SimHQ: Aviation Nation Photography

Post by **Lawndart** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:47 am

From the SimHQ forums:

http://www.simhq.com/simhq3/sims/boards ... 2;t=001319

http://www.simhq.com/simhq3/sims/boards ... 2;t=001322

http://www.simhq.com/simhq3/sims/boards ... 2;t=001324

Rhino · Post by **Rhino** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:03 am

I've seen many great shots from this show on simhq and also if you check out www.fencecheck.com . Some great shots there, you will even see some of my work from Rockford on there! Another great airshow community to say the least!

I guess I'm a little confused, did they fly a modified high show or low show on Saturday with a bunch of stinger stuff or did someone break or what happened?

Awaiting the long-breathed and always great and insightful explanation from LD!!!

Rhino

Cobra · Post by **Cobra** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 2:43 am

They flew the High show in difficult wind conditions.

Coming around for the 5 card, #5 had difficulty in joining up in time and hence they converted it to a stinger loop.

necigrad · Post by **necigrad** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:31 pm

They obviously made some changes this year too. Got in a double sneak pass with 5 and 6. I liked last years show better. Spent more time taking blurry pictures this year.

FALCON56 · Post by **FALCON56** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:19 pm

I enjoyed the show...Was out there Thursday to Monday AM.. Went to the practice show that Friday and both of the weekend shows.. Loved it.. Could have delt without the crappy weather Saturday...LOL

just thought the entire show was great. All side acts included... One thing I noticed is that Lt. Col Robbins really stepped up his times inbetween manuvers.. The show just seemed to be at a much faster pace than last year. Maybe that was just me...but loved it cant wait till next year...

Post by **Lawndart** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:01 pm

necigrad wrote:They obviously made some changes this year too. Got in a double sneak pass with 5 and 6. I liked last years show better. Spent more time taking blurry pictures this year.

Are you referring to the Delta Rejoin with No. 5 and 6 coming from behind and to the right in burners? That's been part of the show for quite some time. Last year they had the jumbotron's (a.k.a. "Thundervision"). Too bad politics and law suits got in the way of that...

Hollywood flies pretty aggressively! That much is clear and also confirmed by some of the real Thunderbirds!

necigrad · Post by **necigrad** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:47 pm

That may be what I'm talking about. I don't remember that from last year. I was spending more time behind the camera this year. Shame of it is I think I'm tossing all the pics.

FALCON56 · Post by **FALCON56** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:07 pm

LD

Yeah Im VERY Imprssed with Hollywood and how he flies the Lead jet... VERY SHARP AND TIGHT!!! to me it seems like hes not affraid to have the team tuck in tight and form a sharp diamond.. closer than in past years.. Not taking anything away from Boss Chandler or Boss McSpadden...Speaking of past bosses.. Do you know where they have ended up.. I heard and I might be wrong that Boss Mcspadden has retired...heard hes working for some Aviation contractor in Texas.. not sure ..

falcon 56

Post by **Lawndart** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:34 pm

Unfortunately you won't see the present Thunderbirds performing any Phase II stuff (stacks, overlaps, under the wing stuff). The formations have continuously gone more spread and flatter since the early 2000 seasons. Those guys back from the nineties into earlier this decade were nuts! When they said 18 inches, it was literally eighteen inches! Speaking of a different kind of "tight" however, Hollywood flies the show as if he's on fire and there's hardly any downtime in between maneuvers. You can almost hear the Solos scream for help in between since they are the ones having to adjust and reposition to the Diamond and not the other way around! The show has certainly gotten more entertaining and tightly executed, although if you compare the PIR from 2000 to 2006, you'll see that they are dramatically different in spacing and offset!

Although, if you ask which team was better, the only correct answer is: The current team, since they are the only ones trained and precise enough to fly it today regardless of past teams! ...and even if the formations themselves are "safer", the show is certainly a lot "tighter"!

FALCON56 · Post by **FALCON56** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:53 pm

LD,

yeah your right Little to NO downtime.. I was just amazed on how quick boss Robbins turnarounds are. Its like you blink and there gone and ready to come back again... LOL...I got a chance to talk with Boss Robbins on Sunday. REAL cool guy.. I got my photo with him as well... To me the PIR just looks great no matter how close or tight.. but to me it just seemed tighter than last year.. bUt hey either way I love it baby!!!

As for my question to ya about the prvious bosses I did some research on the the Alumi site and found out about Boss McSpadden.. Its spring 05 Vol 9 page 3 . just a qucik little article about "Spad" .

Falcon 56