RIAT 2017

Living next door to an operational airfield has it's perks when the airshow comes around we got our on display over the back garden.

Not my normal bird in flight shot however I thought it was worth sharing this photo of the Thunderbirds at one of the premier airshows in north America. Yes, I am a nature and wildlife lover but to be honest I've always been drawn to power and speed beginning with horses then muscle cars, NASCAR and air shows. It's been a long while since attending this or any social event for that matter so it was a welcomed change from everyday home life.

After the event I pondered the cost of such a demonstration and did a bit of snooping on the internet. What I gathered was: The average cost of jet fuel here is approximately $7 per gallon. The average time the Thunderbirds are in the air is 15 minutes flying at 700mph. There were 6 jets so approximately 1200 gallons of fuel were used in the air.

It's reported that this display is used to recruit enlistments and it must work otherwise moving from one show to another with complete ground crews, pilots, food and housing at such an enormous cost it wouldn't make any sense. That being said with the current push for electric vehicles to reduce oil consumption it struck me as being one of those little life oxymorons. Even with this info I must say I get a rush from the sights, sounds and admire the precision maneuvers these pilots do.

Another shot from September 2018 at McConnell Air Force Base here in Wichita. . .I've been working some old shots over for fun. But in less than a month we'll be having our first air show in several years. . .Looking forward to actually getting out from behind my computer and into the "real" world again!

The Royal International Air Tattoo 2019

On short finals to land at Prestwick airport in Ayrshire Scotland is the McGuire based USAF KC10 Extender.

McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle

92-0364

United States Air Force

USAF 48FW

Royal International Air Tattoo

RAF Fairford, UK

14 July 2022

2015 Air Force Graduation

United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO.

With the 2016 Graduation Ceremony fast approaching, I decided to take another look at my 2015 archives ...

afthunderbirds.com

From September 2018. . .or the world before COVID - 1984. McConnell Air Force Base Open House/Air Show in Wichita. The USAF Thunderbirds were the featured performers.

Wendover Air Field, Utah

RAF Fairford, Gloucester, England

USAF F-16C Fighting Falcon

91-0413 '4'

57th Wing

USAF Demonstration Squadron Team 'The Thunderbirds'

Nellis AFB, Nevada, USA

F-16C Fighting Falcons of the USAF Thunderbirds perform at the 2022 US Air Force Academy Graduation, Colorado Springs, USA

The Thunderbirds make a pass before landing at the Gary/Chicago Airport. Gary, IN

USAF 48th Fighter Wing, 493rd Fighter Squadron 'Grim Reapers'. Now departed from the UK, this was one of their last flights through the Mach Loop. The LN logo (for Lakenheath) already being removed.

Thanks to all who have visited, commented or faved (it would be nice if you left a comment too) my photos. It is very much appreciated. Constructive criticism welcomed.

USAF C-17, 50084, landing at Prestwick 21/6/21.

I couldn't resist another look at Senior SPAN sensor equipped

'Kimi 01' aka Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady 68-10337 returning to Fairford in 2020 after a near 11 hour mission

276A3302

USAF Seymour Johnson F15 E Strike Eagle in the circuit at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, England.

Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II

19-5475/LN

United States Air Force

USAF 495FS/48FW

Royal International Air Tattoo

RAF Fairford, UK

14 July 2022

VALOR 01

C U Later

USAF G.D. F-111F 70-396 from 48th TFW at IAT '90 Boscombe Down

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II Jet Warthog USAF Blacksnakes Indiana Air National Guard Fort Wayne 122nd Fighter Wing Painted in Anniversary 100 Years Indiana Air National Guards

The A-10 was designed to drop bombs, fire rockets, missiles, and its 30 mm Gatling gun at enemies on the ground

Photo taken at EAA Airventure Wittman Regional Airport Oshkosh Wisconsin USA July 2022

BAJ_1882

94-8151 lands at YXU.

Arriving at RAF Lakenheath 12.04.2016

Phase 2 of the Air Force Thunderbirds inaugural winter training trip was being held here at Fort Huachuca. For the last 2 weeks residents of Sierra Vista, AZ have been witness to their extraordinary talent and bravery.

Thanks for all the views on in Explore. Grateful to share this amazing experience with all of you!!

Battle Creek Air Show

Thanks for views, comments and favs :)

US Air Force 384thARW Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 61-0317 on display during 1987 RAF Mildenhall 'Air Fete'

Scanned Kodak 35mm Negative

A cold February in 2017

The Heart of Texas Air Show...Waco, TX...pronounced "Way-co". The F-16D (2 seater) on the bottom carries a fuel drop tank, the fuel capacity of the D is less than the single seaters...

USAF Thunderbirds at Airshow London 2022. I didn’t post this before because I thought one of the jets was out of focus. Interestingly, that's not the case—it’s actually the heat from the jet flying in front that creates the effect.