2009 Edwards AFB Airshow Report
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Posted by saguarowestphotography Sun Oct 18, 2009 17:49:58 PDT
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Oct 17th saw the return of the Edwards AFB Open House and Air Show. This was the first one since 2006, which meant a huge crowd was expected. Going by the name "Flight Test Nation", highlights included the very first airshow appearance of a REAL F-35 JSF / Lightning II Strike Fighter (up until now, the display has been only a mockup); both of Scaled Composite's White Knight motherships were there - one of which flew during the show); Air Combat Command's official F-22 Raptor Demo Team; the Commemorative Air Force's "Tora Tora Tora Squadron", who puts on a fantastic reenactment of the attack on Pearl Harbor, complete with pyrotechnic explosions, and replica Japanese Zeroes/Kates/Vals. Also featured was the US Army skydiving team, the Golden Knights; warbird flybys including a B-17 ("Sentimental Journey" owned by the CAF in Mesa, Az), B-25 ("Pacific Prowler" a privately owned a/c), P-51 ("Gunfighter" - another CAF-owned bird), and a very rare P-38 flown in from Chino, Calif by Steve Hinton. Steve is the man you want to see flying a demo in the original "Lightning" fighter plane. He is the President of the Planes of Fame Air Musuem in Chino and can fly the heck out of most warbirds flying today.
Originally planned as a two-day event, this was later cut down to only a one day show. However it also ended up being one of Edwards AFB's best airshows, with the varied types of aircraft flying in the show. Civilian aerobatics were provided by Julie Clark, in her T-34 Mentor trainer aircraft. A three-ship bomber formation had been planned for the 2009 air show, however the plan was apparently scratched at the last minute and the crowd saw one flyby from each type in succession: B-1, B-2, and B-52, with the latter topped off with some serious pyro out in the desert. Another Air Combat Command display, the Heritage Flight, was featured at the base, and it showcased the P-38 in formation with the F-22, A-10 and F-16. The Heritage Flight program was started unofficially in 1997 at Nellis AFB, and has since become one of the most popular additions to the North American air show circuit. Viper West, aka the F-16 Viper West demo team, from Hill AFB, put on a fantastic aerial display. Northrop-Grumman had their B-2 'stealth bike' on display, which was built by the crew at Orange County Choppers.
Friday's practice air show allowed members of the media to view some of the activity from South Base. Aircraft participating in the practice included a KC-135, C-130, C-17, B-52, B-2, F-16, T-38, T-6, T-34, P-51, B-17, and F-22.
Joe Engle and Chuck Yeager were both present, and after each of them opened the air show flying in the backseat of two F-16s and creating a double sonic boom, later in the day they took part in a public talk about their careers, hosted by former tv show host David Hartmann.
Only one thing was missing from the show this year: the F-117A Nighthawk.
Thanks go out to John Haire and the entire Edwards AFB public affairs team, and to Cindy and GP for the special access at show center.
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