Watch World War II Escort Carrier and Warbirds Take Flight at Victory at Sea Airshow 2025

A Historic Gathering in Minnesota

In August 2025, the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum in Granite Falls, Minnesota, held its “Victory at Sea” anniversary airshow. The event marked the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and brought together a wide range of World War II naval aircraft. Throughout the day, vintage planes took to the sky, while reenactors and ground displays helped visitors understand the long history of naval and marine aviation.

Warbirds in Navy Colors

One of the highlights was the “Cavanaugh Flight,” a group of restored World War II aircraft painted in the markings of escort carrier units. The lineup included a TBM Avenger, an F4F Wildcat, and an F4U Corsair, all owned by the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Texas. Each aircraft carried markings chosen to reflect the look of planes that operated from small escort carriers during the war. Their presence offered a direct link to the aircrews who once flew long missions far from home.

Echoes of the Past on the Runway

Visitors gathered along the flight line as the warbirds fired up their engines and prepared for takeoff. The sound of the engines, the smell of fuel, and the sight of aircraft taxiing in formation created an atmosphere that felt both historic and personal. The paint schemes and details on each aircraft were restored with care, providing a look at how these planes would have appeared on escort carriers supporting operations across the oceans.

Engines Roar, History Lives On

Once airborne, the three warbirds performed graceful passes over the museum grounds. The TBM Avenger showed the size and power of the torpedo bomber that once hunted submarines. The Wildcat demonstrated the compact strength of an early-war carrier fighter, and the Corsair displayed the speed and presence that made it one of the most recognized fighters of the conflict. Their movements in the sky reflected the skill once required to operate from small carrier decks in demanding conditions.

The airshow served as a living piece of history. Through restored aircraft, careful presentation, and the effort of museum teams, the event allowed visitors in 2025 to watch a part of the past take flight once more.

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