The Rise of Air Power Tour, 1914-1945 follows the evolution of flight from lighter-than-air craft to the deadly fighting machines of World War II.  Set against the backdrop of WWI and WWII, you will visit some of the most famous sites of the Western Front in France and Belgium including the First Battle of the Marne, Belleau Wood, Vimi Ridge and Passchendaele.  Visit the sites of British and German aerodromes as well as crash sites of famous pilots like Manfred von Richthofen (The Red Baron) and Quentin Roosevelt, son of Teddy Roosevelt.  Explore the trenches of the foot soldier who endured countless creeping barrages, aerial bombardments and strafing attacks. 

 

We then travel to England and relive the Battle of Britain, visiting Dover, Biggin Hill, Bentley Priory, Hawkinge, and Uxbridge. Visit the Old Warden and the Shuttleworth Collection of vintage WWI aircraft.   Finally, visit bomber country and the bases of the Mighty 8th Air Force, including Duxford's Imperial War Museum, Rougham, Horham and Thorpe Abbotts, home of the Bloody 100th.  The tour concludes in London where you explore Churchill’s war rooms and experience an exquisite farewell dinner at the exclusive Royal Air Force Club.