Photos: Heritage Flight Conference at D-M AFB Tucson
The annual Heritage Flight Conference pairs current U.S. Air Force pilots and their high-speed jet fighters with private owners flying vintage fighters from World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War. Pilots practice safe formations and maneuvering without endangering other aircraft, since they often have dramatic differences in power and climbing and turning abilities. They use these skills when flying together at air shows around the country.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
A World War II-era P-47D Thunderbolt, left, an F-4 Phantom, top, and an A-10 Thunderbolt II fly in formation during the annual Heritage Flight Conference at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in 2006.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
Sherry Campbell looks through binoculars at planes fly practice runs for the Heritage Flight Conference at Davis-Monthan AFB on March 2, 2007.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
A P-51 Mustang flies with a F-15E Strike Eagle during practice runs for the Heritage Flight Conference at Davis-Monthan AFB in 2007.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
Aviation buffs at Pima Air Museum photograph old military aircraft flying with the modern ones during practice runs over D-M area during the Heritage Flight Conference in 2006.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
The World War II era P-51 Mustang flies overhead during the Heritage Flight Conference in 2011.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
Barry Griffiths shoots photos of a F-22 Raptor and a World War II era P-51 Mustang during the Heritage Flight Conference in 2011.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
The P-38 Lightning and F-4 Phantom jet fly together in formation during the Heritage Flight Conference in 2011.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
World War II pilot Bill Lyons, 85, checks out the display of P-51 Mustangs like the ones he flew for the 357th Fighting Squadron for the U.S. Army Air Corps. Far right is WW II ace pilot Chuck Hauver, 88, who flew fo the 354th Fighting Squadron. The two, who have flown more than 63 missions each, are surrounded by pilots from the current U.S. Air Force 354th Fighting Squadron members during the first day of the Heritage Flight conference at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in 2010.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
A-10C demo West team member Staff Sgt. Joel Hamm hangs out after cleaning the canopy in the morning for the first day of the Heritage Flight conference that combines old and new planes at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in 2010.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
Combining the old with the new, a WWII era P-51 Mustang, bottom, flies with a late 70's and early 1980's era F-15E Strike Eagle during the Heritage Flight Conference that was taking place at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in 2010.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
Combining the old with the new, a WWII era P-51 Mustang, bottom, flies with a late 70's and early 1980's era F-15E Strike Eagle during the Heritage Flight Conference that was taking place at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in 2010.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
Members of the 354th Fighter Squadron listen as they gather around a vintage WWII P-51 Mustang during the Heritage Flight Conference that combines old and new planes at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in 2010.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
Steve Lott, Linda Victor, and Val Medina, right, take pictures on the tarmac at DMAFB during the Heritage Flight Conference which combines old and new planes at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in 2010.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
Crew Chief Brian Rose wears a "bunny suit" used to climb into the air intake port of a Phantom QF-4 during the Heritage Flight Conference in 2010.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
JR Paden fills up an A-1 Skyraider from the Vietnam era, Friday morning in preparation for the the first day of the Heritage Flight Conference at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in 2010.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
A World War II-era P-51 Mustang flies alongside the Air Force's newest supersonic stealth fighter jet, the F-22 Raptor, during the annual Heritage Flight Conference in 2006.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
A World War II-era P-51 Mustang crosses paths with the Air Force's newest supersonic stealth fighter jet the F-22 Raptor during the annual Heritage Flight Conference at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson in 2006.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
A WorldWar II-era P-51 Mustang, left, an F-16 Falcon, and an F-4 Phantom break from formation during the annual Heritage Flight Conference at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson in 2006.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
A World War II-era P-51 Mustang, center, is flanked by an F-16 Falcon, top, and an F-4 Phantom, bottom, during the annual Heritage Flight Conference at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in 2006.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
An F-15 Eagle is accompanied by two World War II-era P-51 Mustangs during the annual Heritage Flight Conference at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in 2006.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
Larry Lumpkin preps "Gunfighter," a P-51 Mustang for flight at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Saturday, March 5, 2005, during the annual Heritage Flight Conference in 2005.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
A World War II P-51 Mustang and an A-10 Thunderbolt II practice formation training during the Annual Heritage Flight Conference at Davis-Monthan AFB in 2004.
Heritage Flight Conference in Tucson
An Korean War-era F-86 jet taxis at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on March 5, 2005 during the annual Heritage Flight Conference.
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