Shaw Air Expo 2012

Shaw Air Force Base, previously Shaw Field was built in 1941 and has served as a training field, a reconnaissance site and a fighter wing.  Currently the 9th Air Force serves at Shaw for the U.S. Central Command Air Forces (USCENTAF) and conducts U.S. air operations throughout Southeast Asia.  The host of Shaw AFB is the 20th Fighter Wing and it is home to the Third Army which relocated last year from Fort McPherson, GA.

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We met the pilot of this aircraft...Gary Ward.

The MX-2 

Shaw AFB really knows how to put on a show.  The weather was overcast which was perfect for viewing, and there was just enough breeze to keep us cool.  

PT-17 Stearman/ Mohr Barnstorming

It was fascinating to see how close this plane would get to the ground.  It is the type of plane commonly used for crop-dusting

 The USA Golden Knights

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U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" performing the Echelon Pass In Review.

USAF Thunderbirds

Mirror Image Maneuver
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 This was an amazing sight to see the two planes heading right for each other and at the last second turn and fly by.  As I watched this I was reminded of the movie "Top Gun".  I wonder if it had anything to do with the fact that they were playing " Highway to the Danger Zone". They did all the twists and rolls showcased in the movie, including a high speed fly by several times that took the crowd by surprise.

 I think I did a good job on the photos, however they don't compare to being there.  What an exciting day.

The "Fan Manuever'

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The Skybolt 300 was built in the livingroom of a Condominium.It's wing span is 24 feet with a 300 horsepower engine. Designed with eye-catching features to allow the air show fan to easily follow each maneuver.

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Pitts S-12,  built in 1944 by Curtis Pitts, were named "Stinkers" because of the skunk picture on the side of the plane. After Betty Skelton bought the second prototype, she named it "Lil' Stinker" it was followed by the S-2 "Big Stinker",  Model 11 (S1-11B) "Super Stinker" and the Model 12 "Macho Stinker".  

P-51 Mustang was used during  WWII, the Korean War and several other conflicts.  It was remained in service with some Air Forces until the early 1980's when many of the Mustangs were converted for civilian use, especially for air racing.  It was replaced by the F-86 Jet Fighter.

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The Lockheed T-33 "Shooting Star" made it's first flight in 1948, and despite it's vintage remains in service worldwide.

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The only civilian squadron currently appearing at airshows and flying WWII aircraft is the Geico Sky Typers. They fly SNJ-2 aircrafts– with only 11 remaining planes still in existence, the team uses six of them. 

About Skytyping

• Five planes flying in an abreast formation less than 250 feet apart typing dot matrix style messages in the sky
• The lead aircraft utilizes a custom programmed computer with specialized radio commands to signal the other aircraft to release puffs of non-polluting, EPA approved smoke at various intervals
• 17 times faster than skywriting producing a letter every four seconds
• Produces messages as tall as the Empire State Building and up to eight miles long
• Visible for up to 15 miles in any direction or nearly 400 square miles
• On high visibility days, the messages remain readable for up to 15 minutes

Racing the Rocket Car <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Special Thanks to our troops who risk their lives daily to ensure our freedom.