Two historic Fighter Jets for the EAA Aviation Museum
By Willie Bodenstein
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13.07.2025
The EAA Aviation Museum's Eagle Hangar recently added a pair of significant post-World War II aircraft for temporary display. One of the airplanes comes from EAA's collection, while the other has been loaned by its owner for display until EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, where it will take flight in select air shows.
A de Havilland Vampire from the Vampire Airshows team makes up one half of the display. The Vampire was the second jet fighter flown by the Royal Air Force. The Vampire is known for several firsts among jet aircraft, including the first to land and take off from an aircraft carrier, and the first to fly across the Atlantic Ocean (with multiple stops).
A P-80 Shooting Star from EAA's collection completes the display. EAA's P-80 is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The P-80 is the first fighter jet operated by the United States Army Air Forces, and first saw combat during the Korean War. EAA's P-80 previously was displayed on the pole in front of the museum for many years until it was taken down in 2023 to undergo an exterior restoration. The airplane is in the markings of former NASA astronaut Frank Borman and fighter pilot Charles McGee's U.S. Air Force squadron.
Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the EAA Aviation Museum is one of the world's finest aviation attractions and a year-round destination for the entire family. Come and explore our world-class displays and galleries. Check out our collection of more than 200 historic airplanes along with world-class galleries and displays, including the Eagle Hangar that pays tribute to World War II aviation and the heroes who served. Kids can enjoy our highly interactive area, the KidVenture Gallery, that features 16 hands-on exhibits, a scenic overlook from Tower of Flight, as well as a climb into the cockpit of a half-scale model of an F-22.
With more than 200 historic aircraft, four movie theatres, a library with nearly 11,000 books, a photo archive that has more than 100,000 images and with displays varying from the Wright Flyer to SpaceShipOne the EAA Museum is a magical place that will thrill and amaze any visitor that takes the time to explore its capacious hallowed halls.
The idea for a museum dedicated to the homebuilder's movement was proposed by Paul Poberezny the founder of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) in 1958 and the museum was founded in 1962 when Steve Wittman after which Wittman Regional Airport was named donated his famous Air Racer, 'Bonzo' to the EAA. Fund raising for a permanent home for the thousands of artefacts and growing number of aircraft that was then housed in a rented warehouse was started in 1979 and USD10 million was raised. The current buildings at Wittman Airport was erected during 1982 and opened in 1983. Consisting of a lower and upper level with numerous halls highlighting various sectors of aviation one needs almost a full day to explore the museum in its entirety.
When in Oshkosh a visit to the museum is a must. This entry in the visitors book just about sums it up: "The Museum is absolutely amazing! The displays are breath taking and like no other anywhere in the world! Where else can you touch a moon rock and an asteroid chunk whilst surrounded by the biggest display of great experimental aircraft, the pioneers of flight and legendary Warbirds? Some may have failed others succeeded. However, all contributed to the history of flight.
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