Another fast paced weekend for me and thought I would miss our Las Vegas hometown Thunderbirds USAF Demonstration Team at Aviation Nation 2008. I knew my schedule would have me miss most of the air show which was bad enough, but I really hated to not be able to see the stars of the show for their season ending performance.
Fortunately the 'pilot guy' that shares my office had a plan. Since he was an OIC or PAO (Military jargon for Officer in Charge and Public Affairs Officer) for many air shows back east, including some that had the T-Birds, I figured he'd know what to do. Without enough time to park and shuttle to the base, he headed for the end of the runways...and we made it just in time.
The show was fantastic, and even though I've seen them many times before, each time is a new experience. The power, the precision, the speed... it still floors me, and this comes from someone that isn't crazy about flying. I surely wouldn't be able to do what they do, but I love to watch them fly. One more of the bonuses of living in Las Vegas, there's so much that happens in this valley.
So on to the pictures. The player isn't anywhere near the quality of the originals, but does reduce the file size tremendously. To view the pictures
full screen, instead of using PLAY, click the HD / Full Screen button on the bottom of
the player below, and when finished click it again or use the ESC key to
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Valley, CLICK HERE.
Hi Roberta... Great shots of the Thunderbirds. Air shows are always such great fun and the precision flying done by squads like the Thunderbirds never cease to amaze me. Tell Sparky I say hi!
Renee: That weak storm front was why I hoped to go Sat. and lucky I caught what I did. Figured today would be iffy with the wind and chance of rain. Figures, it hardly ever rains here.
Steve: Yes they are amazing to watch! Sparky really likes to watch, too....seriously. She's been an 'airport dog', both for flying and and being around aircraft. So in a way our late arrival worked since she was able to go. It's hysterical to watch her follow the planes!
We ended up going and it started to rain RIGHT when the Thunderbirds landed! How amazing is that. I actually liked the Raptor more. That thing scared the snot out of me on more than one occassion during the show!
Bob: Thanks on the pictures...the originals are really sharp. Would have liked to catch the rest, but had other commitments come up. Yes it is funny about her watching. Jacks normally like to keep moving, but she sat very calmly to watch the planes!
Sassy: Yes they are based here at Nellis. This is their annual end of season show for the hometown crowd.
Renee: Cool that you got to go and the rain held off...at least until the end. Wild that the Raptors are unmanned and they fly around the world.
The Thunderbirds are great to watch along with the Navy Blue Angels, both visit airshows here in Hampton Roads, Virginia and I always enjoy the airshows.
Jenette: This one is an amazing show, said to be one of the tops in the country. You should check it out sometime.
Bryant: They are both very cool to watch, and originally got hooked on them back east. The Blue Angels are also based in NV, btw. They are up in the north in Fallon, although we still haven't figured out why there's a Navy base where there's no ocean! LOL
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