A Brief History of V/STOL Combat Aircraft – Part IV: The Joint Strike Fighter

In my previous blogs I discussed the early experimental, prototype and operational V/STOL combat jet aircraft such as the Harrier and Harrier II that were developed in the late 1950’s through to the 1980’s. By the 1980’s significant improvements had been made in performance, handling and the weapons load capability of V/STOL combat jets but now stealth technology and advanced avionics,… Read More A Brief History of V/STOL Combat Aircraft – Part IV: The Joint Strike Fighter

July 15, 2015July 15, 2015 DeanoLeave a comment

US Marine Corps Adversaries

VMFT-401 “SNIPERS” Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 (VMFT-401) “Snipers” is a United States Marine Corps adversary squadron (aggressors) based at MCAS Yuma in Arizona (the premiere aviation training base of the USMC). An adversary squadron is tasked with providing realistic training for USMC fighter pilots by acting as an enemy aircraft (an aggressor). They implement tactics and flying techniques of… Read More US Marine Corps Adversaries

June 10, 2015June 10, 2015 Deano7 Comments

USMC VMFAT-101 “Sharpshooters”

Prior to the 2015 Yuma Airshow at MCAS Yuma in Arizona a couple of US Marine Corps McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet multi-role fighters from Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron VMFAT-101 “Sharpshooters“ (based at MCAS Miramar) fired up their engines, rolled out onto the tarmac and with a loud roar took off into the skies on another valuable training mission.… Read More USMC VMFAT-101 “Sharpshooters”

April 10, 2015April 1, 2015 DeanoLeave a comment

Yuma Airshow 2015: Chuck Aaron – Red Bull Helicopter

Chuck Aaron: Red Bull Helicopter was a feature display at the 2015 Yuma Airshow. The Red Bull Helicopter is a modified Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm Bo 105 that is fitted with special fuel lines and it has most definitely had anything that weighs a lot and isn’t necessary removed so Chuck Aaron can perform rolls, backflips and various aerobatics unlike your average helicopter (i.e. he… Read More Yuma Airshow 2015: Chuck Aaron – Red Bull Helicopter

April 7, 2015March 23, 2015 DeanoLeave a comment

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

April 1, 2015April 1, 2015 Deano2 Comments

Yuma Airshow 2015: Gene Soucy and his Grumman Showcat

The 2015 Yuma Airshow held at MCAS Yuma, Arizona on February 28th, 2015 had some great civilian flying displays. These performances included aerobatics and some good old-fashioned barnstorming, making it a great little airshow! Throughout the day Gene Soucy Airshows flew his Grumman Showcat in aerobatic displays with a lot of smoke (seriously, a lot of smoke!). Loops, rolls, low flying and… Read More Yuma Airshow 2015: Gene Soucy and his Grumman Showcat

March 27, 2015March 23, 2015 DeanoLeave a comment

Yuma Airshow 2015: Olivers Flying Circus

In addition to air displays by US Marine Corps combat and rotary wing aircraft at the 2015 Yuma Airshow held at MCAS Yuma, Arizona on February 28th, 2015 the civilian demonstrations and flying displays were an excellent addition to the military side of things. These performances included some fantastic aerobatics by Olivers Flying Circus. Pilot Steve Oliver took centre stage with some impressive smoke streaming… Read More Yuma Airshow 2015: Olivers Flying Circus

March 20, 2015March 20, 2015 Deano7 Comments

Yuma Airshow 2015: US Marine Corps Helicopters & Tilt-Rotors

The 2015 Yuma Airshow at MCAS Yuma in Arizona showcased US Marine Corps air power from fast jets to their rotary wing and revolutionary tilt-rotor assets. A highlight of the show was the Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor V/STOL transport. An MV-22B Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 166 (VMM-166) from MCAS Miramar in California performed an extensive flight display… Read More Yuma Airshow 2015: US Marine Corps Helicopters & Tilt-Rotors

March 17, 2015March 16, 2015 Deano1 Comment

2015 Yuma Airshow: US Marine Corps Air Power

The 2015 Yuma Airshow was held in sunshine at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma in Arizona on February 28th, 2015. This is the premiere aviation training base of the United States Marine Corps and the airshow is a showcase of many of the USMC aircraft operated there, including the new Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II Short Take Off Vertical… Read More 2015 Yuma Airshow: US Marine Corps Air Power

March 10, 2015March 10, 2015 Deano2 Comments

2015 Yuma Airshow: Misty Blues All Woman Skydiving Demo Team

The Misty Blues All Woman Skydiving Demo Team were a key component of the 2015 Yuma Airshow program on February 28th, 2015. They landed as part of the opening ceremony accompanied to the US national anthem and also conducted a second jump later in the day. Their bright colours and skydiving accuracy added a bit… Read More 2015 Yuma Airshow: Misty Blues All Woman Skydiving Demo Team

March 6, 2015March 6, 2015 DeanoLeave a comment