cnasdave
Location : Ohio, USA
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 Subject: Cleveland 09 review and photos 2009-09-22, 18:33 |
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With the threat of government intervention looming in our minds, this years air show was a little different. I have worked this show for 20 years and I have grown accustom to the media and photographers having pretty much free access to any part of the airport. After 2 idiots really screwed up last year (one going way out on the flight line when the Blue Angels were in the air and the other was a bomb threat…or something of the sort) security was high. Homeland security, Federal Air Marshals, bomb dogs…you name it, it was there. We adjusted and tried some new areas for taking pictures. Sadly, the lens was not up to my face as often as I would have liked and I did not get a chance at many of the pictures I wanted. Such is life and I did not get to improve on my hobby the way I would have liked. For those of you coming next year, I already know that things are going to be fine and only one minor change. I will fill you in via email.[/size]
The weather was good for 2 out of the 3 days. (It worked for Meatloaf) Saturday was blue skies and barely a cloud. Hard to get a contrasting shot, but no complaints. Sunday the clouds and humidity came, but nothing good in regards to vapor shots. Monday was shortened and the Thunderbirds never left the ground. I can’t complain because it is a long show and we are fortunate to even get the chance to complain about a third day.
I have posted some shots, but I have not even seen everything I have taken. These have not been edited and are by no means great. It gives a flavor of the show. I will post some more A10 and Harrier shots later since those were requested. I will also post some others if they came out. As for now…I have papers to grade and lessons for eager minds to write. Oh yeah, no update on the Iskra. It was not on the grounds the next day. I tried sneaking around, but there was nothing to see.
Harrier on the ground. She was in bad shape and they were going to deploy to the sandbox after the weekend.
East Coast Demo Team, but no pyro this year...budget cutbacks
She was nice to talk with...and I would swordfight with Amanda Younkin anywhere
So much for my clean lens
I just cleaned my lens!
He was only this low on Saturday...I am sure they had a chat with him
The only good vapor shot of the weekend...somehow I got it
I am not a Thunderbirds fan, but I will still try to get some shots
As I said, I will see what I have when I get the chance. I will also look at some older stuff to see if it is worth sharing. 4 years of shooting...I better have something!
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Street Hawk
Admin
Location : East Midlands
Spotter Watch Member : Yes
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| Subject: Re: Cleveland 09 review and photos 2009-09-23, 03:37 |
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Hi Dave.
Last years show with the Blue Angels was awesome, I was one of the 3 Brits that spent most of the display up by the Blue Angels. Good to see the Jet Engine Truck back on the scene again.
Couldn't believe how quick it was at Cleveland last year, then a few days later at Westover it rolled, which was pretty scary.
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FRM
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| Subject: Re: Cleveland 09 review and photos 2009-09-23, 07:08 |
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Hi Dave, no complaints about the weather, back to back sunshine, thats all everyone wants from an airshow. The Harrier is something that we Brits love and it's starting to get the point where we all have to make the most of them whilst we can. The F-35 will bring about the end of these classics, I know time moves on but the heart sinks all the same.
2009 seems to have been another great year at Cleveland, ok, so no Blue Angels this year but no doubt the crowd loved the Thunderbirds. The apache looks better with the Longbow radar on top, my favourite chopper and the A-10 is a joy to watch (and listen to). Thanks for posting these, cant wait until we meet again. 
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cnasdave
Location : Ohio, USA
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| Subject: Re: Cleveland 09 review and photos 2009-09-23, 14:35 |
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It was another good show for those who are not there every year, but I guess I notice every little thing. I am even more picky now that I am trying to learn this photography thing and it is the only show I attend. The crowd loved the Thunderbirds, but their show just is not tight. They start their runs so far away that it takes forever for them to make a pass. I would say there were some gaps that exceeded 45 seconds this year...which is a lot. Their "slow pass" started a mile away from the runway and I could have gone to get airshow food, wait in line, and return without missing a thing. Oh well.
The other bummer was the cancellation of the Canadian Super Hornet. They were supposed to send a growler model after the US canceled their demonstration team. The Canadians sent three T-45s instead. Not the same.
The harriers were beat up badly and were going to get sent out again. They are limiting the amount of shows they do because of overseas commitments. I was talking to some of them about the F-35 sound problem and the pilot said it was a major problem. He said they are not even going to try to be operational until 2014. So that means a few more years of the very loud, but always fun Harrier. Let us hope it returns again next year.
Finally, Shockwave was back and did not seem to hold back. He modified that truck even more to allow more airflow to the engines and less air resistence on the front. He is a crazy man...but it entertains the crowd...and craps up my lens!
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Dazza
Location : Oxfordshire
Spotter Watch Member : no
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| Subject: Re: Cleveland 09 review and photos 2009-09-23, 14:40 |
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Great shot looks like a great event. Thanks for sharing
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The Edge
Location : Chicago IL
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| Subject: Re: Cleveland 09 review and photos 2009-09-24, 13:46 |
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The T-45s were from the US Navy I think you'll find. The Canadians fly the original Hawk airframe.
Rob
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cnasdave
Location : Ohio, USA
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| Subject: Re: Cleveland 09 review and photos 2009-09-24, 19:23 |
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You are correct Rob. Thanks for that. Sadly, I didn't get a chance to go check them out.
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| Subject: Re: Cleveland 09 review and photos |
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