LiveStream BROADCAST! TRIBUTE TO C.E. Bud Anderson, May 23 at 6pm CDT
WWII Triple Ace and aviation legend, C.E. Bud Anderson has flown west, at 102 years old. Not only did he answer the call to defend our allies and way of life in WWII, he continued a storied career as a test pilot, military officer and aviation legend.
Bud has touched so many lives and we have been blessed to have been friends with him and his family for many years. So few times when you have an opportunity to meet your heroes do they live up to our expectations. Bud was one of the nicest individuals we have ever known and an exceptional human being. Not a single person who has ever met Bud hasn’t felt the same way.
Almost until the very end, Bud was still willing to travel, tell his story and sign autographs. It is fitting that he passed on his own terms and with his family by his side.
On Thursday, May 23 at 6 pm CDT, we will showcase some of Bud’s “greatest hits” in a live stream on the Warbirds of America website and Air2AirTV.com. Join us as we pay tribute to one of the greatest American heroes.
LiveStream REBROADCAST! TRIBUTE TO DICK RUTAN, May 16 at 6pm CST
TRIBUTE TO DICK RUTAN
Warbirds in Review presenter and aviation record-setter, decorated war pilot Richard “Dick” Rutan has passed away, leaving behind a legacy in the field and a loving family, including a younger brother who made his own mark in the industry. Rutan died on May 3 at the age of 85 after suffering a severe lung infection, passing on his own terms with his loved ones at his side. His non-stop and non-refueled flight around the world etched his name in history, and his name will live on as an inspiration to many in aviation.
LiveStream BROADCAST! SALUTE TO THE NAVY, May 2 at 6pm CST
Join us in commemorating the courage of our naval forces, particularly WWII Pacific Theater Ace, Don McPherson. Dive deep into history by exploring the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum’s Grumman F6F Hellcat, a formidable aircraft piloted by Fagen Fighters WWII Museum's chief pilot, Evan Fagen. Finally, witness the breathtaking aerobatic skills of The Navy Blue Angels, a team renowned for their precision and coordination in the skies. These experiences will not only provide a deeper understanding of our naval history, but also offer a sense of awe and respect for the brave individuals who served.
LiveStream BROADCAST! "Throw a Nickel on the Grass and Have a Doughnut", April 25 at 6pm CST
"Throw a Nickel on the Grass and Have a Doughnut"
Unfortunately, the subject of the film in the title has nothing to do with actual donuts and a whole lot to do with the kind pictured above, the circular aiming sight of a jet fighter, referred to as a “doughnut” in pilot vernacular. Specifically, the film documents the United States Air Force and Navy findings after borrowing a MIG-21 fighter jet for testing. The declassified film Throw a Nickel on the Grass and Have a Doughnut Trailer (Watch full-length LiveStream Broadcast, Thursday, 25 April 2024 at 6pm CDT) is a fascinating look cold war intelligence gathering as well as the story of how the United States was in a position to test a state-of-the-art Soviet jet.
LiveStream BROADCAST! DOOLITTLE RAID Thursday, April 18 at 6pm CST
"Col. Doolittle was five foot six. He was short in stature, but tall on accomplishment, a man of integrity, honor and courage. He exuded confidence, determination and strength. He was intelligent, educated and humble. Great respect for others. Lead by example, and inspiration to all, and we would of followed him anywhere.” -Richard E. Cole, Jimmy Doolittle’s Co-Pilot. (1915-2019)
Live Stream BROADCAST! A-37 Dragonfly "Super Tweet" Thursday, April 11 at 6pm CST
The Cessna A-37 Dragonfly is an American light attack aircraft. Developed from the T-37 Tweet basic trainer, which earned it the nickname,
“Super Tweet,” it served with the US Air Force throughout the Vietnam War. The aircraft also saw extensive flight time outside the United States, and is currently flown by six different air forces in South America.
Live Stream BROADCAST! "The Pilot Maker" Thursday, April 4 at 6pm CST
The North American T-6 Texan was known as “the pilot maker” because of its important role in preparing pilots for combat. The T-6 was the classroom for most of the Allied pilots who flew in World War II. The T-6 trained several hundred thousand pilots from the United States and many other countries for over three decades.
What American-made aircraft served in the armed forces of 55 nations in a wide variety of roles such as primary, basic or advanced trainer, fighter, bomber, attack, transport, tow target, photographic and observation plane? What aircraft served in the U.S. Air Force and Navy and fought in a dozen wars, including World War II, Korea and Vietnam? What aircraft and its many variants were known as the Texan, Mosquito, Harvard, Yale, Wirraway, Boomerang and Tomcat? There is only one answer: the North American single-engine, two-seat aircraft known first in the U.S. Army Air Corps as the AT-6 (later T-6) and in the U.S. Navy as the SNJ. The manufacturer dubbed it the Texan. The other names, except Mosquito, were given to it or its variants by the British, Australians, Canadians and French. Mosquito was a nickname given to the plane in Korea by American pilots when it was used as a target-spotting aircraft.
Live Stream BROADCAST! De Havilland Mosquito, Thursday, MARCH 28 at 6pm CST
The de Havilland Mosquito is one of the most iconic British aircraft of WWII. The ‘Wooden Wonder’, as it was called, due to its frame being made almost entirely out of wood, participated in a wide range of operations throughout the war, from the transport of valuable cargo across enemy-held airspace to high-precision bomb raids on prisons and Gestapo headquarters. If you needed to get in, wreak havoc and get out fast, the ‘Mossie’ was your weapon of choice.
‘We believe that we could produce a twin-engine bomber which would have a performance so outstanding that little defensive equipment would be needed’.
Geoffrey de Havilland - September 1939.📷 Lewis Air Legends, Bradley Wentzel.
Live Stream BROADCAST! The AV-8B Harrier, Thursday, MARCH 21 at 6pm CST
The Marine Corps, an integral part of the U.S. Military, is bidding farewell to a trusted companion of several decades, the McDonnel Douglas (now Boeing) AV-8B Harrier II jet. This jet has been a reliable workhorse since the 1980s, playing a critical role in countless missions. However, as the Marine Corps looks to the future, it's beginning to focus on becoming a more agile and streamlined expeditionary force. This transformation involves shifting their attention to the F-35B Lightning II, a more modern and technologically advanced aircraft. As a result, the older AV-8B Harrier II jet is being phased out, and the Marines who have been maintaining its engines will soon complete their final assignments with this iconic aircraft. This is a significant milestone in the history of the Marine Corps, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new one.
Live Stream PREMIER BROADCAST! The Metal Detector, Thursday, MARCH 14 at 6pm CDT
Austrian Georg Reutter has spearheaded a unique initiative that unites the descendants of a B-17 crew from the tumultuous period of World War II. This riveting story is captured in a PBS documentary titled "The Metal Detector." The film chronicles the journey of these descendants as they delve into their fathers' past and explore the historical significance of the war. This narrative intertwines history with personal growth, serving as a compelling watch for those interested in World War II.