With 1918 being the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, the USAF Museum in Dayton held a commemoration in the form of a period correct air show.
While this air show occurs annually, the 100th anniversary brought special meaning to it.
Many of the participants dressed in period clothing.
Most of the aircraft present were in flying condition, although some are recreations and not original, 100 year old planes.
Wright Patterson Air Force Base is huge, and could easily support the air show on a distant runway of the base.
As with other events, the re-enactors added to the scene.
Women were an essential part of the war effort as well, as represented by this Red Cross worker.
Not really sure why so many of the men had on kilts though.
A field hospital doctor with period medical pieces.
There was constant flights occurring – these are actual model aircraft flying while the full size ones took a break.
While they had nice paved runways, the period aircraft used the grass areas between the pavement for their movements.
Ready to go…
The Air Force base buildings also added to the atmosphere.
Usually the skies over Dayton are filled with screaming jets, but on this day the sounds were very different with the piston engines taking flight.
The building in the background house some of the museum’s 350+ aircraft.
While there were no female pilots in World War I, this pilot was flying today.
More of the aircraft ready to go.
In addition, a number of aircraft were parked as static displays. The wooden propellers have a classic look to them.
No ground crew needed, just pick up the tail of your plane and move it onto the runway.
A number of the re-enactors were dressed as Germans.
The leader of the Remote Control plane show was looking snazzy.
More kilts?
Time to fly…
The models were very accurate in their representation.
The Remote Control plane collection was quite large.
In addition there were period automobiles. During the break from the full size aircraft, the automobiles took to the runways for a spin.
Sometimes being chased by the model aircraft.
A period ambulance.
As with all things at the USAF Museum, the entire event was free to the public.
Time to stop and move on to the next event.
RDZ Photography 