) at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Built in 1947, the Bellanca 14-13-2 Cruisemaster was one of the most capable high-performance touring aircraft of the immediate post-war era. Its distinctive combination of a fabric-covered steel-tube fuselage, wooden wing and powerful Franklin engine earned it an excellent reputation for speed, range and load-carrying ability. Displayed with a “For Sale” sign in the cockpit, this beautifully presented example reflected the enduring appeal of Bellanca’s classic touring aircraft more than six decades after it first flew.
The Ford 5-AT-B Trimotor, resplendent in U.S. Army C-4A air ambulance markings, taxis during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Although outwardly similar to the EAA’s famous 4-AT-E NC8407, this larger 5-AT-B variant represents the final and most capable production version of Ford’s pioneering all-metal “Tin Goose”, an aircraft that helped usher in the age of reliable commercial air transport.
The beautifully restored Pitcairn PCA-2 “Champion” (NC11609) is displayed in the EAA Aviation Museum at Oshkosh during AirVenture 2013. Built in 1931, the PCA-2 was America’s first successful production autogyro and played a major role in proving the safety and versatility of Juan de la Cierva’s rotary-wing concept. Suspended among many of the museum’s historic aircraft, the distinctive machine represents an important milestone on the road to the modern helicopter.
Bugatti Model 100P – The remarkable Bugatti Model 100P displayed at the EAA Aviation Museum during AirVenture 2013. Designed in France in 1938–39 by Ettore Bugatti and Louis de Monge, the aircraft was one of the most advanced designs of its era, featuring twin engines buried within the fuselage driving contra-rotating propellers via extension shafts. Intended as a high-speed racer and later considered for military use, the original prototype never flew before the German invasion of France. Decades later, a meticulously built full-scale replica successfully took to the air, although it was subsequently lost in a fatal crash during a test flight in 2015, highlighting both the brilliance and the challenges of this extraordinary design.
Pioneer Airport Gallery, EAA Aviation Museum – The Pioneer Airport gallery at the EAA Aviation Museum during AirVenture 2013. Suspended above the exhibition floor is a full-size Ryan NYP “Spirit of St. Louis” replica, celebrating Charles Lindbergh’s historic nonstop flight from New York to Paris in May 1927. Beneath it are the rare Bugatti Model 100P and a Travel Air 4000, while the illuminated “Lindbergh – New York – Paris” exhibit and Paris-themed backdrop commemorate one of aviation’s defining achievements and the dawn of long-distance air travel.
Pietenpol Air Camper – A classic Pietenpol Air Camper displayed in the EAA Aviation Museum during AirVenture 2013. Designed by Bernard Pietenpol in 1929, the Air Camper became one of the world’s most influential homebuilt aircraft, prized for its simple construction, economical operation and delightful flying qualities. Nearly a century after its introduction, the design remains popular with amateur builders and continues to embody the spirit of experimental aviation.
Corben Baby Ace Model C-1 (N9050C) suspended in the EAA Aviation Museum during AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. This modest-looking parasol-wing homebuilt occupies a special place in aviation history: Paul Poberezny’s redesigned Baby Ace C, featured in Mechanix Illustrated in 1955, inspired thousands of enthusiasts to build their own aircraft and played a pivotal role in the rapid growth of the Experimental Aircraft Association. Its simple construction and affordable design helped make sport aviation accessible to a whole new generation of pilots and builders.
Pober Pixie (N72781) suspended in the EAA Aviation Museum during AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Designed by EAA founder Paul Poberezny, the single-seat Pixie was conceived as an affordable, easy-to-build homebuilt aircraft that introduced countless enthusiasts to aircraft construction. Elegant in its simplicity, it remains a fitting symbol of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s philosophy that ordinary people could build and fly their own aeroplanes.
Travel Air 4000 displayed in the EAA Aviation Museum during AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Introduced in 1928 by the Travel Air Manufacturing Company—co-founded by Clyde Cessna, Walter Beech and Lloyd Stearman—the rugged open-cockpit biplane became one of the defining civil aircraft of America’s Golden Age of Aviation. The period-dressed mannequin evokes the elegance of late-1920s air travel, while suspended overhead is the Fairchild FC-2W2, preserved in the markings of the 1977 “50th Anniversary Lindbergh Commemorative Tour,” which celebrated Charles Lindbergh’s pioneering transatlantic flight and toured the United States as a flying tribute to early aviation.
Memorial to RAF Flight Lieutenant Arthur G. Donohue, DFC, on the EAA Memorial Wall at the EAA Aviation Museum, photographed during AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Born in St. Charles, Minnesota, Donohue travelled to Britain before the United States entered the Second World War and became one of the first Americans to see aerial combat. Flying with the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his courage and skill before being killed on 11 September 1942. The EAA Memorial Wall honours aviators whose lives and achievements have left a lasting mark on the history of flight, ensuring that pioneers such as Donohue are remembered by future generations.
A polished North American P-51D Mustang taxis at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Finished in a striking natural metal scheme with a black anti-glare panel, black spinner and invasion stripes beneath the fuselage, the aircraft recalls the appearance of the famous warbird Excalibur. Its exact identity and registration cannot be confirmed from the available photograph, but it makes an impressive sight as it heads along the Oshkosh taxiway.
North American P-51D Mustang banks gracefully over Oshkosh during an aerial display at EAA AirVenture 2013. Wearing the iconic black-and-white D-Day invasion stripes and gleaming in natural metal finish, the legendary Merlin-powered fighter remains one of the defining symbols of Allied air power in the Second World War. Its unmistakable silhouette and exhilarating performance continue to captivate generations of aviation enthusiasts.
A North American B-25J Mitchell is escorted by a diverse quartet of World War II fighters—two North American P-51D Mustangs, a Vought F4U Corsair and a Mitsubishi A6M Zero—during the afternoon airshow at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Representing both Allied and former Axis combat aircraft, the formation offered spectators a dramatic reminder of the legendary machines that dominated the skies during the Second World War.
Mitsubishi A6M3 Model 22 Zero sweeps overhead during the afternoon flying display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013. Distinguished by its rounded manually folding wingtips, the Model 22 restored much of the manoeuvrability and range lost in the clipped-wing Model 32. One of only a handful of genuine airworthy Zeros in the world, its appearance at Oshkosh offered spectators a rare chance to see one of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s most famous fighters in flight.