Air Legends Foundation’s Lockheed Constellation C-121A Returns to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025

PRESS RELEASE

The Lockheed Constellation C-121A, widely regarded as one of the most elegant and visually striking airliners ever built, is set to return to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2025. This historic aircraft will be on display for the duration of the 72nd annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) fly-in convention, taking place from July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

• The Air Legends Foundation acquired Bataan in 2015 and flew it to Chino, California, in 2016 for an extensive restoration conducted by Fighter Rebuilders. Following years of meticulous work, the aircraft took to the skies again in June 2023, making its first post-restoration appearance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh the following month.
• Afterward, it was sent to Aerometal International for the restoration of its historically accurate interior. With its return to Oshkosh in 2025,
• Bataan will once again offer aviation enthusiasts a rare opportunity to witness one of the last flying Lockheed Constellations in existence, a true testament to the enduring legacy of this legendary aircraft. For more information about EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2025, visit www.eaa.org/airventure
• Delivered to the U.S. Air Force in January 1949, Bataan initially served in the Military Air Transport Service. It played a key role in the Berlin Airlift, transporting personnel and equipment, before being converted into a VIP transport aircraft. During the Korean War, it served as the personal transport for General Douglas MacArthur, who bestowed upon it the name Bataan
• The Lockheed Constellation’s rarity, combined with its unmistakable triple-tail design, makes it a crowd favorite whenever it arrives at Oshkosh,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s Vice President of Communities and Member Programs, who oversees AirVenture features and attractions. “We are grateful to the Air Legends Foundation for their dedication to restoring this magnificent aircraft to flying condition and sharing it with AirVenture attendees.”

• The Air Legends Foundation acquired Bataan in 2015 and flew it to Chino, California, in 2016 for an extensive restoration conducted by Fighter Rebuilders. Following years of meticulous work, the aircraft took to the skies again in June 2023, making its first post-restoration appearance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh the following month.
• Afterward, it was sent to Aerometal International for the restoration of its historically accurate interior. With its return to Oshkosh in 2025,
• Bataan will once again offer aviation enthusiasts a rare opportunity to witness one of the last flying Lockheed Constellations in existence, a true testament to the enduring legacy of this legendary aircraft. For more information about EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2025, visit www.eaa.org/airventure
• Delivered to the U.S. Air Force in January 1949, Bataan initially served in the Military Air Transport Service. It played a key role in the Berlin Airlift, transporting personnel and equipment, before being converted into a VIP transport aircraft. During the Korean War, it served as the personal transport for General Douglas MacArthur, who bestowed upon it the name Bataan
• The Lockheed Constellation’s rarity, combined with its unmistakable triple-tail design, makes it a crowd favorite whenever it arrives at Oshkosh,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s Vice President of Communities and Member Programs, who oversees AirVenture features and attractions. “We are grateful to the Air Legends Foundation for their dedication to restoring this magnificent aircraft to flying condition and sharing it with AirVenture attendees.”

This particular aircraft, a C-121A model known as Bataan, is part of the Rod Lewis collection and is owned and maintained by the Air Legends Foundation, based in San Antonio, Texas. Displayed in military markings reflecting its history as a transport aircraft, Bataan will once again be a featured highlight on AirVenture’s Boeing Plaza showcase ramp.

“The Lockheed Constellation’s rarity, combined with its unmistakable triple-tail design, makes it a crowd favorite whenever it arrives at Oshkosh,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s Vice President of Communities and Member Programs, who oversees AirVenture features and attractions. “We are grateful to the Air Legends Foundation for their dedication to restoring this magnificent aircraft to flying condition and sharing it with AirVenture attendees.”

Delivered to the U.S. Air Force in January 1949, Bataan initially served in the Military Air Transport Service. It played a key role in the Berlin Airlift, transporting personnel and equipment, before being converted into a VIP transport aircraft. During the Korean War, it served as the personal transport for General Douglas MacArthur, who bestowed upon it the name Bataan. After being retired from service in 1965, the aircraft was later repurposed by NASA to support the Apollo program before being decommissioned in 1970. From 1970 to 1992, Bataan was housed at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum before being secured by Ed Maloney for the Planes of Fame Air Museum. From 1995 to 2016, it resided at Planes of Fame’s auxiliary location at Valle Airport in Arizona.

The Air Legends Foundation acquired Bataan in 2015 and flew it to Chino, California, in 2016 for an extensive restoration conducted by Fighter Rebuilders. Following years of meticulous work, the aircraft took to the skies again in June 2023, making its first post-restoration appearance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh the following month. Afterward, it was sent to Aerometal International for the restoration of its historically accurate interior. With its return to Oshkosh in 2025, Bataan will once again offer aviation enthusiasts a rare opportunity to witness one of the last flying Lockheed Constellations in existence, a true testament to the enduring legacy of this legendary aircraft. For more information about EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2025, visit www.eaa.org/airventure

Testing

• The Air Legends Foundation acquired Bataan in 2015 and flew it to Chino, California, in 2016 for an extensive restoration conducted by Fighter Rebuilders. Following years of meticulous work, the aircraft took to the skies again in June 2023, making its first post-restoration appearance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh the following month.
• Afterward, it was sent to Aerometal International for the restoration of its historically accurate interior. With its return to Oshkosh in 2025,
• Bataan will once again offer aviation enthusiasts a rare opportunity to witness one of the last flying Lockheed Constellations in existence, a true testament to the enduring legacy of this legendary aircraft. For more information about EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2025, visit www.eaa.org/airventure
• Delivered to the U.S. Air Force in January 1949, Bataan initially served in the Military Air Transport Service. It played a key role in the Berlin Airlift, transporting personnel and equipment, before being converted into a VIP transport aircraft. During the Korean War, it served as the personal transport for General Douglas MacArthur, who bestowed upon it the name Bataan
• The Lockheed Constellation’s rarity, combined with its unmistakable triple-tail design, makes it a crowd favorite whenever it arrives at Oshkosh,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s Vice President of Communities and Member Programs, who oversees AirVenture features and attractions. “We are grateful to the Air Legends Foundation for their dedication to restoring this magnificent aircraft to flying condition and sharing it with AirVenture attendees.”

• The Air Legends Foundation acquired Bataan in 2015 and flew it to Chino, California, in 2016 for an extensive restoration conducted by Fighter Rebuilders. Following years of meticulous work, the aircraft took to the skies again in June 2023, making its first post-restoration appearance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh the following month.
• Afterward, it was sent to Aerometal International for the restoration of its historically accurate interior. With its return to Oshkosh in 2025,
• Bataan will once again offer aviation enthusiasts a rare opportunity to witness one of the last flying Lockheed Constellations in existence, a true testament to the enduring legacy of this legendary aircraft. For more information about EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2025, visit www.eaa.org/airventure
• Delivered to the U.S. Air Force in January 1949, Bataan initially served in the Military Air Transport Service. It played a key role in the Berlin Airlift, transporting personnel and equipment, before being converted into a VIP transport aircraft. During the Korean War, it served as the personal transport for General Douglas MacArthur, who bestowed upon it the name Bataan
• The Lockheed Constellation’s rarity, combined with its unmistakable triple-tail design, makes it a crowd favorite whenever it arrives at Oshkosh,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s Vice President of Communities and Member Programs, who oversees AirVenture features and attractions. “We are grateful to the Air Legends Foundation for their dedication to restoring this magnificent aircraft to flying condition and sharing it with AirVenture attendees.”