What is a "Warbird"?

jamboree1

Active member
I have to agree that the paint rule is to stringent and I totally agree with that on camo paint. I did one camo job so well that I'm scared to fly it more than 100 yards away. also note that some birds were sent out with no paint at all other than numbers and flag.
 

Konrad

Posting Elsewhere
Yup.

That's why I gave two ;)

I'm also not finicky about where those lines fall as long as it's not being used as a bludgeon.

In respect to this forum, we're generally tolerant of "Marginally On Topic" so if the ugly stick with Barron colors gets labeled "warbird", I don't think anyone would mind. Weird, sure, but mind? No.


IMO, this is a hobby, so everyone is free to take themselves as seriously as they like . . . and if someone doesn't want to take it that seriously, it's healthy to keep in mind it's just their hobby ;)
Glad to see you (Flite Test) take the very broad view on this. And no, you will not see my Ugly Stick here under "WarBirds".

All the best,
Konrad
 

SlingShot

Maneuvering With Purpose
I will in the future. But it never would have dawned on me that a P-39 was not a "War Bird" even in red or yellow paint.

I would have been stunned slightly to be told that. If someone were to say something about my Mustang, like, "That's kinda cool I guess, but that ain't no warbird." I would be a little annoyed.

I think I always thought fighters were warbirds. But I am definitely including a medium bomber in the category now.

Love the passion.
 

AkimboGlueGuns

Biplane Guy
Mentor
My (personal) definition, which I've picked up from a lot of full scale pilots at Oshkosh is any aircraft that has been used in a military capacity. So planes like the C-47, L-4, PBY Catalina, and Grumman Duck all qualify as warbirds to me. I've never heard of anyone using a different definition, but I guess there is some merit if the aircraft has undergone a "civilianization" process.
 

Konrad

Posting Elsewhere
Why would one omit WW1, Korea, or the jet age or anything that carried a gun or missile?