The 70th anniversary of the US Air Force is an obvious focus for many of the military events on the North American scene, and it would seem probable that Aviation Nation at Nellis AFB in November will be the main celebratory occasion. Earlier in the season, a short North American tour by the French Air Force aerobatic team, the Patrouille de France, will add international flavour – the ‘PAF’ is appearing at the Melbourne Air and Space Show, Sun ’n Fun and the Maxwell AFB Open House, with other dates still to be confirmed. The latter may include Wings Over Gatineau in Québec, listed here as taking place on June 30 – according to the most recent official information from Vintage Wings of Canada – but which may be moved forward to April 30 to accommodate the Patrouille.
Another highlight of Sun ’n Fun will be what is billed as this decade’s biggest gathering of North American P-51 Mustangs, also marking 30 years of Mustang operations for training outfit Stallion 51 (see News). A massed display is planned as part of the flying programme on Thursday, April 6. At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, meanwhile, a number of anniversaries will be celebrated, including 80 years of the Piper …