Blue Angels Over Kaneohe '07

[Pomai]

Re: Blue Angels Over Kaneohe '07

This was one of the more unusual planes of the bunch...



Obviously a seaplane, with the prop up high, and a rudder behind the tail wheel for steering while in water.

This aircraft had the coolest "all-glass cockpit", with instrumentation that looked more "Apple Computer" than "Boeing"...



Did I say the C-5 Galaxy was big?...


So big, the front opening of the cargo bay was used as a stage for a concert today. Insanely-cool.

[Pomai]

Re: Blue Angels Over Kaneohe '07

Ladies and gentlemen, Waipahu is in the house...



Louis Vuitton upholstery? This Scion's got some serious bling beyond bling! lol!

I'm not sure what the blue car is, but the one behind is obviously a 70's Pontiac Trans Am...



Don't know the make or model of this classic either, but the 3-way induction system in interesting...

[Pomai]

Re: Blue Angels Over Kaneohe '07

You may have a big helicopter, but mines is bigger!...


CH-53 Sea Stallion

What struck me most about this chopper was how wrinkled and flimsy the aluminum skin was. You can kind of see it in the photo of the exterior in the photo above.

The inside of the Sea Stallion...



And this view also gives you a perspective of how big this chopper is...



If I'm ever stranded out at sea, this would be the equivalent to seeing God.

[Pomai]

Re: Blue Angels Over Kaneohe '07

[Pomai]

Re: Blue Angels Over Kaneohe '07

UH-60 Blackhawk...



Blackhawk Gunner...


See that spider-looking thing inside the cabin? That's a sonar buoy launcher used to hunt for enemy subs. NUTS! The operator (shown helping the boy) said it's easier to hear shrimps on the ocean floor than it is to hear subs.

The Blackhawk's cockpit...



It really is interesting talking with the pilots and crew of these amazing aircraft. There's so much more to the machine than what you see from the outside.

[mel]

Re: Blue Angels Over Kaneohe '07

Thanks Mel. Thanks. Now I feel even better with my inferior point-and-shoot. I hate you. lol

You're doing a bang up job here with all of your shots. Love em all. Keep them coming.

[Pomai]

Re: Blue Angels Over Kaneohe '07

Photo fished out of my 2004 file archive. I went that year but at the time did not have the long lens as I do now. Static display shots came out OK, aerial shots were distant at best.

Thanks Mel. Thanks. Now I feel even better with my inferior point-and-shoot. I hate you. lol

Cool shot! Now please pack up your DSLR and GET OUT THERE TODAY!

I've always wanted Lamborghini-style doors...



Superchargers are nice, too...



If I ever go camping, I'm inviting this guy!...



But that green and pink stool gotta' go. This is just amazing. Makes the days I spent in my younger years installing crossovers, amps and subwoofers in the trunk look silly. lol

[mel]

Re: Blue Angels Over Kaneohe '07

Indeed they were. It's great having Aloha, yet it would be nice to have Hawaiian!

And Go!

In 2004 Hawaiian was there:



Photo fished out of my 2004 file archive. I went that year but at the time did not have the long lens as I do now. Static display shots came out OK, aerial shots were distant at best.

On another note in this Star-Bulletin article, fellow HT member Dick, has shot some fantastic Blue Angels photos yesterday.

[Pomai]

Re: Blue Angels Over Kaneohe '07

More cars...




Chevy Nova SS



Time to play some ZZ Top!

[Pomai]

Re: Blue Angels Over Kaneohe '07

Anyone know if the airshow would be viewable from Pali Lookout, or is that too far away?

I drove through the Pali on my way to the base yesterday. There were plenty of folks at the two main lookouts along the way on the windward side, which is no wonder officials decided to close off the lookout near the base on H3.

I can say this: The Blue Angels make a few turns close to there and near the mountain, but otherwise, you'd be far away from the action.

The base is really where you want to be to absorb it. They make turns 'n stuff over Kaneohe and Kailua, but it's far and few between, where I think you might get bored.

Go on base. No doubt the best seat in the house. And don't worry about parking. Get choke.

When an aircraft such as the C-5 Galaxy lands, the weight needs to be displaced by using multiple main landing gear, as you can see here...


C-5 Galaxy main landing gear

I believe those are twelve wheels per side (24 main gear wheels total). The tire company must LOVE these guys! lol

The C-17 isn't shy of wheels either...





Such a function-over-form design.

[mel]

Re: Blue Angels Over Kaneohe '07

Anyone know if the airshow would be viewable from Pali Lookout, or is that too far away?

I think it is too far away. Take a look at this photo link. KMCAS is located near the hill that is farthest away in this shot. I was thinking about just going to the Pali to just escape getting caught in the slow traffic and not having to stay there for an entire, hot day.

Though I wonder if the Blue Angels fly all around Kaneohe and kiss up against the mountains? That would make for a different shot.

Pomai, looking at all the photos you have posted, you may just have saved me from making the trip myself since I'd probably end up shooting the same photos of the static displays, many of which I have seen in the past.

mel

[Pomai]

Re: Blue Angels Over Kaneohe '07

If size matters, Blues on the Bay will satisfy...


C-17 Globemaster


C-5 Galaxy

Isn't this larger than the Airbus A380? By far the BIGGEST airplane at THIS show! If I was president of the United States, screw the Boeing 747, Air Force One is THIS!

To put the size of this amazing aircraft into perspective, just look at how it DWARFS everyone in, under and around it!...

[Pomai]

Re: Blue Angels Over Kaneohe '07

2 words of advice....leave REAL early to head to KMCAS...the traffic was SLOOOW...but it moved. 2nd, all goods on sale are with scrips...which is $1.25 ea but they also sell it as a bundle for $20. Dont know IF coolers are allowed, but if they are not, get ready to get cash before heading there (an BOH ATM mobile unit is there) cuz the day was pretty hot Saturday....and I think Sunday will be a carbon copy....but the show in retrospect....AWESOME!!!!!

Funny you say this. I arrived yesterday AFTER the rush, and left AFTER the rush. To which, as said before, I drove in and out within a 10-minute time span. I seriously recommend going early and leave early, or go late and leave late. I'm on "Hawaiian time", and choose the latter. lol

Remember when Hawaiian Airlines used to fly the DC-3!?...



Witness the radial (piston) engine under "the hood"...



I thought these had turbo-shafts.

Send your parcels via USPS, UPS or FedEx....



The young pilot of this aircraft told me to tell the FedEx bosses that anytime an opening for a DC-10 is posted, call him. lol

[pzarquon]

Re: Blue Angels Over Kaneohe '07

2 words of advice....leave REAL early to head to KMCAS...the traffic was SLOOOW...but it moved.

Yeah. I think it was the same before. But as has been noted, the traffic and crowd control provided by the Marines is impeccable. I don't think you'll ever see so many civilians and their cars moved into and out of a space any better than at Kaneohe.

I wish we could "leave REAL early," but we're not heading out to Kaneohe until after church in Manoa. I imagine we might not nab a spot on the fence at that rate, but last time we watched the show from under an Aloha Airlines wing. Shade trumped the view.

[Pomai]

Re: Blue Angels Over Kaneohe '07

They were there the last time Blue Angels came. The same cargo jet too... and back in 2003 they were at another aviation show out in Barbers' Point.

Indeed they were. It's great having Aloha, yet it would be nice to have Hawaiian!

Here's Samoa...


Wait, wait, wait... stop the jet! OK, since when was BA #2 a 2-seater?! AAAAAAAnnnd..... why in the HELL is the back seat EMPTY! If nobody wanted to ride, I'LL GO!





If you're wondering where #5 and 6 are, they went to the north end of the runway.