HOME

 ABOUT BEAUFORT

 MCAS BEAUFORT

 SCHEDULE

 DESIGN CONTEST WINNERS

 DIRECTIONS

 FOOD CONCESSIONS

 PARKING

 PERFORMERS

 F.A.Q.'s

 SAFETY INFORMATION

 STATIC DISPLAYS

 TICKET INFORMATION

 USMC AVIATION HISTORY

U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight
The U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight (HF) presents the evolution of USAF air power by flying today’s state-of-the-art fighter aircraft in close formation with vintage fighter aircraft. A P-51 and a F-16 will be flown in the Heritage Flight.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations.

The P-51 Mustang was designed as the NA-73 in 1940 at Britain’s request. The design showed promise, and purchases of Allison-powered Mustangs began in 1941, primarily for photo recon and ground support use due to its limited high-altitude performance. But in 1942, tests of P-51s using the British Rolls-Royce “Merlin” engine revealed much improved speed and service ceiling. In December 1943, Merlin-powered P-51Bs first entered combat over Europe. Providing high-altitude escort to B-17s and B-24s, they scored heavily over German interceptors, and by war’s end, P-51s had destroyed 4,950 enemy aircraft in the air more than any other fighter in Europe.

CLICK HERE to View Videos CLICK HERE to View Photos