NAS El Centro Air Show

March 12th, 2016

We were glad that we were staying on base and wouldn't have to fight the crowds to get in to the air show.  There were very specific instructions on driving on and off base during the show and we made the decision we would walk to the show and back.  It wasn't far, just through some housing and we would be there.

We set off and hadn't gone far when a car stopped with a police officer driving.  He shouted across the road at us and asked if we would like a lift.  Well, thank you very much that would be great and in we got.  He told us he was the police chief. He and Bryan were soon in a conversation about the military.  He was retired Navy.  It was great just driving through the gates to the air show and he dropped us off and wished us a good day.  What a great start to our day.

We started by looking at some vintage cars.

1953 Chevrolet Pickup on display in the car show.

 Then on to the displays

Pitts aerobatic aircraft. These are used by a lot of aerobatic display teams.

We spoke to a volunteer from the Palm Springs Air Museum and found out it wasn't far from where we were staying in Desert Hot Springs.  We will definitely go and check it out when we are there.

P-51D "Bunny" previously flown by The Tuskegee Airman in WWII. Now owned by the Palm Springs Aircraft Museum.

P-39 Air Cobra, this aircraft belongs to the Palm Springs Air Museum.

DC-3 "What's Up Doc" belonging to the Chino Planes of Fame in Chino, Ca.

There were some RAF (Royal Air Force) guys there and we stopped and talked to them.  They were based at Yuma Proving Ground.

Merlin Helicopter belonging to the RAF

WWII Tank display. The ladies and gentlemen showing this display were volunteer recreation reinactors.

USMC Harrier from MCAS Miramar

A-10 from Davis Monthan, Az. The A-10 was the last aircraft type Bryan worked on prior to his retirement.

Wolf eyes on the tail of a HH-60

This is a Spitfire MK XIV. This is a rare aircraft as it is not only the only one in the US,but the only flying MK XIV in existence. See the history of this specific airplane HERE.

US Navy Leap Frog parachute team bringing in the colors for the opening ceremony.

Another shot of the Leap Frogs bringing in the colors

AN-2 Colt. Originally used by the Soviet Block as a transport aircraft

Planes Of Fame Heritage Flight from Chino.

F-18 from MCAS Miramar

This is a privately owned T-6 Texan.

This .50 cal machine gun was part of a display set up by the Navy Special Ops Team.

           

There was time for us to have lunch before the Blue Angels display.  We bought BBQ burgers and a drink from one of the stands and found a place under one of the hangars to put our blanket and sit and eat our lunch.

It was soon time for the Blue Angels.

Blue Angel C-130 nicknamed "Fat Albert" This aircraft not only transports the ground and spares. But it performs in the air show, doing fly-bys and short field take off and landing.

Taking Off

The US Navy Blue Angels in a 4 ship formation.

 The Blue Angel Sky Burst.

The Blue Angels starting a 4 ship barrel roll.

Upside Down

All 6 in a Diamond formation.

Solo's Inverted and Dirty

 (landing gear and tail hooks down)

I don't know how any of these demonstration teams manage to fly so closely together, they are truly awesome.

After the demonstration we walked slowly back to the motorhome.  The traffic was leaving slowly and we watched the lines gradually diminish from the comfort of our couch.  It was another great day.