The American Air Museum

Guests included Founding and Sustaining Members of the AAM as well as veterans from the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, with some from the 78th Fighter Group who were stationed at Duxford during World War II.

The Rededication Ceremony followed months of dedicated and demanding work, which included the removal of the spectacular glass frontage of the American Air Museum to incorporate the SR-71 Blackbird and B-24 Liberator as the Museum’s newest exhibits.  Other exhibits were also re–displayed and reorganised to complement the new layout.

The start of the ceremony was signalled by the roar of three approaching Royal Air Force C-130 Hercules, from No. 47 Squadron, RAF Lyneham, closely followed by two pairs of United States Air Force F-15 Eagles from nearby RAF Lakenheath.  After this stunning display, the 41st President took centre stage.  During his speech, President Bush said of the American Air Museum, “Today marks the culmination of the efforts of so many.  This is clearly a place where history still lives and breathes and the atmosphere gives a real sense of stepping back in time.”

The Prince of Wales echoed the former President’s sentiments when he spoke of next year’s 100th anniversary of the first Wright brothers' flight and that the exhibits at Duxford were testament to the achievements of the last century.  “The Museum is truly an Anglo-American venture.  It is not just a static reminder of an era long since past, but a living exhibit to the enormous technological advances in the field of powered flight over the last century.”

He went on to say “The Museum is a fitting memorial to the thousands of American airmen who flew from the UK 60 years ago and never returned.  For those of us born after the last war, it is a chance to salute you.”

The Chair of the AAM Rededication Committee, Mrs Georgia Frontiere, was sadly unable to attend the ceremony.  She did however send a video message for all present, which was relayed via two large video screens to the audience.  A major part of her message consisted of a moving poem entitled “My Buddy and Me” that Mrs Frontiere was inspired to write following the opening of the AAM in 1997.

After the ceremony, there was barely a dry eye left amongst the veterans as the flagship of the American Air Museum, B-17 Flying Fortress "Sally B", took to the skies, escorted by a P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt, the latter painted as 78FG aircraft based at Duxford during World War II.  The flypast of historic American combat aircraft was completed by a Corsair and Grumman TBM Avenger, saluting those, including President Bush, who served in the Pacific.

The Prince of Wales added that the AAM would not have been possible without the “generous help of our American friends.”

Throughout the day both the former President and The Prince of Wales spent time talking to staff and to veteran airmen who had been based in Britain during World War II.  Colonel Robert Vickers, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, said of the Prince “He was a very charming man.  He said that we looked fit enough to fly still and asked us if we did!”  The American Air Museum’s B-24 is painted as Colonel Vickers’ aircraft "Dugan."

Many of the veterans who attended the ceremony came in uniform, or were adorned with medals.  One of Duxford's original 78th Fighter Group control tower staff, Fred

After the guests of honor departed, the AAM was reopened and soon filled up with many AAM Members eager to see the changes that had taken place in the Museum.  Wilbur Richardson from California said of his time stationed at Rougham, near Bury St Edmunds “People were very welcoming and every time I come back I feel I am coming home.  It is important for young people to learn about the sacrifices that were made on their behalf so that the world doesn't make the same mistakes again.”