GREENVILLE — The Warbird Weekend Static Aviation Show is returning to the Greenville Downtown Airport with this year’s event featuring the only flying North American B-25D-35 Mitchell bomber: Rosie’s Reply.
On Dec. 17, 1943, this specific aircraft was delivered to the U.S. Air Force during World War II, but B-25s were used during the Korean War and by France during the Vietnam War as well. They are most remembered for their launch off an aircraft carrier during the 1942 Doolittle Raid against Japan.
The Michigan Flight Museum is bringing Rosie’s Reply, renamed Yankee Warrior in 2003, to Greenville for the Oct. 4-5 aviation show, where it will be among other aircraft there for education and entertainment.
Additional organizations will bring aircraft to the show, including the Greenville City Fire Department, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) truck; Just Aircraft, short takeoff and landing aircrafts; the South Carolina Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook and UH-72 Lakota helicopters; and Warbird Adventures, T-6 Texan aircraft.
“The Greenville Downtown Airport is proud to highlight aviation’s past while inspiring future generations,” airport Director James Stephens said. “Warbird Weekend is one of our favorite events, and we are excited to welcome Rosie’s Reply and so many community partners to GMU.”
Visitors will also have access to aviation education from the Greenville Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol and the Guns Garin Memorial Foundation, and enjoy family-friendly fun in the airport’s Community Corridor, complete with Runway Park, the Military History Center of the Carolinas and Takeoff Mini Golf.
Founded in 1928, GMU is the Palmetto State’s busiest general aviation airport. In hosting this weekend event, the organization seeks to educate community members on the history of aviation and offer entertainment.