Oceana 2008

[Jschmus]

Now that I am more or less permanently resettled in Virginia, I'm going to try to make the local air shows a regular gig.  This year's Oceana show was billed as their "50th Anniversary".  The first show at Oceana was actually done in 1953, but there have been five years in the interim when there was no show for some reason or other, so this year's is the actual 50th.

Last year, it was hot and muggy.  This time around, it was cool and cloudy, with a 30% chance of afternoon showers.  The ceiling was really low, under 2000 feet, so some of the acts couldn't perform, but it was a decent show.  I missed the beginning, because I was stuck in traffic getting on to the base.  Some of the neatest acts were static due to the weather, but I got some decent photos all around, I think.

Two-seater Starfighter


Canadian Forces CT-142


Canadian/NATO Trainer

[Jschmus]

ATAC Kfir


MV-22


HC-130

This bird is configured for search and rescue support.  The pods under the outer wings contain hose-and-drogue refueling equipment.

[Jschmus]

Strikemaster


Fuji LM-1, a four-seat liaison airplane derived from the Beech T-34.


Quick Silver

[Jschmus]

"It is a proven fact that spats increase the coolness of any aircraft by 1000%."


Somewhere under all those kids is a Riverine Patrol Boat.


Riverine Assault Boat

[Jschmus]

Here's a sight that warms my heart: a child with a Minigun.


A Fedex 727, as seen over the sights of a Mk.19 grenade launcher.


CH-46

[Jschmus]

The Air Force Heritage Flight, with a 1st FW F-22 and a P-51D piloted by Dale "Snort" Snodgrass.


Fat Albert


The Blue Angels


There are dozens more photos, but these are all I could upload tonight.  More tomorrow.

[Shasper]

N654MS is a Diamond Star, not a bad little a/c for basic training n such (not big on my list tho, just too much of a sucker for a Cirrus )

Love the pics of the Starfighter & Kfir, those CAF training birds are really gettin' around nowdays (saw some of their brethren at BDale this year), I've been meaning to get up there for one of the shows . . . little late to see Tomcat Alley thou

Nice pics man, you got anymore uploaded somewhere?

Shas

[BlackOps]

Great buncha pics 

[Jschmus]

B-52H


HC-130


HC-130 Nose, with FLIR turret

[Jschmus]

VFC-12 Fighting Omars F/A-18A


Another Hornet

That's an AIM-9X on the wingtip.

Another shot of the Air Force Heritage Flight.

(In a previous version of this post, it was the same photo as above.  Oops.)

[Jschmus]

John Mohr, in an unmodified Stearman Kaydet.  Every time he flew upside down, the engine cut out.


It's blurry, but here's Patty Wagstaff, in her Cirrus.


The Geico Skytypers.  It was nice to see them back in the air after the crash at last year's show.

[Jschmus]

Super Hornet flight demo


Upside Down


CF-18 High Alpha Pass

[Jschmus]

Solitary Angel


Diamond


For those of you who hate the Hornet, I apologize, but that's what was there.  A number of acts were grounded by the low ceiling, and other simply couldn't be there.  The US Coast Guard usually has a large presence here, but they were busy with hurricane relief in Texas.

[Jschmus]

Somehow, I managed to go all Saturday and Sunday without posting my favorite shot from the whole show:

[Jschmus]

Here are a few more.

L-39


Cougar 4x4 MRAP


T-45 Navy trainer


AT-38 Air Force trainer