Wednesday, September 18, 2024

The London Airshow 2024 - Part II

So we continue our pictures of the air show.

Next up was a demonstration of the C-17 Globemaster III.
This is a cargo plane that is bigger than a C-130 but not quite as big as the C-5 Galaxy.
It was designed to replace the C-141 Starlifter but also take some of the load off the C-5 Galaxy.
It is capable of taking off from unimproved airfields.  It is also capable of carrying a single M-1 Abrams tank.  It has the capability of carrying 170,000 pounds of cargo.
It can transport this cargo around the world.
The plane is used by most of our allies.
It took its first flight in 1991 and was introduced in 1995.
Almost 300 have been built.
Next up was a demonstration of refueling a C-17.
One of the reasons why the C-17 is successful is because of air to air refueling.
A clean shot of the KC-135.
The C-17 coming in for a landing.
The KC-135 was developed in the 1950s as a replacement for the KC-97.  It was developed from a 707 airframe.  Current models have upgraded engines which allow the plane to carry more fuel.  Eventually, it will be replaced by the KC-46, if they ever get that working.
Next up was a Folland Gnat which is a British plane.  It was introduced as a fighter, tactical bomber and trainer.  It first flew in 1955 and was introduced to the RAF in 1959.
It was used by the British, Finnish Air Force and the Indian Air Force.  The Indians liked it so much that they produced it under license as the HAL Ajeet.  It served as the aircraft for the RAF Yellowjackets (predecessors to the Red Arrows) and the Red Arrows.  The last one retired in 1979.
Next up was a demonstration of the CC-130 Hercules used by the Royal Canadian Air Force.
I would say that the C-130 is one of the more successful cargo aircraft designs in the world.
The plane was developed in the 1950s and still used today.
Next up was the F-16 Viper demo.
I was happy to see this plane, even though I saw it at Willow Run earlier this summer.
I like this paint scheme because its the same paint scheme they used on the prototype.
The F-16 is celebrating its 50th year of service.
It is used by a number of our allies (most of them in fact) and a group of them has been sent to Ukraine and they are using them fairly successfully so far.
The F-16 has been upgraded a number of times over the years.
And I will guess that it will be in service for a number of years more as it manages to stay ahead of the curve.
Anyway, it is a cool plane.
One of the high speed passes.
And a climb.
I kind of like this shot.
I like this shot more as some of the vapor trails come over the wing.
One more.
A 787 heading on its way to Europe.
This DASH-8 was coming in from Toronto.  Since I don't get a picture of these too often, I was happy to take this picture.
The Golden Knights went up again.
the plane coming back in for a landing.
Next up was the Red Bull Extra EA-300.
IT was a pretty cool display and apparently, he is a Canadian pilot.
Level flight.
After one of the maneuvers where he was hanging by the propellor.
Flying upside down.
The plane slipping along.
Building up speed for another maneuver.
I kind of like this shot.

The plane turning.
Diving.
ONe more where he was flipping over.


No comments:

Post a Comment