This family-friendly day showcases the work of the United States Air Force in Europe and, in particular, the Third Air Force, resident in the United Kingdom. Comprising a rich mix of flying and ground-based displays, American Air Day gives visitors the opportunity to engage with the Third Air Force and learn more about its varied and diverse roles.
This fantastic day acknowledges the historic link between Duxford and the United States Air Force that dates back to 1918 and is represented today by the stunning American Air Museum in Britain, Duxford's award-winning US military aviation museum.
Even better, there is no extra cost for this event. Standard admission to Imperial War Museum Duxford applies. Children aged 15 or under go free when accompanied by an adult.
For more information on this or other event, please call 01223 835 000 or email duxford@iwm.org.uk
Please note that this event is not an air show. It is a special event with elements of flying.
Tempted to go again next year. Was a good day but the broken times between the display dragged it out too much. But the P-51/F-86 formation pass was lovely!
Participation Update in this Press Release as of 4 Aug.
Seems we may get to see an A-10 or two...
Experience a Stateside Showcase at Imperial War Museum Duxford Enjoy an Anglo-American celebration as Imperial War Museum Duxford hosts its fifth American Air Day on Friday 19 August.
This family-friendly, interactive day showcases the work of the United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE), in particular units of the Third Air Force based at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in East Anglia.
Meet and mingle with USAFE personnel and find out more about their missions, aircraft and equipment. Discover what it is like to be serving on an American air base in Britain.
Exciting flying demonstrations will include displays by the F-15 C (x2), a tactical single-seat fighter and the F-15E Strike Eagle (x2) a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. There will also be a flyby from the KC-135 Stratotanker, the aircraft that provides the core refuelling capability for the United States Air Force, having excelled in this role for more than 50 years.
It is also likely that there will be a flypast by the A-10 Thunderbolt II (x 2), a highly-advanced fighter aircraft which has excellent manoeuvrability at low speeds and altitude, with a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform. The A10 Thunderbolt II has not previously flown at Duxford so there is huge excitement around this potential flypast!
A selection of Duxford’s historic American aircraft will also take to the skies, celebrating the United States’ heritage of iconic aeroplanes. These will include the North American F-86 Sabre, Boeing Stearman, AT-16 Harvard (x 2), Beechcraft 17 Staggerwing and the Consolidated PBY Catalina.
See a wide range of displays and demonstrations which show the diversity of operations and roles within USAFE. The popular Security Forces Service (SFS) K9 dog display team will be showcasing the skills of USAFE’s highly trained dogs in three demonstrations throughout the day.
There will also be a display of the Security Forces Humvee vehicles and a display of trucks and fire-fighting equipment from the USAFE Fire Service, including the chance to meet Sparky the Fire Dog.
In addition, there will be a Birds of Prey demonstration, which is always a huge attraction.
The USAFE Operational Support Service will be presenting aircrew flight equipment and demonstrating how they prepare a fighter aircraft for readiness – using Duxford’s own static F15 Eagle exhibit as part of the demonstration for true authenticity.
In a poignant Missing in Action ceremony, the USAFE Honor Guard will be remembering United States personnel who have lost their lives in active service.
This moving act of remembrance directly links with the American Air Museum at IWM Duxford, which stands as a memorial to the 30,000 American airmen who gave their lives flying from UK bases in defence of liberty during the Second World War and also honours those who fought in Korea, Vietnam, Libya, Iraq and other conflicts and battles of the 20th and 21st centuries.
We’re delighted to be welcoming back SR-71 Blackbird pilot Colonel Richard Graham who will be hosting walk-around tours of the Blackbird spy plane that he flew, which is now in pride of place in the American Air Museum.
There will also be a display of stylish American classic cars, complete with fins, chrome and fabulous interiors.
Come along and meet members of the United States Air Force in Europe in a relaxed, family-friendly day and enjoy an Anglo-American celebration at Duxford!
This exciting day also acknowledges the historic link between East Anglia and the United States Army Air Force that dates back to 1918, when the first US airmen arrived at RAF Duxford.
10.00 Museum opens Concorde opens (until 17.00) Airfix Make and Paint zone opens (until 15.00) 10.15 USAF MC-130 arrives & lands 10.30 Fly-past: USAF 2 x F-15E Feel the Force science activities open (until 14.30) 10.45 USAF MC-130 opens for static display 11.00 Fly-past: USAF KC-135 USAFE K9 Display Team dog demonstration Civil aircraft open (until 15.00) Gooseberries & Gas Masks open (until 15.00) 11.30 SR-71 Blackbird talk by Col. Graham 13.00 USAFE K9 Display Team dog demonstration 13.30 Fly-past: USAF 2 x F-15C SR-71 Blackbird talk by Col. Graham 14.30 Historic aircraft display: 2 x North American Harvard, Boeing Stearman, 2 x Pitts S1 15.00 USAFE K9 Display Team dog demonstration 15.30 Fly-past: USAF 2 x F-15E Historic aircraft display: Beech Staggerwing, Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina, North American F-86 Sabre 16.00 SR-71 Blackbird talk by Col. Graham 18.00 Museum closes
Shame there's no HH-60. Is it because they're deployed overseas on ops? Surprised there's no Mustang listed. I'll just have to make do with the MC-130 and Sabre. At least the weather's looking good for Friday.
We will be heading up to Duxford on Friday. I was really hoping for the Sally B and FF to be on the schedule for this years American Air Day. I agree, of all the aircraft, one would hope that the B-17 and P-51 would be on the schedule to fly.
Agreed, weather looks good for Friday and we'll be happy to be out and wandering about Duxford.
Lance
Canon 7D (2) gripped, Canon 40D gripped, 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3, 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS, 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS, BushHawk