discussion California International Airshow 2016

[flyjoe180]

Hi all. I recently went to San Francisco and managed to get to the California International Air Show at Salinas Airport. My first US air show, and I would go again. The temperature hit 98 Fahrenheit whatever that is in Celsius. All I know was it was damned hot! Really enjoyed watching the USAF Thunderbirds in action, the first time I've seen a military jet team display outside of New Zealand (no teams ever make it to NZ, too much water to cross I guess). Thoroughly recommend going to this event if you ever get the chance. My only regret was we departed California a day or two prior to the Fleet Week displays over San Francisco. It would have been good to catch the Blue Angels as well to complete the set. Took lots of photos (phone camera only sorry, it was very sunny and bright conditions and smog was present due to the fires around California). Here are a few from the show.


MC-130P, one of four operated by the California ANG 129th Rescue Wing.


View attachment 265300


HH60G Pave Hawk


View attachment 265301


SWAT Truck - Pretty extreme sort of Police vehicle for a Kiwi to see!


View attachment 265302


A couple of T6 Texans/SNJ


View attachment 265303


There were four different C-47/DC-3 there, these two took off to drop D-Day equipped parachutists but the cross wind was too strong and they didn't jump in the end (they were using WW2 era parachutes which can't be steered safely like modern canopies).


View attachment 265304


Two B-25's, one highly polished, the other in OD. They put on a good simulated bombing display to commemorate the Doolittle Tokyo raid.


View attachment 265305


The USAF had this F-16 on display in Thunderbirds scheme. This is a composite aircraft made up from various F-16s and is used for recruiting at events like this.


View attachment 265306


TBM Avenger in (very) bright colours.


View attachment 265307

 

[flyjoe180]

There were six P-51D's and one P-51H and they put on a mass display later in the day. Awesome.


View attachment 265308


C-17 Globemaster. This was a great way to get out of the sun! You could walk through it, or join the queue to visit the flight deck.


View attachment 265309


The California Fire Department had many aircraft on display, many were already out fighting and spotting fires. The place is so dry, in it's seventh year of drought I believe. Santa Cruz and the area surrounding Monterey County was having some large fires and the resulting smog was quite apparent in the air.


View attachment 265310


As it got hotter people sheltered under the aircraft. Standing space only by the time it hit its peak! I found the C-17 much more comfortable The Navy machine is an E-6B Mercury.


View attachment 265311


View attachment 265313


The Thunderbirds closed the show. The highlight for me. The phone camera struggled with the pics so I just relaxed and enjoyed the display and noise.


View attachment 265314


View attachment 265316


View attachment 265317


Rach also enjoyed herself, managed to get herself into most flight decks and there was always time for candyfloss


View attachment 265318


On my travels I also managed to visit the USS Hornet Museum. I'll post something for that later on if anyone would like to see some of the pics

 

[yak face]

Great pics Joe!  Looks like you had a brilliant time , i particularly like the texans , cheers tony

 

[colin m]

Thanks for the pics Joe, brilliant. The Americans have such a variety of aircraft these days, unlike us Brits ! And look at that sky, blue as blue can be.

 

[Guest]

Seems you have a great day Joe. Good!


All the pics are excellent! Thanks for sharing

 

[monica]

you had a very nice day for it,Joe,and seems as a good one also,thank you for showing us the pics,