USAF Thunderbirds 2026 Schedule
Air Shows
Kirtland AFB Air Fiesta
KAFB, May 30 – June 1, 2025
https://www.kirtland.af.mil/Kirtland-Air-Fiesta/
Scheduled to attend:
- U.S. Army Golden Knights
- F-16 Viper Demonstration Team from Shaw Air Force Base
- 58th Special Operations Wing
- MC-130, AC-130, HC-130, HH-60, Huey, and CV-22.
THUNDER & LIGHTNING OVER ARIZONA 2025
On the weekend of March 22-23, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is opening the gates and inviting everyone to enjoy a free, weekend-long event packed full of entertainment. Come out and see dynamic aerial displays, memorable planes, and SO much more!
2019 KAFB Air and Space Fiesta
The Albuquerque Scale Modelers (ASM) conducted a model display at the Air and Space Fiesta Air Show at Kirtland Air Force Base on Saturday, May 18. Our goals were to promote the hobby of scale modeling with a display of USAF and space-related models that fit the theme of the air show, and to let the public know that Albuquerque did have an active model club and to perhaps gain some new members. I think that we put on a great display and successfully met those goals.
We had a very primo spot for our display near the center of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and Space Pavilion hangar. Whereas we thought we were going to be allowed only two tables for the display due to space limitations, we ended up with room for five. We had brought some spare tables, and they also had one spare for us to use. We had brought a lot of models, thinking we would have to pare down based on what would fit. With the five tables we ended up using them all and had 77 total models in the display. From left to right around our horseshoe setup (see pictures), we had sections on the USAF in the Korean War, the “What is Scale Modeling” P-51Ds vignette in five different scales, the Viet Nam War, USAF helicopters, New Mexico Air National Guard aircraft, the bombers and aircraft of the Strategic Air Command, the Military Airlift Command/Air Mobility Command, the Air Defense Command, and the aircraft in Desert Storm through the current operations in Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq. Finally, there was a section with Real Space and Theoretical Space models. Some attendees did inquire about models of World War II aircraft. One thing I had thought about bringing was a 1/72-scale B-17 and a B-24 to talk about Kirtland’s past role as a bomber training base during World War II. Unfortunately I left those at home, thinking that we would not have space. So we will need to look at making sure to bring those next time around.
We were there at 8:00 to set up, so we were well ahead of the folks coming on base for the air show. We heard later that there was a big traffic jam with very long waits. We had a continual crowd of lookers all day long, and had lots of questions and comments on the models. Based upon comments that I heard, people’s favorite aircraft was the F-4 Phantom followed by the A-10 Warthog. A lot of folks mentioned that they had previously built models and wanted to know where they could get kits to get back into the hobby. We pointed them at our favorite neighborhood hobby shop. We passed out a lot of ASM handouts and perhaps we will get some new members. We did get a lot of thank yous for putting on the display. One of the USAF members supporting our hangar came by as we were packing up and told us that there were more than 40,000 attendees at the air show, and that about 32,000 people had visited the STEM and Space Pavillion. There were a lot of cool interactive-type displays in our hangar, plus shade. So I guess ASM and the hobby of scale modeling did get some good exposure with the public during this air show.
Thanks to all who contributed models and to those who set up and manned the display. Model loaners included Victor Maestas, Keith Liotta, Ken Piniak, Jack Garriss, Larry Glenn, David DeYoung, Josh Pals, Bob Henderson, Frank Randall, Mike Blohm, and the Defense Nuclear Weapons School Museum. Manning the display were Josh Pals, Ken Piniak, Larry Glenn, Jeff Frickstad, Ken Piniak, and Matt and Mike Blohm.
2016 KAFB Airshow
The Albuquerque Scale Modelers (ASM) conducted a fantastic model display at the Kirtland AFB Airshow on Saturday June 4th and Sunday June 5th, 2016. It was a great way to promote both the club and the hobby of scale modeling. The theme of the model display was the “75th Anniversary of Kirtland AFB (1941 – 2016)” to match the theme of the airshow. We did our best to have all the aircraft that were involved in the history of Kirtland AFB and it’s many missions over the years, plus some models to show what other subjects can be built within the hobby. We started with three tables on Saturday and increased that to four on Sunday, with a total of 70 models being on display. I think we had more planes on our tables than they had on the flight line. Model scales varied from 1/32 to 1/144. We had three huge 1/48 scale aircraft (B-17G, B-24J and B-29A) courtesy of Don Goodrich, that got a lot of attention. Additionally, we had five ASM-built nuclear bomber models on loan via Erik McIntyre from the display at the Nuclear Weapons Heritage Model Display (B-36, B-47, B-50, B-52 and B-2) at the Defense Nuclear Weapons School Museum representing that testing mission at Kirtland AFB. Some pictures of the airshow display are included with this article; more are available on the ASM Website.
ASM was located in a great spot in the center of the display hangar. We had literally thousands of visitors stop by to check out the models, talk about scale modeling, and discuss the history of the aircraft that had been stationed at Kirtland AFB. The parents loved the aircraft and armor whereas the kids loved the science fiction subjects, particularly the Star Wars models and the UFO flying saucers. Actually, most people loved the sci-fi. We had to be fast to stay ahead of the little kids who wanted to touch the models, but luckily we had only a few minor, repairable casualties. Lots of veterans enjoyed seeing their aircraft types in the display and sharing their stories of when they had flown or worked on them. We even had a few people show us cell phone pictures of their ancestors and ask us if we could identify the aircraft in the picture that they had flown or supported, as they wanted to build a model of their planes. I’m happy to say that we were successful with those requests. We also had a few requests to provide some models for additional historical displays, and I’ll talk about those at the next ASM meeting.
We passed out lots of flyers on both ASM and the upcoming New Mexico State Fair Model Contest and encouraged folks to visit our website. It sounded like we might get some attendees at a meeting to check out the club. Additionally, lots of the kids seemed excited to come enter a model at the State Fair, as well as a few adults. It was a lot of fun, and I think we succeeded very well in promoting both the club and the hobby of scale modeling. My sincere thanks to all the ASM members who participated in manning the display and/or loaned models (see alphabetical list below). We were able to have enough folks to watch over the models – a challenge with four tables – and to answer all the questions that came our way. In particular I’d like to thank Victor Maestas, Josh Pals, Matt Blohm, and Larry Glenn who assisted me in the coordination with Kirtland and the initial set-up on Saturday morning.
Matt Blohm, Mike Blohm, Theron Brawley, Jeff Frickstad, Jack Garriss, Larry Glenn, Don Goodrich, Gil Johnson, Bret Kinman, Josh Kinman, Victor Maestas, Jim Mesco, Josh Pals, Ken Piniak, Frank Randall, Andy Rogulich, Dave Tipps
2011 KAFB Open House and Air Show
For the first time ever, a local plastic modeler’s club has participated in an Albuquerque-based air show as guests of Kirtland Air Force Base’s “Open House.” Albuquerque Scale Modelers now holds that dubious distinction and we did it in grand style. At this year’s KAFB Open House on October 9, ASM had the honor of setting up six tables in KAFB’s Hangar 1000 (aka the Osprey Hangar) to participate as one of their Vendors/Guests. We were able to set up our club’s “What is Scale Modeling” display, host two live model building demos, and (the icing on the cake) display ASM’s 2006 IPMS/USA Nationals award-winning 1/32 scale F-16 Thunderbird Team!
ASM members Pete Beck, MTCM(SS), USN, Keith Liotta, and I arrived early Sunday morning before the gates opened up to set up the tables and displays that Pete and I had dropped off the previous Friday. The arrangements made with KAFB to grant our club special access to the Show were a direct result of the dedicated efforts of Master Chief Beck and his contacts at KAFB. Without his efforts, ASM would most likely have never had this opportunity. For the club’s Thunderbirds display, we used the original simulated tarmac base that was used for the 2006 Nationals. To protect the F-16s from possible wind incursions and potential little wandering hands, we covered all six T-birds with one large glass display case cover that I have had in storage at my place for a few years. I had a special banner made up (thanks to my loving wife Rita for assistance with that) to post in front of the T-birds and we also added appropriate patches, stickers, and photos that were made available for the display, care of Mike Blohm.
For the “What is Scale Modeling” display, Mike Blohm provided the presentation board and we used Frank Randall’s 1/72 scale, John Tate’s 1/48 scale, and my 1/32 scale Spitfires to demonstrate the three basic scales with respect to one-another.
To add to the two ASM displays, on one end Pete set up several of his 1/48 scale completed masterpieces representing some of the Air Force hardware currently being flown today, including the F-16CM, the F-15E, the MQ-1 Predator, and the MQ-9 Reaper. On the other end, Keith and I set up numerous models representing examples of the various kinds of plastic models that are available to the public along with our complete model building setups. While we also focused on Air Force hardware, we included a few other “off” subjects. For example, we included a 1/12 scale Ensign Darwin Dolphin from the old SeaQuest TV show. That turned out to be one of the kid’s favorites.
The Open House officially opened at 9:00 A.M. and came to an end around 4:30 P.M. with numerous air demonstrations and fly-bys throughout the afternoon, including a T-33 demo, multiple passes by a B-1 and then a B-2. As usual, the show-ending finale was the USAF Thunderbirds demonstration, a truly amazing sight for any aviation and modern day jet enthusiast. During the entire show, our tables/display had a continuous flow of visitors literally lined up to pass by and see the displays. Numerous attendees stopped to take pictures of the models, the T-Bird display and of their children right next to or with the models. On several occasions, I had noticed moms having their kids lean in towards the table to get a picture of them next to the Academy 1/32 scale F-18 Blue Angel that I had brought along. It just seemed like the right thing to do by carefully handing the model to the kids so that they could hold it while their moms or dads snapped pictures. The payoff was seeing the huge smiles on their faces.
Besides all of the picture taking, we had dozens of attendees asking how we built certain models and how did we apply some of the paint, decals, and effects (washes). The entire day was filled with mini-demos, how-to instructionals, directions to finding model kits and supplies at places like Hobby Proz and the internet. We handed out the entire handful of Hobby Proz business cards within the first two hours, and then dozens of handwritten contact info for the shop too. We probably could have handed out a box load of them (hmmmm, lesson learned). In addition to all of the business stirred up for the shop, we also handed out the fifty-plus ASM club flyers that Mike Blohm and I had printed out for the show within that same first two hours (again, lesson learned for next time). It turns out that many Albuquerqueans had no idea there was a Plastic Model club in town. With any luck, we will see several of them at our meetings in the coming months. One potential visitor to a future ASM meeting may include the 377th Air Base Wing KAFB Public Affairs Manager Michael Kleiman. We had a fair conversation about ASM and what we have to offer, and he expressed a significant interest in exploring the hobby.
The icing on the cake for the day was the numerous visits to the club’s Thunderbird display by several ground/support crew members, PA Superintendent MSgt Kimberley Harrison, the Number 12 Public Affairs Officer Maj. Kristin Haley, and Thunderbird 3 himself, Maj. John Gallemore. All of the Thunderbird team members were very impressed with the display and appeared to turn into little kids in a candy shop as they looked closer at the models. Each member’s visit would usually lead to photograph opportunities where they were asked to stand by the ASM T-bird display for and with the general public. There are now dozens of photos across Albuquerque that include the ASM display as a backdrop with the Thunderbird members.
Additional thanks should be given to ASM members Dave Epstein, Jeff Frickstadt, Chuck Girven, and Pete’s wife Rayna for the time they offered to stop by, support the display efforts, and for sitting in for Pete, Keith, and I so that we could enjoy portions of the Air Show too.
ASM would also like to extend special appreciation to Maj. Cindy Vernier, USAF, and Lt. Cox, USAF, for accommodating us in Hangar 1000 at this year’s KAFB Open House and making us feel so welcome. All of us had the most superb time participating and being a part of the show. It will certainly be a Show to remember for us.
(Webmaster’s Note: ASM has previously participated in several Air Show / Open House events over the past 15 years and has displayed models, but not to the extent as was done this year.)
