Celebrate US Air Force Day with a Vintage Flying Experience
16 September 2024
However, establishing the USAF solidified the significant role aviation had and would go on to have in US history. September 18, 2024, will mark the 77th birthday of the USAF, and to celebrate, we thought we’d remind you of all the incredible American Vintage Flying Experiences we have to offer!
- Boeing-Stearman Wing Walking Experiences
A mighty American biplane built in the 1930s, the Boeing-Stearman started as a trainer plane used by the USAF and the Royal Canadian Air Force before the US joined WW2. Throughout 1930-1940, 10,000 were made and used to train pilots for the US’ eventual entry into the conflict.
With its bold yellow, blue and red colours and sizable wings, it’s not only a distinctive looking vintage aircraft, but ideal for Wing Walking Experiences.
With FlyDays, you can whizz through the skies, strapped to one of these mighty planes across the countryside! As you stand up against a plane and soar through the skies, there’s no better way to get up close and personal with US history. With thrills promised for every minute of your journey, you’ll finish the experience with enough adrenaline to last a lifetime and a lived experience of American aviation history.
- Vintage Harvard Warbird Flights
First manufactured in the 1940s, the Harvard, or its full name, ‘the North American T-6 Texan’ was used by the USAF and Britain during WW2. In the US, it was used for training pilots but was then adapted to accommodate two 7.62mm guns for combat and used by the American National Guard with a machine gun attached to the nose, and a further flexible gun near the cockpit.
Today, you can enjoy a Flying Experience in a Harvard from a range of UK locations. You can even go on a Battle of Britain Warbird Mission, giving you an authentic experience of what it was like to be a US fighter pilot as you soar across the countryside against a German Luftwaffe.
- Pleasure Flights in a Piper Cub Plane
With its stunning bright yellow exterior, the Piper Cub was used by the US for ground control and reconnaissance efforts in WW2 and is perhaps the most widely used plane for the USAF. By 1945, 90% of all US military pilots had received their training in a Piper in the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP.) Being easy to learn to fly in, it makes for a great introductory plane to get a hang of some basic controls, all the while, being able to soak up some history.
We have a range of Vintage Flying Experiences in the Piper Cub available from Brighton, where you’ll get to soar over the coastal skies and soak up the sights and smells of an iconic USAF plane.
- Vintage Flying Simulator Experiences
If you’d rather ease into your flying journey with a Simulator Experience you can do just that, all the while still exploring some American aviation history. Climb aboard this incredible Air Force Phantom F4 Simulator with a fully functioning cockpit to give you the experience of mastering the controls and going on WW2 flying missions.
The Phantom F4 was originally made as an American, tandem 2-seater fighter bomber developed by McDonnell Aircraft and used for the United States Navy.
Production ran beyond WW2 with a whopping 5,195 produced during 1958-1981, making it the most produced American supersonic military aircraft in history, becoming synonymous with the Cold War. You can experience this all for yourself with a range of Simulator Experiences running from Peterborough.
US Air Force Day is a great excuse to get yourself booked onto a Vintage Flying Experience! With a range of American and British vintage aircraft to choose from, you can gain a real appreciation for aviation history. What’s more, if you fill out our customer feedback survey, you can get yourself 10% off your next FlyDays booking.
