Punta Gorda, FL (78 degrees, clear blue skies)
We attended the airshow on Saturday at Punta Gorda airport. It was a very patriotic event and this years theme was "A Salute To Veterans". We loved it! There were some aircraft displays and the highlight was the airshow which lasted for about three hours.
There were some interesting aircraft on display.
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| Thunderbirds lined up before the show |
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| American Airlines flagship |
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| AC-47 Gunship |
The airshow started with the National Anthem and the U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute Team. The weather was perfect and there was not a cloud in the sky.
The Lima Lima Flight Team flew bright yellow T-34 which were trainers in the USAF and Navy in the 1950's. They put on quite a thrilling show.
There were all kinds of crowd pleasing crazy stunts. These pilots must have nerves of steel. The action was non stop and the announcer really added to the show.
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| Hang glider and bi-plane playing around |
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| P-51 Mustang and Corsair |
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| WWII Aircraft |
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| B-26 Mitchell |
Everyone waited with anticopation for the USAF Thunderbirds. The pilots flew glimmering silver F-16 Fighting Falcons. It was a breathtaking and awe inspiring show. They performed all types of aerobatic maneuvers with air speeds of over 400 mph. One minute they were so high in the sky you could hardly see the plane. Then shortly later they would skim the runway of the airport. At times there seemed only enough space between the aircraft for a piece of paper.
Their website states the team performs over 80 demonstrations each year and serve two - four years depending upon rank. In addition, the Thunderbirds are part of the USAF combat force and if required, can be rapidly integrated in the the fighter unit. Since 1953 the Thunderbirds have flown in front of more than 300 million people.
We had the best time and it's the best air show we have ever attended. If you are in the area next year be sure to take a lawn chair and enjoy the show. It will take your breath away!
We haven't been to an airshow in several years and I wish we could see one down here, but unfortunately no Thunderbirds or Blue Angels this year. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! We missed out on the Blue Angel practices when we were at Fort Pickens...would have loved to have seen them. Just have to say, Carol, it is soo sooo nice to have you blogging again with all the fun stuff you two are doing...even John mowing the lawns and fixing toilets is fun to read about after meeting John and learning about how dedicated he is to his work. Nice.
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