Oregon International Air Show 2016: USMC MV-22 Osprey Demo

There is something special about watching a big tilt-rotor Bell Boeing MV-22 Osprey V/STOL transport be put through its paces. The MV-22 Osprey flying display by the US Marine Corps Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 “Greyhawks” (VMM-161 of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at MCAS Miramar in California) at the Oregon International Air Show was no exception (the first time an Osprey demo had been performed at the air show).

Bell Boeing MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor transport of the USMC VMM-161 “Greyhawks” prepares for take-off at Oregon International Air Show 2016

Rolling

Away!

USMC MV-22 Osprey with the tilt-rotors facing forwards for a high speed pass

Underbelly

Forward rotary flight

The angle of the tilt-rotor allows for hovering forward flight

A great looking machine

Sideways hovering flight with the tilt-rotors in the full upright position

The MV-22 slowly hovering past the air show crowd line

From the USMC website: “With the speed and range of a turboprop, the maneuverability of a helicopter and the ability to carry 24 Marine combat troops twice as fast and five times farther than previous helicopters, the Osprey greatly enhances the advantages Marines have over their enemies.”

Time to float back the other way!

The Bell Boeing MV-22 Osprey is a unique and highly versatile aircraft for the US military

Coming in for a landing

Note the rear ramp is lowered an a USMC Crew Chief is sitting there

Almost down

Touchdown

From high-speed passes with the big rotors of the MV-22 Osprey lowered for level flying, to hovering maneuvers and rotary flying it had the crowd watching in fascination. OO-RAH!

Rolling past the crowd

Nice job gentlemen!

MV-22 Osprey 01 post flight

Before the flight demonstration the MV-22 was moved from static display to the flight line. There was quite a crowd viewing the Osprey at that time, then suddenly all was on the move (I gathered at the time there must have been an issue with the other MV-22 that was already out there and the backup was needed to fly).

A popular static display – USMC MV-22 Osprey 01 of VMM-161 “Greyhawks”

OK we need this one to move!

Lets roll!

The small tractor starts to reverse the MV-22

Sharp turn

Easy

The MV-22 is on its way to the flight line

The other MV-22 out on the flight line

USMC VMM-161 MV-22 Osprey 00 & 01

It was quite interesting watching the Marines quickly clear the crowd then using an airfield tractor, back the big Osprey right past the crowd and static civilian aircraft. All done matter-of-factly, just as you would expect from the US Marine Corps!