F-104 Starfighter Three Ship photo and more...

[sdennison]

Brig.Gen. Steve Ritchie in one of the Starfighters...



How many Blue Angels would like to be Brig.Gen. Steve Ritchie? Fly by wire?

[peter]

Noone in the back seat taking pics??!! Only one thing better than these photos of the F104s would have been the noise!!

[sdennison]

Uh Oh! Too low!!! Not again!

[warbird1]

Uh Oh! Too low!!! Not again!

I don't think he's too low in this shot. That might have been taken right after takeoff, just after gear retraction, in which case, that would be a normal operating procedure. We have some clues here:

1) Notice the leading edge slats are still extended. This is indicative of low airspeed, more than likely, just after takeoff or go-around.

2) The trailing edge flaps are in transit. Again, indicative of low airspeed, more than likely, just after takeoff or go-around.

3) A nose high angle of attack. Again, indicative of low airpseed, more than likely, just after takeoff or go-around.

So, either this was just after take-off (most likely) or he was doing a low speed pass, possibly with the gear hanging, just prior to the picture being taken.

I don't see a thing wrong in this picture.

[Mike Bates]

Great pic's! To bad there are empty back seats.
I saw the Starfighters several years ago. The will be at Dayton this year and if all goes well I will be too.

Mike

[RMAllnutt]

Yes, the F-4 was on its takeoff roll. Such a wonderful noise! Three J-79's in close formation made quite a sound too!

Cheers,
Richard

PS. As far as I know, only essential aircrew are allowed to fly in civilian aircraft during airshow performances in the US. Sometimes an "observer" is allowed in formation routines. That would explain the empty rear seats. The F-15E did have a back seater though. I don't know what the rules are for military aircraft performers.

[sdennison]

Uh Oh! Too low!!! Not again!

I don't think he's too low in this shot. That might have been taken right after takeoff, just after gear retraction, in which case, that would be a normal operating procedure. We have some clues here:

1) Notice the leading edge slats are still extended. This is indicative of low airspeed, more than likely, just after takeoff or go-around.

2) The trailing edge flaps are in transit. Again, indicative of low airspeed, more than likely, just after takeoff or go-around.

3) A nose high angle of attack. Again, indicative of low airpseed, more than likely, just after takeoff or go-around.

So, either this was just after take-off (most likely) or he was doing a low speed pass, possibly with the gear hanging, just prior to the picture being taken.

I don't see a thing wrong in this picture.

[warbird1]

PS. As far as I know, only essential aircrew are allowed to fly in civilian aircraft during airshow performances in the US. Sometimes an "observer" is allowed in formation routines. That would explain the empty rear seats. The F-15E did have a back seater though. I don't know what the rules are for military aircraft performers.

For civilian performers, I believe that is a function of liability concerns with insurance, lawsuits, etc.

For military performers, and Randy can confirm this, all seats normally filled in the course of crew member duties are usually filled, regardless of whether it's an airshow or a training mission. The WSO in the F-15E is an essential crew member, and would therefore always fly there, I believe.

I've seen the two place Super Hornets do demo's in airshows before with the GIB on board, FYI.

[mrhenniger]

Those are impressive Richard. That first F-22 shot is amazing. Well done.

Mike

[n5151ts]

F4 Phantom- What a JET should look like! Sexiest pointy nose bird going... Used to love watching them overfly my college campus at 1055 going out for anti-submarine patrols from McGuire AFB, way back in the 80s... 2 at a time...

One of the very few turbine a/c I actually like...

Robbie

too bad they fix them all up and after the reno air races they turn it into a drone and shoot it down...

[Jerry O'Neill]

Richard;
Thank you so much for posting those wonderful photos!
I LOVE the Starfighters shots!
Again a first rate job!

BTW the shot you have of "Spooky"'s Tail (AC-47) reminds me that it will be at Brainard Airport (5/21-5/22) in Hartford for a dedication fly over of a new wing of the State Veterans Hospital. Looks like she already made it in!
Jerry

[mkxiv]

Great photos, captures the atmosphere of the airshow last weekend.

[RMAllnutt]

Richard;
Thank you so much for posting those wonderful photos!
I LOVE the Starfighters shots!
Again a first rate job!

BTW the shot you have of "Spooky"'s Tail (AC-47) reminds me that it will be at Brainard Airport (5/21-5/22) in Hartford for a dedication fly over of a new wing of the State Veterans Hospital. Looks like she already made it in!
Jerry

Many thanks indeed Jerry! It really was a terrific show.

Cheers,
Richard

PS. The Spooky shot was actually not mine, but one from Dors. Feel proper credit should go where it's due. They were very nice shots too. There is another Spooky around... which one will be attending your dedication ceremony?

[RMAllnutt]

PS. As far as I know, only essential aircrew are allowed to fly in civilian aircraft during airshow performances in the US. Sometimes an "observer" is allowed in formation routines. That would explain the empty rear seats. The F-15E did have a back seater though. I don't know what the rules are for military aircraft performers.

For civilian performers, I believe that is a function of liability concerns with insurance, lawsuits, etc.

For military performers, and Randy can confirm this, all seats normally filled in the course of crew member duties are usually filled, regardless of whether it's an airshow or a training mission. The WSO in the F-15E is an essential crew member, and would therefore always fly there, I believe.

I've seen the two place Super Hornets do demo's in airshows before with the GIB on board, FYI.

I am sure it does have something to do with liability (civilian rules, not military). However, I got the impression that it was also an FAA thing, due to a conversation I had at TOM (where I was acting as an observer during the mass formation flypast).

Cheers,
Richard

[P51Mstg]

Richard

Super nice pics......... Very impressed.......

You need to go test drive a 1Ds Mark III, That will really blow you away (I've got one along with the 1D Mark III). Would you happen to be a member of ISAP?

Mark H