Defintion of "Warbird"

Sat Dec 10, 2005 2:48 pm

Ok I have a question. It was brought up that a "warbird" is a type of aircraft that served in a "combat theatre". Then does that mean that Bt-13's C-45's N2S,N3N's are not considered...........what are we then???

Sat Dec 10, 2005 2:59 pm

Warbugs?

Website · Sat Dec 10, 2005 3:24 pm

I always was lead to believe that a "warbird" was any aircraft that was ex-military now in civilian hands. Which would include BT's, AT's, PT's, L-Birds, etc. But then when I was reading a brochure for the Porter County Air Show back in 2003 it said "Warbirds Past and Present". Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

Last edited by warbirdguy on Sat Dec 10, 2005 4:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Sat Dec 10, 2005 4:26 pm

warbirdguy wrote:I always was lead to believe that a "warbird" was any aircraft that was ex-military now in civilian hads. Which would include BT's, AT's, PT's, L-Birds, etc.

I agree. The Mudge definition in the other thread restricting it to types that had to have actually engaged in a shootin' war is too restrictive.

Sat Dec 10, 2005 5:20 pm

How about "Any aircraft employed by the armed forces for the purpose of supporting military operations". That would seem to cover pretty much everything that might be regularly regarded as a warbird without being too vague.

Sat Dec 10, 2005 7:02 pm

The definition I use for the registry is any aircaft that survived military service. This included airworthy types, museum types, derelicts (though not those headed to the smelter or drone usage like the DM F-4's)

this also includes aircraft that were impressed into service (such as the DC-3's) and acquirred a military serial number.

Sun Dec 11, 2005 6:06 pm

Scott WRG Editor wrote:The definition I use for the registry is any aircaft that survived military service. This included airworthy types, museum types, derelicts (though not those headed to the smelter or drone usage like the DM F-4's)

this also includes aircraft that were impressed into service (such as the DC-3's) and acquirred a military serial number.

I too have always felt the same way about it, as mentioned by Scott. Basically, anything that is ex-military and surviving. After that it falls in the civilian category.

Sun Dec 11, 2005 6:40 pm

From what I've read I always pictured it as a plane designed or used for fighting in wars.