Historic Flight: Flying Bulls' Rare US Stop Signals Global Aviation Shift

OSHKOSH, WI – December 11, 2025 – In a move sending ripples through the global aviation and business communities, Austria’s famed Flying Bulls collection has announced it will make its only public U.S. air show appearance of 2026 at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) AirVenture in Oshkosh. This isn’t merely a fly-by; it’s a meticulously planned strategic operation, bringing two priceless, fully-restored historic aircraft across the Atlantic for a singular showcase. The decision highlights a powerful intersection of heritage preservation, logistical mastery, and sophisticated brand strategy, cementing EAA AirVenture’s status as the world’s preeminent stage for aviation.

The Oshkosh Effect: A Global Economic Powerhouse

To understand why an elite European collection would undertake such a monumental effort for a single week in Wisconsin, one must first grasp that EAA AirVenture is far more than an airshow. It is the annual epicenter of the aviation world, a combination of trade show, family reunion, and innovation lab that functions as a powerful economic engine. A recent University of Wisconsin Oshkosh study quantified this impact, revealing the event generates a staggering $257 million for the regional economy annually. With a record 704,000 attendees in 2025, including visitors from 94 nations, Oshkosh transforms into a global metropolis for one week each summer.

This immense gravitational pull creates what can only be described as “The Oshkosh Effect.” It’s an environment where the most knowledgeable and passionate aviation audience on the planet convenes, making it the ideal venue to display assets of immense historical and technical value. “The Flying Bulls aircraft are another example of the world coming to Oshkosh to celebrate flight every summer,” noted Rick Larsen of EAA. The decision to bring these aircraft to Oshkosh—and only Oshkosh—is a calculated one, leveraging the event’s unparalleled platform to reach a captive, expert audience that appreciates the nuance of such an appearance.

Wings of History: A Presidential Plane and a WWII Legend

The two aircraft making the journey are not just vintage planes; they are flying artifacts, each with a story that transcends aviation. The first, a Douglas DC-6B, represents the golden age of piston-powered air travel. Built in 1958, this particular aircraft’s logbook reads like a Cold War political thriller. It was originally owned by the Yugoslavian airline JAT before being converted into a luxurious personal transport for the nation's head of state, Marshall Josip Broz Tito. In 1975, Tito sold the plane to Zambian leader Kenneth Kaunda, who also used it as a presidential aircraft. Its story took a dramatic turn when it was eventually abandoned at an airport in Lusaka, Zambia, left to decay. Rescued by The Flying Bulls in 2000, it underwent a painstaking, three-year restoration, transforming it from a forgotten relic into what is now considered a crown jewel of the collection.

Its travel companion is a Lockheed P-38 Lightning, the iconic twin-boom, twin-engine fighter that played a pivotal role in World War II. Flown by America’s top aces, its distinctive design and long-range capabilities made it a dominant force, particularly in the Pacific Theater. The Flying Bulls’ P-38 is an exceptionally rare machine—the only airworthy example of its kind in all of Europe. Its restoration to pristine flying condition is a testament to the organization's commitment to preserving vital pieces of military and engineering history. The pairing of a post-war luxury airliner with a legendary WWII fighter creates a powerful narrative about the rapid evolution of aviation technology in the 20th century.

The Transatlantic Odyssey: A Modern Feat of Engineering

Confirming the ambitious nature of the plan, The Flying Bulls CEO Eskil Ambal stated, “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.” This statement, while evocative, belies the immense logistical and technical hurdles involved. Flying vintage aircraft, nearly 70 and 80 years old respectively, across thousands of miles of open ocean is a monumental undertaking.

This journey requires extensive planning for multi-stop routes, precise fuel calculations, and a dedicated support crew of engineers and pilots. Unlike modern jets, these piston-engine aircraft demand constant monitoring and are far more susceptible to weather and mechanical stress. The transatlantic flight itself becomes part of the story—a demonstration of The Flying Bulls’ core competency: not just restoring aircraft to look beautiful, but maintaining them to a standard of “better-than-new” operational excellence. It is a high-stakes validation of their engineering prowess.

The Business of Heritage: Red Bull’s High-Flying Brand Strategy

Behind this spectacle of polished aluminum and roaring engines lies a masterclass in brand alignment. The Flying Bulls began in the 1980s as the passion project of pilot Sigi Angerer. It was the vision of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz that transformed this private collection into a global phenomenon. Mateschitz recognized that these magnificent flying machines were the ultimate physical embodiment of the slogan “Red Bull gives you wings.”

Today, The Flying Bulls function as a powerful, tangible marketing asset. Each flight and air show appearance reinforces brand values of precision, performance, adventure, and a reverence for history. The organization’s Hangar-7 in Salzburg is part museum, part operational base, and a major tourist attraction that further integrates the brand with cutting-edge design and engineering. By bringing these aircraft to the world’s most important aviation gathering, Red Bull is not just sponsoring an event; it is placing its most elegant and powerful brand ambassadors on center stage, demonstrating its commitment to the aviation community in a way no simple advertisement could ever achieve. This exclusive appearance at Oshkosh is a strategic investment in cultural capital, reinforcing the brand's authenticity in a highly specialized and influential market.