Boeing Plaza will be home for a collection of notable World War II-era aircraft on July 24-25 as EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 commemorates the Allies “turning the tide” in 1944. Among the aircraft to take part in the commemoration include both airworthy B-29s, Doc and FIFI, the Avro Lancaster Mk. X bomber, a C-47, a C-53, two razorback P-47s, and a Hellcat.
In addition to the aircraft on Boeing Plaza, a number of warbirds will take part in the week’s air shows. A C-47 from the World War II Airborne Demonstration Team will fly during the afternoon air show on July 24 carrying paratroopers. The team will jump from the C-47 using traditional round canopy parachutes, reminiscent of the paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions who risked their lives in Normandy.
The C-53 will stay on Boeing Plaza, where a group of reenactors will paint invasion stripes on the airplane in between the afternoon and night air shows on July 24. The painting will be done similarly to how it was done by soldiers 80 years ago. Supporting the warbirds on Boeing Plaza will be a C-130 from the Connecticut Air National Guard. This aircraft is also painted with invasion stripes to commemorate the D-Day anniversary.
The Lancaster is scheduled to join both B-29s in flying in formation as part of the night air show on July 24. The trio of aircraft flying together marks a rare occurrence in air show history and creates one of those “Only in Oshkosh” moments.
