United States Air Force Academy Tuskegee Airmen Red Tails Monument
Why
To honor the Tuskegee Airmen and their valiant efforts during World War II, the Air Force Academy retained RTA to design a new monument: the Tuskegee Airmen Red Tails Monument. Nicknamed “Red Tails” and “Red Tail Angels,” the Tuskegee Airmen were African American military pilots, navigators, and technicians during WWII.
How
Throughout the design process, RTA worked closely with US Air Force Academy stakeholders, including the Air Force Academy Foundation. The team also coordinated with USAFA Civil Engineering Base Architect to ensure the plans met all applicable base standards.
What
Placed at the entry to Davis Airfield, the central feature of the monument will be two mounted airplane replicas. A historic P-51 Red Tail, which the Tuskegee Airmen used during WWII to escort bombers, and a T-7 Red Hawk, a new, advanced jet trainer. The juxtaposed planes symbolize the past and the future and will be dynamically displayed to create a feeling of flight. A pavilion, shaped as “Double V’s” to symbolize the term “Double Victory” frequently used by the Tuskegee Airmen, with related historical information and displays will be located between the replicas.
Project Details
Size: 2,000 SF pavilion, 1 acre site
Cost: $2M (est.)
Design Details
- Collaborative design process
- Alignment with USAFA Standards