.. or, “How to get goosebumps on a very hot, sunny day.”
Until this past summer, I had never been to an airshow. I made up for that oversight in style by attending the Lethbridge International Airshow. The final clincher in my decision to make the 3.5 hour trip was learning that my favourite aircraft of all time, the A-10 Thunderbolt II, would be there.
A-10 Thunderbolt II flown by the A-10 West Demonstration Team
I had never seen one before in person and when it finally flew over, I had goosebumps despite the fact that it was a very hot day.
Unfortunately, the Canadian Forces CF-18 Hornet wasn’t at the airshow as scheduled… It was there as a burned out wreckage as it had crashed two days before. It must have been a bit unnerving for the other pilots performing that day as they all had to taxi right past the wreckage.
There were a number of historical aircraft, including a P-51 Mustang, and a FG-1D Corsair. It was a real treat to see these aircraft in action.
As a bonus, the TORA TORA TORA team was there, reenacting the Pearl Harbour attack with Japanese Zero fighters and Nakajima B5N “Kate” bombers. Their show was narrated and had lots of sound effects, plus many large explosions. After a bit, the smoke was so thick it was getting hard to see the aircraft as they kept buzzing the ground in simulated attacks.
We also saw lots of very entertaining stunt flying and tricks, and even the Canadian Army Skyhawks Parachute Team were on hand. I left the kids at home as it was a long drive and was forecasted to be hot (which it was) and figured the explosions would be too much for them right now. Instead, I had a real good time hanging out with my father-in-law and brother-in-law. It was a really great day and I’m looking forward to the 2011 show!
GREAT pics, Troy! It looked like an incredible airshow and I’m trying not to be jealous. The Mustang is one of my favs (is there anybody who doesn’t like them?), but I’ve never seen one in the “flesh.” I did have the pleasure of having two A-10s do a flypast at the Moncton airport when I was there in the summer of ’93. Incredible to see what those machines can do in flight! You’ve got me thinking about this year’s Shearwater airshow already, but your pics should get me through until then!
Grace & Peace!
Danny
Thanks Danny. I have some more pics and maybe video on the way from the Wetaskiwin Airshow. Two airshows in my first year of ever being to an airshow! The P-51 and Corsair was at both shows, and I was able to get right up to the P-51 (even leaned over the rope and touched it!) and the kids had their picture taken on the wing of the Corsair.
Your picture of that A-10 brought tears to my eyes.