Friday, September 21: Due to high winds the aerial parade of WWI replica aircraft will not occur during the WWI Airmen Monument Ceremony. However, visitors can expect a B-1 flyover at the beginning of the ceremony which is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in the Memorial Park.
2018 World War I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous
September 22 & 23, 2018
This two-day flying event of authentic and replica World War I aircraft is offered every other year by the museum and the Great War Aeroplanes Association. The event includes WWI living history re-enactors in a war encampment area, radio-controlled model aircraft, period vehicles, music and a collector’s show of WWI era items. The event will include guest speakers on WWI topics as well as many family hands-on and educational activities.
Commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I with an event that will take you back in time.
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force hosts outdoor aviation events each year (weather permitting).
Gates will be open each day from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 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.
September 22 & 23, 2018, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Full-scale and 7/8-scale WWI reproduction aircraft and WWI radio-controlled aircraft will fly several times throughout both days (weather dependent). In addition, visitors will get to see WWI re-enactor encampments, vintage automobiles from the era, guest speakers, and more.
Flying Schedule (subject to change depending on weather conditions)
Saturday and Sunday
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Full-Scale Aircraft
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Radio-controlled Aircraft
12 p.m. – 2 p.m. Full-Scale Aircraft
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Radio-controlled Aircraft
3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Full-Scale Aircraft
Guest Speakers (subject to change)
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Time
Speaker
Topic
10 a.m.
Jim Wilberg
Banfield
11 a.m.
Greg VanWyngarden
Jasta 18, 36, or JGIII
12 p.m.
Jack Herris
Allied vs. German Warplane Development
1 p.m.
Dick Bennett
In the Red Baron's Propwash - tracing von Richthofen's last flight 100 years later
2 p.m.
Peter Feders
Effects of air power in 1916; Verdun and Somme
3 p.m.
Mike O’Neal
Independent Force; American aviators in the British strategic bombing campaign
4 p.m.
Colin Owers
Junkers Aircraft
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Jon Guttman
TBD
Germany's Triplane Craze
Independent Force: American aviators in the British strategic bombing campaign
Learn about trajectory by playing a game that challenges participants to hit a target while compensating for wind and gravity.
Play a trivia game on the museum’s WWI exhibits located inside the museum’s Early Years Gallery.
- Buckeye Gamers in Flight's WWI giant board game, "Wings of Glory," provides participants with a better understanding of the war in Europe.
- Aces Over Wright Field’s aircraft computer simulators for those who want the experience of flying a WWI aircraft.
Air Force Museum Foundation
These supporters celebrate the WWI Dawn Patrol Rendezvous through their generous contributions to the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. Pritzker Military Museum & Library Dayton International Airport National Aviation Heritage Area Robert and Erma Scott Greene County Convention Visitor's Bureau MacAir
Other supporters include: Alley Cat Designs, Inc. Balsa USA
Note: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the National Museum of the USAF, the U.S. Air Force, or the Department of Defense, of the external website, or the information, products or services contained therein.
Media registration has closed.
World War I Airmen Monument Ceremony
Friday, September 21, 2018, 1 p.m., Memorial Park
The public is invited to attend a ceremony on Friday, September 21 at 1 p.m. The monument honors the more than 78,000 airmen who served the U.S. Army Air Service of the American Expeditionary Force and those who served with other air services during World War I. The event will conclude with an aerial parade of World War I replica aircraft. The monument is being dedicated by the League of World War I Aviation Historians. (In the case of inclement weather, this ceremony will be held inside the museum’s Carney Auditorium).
Antique Auto Club of America/Snappers Gas & Brass Great War Aeroplanes Association Great War Association Buckeye Gamers in Flight Aces Over Wright Field Aeronaut Books
Flying
Curtiss JN4 Jenny Fokker DR-1 Fokker DVIIJunkers CL1Nieuport 11Nieuport 12Nieuport 17Nieuport 23Nieuport C-1German Bowers Junkers CL1SE5SE5ASiemens SchuckertSopwith PupSopwith SchneiderSPAD XIII
Static Display
Nieuport 11Nieuport 17SE5SE5ASopwith CamelSPAD XIII Fokker DVIIFokker DR-1
Vintage Automobiles 1909 Ford Runabout 1909 Maxwell Model B 1910 Buick Model 19 1911 Davis Model 35 1911 Ford Model T 1911 Marmon Model 32 Speedster 1912 Overland 1912 McLaughlin Buick 1914 Packard Runabout 1915 Oakland Model 28 Touring 1915 Ford Model T Roadster Ford Model T Ambulance
Food Trucks Food on a Run A Cut Above Lilia's Outside Cafe TJ Nice Ice Cream El Meson Dayton Urban BBQ Cumberland Kettle Corn
Vendors & Displays
Alley Cat Designs
Aeronaut Books
Air Ace Models
Balsa USA
Byrd Aviation Books
Dayton Stamp Club
Jon Frye Aviation Artifacts
G-Man Collectibles
League of WWI Historians
Kip Motor Company
Military Toy Shop
Models & More
Rag Bag Aero Works
Russell Smith Studios
Wings and Things Military Collectibles
"Curtiss JN4 Jenny" at WWI Dawn Patrol Rendezvous