I know that the San Francisco Fleet Week pics and videos have been done to death, but occasional reader Rick sends along this link which contains – among other pr0nographic goodness – a particularly groovy close-up of the transonic drag rise.
You simply must click on the pic for higher.
Thanks, Rick.
Cap’n,
OutSTANDING images! One question: how in the world did the Angels get permission to fly THAT low in that mast infested area? What sort of port/starboard clearance did #5 have?
…I’ve never forgotten being at old Wurtsmith AFB MI in the early 90s when the Blues showed up for an open house. We went out and watched the rehearsal – even better than the actual show, and the high point was watching them come overhead at telephone-pole height, having conversations over the radio about where they were going for dinner that evening. Absolute, utter, and complete cool.
Mike
Woot! Year end plane pr0n. Happy New Year!
SeniorD,
They actually have a pretty large box to operate in. Port/starboard clearance, I’m guessing at at least 500 feet on either side of centerline. The foto makes it look closer than it really is.
Leaving aside the city’s politics, Fleet Week is by far and away the most spectacular Blue’s show I’ve seen– and I’ve seen ‘em at 6 different locations in Calif.
Coincidently, I was just at their official site a few days ago– 2008 schedule is now posted– start making travel plans. I’m going to try for El Centro, Miramar and SF.
/BeachBum
There was loads of room down on the deck.
The DOHS has this group called the Coast Guard which stridently enforced the Flight Demo Area. At one extreme was the large Cutter (Coastal Buoy Tender) Aspen and at the other was the large Cutter George Cobb. The perimeter was maintained by a few USCG 87-footers, County Patrol crafts and a whole buncha smaller RHIB-like Defender Class 25-footers with 50 caliber machine guns mounted on the bow. 50 cals work every time.
Care to come up next year, Lex? You’ll be a civilian, and I can get you decent seats.
V/r
-SJBill
Gotta love that video link!
Michelle nailed it. The video link at the bottom of the page of photos was the kicker.
Reminds me of the quote from “Dr. Strangelove” where General Turgenson discusses the proficiency of the low flying B-52 pilots. “frying Chickens in the barnyard”
Impressive flying!