Wings over West Texas" Air Show 2025 at the Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene Texas

(by Axel Juengerich)

On 19 and 20 April 2025 we visited the "Wings over West Texas" Air Show 2025 at the Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas. Air Shows in the US are always an interesting event. Our main interest at Dyess were the B-1 Bombers, as they probably will be retired once the future B-21 is operational. So for us this was probably the last chance to see the B-1 in action.

On 19 April, the weather did not play along and after heavy rain set in, the show was literally over at about 10:00 am. Before we left the base completely soaken, I was able to take a few photos of some of the exhibited aircraft:

On 20 April, the weather had improved and we were able to enjoy an entire air show day. As always, the flying display started with World War II historic birds. It's amazing how these historic associations keep their birds "alive" and in airworthy condition. Here are some photos of them in static display and in action:

This aircraft was the real star of the show. Listening to those four engines and watching it fly was just amazing.

Doc's Friends Inc Boeing TB-29 Superfortress N69972 [44-69972] "Doc" - taxiing

Doc's Friends Inc Boeing TB-29 Superfortress N69972 [44-69972] "Doc" - airborne

Another aircraft type which is present at almost all air shows in the USA:

Dash One LLC Lockheed CT-133 Silver Star N133DV [133610] "Ace Maker III"

Of course no air show without Trojans:

Trojan Phlyers Inc. North American T-28C Trojan N8039S & NX5443U

Okay, enough of historic birds. Here are some modern aircraft on static display and in action:

And at the end of the show, the USAF Thunderbirds performed! Unfortunately the sun had come around and it was hard to take photos without backlit...

United States Air Force General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon Thunderbirds:

I actually took these photos from the parking lot which proved to be a good idea. At the end of the show, we were already near our car and could avoid the long lines of visitors trying to leave the base. All in all, it was a great show which we enjoyed very much.