Aircraft is a WWII Era Dream Come True

William Presler, owner of Volar Avionics and Restorations, was given the opportunity to showcase his Uncle's homebuilt P-38 on day three of the 2024 EAA Oshkosh AirVenture.

The aircraft, built by Jim O’Hara, is a ? scale replica of the Lockheed P-38 Lighting. This is a World War II era single-seat, twin piston-engined fighter developed for the U.S. Army Air Corps. It has a distinct twin boom design and served several combat purposes, including bombing, strafing, photo reconnaissance and long range escort.

The replica received its first EAA recognition in 2009. Tom Poberezny, then EAA President, wrote that O’Hara was the “epitome of an EAA-er: creativity, innovation, cand-do-spirit, and realizing a dream.” Poberezny was excited to welcome the aircraft to Airventure, where it was made a centerpiece.

O’Hara’s passion for the P-38 was clear from a young age, though he didn’t learn to fly until his sixties. After earning his instrument rating and purchasing two aircraft, he set out to build his own P-38 with the hope of eventually getting to fly it.

He was able to fly the aircraft for well over 100 hours, making several upgrades and alterations along the way. It was eventually passed down to his nephew, William Presler.

“Like all homebuilts, they’re always a work in progress, aren’t they? You know, it’s all about,” Presler explained, “you don’t quit and don’t die until your dream has a chance to fly.”

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