McGuire AFB - Saturday 5/12/07

Made the trek to McGuire Saturday for the open house. It started out cloudy, but by early afternoon, the sun was out and the skies were clear, just in time for most of the various jet demonstrations.

I still have a ton of photos to go through, but here are some highlights.

Some of McGuire's heavy iron:

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152045434-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152045586-L.jpg

This one looks familiar!

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152045723-L.jpg

T-1 Jayhawk trainer from Randolph AFB:

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152045855-L.jpg


http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152045897-L.jpg

First time I've seen an F-117!

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152092061-L.jpg

The early clouds meant enough moisture for some interesting effects - F-18 high speed pass:

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152099907-L.jpg

F-22 Raptor - they had a bunch of CAP cadets near the rear of the a/c, telling people you weren't allowed to photograph the exhaust area :shock:

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152092293-L.jpg

I love Phantoms!

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152091921-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152092444-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152092517-L.jpg

Air Force Heritage Flight

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152092335-L.jpg

The stars of the show...

Thunderbird Lead taxies out to start the show.

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152092768-L.jpg

Major Samantha Weeks, one of two women flying with the Thunderbirds this year. She flies #6, the Opposing Solo. Shortly after the show started, she had a radar altimeter malfunction. After a short delay, the show continued.

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152092685-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152092899-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152091255-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152091222-L.jpg

The two solos cross at show center.

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152091195-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152091332-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152091405-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152091434-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152091375-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152091882-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152091493-L.jpg

does the USAF still fly the T-37?

and if you ever have problems with the CAP or any JROTC just call phil, he'll take care of them!

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Originally Posted by cancidas

does the USAF still fly the T-37?

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Yes they do...

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152150912-L.jpg

This old gal turns 50 this year. I'll have to dig out my log book, but it's very possible I flew her back in UPT. Columbus AFB will retire their Tweets within a year. I don't know if any other bases still use the Tweet, or if they have all converted to the T-6A.

Nice stuff Moose, really disappointed I didn't make it out this year.
That F117 looks even more meanacing with the dark clouds in the sky.

Hey! That was an awesome show, did you see me there?
Yea, I was realy excited when they said there was gonna be a surprise visit by the F-117!
Where were you, I was show right?
the F-117 literaly banked right over me : ]

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Originally Posted by moose135

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cancidas

does the USAF still fly the T-37?

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Yes they do...

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152150912-L.jpg

This old gal turns 50 this year. I'll have to dig out my log book, but it's very possible I flew her back in UPT. Columbus AFB will retire their Tweets within a year. I don't know if any other bases still use the Tweet, or if they have all converted to the T-6A.

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Laughlin is all T-6 and I believe Columbus has gone over primarily to the T-6 with a remaining few 37s...

The 37s have been around for something like 40 years! :shock:

The T-6 is a sweet aircraft though. Two grads, a UPT guy and an O-5 from Del Rio flew up here for his cross-country (and to attend some Wings of Blue Ceremony that the Col. was involved in) and landed at the airfield while I was doing AFS last summer. I took some time to look around the aircraft and all, and it was NICE, much nicer than the T-37. It'll be pretty sweet to fly that plane in just over a year!

Nice shots!

the T-37 was used for primary flight training or was it more for jet transition training? and the T-6 is one sick airplane, i'd love to own one for myself!

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Originally Posted by cancidas

the T-37 was used for primary flight training or was it more for jet transition training?

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The T-37 was for primary training. If you had no previous flight experience prior to going to UPT (I already had my PPL) you got a handful of hours while in ROTC or the Academy, but Day 1 of UPT (well, more like Day 30 or so) your first flight was in the Tweet. It's changed since I was there, but at the time, you flew the -37 for about 4 months, concentrating on basic flight maneuvers, aerobatics, instrument flight, and a little formation flying. From there, you moved on to the T-38 for about 7 months. You got more advanced flight maneuvers, more aerobatics & instrument work, and a ton of formation flying. About 2/3 of the way through T-38 phase, you were rated as either fighter/attack/recon qualified (FAR) or tanker/transport/bomber (TTB). FAR guys got more formation work, TTB guys more instrument time.

Now that determination is made following T-37 or T-6 phase. Fighter guys (includes bombers now as they are part of Air Combat Command) go to the T-38. Tanker/Transport guys go to the T-1 Jayhawk. I'm glad I went through UPT when I did - I got to fly the Mighty Tweet, as well as the White Rocket!

wow nice to see a USAF F-18

I'm not that interested in the Air Force, but these photos certainly made me appreciate it! Very nice. I think the Thunderbirds are my favorite.

Quick question. Regarding this photo

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http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152045586-L.jpg

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what is the outline around where door 2L would normally be?

excellent photos

Great shots Moose!

Definately great shots Moose.

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Originally Posted by AirtrafficController

wow nice to see a USAF F-18

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Thats a Navy Super Hornet and they're the only onew hos fly them.

Nice shots Moose, sorry I never called you back but I bumped into a few people I knew and just forgot. I still havn't edited my shots but I'll do so and post some later.

Were you guys near the USAF reserve truck?[/img]

As usual Moose great shots and a nice variety of Military Heavy Metal. I have not seen a Phantom fly in person in many years but I'll bet they where the loudest stars of the show ?

Cheers

LGA777

Great shots Moose. That F-4 Phantom is awesome! Was that from the Collings Foundation?

I am really hoping to see an F-4 fly sometime this year.

Good stuff Moose! I love the Thunderbirds! They just seem to take a nicer picture then the Blue Angels. Great stuff.

Nice shots Moose!
I just could not make it out this weekend.
Would have loved to see some "kc's" for real.

Thanks, guys, glad you enjoyed the shots. Can't wait for Jones Beach!

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Originally Posted by nikon50bigma

Where were you, I was show right?
the F-117 literaly banked right over me : ]

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I was roaming up and down the flight line, checking out the static displays and shooting some of the flying action. Just before the A-10 & Heritage Flight, I found a spot up against the barrier directly in front of the Thunderbirds, right on show center, and stayed there for the remainder of the afternoon.

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Originally Posted by Winglets747

what is the outline around where door 2L would normally be?

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The KC-10 has a door there as well. I don't know what it's normally used for, I guess they can put a set of stairs there to load pax.

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Originally Posted by Greg NY

That F-4 Phantom is awesome! Was that from the Collings Foundation?

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No, it's technically a QF-4 drone, belongs to the USAF. It is one of a number of Phantoms retrieved from desert storage, equipped with radio controls, and used to test various surface-to-air and air-to-air weapon systems (radars, missles, etc.) Most tests involve a pilot in the cockpit, but it is fully controlable from the ground, and one day, will give it's life in a live-fire test. This one is based out of Holloman AFB, NM, is painted in Vietnam era colors, and spends weekends on air show duty. If you look at the photos, you can see the round disk on the top, and little antenna on the tip of the verticle stablizer. Since these were not standard issue for F-4s, I'm assuming they are part of the remote flight control radios.

Reading this thread again and all the talk about F4 Phantoms and the Thunderbirds and then it hit me. The first time I saw the Thunderbirds perform they where flying Phantoms. Not sure if it was late 60's or early 70's as I was still a little kid either way, the history section of their website say they received their first in 1969. And before anyone asks sadly no photos. As some of you know I work with Cancidas and hiss srq and they both almost daily tease me about what an old fart I am, well here's your proof fellas.

Regards

LGA777

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Winglets747

I'm not that interested in the Air Force, but these photos certainly made me appreciate it! Very nice. I think the Thunderbirds are my favorite.

Quick question. Regarding this photo

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http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/152045586-L.jpg

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what is the outline around where door 2L would normally be?

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I am guessing emergency exit. A marked out place where firefighters can cut into the fuselage and not hurt anyone?

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Originally Posted by stuart schechter

I am guessing emergency exit. A marked out place where firefighters can cut into the fuselage and not hurt anyone?

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No, it really is a door. Here is a shot I took at the 2005 McGuire open house:

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/150717689-L.jpg

Better late then never I guess....
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...2/c17climb.jpg
This one is better then a Howard Beach bank
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...82/c17bank.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...tr82/kc135.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2.../afreserve.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...smokeypass.jpg
Breaking the sound barrier....
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...undbarrier.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...82/shornet.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...ornetflyby.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...uperhornet.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...arthogbank.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...tr82/f4wri.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...82/vintage.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...ageflyover.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...erbirdflag.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...82/tbspass.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...mirrorpass.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...rburnclimb.jpg
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i2...bformation.jpg

Nice shots, Bill! You really nailed the vapor off that Hornet!

You know remarkably, over by the KC-135s there was a Starlifter parked. Looked to be more white than gray, but I could've been mistaken about that. Anyway, sadly, it was not towed out for static dsiplay.

Anyone have any info on this frame? Its not as though mil bases don't have plenty of gate guards and such, but a Starlifter is awfully big.

Also spotted... Lyndon Air Cargo C-130 in a livery that puts most of our regular commecial pax carriers to shame.

Tom

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tom_Turner

You know remarkably, over by the KC-135s there was a Starlifter parked. Looked to be more white than gray, but I could've been mistaken about that. Anyway, sadly, it was not towed out for static dsiplay.

Anyone have any info on this frame? Its not as though mil bases don't have plenty of gate guards and such, but a Starlifter is awfully big.

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According to http://www.c141heaven.com it's for a planned museum at McGuire. Looks like it was the first Starlifter delivered to McGuire in 1967:
http://www.c141heaven.com/66/pic_66_7947.php

Great shots Bill!!! Looks like it was a good show!

Thanks guys, it was a good show. Tom, I saw the Lynden as well. As I was leaving Saturday I saw one on final to WRI. http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php? ... 691&nseq=3
Also the Millville airshow website says the Blue Angels will resume flying this month and will be there.

Blue Angels flew their first show at Goldsboro, NC last weekend.

Yes Tom that was indeed a C-141 over by the ANG 135's. At the last show in 2005, they did have it on static, and that was right after they flew the last one to DM. It was a shame they didn't have it on static this year as they sure had enough empty static space for it. It took me like 15 minutes to walk from the Buff to the exit Saturday. Sorry I missed you there. Glad I got to meet up with you Moose. We got to shoot some planes other than civi's :D

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Originally Posted by SCOTYDEMCO

Yes Tom that was indeed a C-141 over by the ANG 135's. At the last show in 2005, they did have it on static, and that was right after they flew the last one to DM. It was a shame they didn't have it on static this year as they sure had enough empty static space for it. It took me like 15 minutes to walk from the Buff to the exit Saturday. Sorry I missed you there. Glad I got to meet up with you Moose. We got to shoot some planes other than civi's :D

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Ah, it seems like I was the only one out there on Sunday maybe. In a way, the conditions seemed better on Saturday seeing all the shots posted. I didn't realize how backlit the McGuire situation is...for that its better to have a bit of cloud cover.

Tom

Here are my shots --

http://www.pbase.com/mugong/thunderbirds

I never saw a C-141 fly, I don't think. Saw plenty of them on the ramp at Sheppard tho.

I saw one at Hill AFB as a kid. It took off right out over out heads and was smoking soo much it put the Marlboro man to shame.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nick

I never saw a C-141 fly, I don't think. Saw plenty of them on the ramp at Sheppard tho.

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Yes, I've been playing with the scanner again...

In my prior life, I got a number of rides on 141's back in my AFROTC days. Here are some shots from Charleston AFB, back in 1981. I was there for ROTC field training. They flew us to Columbus AFB for our Jet Orientation Ride, a short hop in a T-37! Also got to ride along on a 3-ship airdrop training flight, don't know if I have photos from that one.

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/141730860-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/141730759-L.jpg

I'm sure I have some shots of 141s in flight from McGuire air shows back in the early 80's. They may need to be in my next bunch of scans!

Nice shot!