The EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has expanded its exhibits with six aircraft representing important milestones in aviation history. The additions include historic military aircraft, experimental designs, and replicas that highlight the innovation and passion behind aviation’s development.
The new displays feature replicas of the Douglas World Cruiser and Epps Monoplane, the Icarus II built by John Moody, a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, a Grumman FM-2 Wildcat, and a PBY-5A Catalina.
The P-40 Warhawk and FM-2 Wildcat are on loan from the Frasca Collection, while the PBY-5A Catalina is on loan from the American Heritage Museum and Collings Foundation.
“The opportunity to be able to feature these marvelous aircraft as a part of our displays adds new stories to our already expansive collection,” said Chris Henry, EAA museum director. “It is a testament to how whether you are a homebuilder, a restorer, or amateur aviator who dreams of flight, you have a true community at EAA.”
The six aircraft have been added to the museum’s displays over the past several weeks, providing visitors with new opportunities to explore aviation history and the people, ideas, and innovations that helped shape it.
Douglas World Cruiser replica: The first homebuilt project by Robert Dempster, who spent 20 years to meticulously recreate one of the most legendary aircraft from the early years of flight. This full-scale replica of the 1924 Douglas World Cruiser honors the pioneers of aviation in America who succeeded in flying around the world in an airplane.
Icarus II: Created by John Moody, who is considered the father of ultralight aviation. He first flew this aircraft from a frozen lake in Long Lake, Wisconsin, on March 15, 1975. It represents a significant piece of both aviation and Wisconsin history, as it sparked a movement of popularizing ultralight recreational flight. Rebuilt by the Michigan Ultralight Association for donation to EAA.
Curtiss P-40 Warhawk: One of the most legendary aircraft of all time. Its contribution to the war effort during the first part of WWII was undeniable, allowing over 200 allied pilots to gain ace status, and achieving thousands of victories in dogfights on all fronts. Its “shark teeth” nose art is one of the most iconic images in all of aviation. Loaned from the Frasca Collection.
Grumman FM-2 Wildcat: Legendary for its aerial combat ability, boasting a seven-to-one win/loss ratio on the Pacific front. What it lacked in speed and mobility, it more than made up for in build superior quality, armor, weaponry, and incredible diving speed. Loaned from the Frasca Collection.
Epps Monoplane replica: This replica of the 1912 original re-creates the work of Ben T. Epps, a self-taught mechanic who became Georgia’s first aviator, combining scrap timber, cotton covering, bicycle wheels, and a low-horsepower engine to construct a an open-cockpit, wire-braced, mid-wing monoplane.
Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina: A hunter of German U-boats, with this particular aircraft and its crews responsible for three confirmed and U-boat sinkings severely damaging another. Another key role it filled was in search-and-rescue operations for pilots, as the amphibious Catalina could land on the water near any downed pilot. Loaned from the Collings Foundation and American Heritage Museum.
The museum’s new Catalina display will also take center stage at EAA’s annual Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet on December 11, offering attendees a unique opportunity to dine under the wing of the historic aircraft in the Eagle Hangar. Rob Collings, Executive Director and Chief Pilot of the Collings Foundation, will share the Catalina’s remarkable World War II history and the restoration process. Tickets are $85 for EAA members and $100 for nonmembers. Doors open at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. For tickets and information, visit EAA.org/WrightBrothers.