Rickenbacker International Airport – August 22-24, 2025
Warbird Mafia traveled to the Columbus Airshow in August and were treated to several fantastic displays. While not as warbird heavy as Columbus’s first year back in 2023 (since the historic Gathering of Mustangs and Legends in 2007), the “Battlefield Europe” segment provided an intense re-enactment involving both aircraft and ground troops. American infantry, supported with an M3 half-track and M5 Stuart light tank, took on the Germans armed with an anti-tank cannon. Air support came in the form of Michigan Flight Museum’s rare B-25D Mitchell “Rosie’s Reply” and the Commemorative Air Force’s P-51C Mustang “By Request.” Military Aviation Museum’s replica Fw-190 was in attendance, but mechanical issues unfortunately kept it grounded during the show. “By Request” followed the reenactment with a full aerobatic demonstration. Michigan Flight Museum also brought their UH-1H “Greyhound,” which in addition to doing ride flights, also performed a demonstration during the airshow.
On the more modern end, it was a joy to see Maj. Taylor “FEMA” Hiester and the Viper Demo Team again. The gorgeous Viper 50 bird stood out as always, and while we thought this would be the final year for FEMA and the paint scheme, we’ll get it one more year for 2026. In addition, the US Navy F-35C Demo Team showed off the big-wing variant expertly, and the Blue Angels closed the show in their typical spectacular fashion.
Day 2 took Brian offsite to capture a different perspective. While the tight aerobatics weren’t quite visible, repositioning turns from the warbirds and fighters took place directly overhead, providing angles one would never see from the show line.
Huge thank you to the Columbus Airshow for having us!
