Warbird Information Exchange

The Blue Angels do a "sneak attack". While the crowd is intently watching the diamond formation (just like the announcer is telling them to. . .), the lead solo comes blistering in very low from behind the crowd at the speed of heat and scares the living daylights out of just about everyone. I think the Thunderbirds may do it also, although the Hornet makes more noise than the Viper.

(sorry, Viper fans. . . I'm partial to the Hornet)

Cheers,

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

Yup, a real crowd pleaser to those who either knew it was coming or happened to look back just before he got there. I especially remember him banging it in and out of AB as he passed over the reviewing stand. They did a supersonic opener a few times until somebody supposedly got hurt ducking/falling......... AIRPOWER!

Found some more Thunderbird photos I'm putting on.

This closeup of the photo above shows that it is soot on the tail fin. You can see the paint thru the soot.







Here are some black and white photos of the Thunderbirds.

I've seen both the 'Birds and the Blues within these past two summers. Somehow, "it just ain't the same........"
I know, I'm getting jaded in my old age

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Steve Turner, USAF aircraft refueler 54+ years ago.

They don't let em go supersonic anymore! Spoil all the fun!! Now a B-1 doing the sneak up from behind trick! THAT will get your attention!!!

The Hornet, along with the Harrier, is one of the most efficient devices man has ever invented to turn jet fuel into noise.

Walt

there is still a Thunderbird F-100 around, it is stuck on a pole in Glendale, AZ

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Matt Gunsch, A&P, IA, Warbird maint and restorations
Jack, You have Debauched my sloth !!!!!!
We tried voting with the Ballot box, When do we start voting from the Ammo box, and am I allowed only one vote ?
Check out the Ercoupe Discussion Group on facebook

The Thunderbirds are going to be in Peoria IL this weekend July 10 & 11. I'm going the 11th. Will try to get some good photos.

I just watched the T-birds this past weekend. I first saw them 25 years ago, and have only seen them in F-16s. I would have loved to see the Phantoms or Huns.

They still do a couple of high speed "tactical surprise" passes during the routine, but it seems like the first time I saw them the pass was much lower and closer. Of course, that was at a more rural field. Every time I've seen them since has been at an urban airport..they may scale it back a bit in populated areas.

As long as we're on the subject, here are a few snapshots from this past weekend's airshow here in Battle Creek. These were taken with what's basically a fancy point-n-shoot..I really need to get a decent DSLR.



















Those were shot on Sunday. I shot these on Saturday from my front yard, while the steaks sizzled on the grill out back. Great way to spend the Fourth of July!

SN

I've been fortunate to see the T-Birds in several different aircraft. Bear in mind I was an impressionable youth when I first saw them, but my unofficial rating system is as follows:

1. F-100D (I remember the show better as I was a couple of years older)
2. F-100C (That opening Solo pass left a big impression on me!)
3. F-16
4. F-4 (Deafness is neat when you're young, but those big monsters took a while to get turned around for the next maneuver)
5. T-38

I've never seen a bad show from any of them, including an F-16 show at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls when one of the guys ingested a bird and had to go get the spare airplane.

Thanks again for the great photos!
Scott

Was Jack Broughton the Thunderbird Lead at that time.

According to the list I have, Lt. Colonel W. Alden was commander in '63. I did some websearching and W. is as close to a first name as I can find. Broughton was Lead when they transitioned from the F-84 to the Super Sabre in '56.

Here's a question: What is the T-birds' standard schedule when they're "on the road." I know the Blues usually perform on weekends, then head back to their home base for practice during the week. I assumed the T-birds did the same, but the entire team was still parked out at our airport on Monday, and I just saw two of them depart about ten minutes ago. Do they normally just go from show to show?

SN