Joining the Thunderbirds this year at the show, flying in the United States for the first time in more than 30 years is the Italian Air Force precision squadron, Frecce Tricolori, which is the world’s largest, with ten aircraft flying exceptional maneuvers. Their tour this year is commemorating the 500th anniversary of Giovanni da Verrazzano's expedition to America in 1524.

The photos above show the Thunderbirds in their signature Diamond formation, flying as close as two feet apart, and Frecce Tricolori’s ten plane Delta formation, with their smoke generators proudly showing the red, white and green of the Italian flag.

Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Thunderbird signature maneuvers include a vertical climb with each plane banking in a different direction and their canopy-to-canopy slow flight down the runway center line a few feet apart.

The headliner USAF Thunderbirds fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon and perform a combination of formation and solo maneuvers in an inspiring, patriotic, high energy demonstration that thrills and draws gasps from the crowd. To see more on these, some of America’s finest pilots, visit: USAF Thunderbirds.

The show continued on Sunday August 11th. Orange County Airport is less than 1-1/2 hours from Westport, at 500 Dunn Rd, Montgomery, NY.

Visit: NY Air Show for more information. Air shows are held each year at Orange County Airport and on Memorial Day weekend at Jones Beach on Long Island.

Photos And Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.