National Museum of the U.S. Air Force to host World War I 100th anniversary event

  • Published
  • By Rob Bardua
  • National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
DAYTON, Ohio (AFNS) --  To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I in Europe as one of the nation's premier historical aviation events, the World War I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous will bring the excitement and adrenaline of early air power to Ohio, Sept. 27-28.

The World War I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous will feature vintage reproduction full-scale and 7/8-scale aircraft, such as the Nieuport, SE-5 and Fokker Dr. I triplane. Pilots will perform precision flying in the skies above the museum and compete in a flour-bombing competition.

Additional activities will include period reenactors in a war encampment setting, era automobiles on display and participating in a parade, flying exhibitions by WWI radio-controlled aircraft, simulators, games, guest speakers, and a collector's show for WWI items. Food and merchandise will also be available for sale.

Gates will be open each day from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. EDT. Admission and parking are free. Visitors may reach the event site by coming through the "Spinning Road Gate," located at the intersection of Airway and Spinning Roads (Joe Greene Way), or through the main museum gate on Springfield Street and following the signs that lead to the event area.

The event is offered by the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force and the Great War Aeroplanes Association. The last WWI Dawn Patrol Rendezvous took place in the fall of 2011.

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the world's largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 17 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year about 1 million visitors from around the world come to the museum.