On March 27th, 1973, McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30CF, MSN 46800/Line number 96 and registered N101TV of Trans International Airlines took to the sky for the first time. This would be the 96th DC-10 to roll off the Long Beach California production line and was manufactured in such a way that the aircraft could be converted back and forth from a passenger configuration to a cargo configuration hence the CF (Convertible Freighter) designation. These versions of the DC-10 were easily recognizable by the large 102”x140” cargo door on the side of the fuselage. The DC-10-30CF is powered by three General Electric CF6-50C2 Turbofan engines which each generate 51,000#’s of thrust and can carry up to 380 passengers or 23 positions of cargo with a range up to 5,750 miles...

One of the main themes of AirVenture 2021 was a salute to humanitarian aviation, and this 1969 vintage Douglas DC-8-72, Serial Number 46013/Line Number 427, fits the bill perfectly. This almost 54-year-old DC-8 was originally delivered as DC-8-62CF (Convertible Freighter) to Finnair in January of that year. Finnair would pass this aircraft to the French Air Force in 1981, which saw the original Pratt and Whitney JT3D-3B engines replaced with the CFM International CFM56-2 engines, this is where the designation was changed from a 62CF to a 72CF...

Not a complete list, but here are photos of many of the dizzying number of civilian and military air show performers who entertained crowds at the EAA’s AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 extravaganza. Every afternoon of the “Convention”, there’s a four to five hour-long air show packed with different performers each day. And every day’s line-up is different.

Some participants present full flight demonstrations, especially military jets. Others fly full aerobatic routines. Still others perform flypasts, which gives spectators a look at new technologies in flight.

Some pilots have been performing on the big stage for many years, while others are enjoying their first time flying in front of the knowledgeable crowd.

A wide range of piston and jet-powered aircraft show off their pilot’s skills – ofte...