Blue Angels!

[RAF74_Stew]

S! Squad

Last weekend Hawk and I had the opportunity of a lifetime to see the Blue Angels up close and personal thanks to Snake Eyes.

We went to the Tuscaloosa airshow down in Alabama. We started off by looking over the static displays. They had a couple of '51s, a B-25, Yak 9, and Sea Fury. Here is Hawk by the Sea Fury:



After some time on the flight line we met Snake and he gave us a personalized tour of "Fat Albert", the C-130 the Blues use to carry the ground crews and parts to the shows. It was a real treat being able to sit at the controls!





Here's Fat Albert getting ready to go into action. It's amazing that a crate as big as the C-130 can take off and land in such short distances!

[RAF74_Stew]

And some shots of the "Blues"





Snake was a very gracious host and spent more time with us than we could have ever expected given that he was working! The grand finale was getting our picture taken with him and the pilots of the Blue Angels. I will have to scan that one, but below is one that Hawk took of Snake and me. If you can come out and watch one of these shows you will not be disapointed! It was a once in a lifetime experience for us.




Stew

[RAF74_Buzzsaw]

Salute Stew

Looks like you guys had a great time... I'm green with envy. :D

Those Seafuries were monsters. Same basic frame as the Tempest, but with a whopping big Bristol Radial, and much better high alt performance.

The C-130 Hercules has to be rated as one of the most successful aircraft ever built. Great hauling capacity, great reliability, great takeoff distance. Only thing is they are noisey for passengers... :eek: When I was in my late teens, I was able to hitch rides around Canada in the Canadian Air Force Herc's, (my father was a Captain in the Royal Canadian Navy, and relatives are able to get on flights free if there is room) and I got familiar with the noise on the 6 hour flight from Toronto to Yellowknife in the Yukon where I was working a summer job in a Gold mine to pay for college. Earguards a nessessity.

[RAF74_Raptor]

Sounds like a great time Stew IF I hadnt been out of the country would have met you guys there

[RAF74 Windu]

Nice Parade Rest Snake