EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, July 21-27, was to pay homage to the earliest days of powered flight with a trio of replica aircraft from the pioneer era of aviation displayed in the Vintage area, but due to a shipping delay, one of the aircraft — a replica Santos-Dumont Demoiselle, built by Club Aéro des Garrigues in France – was not displayed during AirVenture, but is now on display with the other two aircraft in the EAA Museum.
The Pioneer era of aviation is recognized as the period between the Wright Brothers’ first flight in December 1903, and the start of World War I in August 1914. The pioneer era of aviation laid the framework for the entire industry through experimental designs and the willingness to push the boundaries of current technology. The three aircraft serve as a tribute to the people who paved the way for the aviation industry.
A replica Santos-Dumont Demoiselle was transported overseas to Oshkosh and is now on display in the EAA Museum for a limited time.
The Demoiselle is a lightweight monoplane designed by Alberto Santos-Dumont and features a fuselage built from bamboo. The first Demoiselle was built in 1907 and weighed less than 300 pounds.
A replica Bleriot XI from EAA’s collection has joined the Demoiselle on display. The Bleriot XI was created by French businessman Louis Bleriot who famously flew over the English Channel in July 1909. The flight helped grow the popularity of the Bleriot XI with demand quickly exceeding the capacity of the original French factory. EAA’s flyable replica is built around an original Anzani engine.
The third airplane on display is a Morane-Saulnier Type L replica, also part of EAA’s collection. The Type L was one of the first fighter aircraft from World War I. Fitted with a machine gun that fired through the propeller arc, the Type L became the first type to shoot down an enemy aircraft through the propeller. EAA’s replica was built by a team of volunteers which included former Morane-Saulnier employees. The aircraft was donated to EAA by the Morane-Saulnier Heritage Association following an appearance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017.
Also, now on display in EAA’s Air Racing Gallery, is a recreation of “Buster,” a homebuilt racing airplane designed by nationally renowned air racer and builder, Steve Wittman of Oshkosh. Buster was originally built as a racing plane named “Chief Oshkosh” and was raced by Wittman. After a landing accident in the late 1930s, the plane was stored until being rebuilt and renamed Buster in 1947. It was flown by Bill Brennand in the 1947 Goodyear Air Races. The original aircraft is on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. This recreated version of Buster was constructed by EAA Chapter 252 in Oshkosh using some of the original parts (www.EAA.org).
(Photos Courtesy of EAA)