More Warbirds Arrive At Oshkosh

Douglas A-26B Invader, USAAF Serial Number 44-34104 and named “Silver Dragon” flew to Oshkosh from the West Coast for the second year running. But misfortune struck when the nose gear collapsed on landing early in the show; damage was not substantial, but it will take some fixing nonetheless. Restoration of the aircraft is a work in progress: this year it is sporting .50-caliber machine guns in the nose.

A young couple were so overcome by the Commemorative Air Force’s Bell P-39 Airacobra that they had to stop for a kiss and a cuddle! The aircraft, delivered in 1943, is the only P-39 regularly flying in the Western world.

Most P-39s were sent to the Soviet Union under lend-lease and were used against the Nazis in the invasion of Russia in WWII. It has a 20 mm canon in the nose, and is unusual in that its Allison engine is located in the fuselage behind the pilot.

The 1943 B-25H Mitchell "Barbie III" is owned and operated by Florida-based History Flight, Inc. The aircraft is the last H-model B-25 flying in the world and is the only one equipped with the unique 75mm cannon in the nose for ground attack purposes.

That gaping hole houses the 75mm cannon used with devastating effect for ground attack.

“Barbie III” is bristling with guns. Here; the tail gunner.

Like a true, well-used warbird, “Barbie III” is throwing and dripping oil in all the right places.

The B-25H also packs a pair of waist guns.

This Beech H-18 is a much-less common variant of the ubiquitous taildragger version. This example is in U.S. Navy markings.

A British Short SD3-30 regional airliiner/utility aircraft is viewed here beneath the tail of a C-123A Provider. The SD3-30 seats up to 30 people, and was used by the U.S. military as the C-23 Sherpa.