Apollo Leader Posted August 27, 2005 Share Posted August 27, 2005 Since August of 1986, I have attended every single air show that has been held here at Offutt AFB. This weekend marks the 19th time (it would be 20, but there was no show in 1994 due to the runway being repaved). Still deciding if I'll be a glutton for punishment and be out both days as I usually do, but even if I'm just out for Saturday, I'll make sure to have tons of pictures to share. Of course, the big thing this year is the first appearance of the Super Hornet at this show. Here's the link to the show's official site: http://www.offutt.af.mil/airshow/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-52 GUNNER Posted August 27, 2005 Share Posted August 27, 2005 Take tons of detail pics of the SUPER HORNET. I'm sure there will be a Academy 1/32 scale kit coming out soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hingtgen Posted August 27, 2005 Share Posted August 27, 2005 Usually can't get *too* close to the demo Super Hornet, but two years ago I lucked out and found one from VFA-2 on static that was 100% "rope free". Anyone need pics of the compressor fan "stealth baffle"? Nothing like sticking your head up the intake for detail shots. PS--it was so new the gear bays were spotless and gleaming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted August 27, 2005 Author Share Posted August 27, 2005 Unfortunately, both Super Hornets were for both demos so there was none for close up inspection. But when the one was coming back from doing the Legacy Flight with an F6F and an F4U, it did come within about 50 feet of me so I at least got those close up shots. Hopefully, I'll post some later tonight or tomorrow. I got a 256 Meg cartridege for my camera this morning so I was able to take a bunch of high rez stuff. Still have only a 2 Megapixel camera with limited zoom so my inflight shots are pretty limited. I was VERY impressed by the aerobatic capability of the Super Hornet, but it obviously dosen't have the sheer, unadulterated power of the F-15 Eagle (a D model from Langley performed later in the day). PS Sorry Dave, there were no Airbuses or any other "boring" civilian caro or passenger jets this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted August 28, 2005 Author Share Posted August 28, 2005 Got time for a few pics. Here's a T-6A Texan II. Pretty much all Air Force pilots start off on this trainer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted August 28, 2005 Author Share Posted August 28, 2005 T-38 Talon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted August 29, 2005 Author Share Posted August 29, 2005 I will be gradually be doing this over the next week or so, but here are the next set. (I have higher resolution versions of these pictures for those who are interested). RC-135... I see these guys floating around the Omaha/Bellevue area on an almost daily basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted August 29, 2005 Author Share Posted August 29, 2005 These two F-16C's were from Canon AFB in New Mexico. Both Fighting Falcons are set up for a defense suppression mission... two AGM-88 Harms along with Sidewinders and AMRAAMs (all missiles are trainers - note the blue bands). The single pod where the LANTRN pods would go is to help assisst in detecting radar guided threats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted August 29, 2005 Author Share Posted August 29, 2005 EC-130H "Compass Call" ECM version of the mighty Hercules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted August 29, 2005 Author Share Posted August 29, 2005 Don't see this everyday... a Czech L-39 made to look like it was aboard the Saratoga back in the 60's or 70's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted August 29, 2005 Author Share Posted August 29, 2005 Closeup of some of this really nice finish. More tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hingtgen Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 Happen to get a pic of the F-16's nose gear door landing light housings? (Seriously--I need a photo of them from both the front, side, and rear---I forgot the last time I saw an F-16 that had them) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight26 Posted August 29, 2005 Share Posted August 29, 2005 T-38 Talon. 323793[/snapback] I think I might know that butt, did you happen to get the name of the pilot of that T-38C? I have a friend from college who is an Instructor Pilot at Vance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted August 30, 2005 Author Share Posted August 30, 2005 T-38 Talon. 323793[/snapback] I think I might know that butt, did you happen to get the name of the pilot of that T-38C? I have a friend from college who is an Instructor Pilot at Vance. 324081[/snapback] Sorry, I didn't catch his name. I remember him telling me that the primary function of Vance is pilot training (I'm pretty sure he was an instructir). About the only names I can remember are some of the 55th Recon. Wing guys I was talking to to see if they personally knew some of the 55th guys I am friends or acquaintance with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted August 30, 2005 Author Share Posted August 30, 2005 Happen to get a pic of the F-16's nose gear door landing light housings? (Seriously--I need a photo of them from both the front, side, and rear---I forgot the last time I saw an F-16 that had them) 324079[/snapback] Both of these two F-16's had the lights you are talking about. The other C model on display, from Sioux Falls (as seen below), didn't have them. The two pictures I have from below are about the best I can do. If you want the higher resolution versions let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted August 30, 2005 Author Share Posted August 30, 2005 (edited) A two-seat Hornet belonging to NASA. A single F/A-18 from NASA was on display last year. Edited August 30, 2005 by Apollo Leader Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight26 Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 T-38 Talon. 323793[/snapback] I think I might know that butt, did you happen to get the name of the pilot of that T-38C? I have a friend from college who is an Instructor Pilot at Vance. 324081[/snapback] Sorry, I didn't catch his name. I remember him telling me that the primary function of Vance is pilot training (I'm pretty sure he was an instructir). About the only names I can remember are some of the 55th Recon. Wing guys I was talking to to see if they personally knew some of the 55th guys I am friends or acquaintance with. 324334[/snapback] Ok, then it is not who I was thinking of, man if Liz found out I thought a guy was her she would kick my butt, of course I might enjoy that, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted August 30, 2005 Author Share Posted August 30, 2005 Two F-15E Strike Eagles of the Bold Tigers out of Home Mountain AFB in Idaho were there. The one was armed with 6 AMRAAM and 2 Sidewinder trainer rounds and the rare sight of it not having its LANTRN pods (they were needed back at base for ongoing training excercises). The other had the pods and was carrying two luggage pods (the other just had one). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted August 30, 2005 Author Share Posted August 30, 2005 Ok, then it is not who I was thinking of, man if Liz found out I thought a guy was her she would kick my butt, of course I might enjoy that, lol. 324343[/snapback] There were a few cute female pilots there (civilian) . I recall at least one woman walking in a military flight suit, but I didn't see who she was with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted August 30, 2005 Author Share Posted August 30, 2005 There were two A-10's on display from Davis Monthan. At the first one I stopped at, the pilot I talked to had over 2,000 hours logged in on the A-10 and he has been exclusively flying the A-10 for over 17 years now! The other A-10 had the shiniest muzzle on the end of an Avenger (the A-10's gatling gun) I have ever seen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted August 30, 2005 Author Share Posted August 30, 2005 That's it for tonight. A few more ground display pics tomorrow night along with what will probably be THE biggest and most complex amateur rocket that will be flown this year!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hingtgen Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Hmm, AMRAAM's on an E's CFT. Quite rare to see, it requires a bit of re-arranging. Also--I thought South Dakota had gotten newer F-16C's, but that's an early Block 30, like they had years ago. (Latest BRAC says IA loses it's Block 42's and is getting Block 30's) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skull Leader Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Those are some excellent photos, Richard! I hope to compliment them with some from my trip to NAS Oceana in a couple weeks! From what little I know about mudhens, I have to mirror Dave's surprise... I'd always heard that F-15Es could carry AMRAAMs on their shoulder stations, but I'd never seen pictures of it. I'd say you got a lucky treat out of it Seeing the A-10 makes me happy... because of BRAC, Ft. Smith Arkansas is gonna be switching from Vipers to A-10s! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted September 1, 2005 Author Share Posted September 1, 2005 After two days, I'm back! First of all, our rocket club (THOR - The Heartland Organization of Rocketry) once again had a display at the show. The big attraction was the mostly complete Delta III a bunch of our guys have been building for months (here's me with most of the parts). It's suppose to be finished this week and flown near Argonia, KS next Monday. For more info, check out this link: http://www.insaneprojects.com/default.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted September 1, 2005 Author Share Posted September 1, 2005 Back to aircraft. Time for the B-1B Lancer, aka the Bone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted September 1, 2005 Author Share Posted September 1, 2005 Sorry Dave, this is the closest to a commercial airliner or cargo plane I could do for you... a KC-10 Extender. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted September 1, 2005 Author Share Posted September 1, 2005 KC-135 from the ANG unit down in Lincoln... Go Big Red! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted September 1, 2005 Author Share Posted September 1, 2005 A B-52H Stratofortess from Barsdale AFB, in Louisiana (I wonder if its got a base to return to... ). This one was known as Junkyard Dog. Tomorrow night I will be getting to the air show portion of things including the Super Hornet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted September 2, 2005 Author Share Posted September 2, 2005 Air show time! To start things off, the Offutt "parade" was done. In the past, several of the aircraft types that are operated at Offutt were flown by the flight line. This time it was just one RC-135 and one of the E-4B's making two flybys, but impressive none the less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted September 2, 2005 Author Share Posted September 2, 2005 Super Hornet time! Right after the RC-135 and E-4B did their passes, one of the two F/A-18F's at the base took off and did an incredible performance. It clearly didn't have the power the F-15 (which flew later) has, but the aerobatics that it did, including what appeared to be the Cobra, were phenominal and were manueavers that I have never seen a regular Hornet do. (More Super Hornet shots coming up soon!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted September 2, 2005 Author Share Posted September 2, 2005 Blast from the past! Randy Ball's MiG-17 Fresco (it was here last year) had a mock dogfight against and F-86 Sabre. Guess who won. It's always so cool seeing classic jets like these flying around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted September 2, 2005 Author Share Posted September 2, 2005 While the Air Force has its Heritage Flight, the Navy has its Legacy Flight. In this case, the second F/A-18F flew in formation with an F6F Wildcat and an F4U Corsair. This was the closest i got to a Super Hornet, so enjoy these pics (again, I do have higher resolution versions of some of these pictures). That's it for tonight. I'll wrap things up with the B-2 flyby and the F-15 tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted September 3, 2005 Author Share Posted September 3, 2005 Time to finish off this thread. After flying over two other air shows, B-2A Spirit of Alaska refueled a 100 miles off the east coast and flew straight to Nebraska to make two passes before heading back down to Whitemen AFB in Missouri. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted September 3, 2005 Author Share Posted September 3, 2005 Where Eagles fly... An F-15D from Langley AFB in Virginia (that where my sister and her husband and son were until a few months ago) was the last solo performer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo Leader Posted September 3, 2005 Author Share Posted September 3, 2005 Before landing, the P-51 Mustang known as Gunfighter (it belongs to a former Air Force brigadier general and has been at almost every show as far back as I can remember) flew up to meet the Eagle as part of the Air Force Heritage flight. Two of America's greatest fighters ever. That's it for this year. Hopefully we can get a Raptor in the next few years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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