P-51 Mustangs on display at EAA AirVenture, July 28, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — This week marks the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice, an agreement that ended the hostilities of the Korean War.
It was signed on July 27, 1953.
Many aircraft types used during the war are currently on display at EAA AirVenture.
Air power played a vital role in the Korean War.
“We came all the way from Atlanta,” said John Currenti, a pilot. “It’s where we base the airplane and we brought it up here just to be part of the airshow.”
Currenti is a pilot of a F-4U Corsair. He says this type of aircraft was critical in World War II, and also the Korean War.
“What’s unusual is, after World War II, we were starting to go to jets but it was fairly new at that time,” said Currenti. “Flying off the carriers, the pilots loved it because it was really sturdy, it can take a beating.”
Currenti says the Corsair wasn’t used for a lot of air combat during the war. The plane were used to support the troops on the ground.
“The marine and the army guys that were on the ground fighting it out, they loved the Corsair because it can carry a pretty big load and they could come in there and actually attack the enemy positions and help protect them,” he said.
Currenti’s father fought in the Korean War.
“He started as an avionics specialist, and right near the end, they made him a tail gunner and that was it, he did his three years in the service,” said Currenti.
Another dominate aircraft used during the Korean War, was the P-51 Mustang.
“A Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, it’s a V12 with 1,500 or so horsepower, it’s a really really good fighter,” said Tom McCord, a pilot.
Tom McCord has been flying P-51’s for about seven years.
“We’ve been flying it up here at Oshkosh for over 50 years,” said McCord.
The P-51s were used for ground-attack missions early in the war. The aircraft was the only U.S. fighter with the range to hit Korean targets from Japan.
“Plus, carry lots of armor, and guns and bombs and all the goodies,” said McCord.
During the Korean War air campaign, the U.S. had more than 2,700 aircraft destroyed.
But, EAA’s AirVenture is still able to show off many of the aircraft types used back then, in hopes to keep the history of the “Forgotten War” alive.
“People, they realize the Korean War, look at the airplanes and can’t believe they’re still flying, I mean this plane is 70 something years old,” said Currenti.
Saturday will be the last day to check out some of these warbirds. The area will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
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