The line waiting for the gates to open.
Once you clear the main gate, you still have a considerable drive across the base to the dry lake bed where they park everyone. Along the way, you pass all kinds of historic aircraft on static display, including a P-59 Aircomet, America's first jet fighter. I would have loved to have taken some pictures, but taking photos froma moving car on a military installation these days is not the best idea.
Once I got the car parked, it was a hike to the security checkpoint. It's very similar to the airport, metal detectors and bag searches. We moved pretty quickly through the security checkpoint to the shuttle buses that take you to the show area (this base is HUGE!).
Static displays are everywhere. There are one-of-a-kind aircraft like the F-16XL and others. One aircraft I had never seen was this Yak-18T, with Aeroflot markings.
Yakovlev Yak-18T
It had been three years since the last Edwards show. This year, they had pyrotechnics to go along withe the aerial displays. That added to the while atmosphere.
One of the many bits of aviation history at Edwards was the first time the sound barrier was broken. As part of that tradition Check Yeager and Joe Engel were the back seaters for a two-ship sound barrier break at 30,000 feet. Even from that altitude, it sounded like a shotgun blast. The crowds cheered as the sound hit.
Two Edwards F-16s with Yeager and Engel in the back seat of these two aircraft.
The US Army Golden Knights parachute display team did two performances at the show. They are celebrating their 50th year.
50th anniversary commemoration parachute
Breaking of the formation free fall before opening the parachutes.
This show always features great performances by old and new aircraft. Starting with the older aircraft; this B-17 Flying Fortress "Sentimental Journey" is part of the Commemorative Air Force's Arizona Wing based in Mesa, Arizona. Here she is flying through the smoke of pyrotechnics.
The B-25 "Pacific Prowler" from the John Terry Heritage Foundation also performed for the crowds.
Steve Hinton flew the P-38 Lightning, owned by Jack Croul.
The CAF's P-51 Mustang "Gunfighter" was also on hand to do some fly-bys and even shoot down a Zero replica.
The CAF also has a group they call "Tora, Tora, Tora", which is a gaggle of Japanese replicas that were used in the making of the film Tora, Tora, Tora. The aircraft were donated to the CAF in 1972 and the volunteers at the CAF keep them maintained and flying. Their motto is "Lest we forget" and they honor the memory of Pearl Harbor and WWII.
Initial attack pass.
Dive bomber on the attack.
John Collver flew a great performance in his 1944 SNJ-5 "War Dog".
Julie Clark was flawless in her performance in her T-34 Mentor.
Julie performing a hammer head maneuver
Julie doing a slow roll
The arrival and passes by White Knight II were a great surprise!
White Knight II "Eve", named after Richard Branson's mother.
Performances by the current aircraft in the USAF arsenal was also a highlight.
A-10 Warthog
The F-22 Raptor demonstration was impressive! The capabilities of this aircraft are beyond it's predecessors by a large margin.
F-22 pass with the weapons bay doors open
The B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber pass was awesome.
But seeing the B-1, B-2 and B-52 in formation was something you don't see anywhere else.
Now this is heavy metal!
The USAF Heritage flight is always a treat to see.
USAF Heritage Flight, led by Steve Hinton in the P-38 Lightning
Getting out of the show is always a long process. Considering the number of people that attend, the do a good job getting people out. It just takes some patience. But it also gives you an opportunity to see the sun setting over Edwards AFB.
Sunset over Edwards AFB
I left the house at 5 AM to go to the show, arriving back home at 8:30 PM. 15 hours and 250 miles of driving. Was it worth it? You bet! If you want to see more photos from the show, please visit the galleries on my website by clicking the banner below.
