My second aviation activity was the McChord Air Expo 2008. It was the second time I went to an air show. Last time, I witnessed the amazing Blue Angels, the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. Ever since then, I was wondering how Air Force's counterpart, Thunderbirds, would stand again them. So I checked their schedule and found that I could catch them at McChord AFB, Washington.
The scene was familiar. We first checked out some planes on the ground.
One of the highlights was the huge but impressively agile cargo aircraft C-17 Globemaster III. It was even cooler than Fat Albert, the C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft for Blue Angels.
The main attraction of the show was clearly the Thunderbirds. After a summer's exposure of Northwest native American art, I finally started to appreciate their unique paint.
It was a gorgeous view of the Thunderbirds with Mount Rainier in the backdrop.
Six birds under the shining sun.
As expected, the pilots marched in military formation to receive the order to start the show.
A publicity officer took some pictures just before the take-off.
They also watched the Thunderbirds taxiing away.
A close look at the pilot in the cockpit of a F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Of course, they flew in the famous diamond formation. Comparing with the Blue Angels Diamond, I personally think that the Blue Angels win this round.
The famous Thunderbird 5 flying upside down.
When Thunderbird 5 demonstrated its slow-flying ability, I took the chance to catch a big shot with my aging camera.
After the show, we stayed there to see them coming down, lining up again and finishing the show. Then, like a fly-dreaming child, I got a copy of their publicity booklet and asked for autographies. Although that costed us a whole hour to wait in the line to get out, it was totally worth it.
The scene was familiar. We first checked out some planes on the ground.
One of the highlights was the huge but impressively agile cargo aircraft C-17 Globemaster III. It was even cooler than Fat Albert, the C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft for Blue Angels.
The main attraction of the show was clearly the Thunderbirds. After a summer's exposure of Northwest native American art, I finally started to appreciate their unique paint.
It was a gorgeous view of the Thunderbirds with Mount Rainier in the backdrop.
Six birds under the shining sun.
As expected, the pilots marched in military formation to receive the order to start the show.
A publicity officer took some pictures just before the take-off.
They also watched the Thunderbirds taxiing away.
A close look at the pilot in the cockpit of a F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Of course, they flew in the famous diamond formation. Comparing with the Blue Angels Diamond, I personally think that the Blue Angels win this round.
The famous Thunderbird 5 flying upside down.
When Thunderbird 5 demonstrated its slow-flying ability, I took the chance to catch a big shot with my aging camera.
After the show, we stayed there to see them coming down, lining up again and finishing the show. Then, like a fly-dreaming child, I got a copy of their publicity booklet and asked for autographies. Although that costed us a whole hour to wait in the line to get out, it was totally worth it.
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