Austria’s Flying Bulls collection is bringing two of aviation’s rarest aircraft to America—and they’re making their only confirmed U.S. air show stop at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. A fully restored Lockheed P-38 Lightning and Douglas DC-6B will arrive for the event’s 73rd edition, July 22–28, at Wittman Regional Airport in Wisconsin.
The announcement came December 10, 2025, during the International Council of Air Shows convention in Las Vegas. For the Austrian warbird operator, this marks a historic first: their maiden transatlantic crossing and American air show debut. Both aircraft will be displayed on Boeing Plaza throughout the week, with afternoon flying demonstrations scheduled on select days.
Two Icons of Aviation Heritage
The P-38L Lightning (N25Y) is exceptionally rare. Of the 10,037 Lockheed built during World War II, only 26 survive today—and just 10 remain airworthy. This particular example rolled off Lockheed’s Burbank assembly line in 1944 as an F-5G photo-reconnaissance variant. After a meticulous three-year restoration completed in 2008, it now lives in the Flying Bulls’ Salzburg hangar. With its polished aluminum fuselage and twin turbocharged Allison V-12 engines, it’s the only airworthy P-38 currently operating in Europe. It cruises at 760 km/h and reaches altitudes typically reserved for modern jets.
The DC-6B (OE-LDM) carries equally remarkable history. Yugoslavian state airline JAT originally took delivery in 1958—reportedly as a luxury transport for Marshal Josip Broz Tito. It later belonged to Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia before Flying Bulls founder Sigi Angerer spotted it in an African airline magazine in 2000. The 28-hour ferry flight from Windhoek to Salzburg began a complete restoration. The aircraft emerged in 2004 with all-new Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines and modern avionics. Today it remains the world’s only DC-6B actively configured for passenger operations.
A Wingman Never Flies Alone
Eskil Ambal, CEO of The Flying Bulls, explained why both aircraft are making the crossing together. “The moment has arrived—we are crossing the Atlantic and we’re coming to Oshkosh,” he said. “Our ride across the Atlantic is in a DC-6, just as she was meant to do. But we couldn’t let her go alone. You never, ever, ever leave your wingman. So the P-38 is coming with her.”
The transatlantic route will require careful planning. Both aircraft will island-hop in stages to account for the P-38’s more restrictive fuel range. Flying Bulls project coordinator Simon Pircher outlined the strategy: routing through the United Kingdom, Iceland, and Newfoundland before crossing into U.S. airspace. Once stateside, both will make their American debut at aviation’s largest gathering—AirVenture draws nearly one million visitors and 10,000 aircraft annually.
Rick Larsen, EAA Vice President, stressed the significance. “The Flying Bulls aircraft are another example of the world coming to Oshkosh to celebrate flight every summer,” he said. “These airplanes are among the finest restorations of their type anywhere on earth, so an Oshkosh stop was a necessity during their American tour to showcase them among the knowledgeable aviation community at AirVenture.”
What’s Next
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 runs July 22–28. Tickets are on sale now through EAA’s official website. This is the Flying Bulls’ only confirmed U.S. public air show appearance in 2026, making Oshkosh an unmissable opportunity to witness two of aviation’s finest restorations in flight.
Sources
- Vintage Aviation News — Warbirds Pre-Registration Opens for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026
- EAA Official — AirVenture 2026 Tickets On Sale
- The Flying Bulls Official Collection — Salzburg, Austria
- EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Official Media Relations
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