That Air Show Feeling

Last week I got reacquainted with one of the best adrenaline rushes on the planet. The modern air show supported by the US Government air superiority forces. Yes last weekend was the Dayton Air Show in Dayton Ohio and I carved a day out of the packed summer to take the kids on the short 75 minute drive to watch the practice day. Since the show is only a Saturday Sunday affair we technically were not at the show, but we were 10 feet from the airport property and had great views of all the comings and goings of the regular commercial flights as well as the practice of the air show performers. The highlight was of course the US Navy Blue Angels. Fat Albert also did 'his' demo doing things in a Lockheed C-130 that seem impossible. The Blue Angels, a group of men and women perform astounding feats with their F-18's. Using a variety of A, B, and C models they fly within inches of each other and do all sorts of amazing acts. It truly takes your breath away to be able to witness their performance. To get to watch and not spend a penny makes it that much better. I've seen them several times in person and each time is like the first. Add in that we also got to watch the F/A-18F Super Hornet do its demo and the arrivals of F-15, F-16, T-38 and several other military cargo and attack planes made for a great day. Even a pristine restored DC-3 made an appearance. While I was unable to make it back for the actual show I did get to enjoy the sights and sounds and look forward to catching up with the Blues again at Cleveland's Air Show on Labor Day!

One more thing. I took these photos and many more. A newer camera has certainly helped. Soon I'll get a DSLR and get closer to the pro's that take so many great pics.

Andrews AFB Air Show Open House

Over the previous weekend Andrews Air Force Base opened its doors for an open house and air show. The weather was perfect and here are some amazing shots. If you have never been to an air show you really should go and experience one. There are many free shows across the country as well as many high powered shows featuring the big acts like the Blue Angels, Thunderbirds, Golden Knights, Viper East (F-16), Raptor F-22, and the solo acts like John Mohr and Patty Wagstaff among dozens of acts. Many local airports host free shows put on by the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) and these are so much fun with vintage warbirds like B-17's or B-25's. Sometimes even a P-51 Mustang will be there. In any case enjoy some great shots from Andrews!

Finishing up Cleveland Airshow Photos

OK I've blown them up and touched them up and while I might have a few more here and there this is about all for now as far as the jets go.I'll start on the other shots and post as I go. I'm trying to decide whether to go to the Wings of Freedom Airshow next weekend in Middletown Ohio, but with the price of gas and my wife not really "getting" how you can keep going for the same planes, but different locale thing Its only temporary at the moment. I also will have some super cool pics of a couple Indian Air Force jets in the US a couple weeks back for training. Lets just say these were not your typical US sourced warbirds. Oh do I have you interested? Look for those pics this weekend. Ok on to the Cleveland photos....

Back to MORE Cleveland National Airshow Photos

Cleaned up a few more photos from the airshow. I've got more to come. Please bookmark and check back again. I also have lots posted earlier so go back a few weeks for more from this and other airshows this summer.

Cleveland Airshow Photos

Now THAT was a great way to end the summer!

Took Poppy and Frudoch up to Cleveland for the airshow. If you missed it and could have been there you are a fool. That was one fantastic airshow. I took about 350 photos and have many to go thru, but I got a few pics for you to see tonight. Lets just say it was well worth the 120 mile drive! Oh yeah the CLK500 got more than 26MPG on the way up and just a fraction less on the way back including the 45 minutes where we only went 3 miles and at that point were averaging around 9MPG. enjoy these pics. Lots more to come in the next few days.

Getting Pumped for Cleveland Air Show

This is what you're missing. Will be back soon.....

Weekends Come and Go

It's Monday evening and I'm already thinking about the weekend. This past weekend was a blur. Frudoch did the Laura Stamm Powerskating Camp at Chiller Easton. He even managed to forget his shoulder pads on Sunday morning which gave me the opportunity to check out the ultra high speed aspects of the CLK500. Lets just say its glued to the road at 130 mph. I love this car. So last weekend was a blur and this one will be too. Only in another way. I'll be heading up to Cleveland for the Air Show. The blur will once again be of jets at mind numbing speeds. It will be my first opportunity to see the Blue Angels in person. The show will also feature the F-16 Viper demo and F-15C Strike Eagle Demo as well as F/A-18F Super Hornet demo. These jet teams are awesome. We saw Viper east last week at Lancaster and i've seen the F-15 and F/A-18 demos at Chicago and GML among other times. Add in the C-130 and of course the Blue Angels (with Fat Albert the C-130) along with a stellar static display and you have an awesome show. It will be a more than 2 hour drive, but I'll find my way up there and have a blast. Heres a few more pics from Lancaster found on the web.