Yuma Airshow 2015: Static Displays, a Jet Truck and more!

The 2015 Yuma Airshow at MCAS Yuma in Arizona had plenty of aerial action but the static displays offered plenty to see as well. Military statics included US Marine Corps combat aircraft: McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II and Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II along with a Northrop F-5N Tiger II adversary fighter. USMC support aircraft included a Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules tanker transport, the tilt-rotor Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey transport and various helicopters.

USMC AV-8B Harrier II V/STOL attack aircraft, F-35B Lightning II STOVL fighter and F-5N Tiger II adversary

USMC Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules tanker/transport

USMC Beechcraft C-12 Huron utility aircraft

USMC UAV’s: Boeing Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack & AAI RQ-7B Shadow

USMC Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey & one of the last Boeing Vertol CH-46E Sea Knight in USMC service

USMC Bell UH-1Y Venom utility transport, Bell AH-1Z Viper gunship and Bell HH-1N SAR helicopters

The Marines were joined on static display by a mighty USAF Boeing B-52H Stratofortress “Global Warrior” and US Army aircraft from the Yuma Army Proving Grounds. A World War Two era Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer patrol bomber (this one was also used by the US Coast Guard from 1945 to 1958, then as a fire bomber from the 1960’s to 2006) and civilian aircraft were also in the static displays.

USAF Boeing B-52H Stratofortress

“Global Warrior”

US Army Cessna 208B Caravan and Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter from the Yuma Proving Grounds

Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer

This Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer was converted and used as a fire-bomber from the 1960’s until 2006 (it used to be painted red and white during that time)

Sportcopter II Gyroplane

In addition to the airshow and the statics there was the Paul Smith FMX demo and the fiery, loud, show stopping Shockwave Jet Truck. That beast is fitted with 3 Pratt & Whitney J-34-48 turbojet engines and hits a top speed of 603.5 kmh / 375 mph!

Paul Smith FMX Demo

Shockwave Jet Truck with 3 Pratt & Whitney J-34-48 turbojet engines!

Shockwave Jet Truck in action

They even included a race with the Gene Soucy Airshows Grumman Showcat up against Shockwave. Despite a head start for the Showcat it was a one sided event but none the less, still fun to watch!

Grumman Showcat vs. Shockwave Jet Truck race (no need for guesses as to who won!)