posted by Dave on Sep 23
Six Thunderbird planes fly in Delta formation in preparation for the “Delta Bottom-Up Pass” and “Delta Roll”. Thunderbirds are Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon jets that can pull 9gmaneuvers and reach of a speed in excess of Mach 2 and carry up to 6 head seeking Sidewinder air to air missiles. Of course for this display there were no missiles and they kept the planes under the speed of sound so as to not break any windows. Learn more about the F16-C here.
posted by Dave on Sep 22
Thunderbirds soar into the air in Diamond Takeoff formation to cheers of the crowds below. On May 25, 1953 the “3600th Air Demonstration Unit” was activated at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. They soon adopted the “Thunderbirds” name from the strong Indian culture and folklore of the southwestern United State were Luck AFB is located. Indian legend speaks of the Thunderbird taking to the sky and leaving the earth trembling from the thunder of its great wings. More tomorrow.
posted by Dave on Sep 21
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds planes on display before their Wings Over the Pacific show at Hickam Air Force Base. This show was part of the 56th season of airshows. The Thunderbirds have amazed and instilled passion in Americans through their grace and jaw-dropping aerial maneuvers, exhibiting the skill and of today’s best airmen. They will perform more than 70 shows in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Far East. Tomorrow we continue our look at the Thunderbirds in Hawaii.