Historic Homebuilt Aircraft Anniversaries Part of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 Activities
A number of iconic homebuilt aircraft designs will be celebrating notable anniversaries this year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, which annually brings together the world’s largest gathering of amateur-built aircraft. The 70th edition of EAA’s fly-in convention is July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
“Homebuilding has been at the core of EAA since the first meeting in Milwaukee in 1953 with homebuilt aircraft continuing to represent a substantial percentage of the 10,000-plus aircraft that fly into AirVenture every year,” said Charlie Becker, EAA’s homebuilt community manager. “As we celebrate our organization’s 70 years, several popular designs are celebrating their own anniversaries, and we invite all owners of those aircraft to come to Oshkosh to help commemorate the occasion.”
Anniversary aircraft owners are encouraged to pre-register so they can receive updates on special events, parking, and other activities connected to their airplane type. Among the aircraft designs reaching important anniversaries in 2023 are:
- Midget Mustang 75th anniversary – Single-seat aerobatic sport airplane designed by David Long
- Wittman Tailwind 70th anniversary – A two-seat, high-wing monoplane designed by legendary designer and racer Steve Wittman
- Thorp T-18 60th anniversary – All-metal fully bubble canopied aircraft, well-known for being the first homebuilt aircraft to successfully circumnavigate the world
- Hiperbipe 50th anniversary – A two-seat aerobatic biplane designed by Sorrell Aviation
- Sonex 25th anniversary – A kit manufacturer based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and founded by EAA Homebuilders Hall of Fame member John Monnett
- Van’s RV-10 20th anniversary – A four-seat, low-wing plane designed by Dick VanGrunsven, part of the world’s most popular series of homebuilt aircraft
Pre-registration is available online at https://www.eaa.org/airventure/features-and-attractions/featured-aircraft-anniversaries. Anniversary aircraft will be featured throughout the week at Oshkosh in flying demonstrations, forums, displays, and other events.
