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Blue Angels
redhawkk480
Member Posts: 2,533 ✭✭✭✭
at the LaCrosse Wi air show this weekend
I was lucky enough to see then doing a few practice runs yesterday
Comments
Nice
They fly really really REALLY close together. Like swapping paint close.
That's true of the AF Thunderbirds, also. Obsolete version of the F-16.
Before this pandemic, my hometown would get a Blue Angels airshow every other summer and a show from the USAF Thunderbirds on the opposing years. Our National Cherry Festival really has grown into a major event from what it was when I was growing up.
I also hate to say this but I do miss those good ole days! A million plus visitors traveling on roads designed for a town for 35 thousand residents sucks big time!
I admit I have always enjoyed a good airshow, but when those buggers are flying inverted just over the tree line and over my homes roof each summer!!!!! The windows rattle and the dogs pee all over and run for cover!!!!! The ceramic nick naks fall from the shelves and the fumes from those after burners linger in the air for hours!
I can honestly say I have seen enough of those birds!
Going to see the Blues Sunday June 20 at the Thunder on the Buffalo Waterfront.
They were originally scheduled to be at the Niagra Falls Air Base Air show this year, but that massive crowd event ( they had to close the doors due to capacity crowd at 11am last time ) was cancelled do to the wu-flu.
This is a historic event on the waterfront, so I obtained VIP seating for a couple of Korean War Vets that I know and should be a good time.
If they used the F22 all they’d have to do is sync all the clocks and then push the button on the dash that says “Fly Airshow” and stand back.
Our Hill AFB has the only fully operational F-35 squadrons (they've already flown combat missions in the Mideast) and also have an F-35 demonstration team. Their demos, however, are not all whooptydoos and fancy formations. They do combat profiles of ground attack - and I have to tell you, that appears to be one mean sumbeach airplane. Hell, I think the noise alone would petrify most enemies.
I know that not many of you have flown four-ship formation, so just let me say that it's an absolute hoot - but extremely fatiguing. The maneuvers and G-forces are bad enough, but the absolute and total concentration it requires is beyond imagination. It's mentally as well as physically exhausting.
Consider for a moment that in a jet in which a half-inch of stick movement can zoom you a hundred feet, but to hold your position on your lead's wingtip, you need to come up six inches. You don't move the controls in formation; you THINK the jet to move.
It’s like speaking French... you think the letter “r” on the ends of words, you don’t say them. Then it comes out right.
When I worked at the survival schoolhouse in Pensacola my roommate was in the Blue Angels. I used to help some of them get in shape for the Navy PT test.
I got a JATO shot in Fat Albert once which was one of the more memorable things I did in the Navy.
(Not my pic)
Seymore johnston Air force base has an airshow/ open house every other year . Either the angels or birds eaxh time . I live a few miles from the runway turnout area . I can park in an area ans have them fly over my head . Good times for sure .
never tire of seeing them,,,
I worked in Seattle 25 years ago and we had Seafair every year. The Blue Angels would show up and practice their show the week before the big weekend, and our office building was right on their path. One day they seemed like they were flying a bit low, so we went out on the roof of our 12-story building and waited.
Pretty soon here came a lone F18, bank hard right, bank hard right, and he BLASTED past our building, we were looking down into his cockpit. The sonic energy as he went past hit you in the chest and set off all the car alarms on the street.
GLORIOUS!!!!! And he gets PAID to do that.
When El Toro Marine Air Station was operating, the Blue Angels would perform at least once a year and the turnouts were huge. I always enjoyed their show. So as not to be outdone by the Navy, Marine Air would give a demonstration of their ground attack capabilities, which was always impressive.
I was looking online and it seems that the Blues and the Thunderbirds occasionally perform together.
Sorry, Rocky, but the blue and gold demands instant attention. I wish that the Navy would return to painting their aircraft blue.