Wings Over Houston Airshow

Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:35 am

I was unable to attend the show, but my co-worker went and took a bunch of pics. Several good shots of Ole 927 and some of the others. If I can get copies I'll post them here. One really cool item is a video that his buddy took. It shows the F-18 on a high-speed pass in front of the crowds and during the pass the mach-cone or whatever you call it appears several times.

Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:51 am

steve dickey wrote:Does anybody have any shots of Howie flying with the F-18? Thanks.

I think so...

Ryan

Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:01 am

Connery wrote:I was unable to attend the show, but my co-worker went and took a bunch of pics. Several good shots of Ole 927 and some of the others. If I can get copies I'll post them here. One really cool item is a video that his buddy took. It shows the F-18 on a high-speed pass in front of the crowds and during the pass the mach-cone or whatever you call it appears several times.

That was the main bummer of my day - I saw a bunch of nice condensation passes - due I think mostly to the high humidity on the field - but never had my camera ready when they occurred except once - and I took the shot after the vapor started to dissipate.

The Heritage Flight was pretty - even if they didn't get a P-51 up there with them.

Ryan

Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:10 am

RickH wrote:The significance of these two jets being on the line together is that they are both 147th FIG F-4s, they were flight mates when operational and were retired at approximately the same time ( 1990 )."280" hasn't been seen by the general public since 1990 as she is on static display in the Guard area which is restricted. We thought it would be cool to put them on the line together one more time. Hasn't happened in 17 years. They will actually be together for probably the last time in November at the 90th Anniversary of the 147th. They start losing their jets in January and will be switching to Predators. Our jet 65-749 will be the last 147th FIG aircraft to fly. This weekend was the last time they will open Wings Over Houston after a twenty year run.

The 147th F-16s flew some NICE passes for the crowd. I wish I could have been at a better spot but here's the shots I did get:

Just in case - did anyone get any better shots of this bird? Would make a NICE F-16 model.

As far as paint schemes go, I thought that this was one of the "coolest."

Ryan

Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:22 am

I liked that scheme too! I took a bunch of walkaround pics as I'm thinking about building a model of it.

Tim

Last edited by Tim Landers on Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:32 am, edited 2 times in total.

Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:24 am

Many of the unit members view blue F-16 as a classic "Pimp My Ride ". They tried to include markings from all of the aircraft they've ever flown. Apparently there is more to be added. It will be complete by Nov 3rd when they have their 90th Anniversary Open House. The unit is trying to get the NMUSAF to allocate the jet for static preservation at Camp Mabry in Austin. Apparently the NMUSAF is in no hurry and the issue is in doubt. If it doesn't go to Mabry it will have to be repainted in standard grey before it can go to AMARC.

Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:33 am

Ok, I'm going to post a few more of my favorite shots, and then you can go look at the album if you want to see any more.

I finally got to see Glacier Girl!

Tora! Tora! Tora! always gives me goosebumps - even more so when riding in a WW2 command car with two guys who were alive at the time, and who were part of our "first response team"

Riding with Dick Cole and Ed Horton was one of the best parts of the day.

The view from the staff car as we prepared to parade the Raiders down the flight line.

Driving out.

Our host - Tim Landers

A true hero waves to the crowd

Wish I could've seen Ole 927 up closer than this...

I'm a Mustang lover - but you gotta like the lines on this plane

Lineup of champions!

In honor of my uncle, and Hellcat's father - the SB2C in Franklin markings

WIX'r Ryan Harris with Glacier Girl

And last, but not least - thanks to my father for coming to Houston with me.

More photos here: http://picasaweb.google.com/doolittleraiders/WingsOverHouston

Ryan

Tue Oct 09, 2007 12:20 pm

Thanks Ryan Short1, he forgot to mention that they flew with the Hellcat too! Awsome!

Thu Oct 11, 2007 4:55 pm

A fantastic show and it was great to meet up with some fellow WIXers !

Here's a few pictures .....

I'll load the more "interesting" stuff to photobucket tomorrow

Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:24 pm

Man, those are some Great shots! Did you happen to get some of Archie Donahue's Tribute???

Tim

Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:15 pm

bomberflight - Wow - what a difference in quality from my shots to your shots! Those are simply fabulous. Where were you during the show? NathanT24 said he saw you, but I wasn't sure where to look.

Ryan