Cleveland Air Show 2011--We Picked the Wrong Day But....

So if you have read my blog before you know that besides traveling for hockey I also love to take the kids to Air Shows. This year we hit only 2, but wow what weather extremes over 6 weeks. In late July we went to Dayton and it was upper 90's and on Labor Day we went to Cleveland and had 60 and 30mph winds. Unfortunately for us the only day I could truly make Cleveland was the third and final day on Labor Day Monday and a stiff cold front had moved thru after Sunday's show had concluded. Saturday was upper 90's and sunny. Sunday was 80 and Sunny and Monday was the previously mentioned dreary cold and misty. However the performers still put on a great and most importantly SAFE show. Even the RC planes flew and those pilots did an amazing job in the winds. The weather also featured a very low ceiling which forced the performers to fly their "flat" shows which I did not mind as it keeps the planes closer to the ground and is different than the normal show so some variety is nice. Now to be honest when I saw the forecast I really didn't want to drive 2 hours to be outside in bad weather all day, but I had promised my son we would go to see one particular plane fly: the F-4 Phantom II.

The photo is not great as there was so little light, but I did work hard to get a few good shots as this was likely the final air show for the F-4 in US markings as this plane and the other 6 still flight ready are due to be destroyed later this year. They have all been converted to QF-4's and are actually able to be remote operated. They use them to test our missile systems and shoot them down. The F-4 was first flown in 1958 and saw heavy use in the Vietnam War. It can do Mach 2.2 and is a huge hulking beast when you compare it to the more modern fighters like the F-16. Even though the weather stunk I'm still glad we got to witness this proud bird thrill the fans one last time. After the show it returned to Tyndall AFB in Florida. The only way to see one now is in a museum.

Also appearing were a US Navy FA-18 Hornet which put on a great display and made sure everybody was hard of hearing with lots of low afterburner passes to make up for the lack of vertical climbs.

We even got a couple of bonus passes when the plane departed with a wingman to return to Virginia Beach. Nothing like having a couple of Hornets high and tight.



We were excited to FINALLY get to see the A-10 Wathog perform and it put on a great show with lots of low passes and simulated bombing runs. It also paired up with the F-4 for the Heritage Flight and although the P-51 Mustang could not go up and take part it was still a memorable Heritage Flight.




Entertaining the fans is important and School Time running 300+mph sure does the trick especially the kids!


Most air shows feature one of the big US military teams like the USAF Thunderbirds or the US Navy Blue Angels. This year we got 2--The US Army Golden Knights feature guys with serious skill jumping from planes. However, the weather was so intense that on this day only the best of the best were able to leap from 2000 feet and that mean several soldiers had to stay aboard the C-31 Friendship. Still the 5 jumpers did an amazing job all landing right on target.


While the Golden Knights were buzzing around the sky preparing to jump we did get a special visit from up north. A Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 did several low passes. Its pretty amazing to see an aircraft that big banking and turning at such a low altitude. This plane flew at both the Toronto and Cleveland Air Shows on each day.



Finally the show ended with the headliners: the USAF Thunderbirds. Due to the conditions they were forced to fly an alternate show and for the photographers this makes things tough. Catching one or 2 fast approaching planes is doable when they are low. For 6 planes its difficult since the zoom is your friend (if you have a good one). I tried my best, but the conditions were ever worsening and I decided to shoot a few photos and just enjoy the show. I got some nice pics, but not what I'd call great. Here are a few.





So as you can see it was a great air show and I left off many many acts and all the static aircraft. It is a great place to watch even in dismal weather. Probably my favorite locale with Lake Erie and downtown Cleveland providing dramatic backdrops. While I did the best I could with the photos I'm not particularly happy with the results. Maybe next year!

Double Dutch Treat for Chile

Ok so that was a lame attempt at a headline. In just a couple months the Netherlands will begin to send more of its older F-16's to Chile where they will join 28 others in protecting the skies over Chile. This is not the first time the Netherlands has sold older F-16's to Chile as 18 of the 28 currently in service are A and B models formerly flown by the Netherlands. Chile currently flies 10 C/D models purchased directly from Lockheed. The new/old jets are currently being prepared at Leeuwarden Air Base for their trip to Chile in early November. In total 6 jets will be ferried to Chile and supported by a McDonnell Douglas KDC-10 Tanker/transport.

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!

Memorial Day Weekend Ramblings

Lots going on over the next few days. I heard a pair of F-16's from the ONG ripping around yesterday before doing a flyby for a memorial celebration in downtown Columbus. I never get tired of that ripping sound.

W had our last 3 on 3 game today and avenged the only loss on our schedule with a 7-4 win. We only had 7 players today so 2 lines and a goalie. Of course the other team had 7 as well. Islanders win and Frudoch had a nice goal. Still trying to find players for a summer team...

My dad gave me a Mossberg shotgun today. Its really nice. A classic. 2 boxes of ammo too. Second Amendment rights are important. Our current president does not necessarily agree with that.

I spent last night doing something that I had not done in probably 30 plus years. Trying to hit a ball in a batting cage. Fortunately I bat left handed so my shoulder does not get worked over. I stroked a few and only whiffed 3 times. Felt pretty good too.

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.

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.