Legendary Grumman fighter aircraft to fly in air shows during the week
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (April 18, 2025) — Four legendary fighter aircraft produced by Grumman will be among the highlights of the warbirds gathering and air shows during at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 on July 21-27. The 72nd edition of the annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention will be held at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The Air Legends Foundation will bring the four Grumman aircraft – the F4F-3 Wildcat, F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, and F8F Bearcat – to Oshkosh for AirVenture week. During various times, the airplanes will be parked on Boeing Plaza, showcased in the EAA Warbirds of America area, and flown during the daily afternoon air shows as the “Flight of the Cats.” Exact dates and times of those appearances will be announced as they are finalized.
“This unmatched collection from the Air Legends Foundation matches perfectly with AirVenture’s emphasis on aviation technology during the period extending from World War II to the Korean Conflict,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “To have all of them at Oshkosh and in the air at the same time will undoubtedly be one of those ‘Only at Oshkosh’ moments for which AirVenture is famous.”
Each of the Grumman aircraft participating has a unique place in American military aviation history:
- F4F-3 Wildcat – This aircraft entered service in 1940, also known as the Martlet in the British Navy. It had an outstanding combination of durability, maneuverability, armament, and range.
- F6F Hellcat – This replaced the Wildcat and was designed to match the Japanese Zero fighter airplanes. It was the U.S. Navy’s dominant carrier-based fighter during the second half of World War II.
- F7F Tigercat – This heavy fighter aircraft was the first twin-engine fighter deployed by the U.S. Navy and served from the end of World War II until 1954.
- F8F Bearcat – Grumman’s last piston-engine fighter aircraft, it was introduced at the end of World War II and served both the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps throughout the middle part of the 20th Century.
The “Flight of the Cats” is part of the world’s largest annual gathering of vintage warbird aircraft that takes place during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
