Thunder Over Michigan - Part III

 So the next part is just the Blue Angels.

The Blue Angels started the show with Fat Albert.  The C-130 they use now is the C-130J and it is more powerful than the one they used to use.

They don't do the rocket assisted take off any more but I don't think they need to.

The photo pass.

It gets ready to come in for a landing.

The Blue Angels came up next.

They are now flying the F/A-18 Super Hornet.

It is more powerful than the F/A-18C they used to fly.

One of the opposing solos coming in on a pass.

The diamond.

They were rolling.

The mirror formation.

A dirty pass.

It was moist enough for vapor trails still.

The diamond mirror.

Closer.

The echelon pass.

Another echelon pass.

A five ship line abreast pass.

Another diamond pass.

A high alpha pass.

They were barely moving in front of the crowd.

And then they split up.

I think one of the planes ended up having a problem because there are normally six ships in this formation.

It passes by.

Coming into position for the break.

And the break.  Even though they were missing a plane, it was still cool looking.

Number 2 coming in for a landing.

Number 4.

Number 5.

And Number 6.

I'll have to say that the show was pretty cool.  It is always cool when they can get the Blue Angels.  I just wish they would have had more warbirds but I think they had some cancellations at the last minute.  When you consider that the warbirds are pushing 80, that is not surprising.  Anyway, I can't wait for next year.

Blue Angels Practice Day - Friday

 I took yesterday off in order to get some better shots of the Blue Angels as they were practicing.  It was a pretty nice day for it except that it was a little on the warm side.  It was pretty cool and the fact that it was free was even better.

This was a Beechcraft Model 18 in US Navy colors.  The Model 18 first flew in 1937 and over 9000 were built.  In the Navy it was known as an SNJ-2 Kansan and was used to train navigators and bombardiers.  

A Gulfstream III taking off.  This was not part of the air show.

Always happy to see the Yankee Lady.

Another angle of her.

This is a CH-53 Sea Stallion built by Sikorsky.  This may be the first time I've seen one of these in flight.  I've seen a few as static displays.

It is a heavy lift helicopter and came because of a need for heavy lift helicopters.

It first flew in 1966 and has seen service in all branches.

The Michigan Survival Flight Helicopter.

The Blue Angels C-130 called Fat Albert on its takeoff roll.

Banking.

During one of its passes.

I think this would have been a photo pass if I were in the crowd area.

This was pretty cool.

As it was turning.

I like this shot.

As it was landing.

The Blue Angels as they were taxiing.

Blue Angels 3 and 4.

The two opposing solo Blue Angels.

I kind of like this shot even though it was through the fence.

Fat Albert after landing.

The Blue Angels getting ready.

The diamond formation.

They break.

On a pass.

One of the solos as it gets into a high speed pass.

The other solo.

THe diamond again.

I think they were doing stuff they wouldn't do in show because I saw a few things repeated.

I think they also use the opportunity to get an idea what the lighting would be like.

I liked the shot I got at Traverse City better.

The diamond in landing configuration.

This was cool.

One of the breaks.

I forget what this formation was called.

Echelon formation.

Climbing.

Another break.

And another.

A pass.

The two opposing solos passing.

I kind of like this shot.

Another diamond.

With the humidity, the smoke lingered at spots.

The delta formation.

Anotehr break.

And the planes peel off as they get ready to land.