It was windy, dusty and hot, very hot, at Avalon this year! Temperatures pushed upwards of 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and it was not for the feint hearted – heat stroke was apparently a problem in the crowd on the public days (March 1st to 3rd)! I have been to many scorching shows in… Read More Avalon Australian International Airshow 2019
In addition to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) assets the Avalon Australian International Airshow 2017 also included international military flying displays from the USAF and RNZAF. The USAF solo handling displays were performed admirably in a General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon (aka “Viper”) multi-role fighter and the always impressive Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor air dominance fighter… Read More Australian International Airshow 2017 – International Military Visitors
The sight and sound of a USAF Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor air dominance fighter is something special to see and hear (air superiority is too old school for this Fifth Generation fighter). The noise, the speed, the maneuverability is spectacular and the F-22 Demonstration Team performance as Aviation Nation 2016 was no exception!
How is this for a lineup of classic combat aircraft from the Cold War through to the latest technology of today? Side by side late on the first day of Aviation Nation 2016 we have a 1960’s era design in the USAF McDonnell Douglas QF-4 Phantom II manned aerial target sitting alongside 1990’s technology in the form of US… Read More Aviation Nation 2016: Fighter Aircraft Progression from the 1960’s to Today
I spent most of my time at Aviation Nation 2016 at Nellis Air Force Base along the taxiway for the aircraft involved in the flying displays. The variations in the military pilots waves and hand gestures to the crowd became a fun sideline to the air show, especially those of the 6 USAF Thunderbirds pilots. Some of the pilots… Read More Aviation Nation 2016: The Pilots Wave
Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada is home to numerous USAF squadrons so plenty of interesting and diverse aircraft were on static display at Aviation Nation 2016 including combat aircraft, aggressor aircraft, training aircraft, electronic reconnaissance aircraft and helicopters. The USAF, US Army, US Coast Guard and private training providers such as Draken International all had aircraft… Read More Aviation Nation 2016: 75 Years of Airpower – Part II
Aviation Nation 2016 celebrated “75 Years of Airpower” at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. The base was established in 1941 and has remained in continuous use ever since. Nellis is the premiere USAF combat training base and home to the USAF Warfare Centre. It is famous for the Red and Green Flag combat training exercises… Read More Aviation Nation 2016: 75 Years of Airpower – Part I
USAF first and fifth generation jet fighter air dominance was on display at Aviation Nation 2016 and made for a perfect grouping during the USAF Heritage Flight. To see an early 1950’s era North American F-86 Sabre flying alongside todays stealthy Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and the new Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter was fantastic and shows incredible… Read More Aviation Nation 2016: USAF Heritage Flight
Sleek, stealthy, fast and lethal. The highly advanced fifth generation Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor air dominance fighter is only operated by the USAF and first entered service on December 15th, 2005. In addition to stealth technology to avoid radar detection, the F-22 features a combination of advanced sensor technology, integrated avionics, situational awareness and weapons to… Read More Up Close with a USAF Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
I returned to Planes of Fame 2015 for the Sunday airshow and man what a tribute the USAF Heritage Flight paid to the veterans on that day. This 4 ship flight consisted of a World War Two era Lockheed P-38J Lightning “23 Skidoo” and North American P-51D Mustang “Wee Willy II” along with a Korean… Read More Planes of Fame Airshow 2015: USAF Heritage Flight II
Aces Flying High 