Imperial War Museum Duxford is delighted to announce that the United States Air Force (USAF) F-15E Strike Eagle demonstration will display at The Duxford Air Show (Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September) in its only UK appearance in 2011.

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter aircraft with two crew members, a pilot and a weapons systems officer, performing air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. An array of avionics and electronics systems gives the F-15E the capability to fly at low altitude, day or night, and in all weather. It also gives the aircraft the ability to destroy enemy ground positions and fight its way out of combat situations.

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a thrilling aircraft to watch in flight and its presentation at The Duxford Air Show will provide an exciting highlight to an amazing programme of aerial activity. The F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration will be performed by Major Mike “Cash” Maeder, the Air Combat Command’s Strike Eagle Demonstration Team Pilot and Commander.

As the Demonstration pilot, Mike showcases America’s F-15E Strike Eagle to more than seven million people at approximately 65 shows around the world every year. He is currently assigned as an F-15 Eagle instructor pilot.

The F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration Team operates from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina and is part of the United States Air Force 4th Fighter Wing. It has the distinction of being the only Air Force unit that can trace its history back to Great Britain.

The lineage of the 4th Fighter Wing can be traced back directly to RAF Duxford during the 1940s. Prior to the United States officially entering the Second World War, American volunteers were already serving in combat with the Royal Air Force Eagle Squadrons.

There were three Eagle Squadrons – Nos. 71, 121 and 133. No.133 Squadron, reformed as the 3rd RAF Eagle Squadron on 31 July 1941, was based at Duxford from August to October 1941. On both occasions, it operated from Fowlmere, Duxford’s satellite fighter station.

When the United States entered the Second World War, the Eagle Squadron units, and their American pilots, were transferred to the United States Army Air Forces 8th Air Force, forming the 4th Fighter Group on 12 September 1942. The 4th Fighter Group was redesignated as the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing in July 1958.

Today, the 4th Fighter Wing is one of two on-call rapid response aerospace expeditionary wings. The 4th Fighter Wing was the first to assume this mission on 1 October 1999.

The historic link between Duxford and the United States Air Force continues to the present day.

The only UK appearance by the F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration forms a key highlight of a superb flying programme at The Duxford Air Show. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Spitfire, Duxford marks the technological development of this iconic aircraft with static and aerial displays by a range of Spitfires, from the original Mark I Spitfire through to the Mark XVI.

Aerobatic excitement is provided by the Aerostars on Saturday 3 September and the Red Arrows on Sunday 4 September.

Additional highlights include the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane French Air Force Alpha Jet (Saturday only), RAF Sea King, Army Apache, RAF King Air, Royal Navy Historic Flight Swordfish, SWIP Twister Duo, B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B, T-28 Trojan (x2), Curtiss 75 Hawk, Hawker Hurricane, Bouchon 109, Curtiss P-40F, Curtiss P-40B and, on static display, the Italian Air Force C-27J and the Polish Air Force M-28.

With such a spectacular air display, The Duxford Air Show, celebrating the legendary Spitfire, is not to be missed!

The IWM Duxford Air Show App 2011

Following the launch of the IWM Duxford Air Show App at the Spring Air Show and some enthusiastic feedback from users, we have refined the Air Show App for use at The Duxford Air Show.

The App will now run faster and more seamlessly, providing real time, up-to-the-minute information about what is flying at The Duxford Air Show, as the aircraft display.

Available for both Android and iPhone platforms, the App also includes an extensive library of photography, statistics and information about classic aircraft you can see flying in the 2011 air shows and where in the Museum you can find out more about them.

The App is currently FREE to download. It will be available for download prior to The Duxford Air Show and on the day itself – IWM Duxford will be providing wifi access at the museum for live downloading.

This dynamic guide to The Duxford Air Show, and our other air shows throughout 2011, is a first for Duxford and demonstrates the Imperial War Museum’s commitment to innovation in new technologies. It aims to be the most innovative air show app around.

For further information go to www.iwm.org.uk/duxfordairshows

Military History supports Duxford’s 2011 Air Shows

Imperial War Museum Duxford is delighted that Military History is supporting its 2011 air show season.

In addition to brand positioning across the Duxford air shows, Military History is supporting the new Duxford Air Shows App and a ‘Hands on History’ zone, which gives families the opportunity to learn
about history together in a fun and interactive way during Duxford’s air shows.

Military History is the only channel dedicated to the conflicts, people and technology that shaped our modern world. With programmes that feature expert interviews, eyewitness accounts, astonishing archive and re-enactments, we take you into the war rooms, in the seat of a fighter jet and onto the battlefield.

Military History is available in the UK on Sky 531 and Virgin Media 236.

Tags: 2011, August, Duxford, Imperial, Museum, News, War