Luke AFB openhouse...
Luke AFB openhouse...
Everyone out at Luke is gearing up for the airshow. Here is a link that has some info on it for all of those who plan on going. The F-22 will be making its first aerial airshow apperance at Luke airshow this year. It's SHOW TIME!
http://www.luke.af.mil/openhouse2009/index.asp
http://www.luke.af.mil/openhouse2009/index.asp
Last edited by FALCON56 on Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Tailhook
- Virtual Thunderbird Alumnus
- Posts: 1052
- Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:17 pm
- Location: Baltimore, MD
Re: Luke AFB openhouse...
Where have you been? The F-22 has been flying at airshows for the past 2 years.FALCON56 wrote:The F-22 will be making its first aerial airshow apperance
Last edited by Tailhook on Fri Feb 13, 2009 1:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Convertible
- Virtual Thunderbird Alumnus
- Posts: 1069
- Joined: Thu Apr 07, 2005 5:59 pm
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
Yep, the Raptor has never flown at Luke yet, this will be the first year as it was a static display the prior time the Thunderbirds were in town. The first time I saw the Raptor fly was at Miramar last year. And I was standing there with my mouth wide open the entire time. Should be a blast to see him this year at home.
Luke show was pretty good. The Raptor had to land early due to problems, he finished his demo but did not do the Heritage Flight.
Was great watching the Thunderbirds in their new rides. There was some issues as far as timing and falling out of position, but it can be expected as it is one of the earliest shows. But overall it was a great experience. Always love catching the Thunderbirds every time they are out here. My daughter had the biggest smile on her face during the sneak pass. It was great and will be an awesome memory. Was the first time I had taken her since she was 7 months old. She is now almost Three.
Was great watching the Thunderbirds in their new rides. There was some issues as far as timing and falling out of position, but it can be expected as it is one of the earliest shows. But overall it was a great experience. Always love catching the Thunderbirds every time they are out here. My daughter had the biggest smile on her face during the sneak pass. It was great and will be an awesome memory. Was the first time I had taken her since she was 7 months old. She is now almost Three.
I had the opportunity to watch the T-Birds all three days. Friday I went out to see the practice show with "Chachi" Tzavaras, Thunderbird #8, 1998, #7, 1999. What a thrill to have a Thunderbird legend come to my house & check out the "mancave", & then to go out and get commentary from a former #7 during a practice - something I'll never forget!
Saturday was with the family, show center, & the show was great - they flew tighter than I've seen in the first big show for a long time. The loop on takeoff is so impressive, those Block-52's really have some oomph!
Yesterday I decided to avoid the 2 1/2 hour line to get in, and we just watched from an alfalfa field 10,000 feet from show center right down the runway. It's been decades since I watched a demo from that angle and it was fun! Smoke on & off right over our heads, and especially the solos were reach out & touch close!! The winds were gusting over 50 knots, but after some discussion of lightning takeoffs over the comms, they went ahead with the loop on takeoff. The wind was right down the runway, otherwise I'm sure they would have gone with single takeoffs. Not sure about show center hits, but even with that wind they got the four plane cross pretty close!
Overall a great weekend, I'm looking forward to seeing them again at Hill AFB in June.
Saturday was with the family, show center, & the show was great - they flew tighter than I've seen in the first big show for a long time. The loop on takeoff is so impressive, those Block-52's really have some oomph!
Yesterday I decided to avoid the 2 1/2 hour line to get in, and we just watched from an alfalfa field 10,000 feet from show center right down the runway. It's been decades since I watched a demo from that angle and it was fun! Smoke on & off right over our heads, and especially the solos were reach out & touch close!! The winds were gusting over 50 knots, but after some discussion of lightning takeoffs over the comms, they went ahead with the loop on takeoff. The wind was right down the runway, otherwise I'm sure they would have gone with single takeoffs. Not sure about show center hits, but even with that wind they got the four plane cross pretty close!
Overall a great weekend, I'm looking forward to seeing them again at Hill AFB in June.
Wow Gunner I sure wish I could recognize your faces (VTB's) me and my wife couldn't have been more than a few feet away from you and your family Saturday afternoon. It would have been great to shake the hand of a Virtual Thunderbird and tell you how much I enjoy all of you in person. I was the only one there with a Skywest t-shirt on at show center. Anyway that was the first time my wife had ever seen the Thunderbirds and they didn't disappoint either of us. I got some great pics too, even for a small camera. Well maybe one day I'll get lucky and meet one of you in person, take care and keep up the good work.
C130DCC, U.S. Air Force Retired