PEACHTREE CITY, GA. (April 1, 2025) – Two remarkably restored aircraft, an LT-6 Mosquito and a rare Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber, will depart from the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia to appear at the 2025 SUN n’ FUN Aerospace Expo, April 1-6, in Lakeland, Fla. Both aircraft will be on display and offer rides to the public during the week, offering aviation enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy living-history flight experiences.
“Our return to Sun n’ Fun last year was a great experience,” said Joel Perkins, leader of CAF Airbase Georgia. “It is an exciting place for us to take our aircraft and volunteer crew, and these historic aircraft will continue to inspire and captivate audiences for generations to come. We are proud to help celebrate the past, present, and future of flight.”
The LT-6 is the same aircraft that received a Judges Appreciation Award at SUN n’ FUN in 2008. Restored as a tribute to Korean War veterans, the aircraft was originally an SNJ-4 completed as an LT-6D, a type used in Korea as a forward air controller and called a Mosquito. Airbase Georgia also offers a special LT-6 ride option, aerobatics, for those who are interested.
Designed by aviation legend Ed Heinemann, the SBD Dauntless was the backbone of the Navy during the early years of World War II. 5,936 SBDs were built by Douglas Aircraft by the end of the War. Airbase Georgia’s SBD Dauntless, built at El Segundo, California is one of a handful flying today. The aircraft livery represents the color scheme in use during the Battle of the Marianas, or “The Marianas Turkey Shoot”. The aircraft is the only SBD in the world available for a living history flight experience. To book rides on either aircraft in advance, go to the Airbase Georgia website here.