Stormbird taking to grey skies at Mid Atlantic Air Museum's 34th Annual WW II Weekend Airshow in the hands of Mike Spalding. Construction of this highly accurate replica started in 1993 using an original airframe as a template. It flew for the first time in 2011. Derated 13.1 kN GE CJ610-6 turbojets replace the Jumo 004B-1. Painted as 'White 3' of 9./JG7 as flown by Fhr. Hans-Guido Mütke on 25 Apr 1945, it has the wing's blue-red Reichsverteidigung band on the fuselage. JG7 "Nowotny" was equipped with the Me-262 from Dec 1944 till its surrender in May 1945, scoring victories till the end.

Built as one of five replica Me-262s by Herb Tischler/Texas Aircraft Factory, Fort Worth, Texas, N262MF made its first flight on 22 July 2011. It then remained inactive for several years and was only flown again on 28 March this year. Operated by the Military Aviation Museum at Virginia Beach VA, it won the Airventure 2025 Best Jet Warbird award.

Me262 vs P-51!

The Military Aviation Museum of Virginia Beach, VA restored their Messerschmitt Me-262 replica back to flying condition. One of five faithful reproduction aircraft constructed using a US Navy Me-262 war prize (Me 262 B-1a W.Nr. 110639) as a pattern. Pictured on it's first solo display at AirVenture 2025, the aircraft lost the fuel cap on the auxiliary tank and streamed fuel on two passes before landing.

A champion, the award for AirVenture's best jet went to the Military Aviation Museum's replica Messerschmitt Me 262 (N262MF). The fighter is a so-called interchangeable one/two-seat Me 262A/B-1c finished as WerkNr. 501243. It was built as one of five replica Me-262s by Herb Tischler/ Texas Aircraft Factory, Fort Worth (TX) making its first flight on 22 July 2011. It remained inactive for a long period and was only flown again for the first time in a decade on 28 March this year.

Pictured about to touch down on rw16R after a test flight. You can imagine how happy I was to catch this one!