Action 2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona

[gordo]

First airshow I've been able to attend in a bit over 5 years. Held at Davis Monthan AFB, Tucson AZ Nov 6 & 7. I attended on the 6th for most of the day, but ended leaving early as the show wore me out.

Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken with the X-H1 + 100-400.

Some aircraft on the show line...

P-51D "Wee Willy II", only flew for the Heritage Flight (pics of that later).

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

A-10 Thunderbolt II, I think this was the spare for the A-10 demonstration flight, it did not fly.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

The other A-10, this one did the demo flight. Here the crew chiefs are doing some preflight checks before the pilot arrives for the show.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

And down at the other end of the show line was the F-35A Lightning II flight demonstration birds.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

More to come as I have time to post.

 

[gordo]

As the airshow spun up to start an HC-130J Combat King II departed with the opening jump team - the US Navy Leap Frogs, after checking winds for the drop they came over again with smoke and jumpers away.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

edit - forgot to add Vicky Benzing and her Stearman doing early performance. Missed most of her performance due to AF issues, as well as Kirby Chambliss in the Red Bull, and another stunt act I'm failing to remember right now.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[John King]

You've got some very nice photos there, Gordon.

 

[gordo]

The Navy sent a super bug (F/A-18E Super Hornet) do do some flight demonstration, and they were next on the schedule.

Knife edge...

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

...and going vertical.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

An EC-130H Compass Call, a pair of A-10s, and a pair of HH-60G Pave Hawks departed for the CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue) demonstration. The HC-130J was already airborne.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[gordo]

You've got some very nice photos there, Gordon.

Thank you very much.

 

[gordo]

While the CSAR demo was getting set, the old warbirds did some flying around.

B-25 Mitchell as a Marine PBJ-1J named "Semper Fi".

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

C-47A in "Old Number 30" livery.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

B-17 "Sentimental Journey" doing a low flyby, a little of the Tucson skyline in the background.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

F6F Hellcat on a photo pass.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[drd1135]

Very nice. I really liked that one of the B-25 coming head on.

 

[gordo]

Very nice. I really liked that one of the B-25 coming head on.

Thanks! I love head-on shots. I get really lucky once in a blue moon.

 

[gordo]

HC-130J Combat King II with refueling hoses extended and an HH-60G Pave Hawk in formation, simulating a refueling on the way to a rescue extraction point.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Pave Hawk crew scanning the area approaching the "downed pilot".

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

The helos provide mutual support and backup to each other.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Hoist.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[gordo]

Last two for tonight. Will post again tomorrow - a few from the T-33, A-10 and F-35A demo flights, and a few formation photos. And that'll be all she wrote.

Sometimes A-10s are along to provide close air support.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Heading out of the area after the pickup.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[gordo]

T-33 Shooting Star and A-10 Thunderbolt II demonstration flights.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[gordo]

F-35A Lightning II taxi-out in front of the crowd line. The F-35 has several unofficial nicknames, depending upon who you ask. Supposedly the USAF Weapons School calls it the Panther, and the US Marines call it the Velociraptor.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

It's loud, especially at low-level at full afterburner. From an airshow photography point of view, it produces an awesome daylight-visible afterburner flame. And this beast was able to wring water vapor out of the dry Tucson air.

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[Bobby T]

Awesome set!! You did a great job on these.

 

[gordo]

Awesome set!! You did a great job on these.

Thanks Bobby!

 

[gordo]

Last set. A couple more F-35A, and the Heritage Flight (P-51D, F-35A, A-10).

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Join to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[Iron]

Last set. A couple more F-35A, and the Heritage Flight (P-51D, F-35A, A-10).
View attachment 277762

View attachment 277763

View attachment 277764

View attachment 277765

Gorgeous beasts. I like the last pic a lot.

 

[Bobby T]

The A-10 has always been my favorite.

 

[gordo]

Timo, Bobby - thank you!

 

[bluzcity]

The A-10 has always been my favorite.

I watch videos of the A 10 on Youtube and it is bad ass!

 

[gordo]

I watch videos of the A 10 on Youtube and it is bad ass!

Agreed.