USAF Thunderbirds

[Kalaehina]

Whew the Thunderbirds were in town this weekend and put on a great show as usual, 2 days, Saturday and Sunday. Simply amazing, I always love the "sneak pass" they do, where the 4 jets are distracting the crowd and one solo makes a high speed pass out of no where . I was on the base (Hickam AFB) this saturday for the show and then stopped at the Exchange parking lot nearby today to watch the second show, it's always worth it. This is the 4th time I've had the pleasure of seeing them, 3 here at home and once in Minot ND, and I got to see the Blue Angels 3 times (I know I'm getting old cuz I remeber the jets they used before the F-18s, A-4s I think it was). Anyhow just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the show and it gives you great pride to live in this country, if any of you ever get the chance to see either of these teams, for the first time or anytime, go for it, it's awesome! Being a TDR member, you gotta love that turbine engine sound, not that's some serious turbo whine ... ... .

 

[RonaldLarson]

The Angels

Yup, those guys really know how to fly. I've seen five Navy and one Air Force show, and never tire of it. The Angels flew A4's, then F14's and now F/A 18's. The F/A 18 has superior low speed maneuverability and fly by wire response, but my favorite is still the Tomcat. Went on a Tiger cruise with my son's ship, the Carl Vinson. Saw the best air show a man could ever wish for !!!!!

Ron

 

[Diesel Dan]

Hey guys



You are forgetting something..... After the a-4's they flew the F-4 fantoms. Boy that was a loud show. I grew up 1/2 mile south of Glenview Naval Air Station in northern illinois. It was a blast watching them every year. Now i get to go to Miramar to get my fix. (since they closed El toro )



Here is a test for the older guys... . What did they fly prior to the A-4's????





Best regards



DD

 

[Shovelhead]

Originally posted by Diesel Dan

Hey guys



You are forgetting something..... After the a-4's they flew the F-4 fantoms. Boy that was a loud show. I grew up 1/2 mile south of Glenview Naval Air Station in northern illinois. It was a blast watching them every year. Now i get to go to Miramar to get my fix. (since they closed El toro )



Here is a test for the older guys... . What did they fly prior to the A-4's????





Best regards



DD

These



#ad




Grumman F9F-8 Cougar

1954 - 1957



And these

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Grumman F11F Tiger

1957 - 1969

 

[Champane Flight]

I have one to.

I have an old black and white of the old Angels somewhere. I think it was the old Cougars. Looking... ... ... ...

 

[Shovelhead]

This?

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Pre-Thunderbirds Air Force demonstration team



#ad

 

[RMcCulloch]

Originally posted by Diesel Dan

Here is a test for the older guys... . What did they fly prior to the A-4's????

I don't know what the Angels flew immediately before the A4, but they were flying F6Fs when I first saw them at Corpus Christi NAS.



IIRC, that was in '48.



Oh, yeah, the "Solo Pilot" was flying a yellow T-6 Texan.



They were fantastic then and have only improved since.

 

[bighammer]

The Blue Angels come to Traverse City and put on a great show over the bay every other year during our National Cherry Festival. (this year was an off year:{ )



Last year, one or more of them went a bit too fast and close-- A few of the storefronts were in need of new glass



Look me up if any of you get up this way for that. We'll have a front row seat on my boat for ya'.

 

[Kalaehina]

Funny thing, one of the radio stations were talking about the Thunderbirds and how they give rides in the two seater to media people and distinguished guests, they watch how you're handling the ride in their rear view mirror, if you're turning green you get the wussy ride, if you're okay then you get the macho ride. I thought hmm that sounds like me when I give someone a ride in my truck for the first time .

 

[Champane Flight]

Na

No this one has them in line, not diamond. I will find it..... :{

 

[daveshoe]

3 in one day

Dayton, Ohio had the Blue Angles, Thunderbirds, and Canadian Snowbirds -- All in one afternoon. One hundred year anniversary of flight was reason. The annual air show usually can get only one each year , so it was a real treat. WW-2 planes also did their stuff , and we even had a Russian MIG. What a day!

 

[WDaniels]

Ok guys, Put on your way back caps. The Air Force had another aircraft demonstration team that only lasted a couple, few years. Do you know what they flew and what their name was?

WD

 

[Kalaehina]

My way back cap only goes for 29 years:{

 

[snowracer69]

Originally posted by Kalaehina

Funny thing, one of the radio stations were talking about the Thunderbirds and how they give rides in the two seater to media people and distinguished guests, they watch how you're handling the ride in their rear view mirror, if you're turning green you get the wussy ride, if you're okay then you get the macho ride. I thought hmm that sounds like me when I give someone a ride in my truck for the first time .

That right there pisses me off like no other!!! The Thunderbirds can give rides to some punk-ass, left-winged, liberal preaching, cock-sucker who doesn't have a friggin' clue or give a damn about our military, but a good friend of mine, the Colonel at the local National Gaurd/Air Force training base can't give his own father a ride in an F-15... . I was so mad, I couldn't see straight when they let Matt-fuggin'-Lauer (or however you spell the douche-bags name) on an F-14 AND they shot him off a carrier... that's one plane I wouldn't have minded watching shot down (granted, would have hoped the pilot made it out).



Sorry for the rant, but I just think that's a bunch of BS, and next time I'll tell ya how I really feel.



Josh

 

[WDaniels]

Yeah, your short by about 20 years to be able to remember them. Those older Air Force folks ought to know or at lest heard about the Flying Horsemen. They were a precision flying team flying the C-130. The team was given up as being to costly. Just the same as the C-130 taking off and landing on an aircraft carrier.

WD

 

[Champane Flight]

One upon a time

I rode in a Wild Weasel F-4 once. I wouldn't be able to take the ride at my age (not for anyone but the fittest), but it was awesome back then. The speed was amazing, one minute your sitting on the tarmac, the next your at 20,000 feet and climbing!:--)





Don't worry racer, I wasn't very liberal back then and I was in the service.

 

[Kalaehina]

No need to say sorry, vent my friend, speak your mind! At least what you said made sense.