New exhibits include vintage, ultralight, and warbird aircraft

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (October 19, 2026) — The EAA Aviation Museum is introducing six aircraft to its exhibits in the museum, each of which has historical importance to aviation. The aircraft include Douglas World Cruiser and Epps Monoplane replicas, the Icarus II built by John Moody, a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk and a Grumman FM-2 Wildcat on loan from the Frasca Collection, and a PBY-5A Catalina, 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.”

Aircraft added to the displays in the past several weeks include:

  • 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. 
  • 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.
  • 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.

About EAA Aviation Museum

The EAA Aviation Museum is located just off Interstate 41 at the Highway 44 exit in Oshkosh. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EAA members receive free museum admission year-round. For more information, call the EAA Aviation Museum at (920) 426-4818 or visit www.EAA.org/museum.