Airshow Magic - Reminiscing about air shows in the past

jetblast16 · by **jetblast16** » 21 Nov 2021, 19:42

This thread is for posting pics, videos, anecdotes, and reminisces about airshows of the past...and how they inspired you to maybe becoming a pilot, maintainer, engineer, modeler, or just aerospace nut like myself.

jetblast16 · by **jetblast16** » 21 Nov 2021, 19:43

My first post. I always wished to see a Harrier GR3 in person, but sadly, never got the opportunity to see one. So, here's for the GR3 in 80s glory!

Original video source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6klM7RsnSQ

sprstdlyscottsmn · by **sprstdlyscottsmn** » 21 Nov 2021, 23:09

Oh, wish I had an F-15 pic I took as a kid handy. I couldn't see it and the announcer was just talking about the plane, so I figured it went around the back for a sneak pass. I ran to the top of the bleachers and looked back over the parking lot. I couldn't see it but a billboard of sorts was blocking some of my view. It practically materialized from behind the billboard coming right at me. I spun around and aimed my little camera where I thought it would be. It dropped into the viewfinder and I hit the shutter right as the ~0.94M sound wave hit me and made me flinch.

Shot came out perfect. Right down the left can on full blower.

knuckles · by **knuckles** » 22 Nov 2021, 06:31

This was one of the first documentaries I recall that had me towards flying and aerospace engineering :
https://youtu.be/6nrQDSYsZH4
[YouTube]https://youtu.be/6nrQDSYsZH4[/YouTube]

In addition to that, kinda born into it. My old man is still flying fighters to this day, and is of in reference to F-16.net database as being the last pilot having flown the following aircraft in the link below:

https://www.f-16.net/aircraft-database/F-16/airframe-profile/1205/
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/94223

jetblast16 · by **jetblast16** » 23 Nov 2021, 01:17

Nice guys!

jetblast16 · by **jetblast16** » 23 Nov 2021, 01:18

Original video source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4AWCkWw5C0

mixelflick · by **mixelflick** » 23 Nov 2021, 16:12

Seeing F-4's and F-106's tear it up going back to the early 80's. A-10's too, doing their low level stuff. B-1B takoff.... shaking your bones. I did get to see some Langley F-15C's in 1987 arguably their prime, and that was a life changing experience. What I think wass a Snodgrass F-14A demo at Pratt field in E. Hartford around the same time was perhaps the most memorable.

LOW ceiling, LOUD and seemingly all burner demo. Nobody there to see it ever forgot it...

johnwill · by **johnwill** » 24 Nov 2021, 04:52

Air shows magic? How about April 1966, Carswell AFB Fort Worth. YF-12, XB-70, B-58, F-4, F-104, F-105, F-111, B-52, KC-135, U-2, and others I can't remember. Some were on static display, some flew. I stood under the XB-70 wing and counted about 10 5-gallon buckets catching fuel drips. Best part was XB-70 takeoff, then coming around for a low pass in close formation with the B-58.

sprstdlyscottsmn · by **sprstdlyscottsmn** » 24 Nov 2021, 05:14

You win

edpop · by **edpop** » 24 Nov 2021, 06:38

Best airshow ever........1988 London International Airshow in London, Ontario.
30th Anniversary of F-4 Phantom.
50 F-4's on hand from every user country and at least one of every model up till then.

mixelflick · by **mixelflick** » 24 Nov 2021, 17:32

That must have been something!

But JohnWill still wins. Oh to see those aviation masterpieces. Most before my time, but I have managed to see almost every American high performance jet flown to date. Would love to see the Russian/European ones, but then again... I'm hoping NGAD/PCA gets here before I expire lol.

sprstdlyscottsmn · by **sprstdlyscottsmn** » 24 Nov 2021, 21:22

I have gotten to see the Heritage Foundation F-4 a few times. No jet engine I have ever heard comes close to the snarling ferocity of the J79. It sounds pissed. "How DARE this air be in the way of the brick I am pushing through it!"

johnwill · by **johnwill** » 24 Nov 2021, 23:12

Agree on J-79. Not an official airshow, but one night when the B-58 43rd Bomb Wing was at
Carswell I was working a night shift in the Structures Test Lab near tbe runway. Took my dinner break and walked out get a little fresh air. About 200 yards away, 7 or 8 B-58s were just starting a minimum interval takeoff drill. The next few minutes were a mixture of heaven and hell as they took off with maybe 15 second intervals. The first airplane was still on the runway when the next started its roll, all at max power. Unforgettable.

jetblast16 · by **jetblast16** » 25 Nov 2021, 02:39

+1000 on johnwill's airshows

We need to build a time machine to go back to watch it for one day!

jetblast16 · by **jetblast16** » 25 Nov 2021, 03:02

I've always wondered just how loud an XB-70 was on takeoff...johnwill, how did it compare with other jets to the best of your memory in regards to overall noise?