Miramar Air Show 2010
Never Fails To Impress
By Russ Albertson
Blue Angels beautiful Echelon formation. (Russ Albertson)The Miramar Air Show is always something to look forward to, even if it means the end of summer here in San Diego. This year it took place on Oct. 1, 2, and 3, and although we had a little fog and drizzle, it was still one of the best shows on the West coast.
John Collver on the wing of his T-6, “War Dog.” John performs in airshows all over the west. (Russ Albertson)I was able to fly with John Collver the day before the show in his beautiful North American AT-6 Texan, and although it was a short ride at Miramar on overcast day, it was a great experience to sit in the back of this vintage WWII trainer. Built in 1944 to train our military pilots, this plane is painted in the same colors it had when it served at the El Toro Navy and Marine Air Station during WWII. The T-6 is over-all silver, with green stripes on the wings and a bright yellow cowl with War Dog painted on the side. After a short time at El Toro, this plane was transferred to NAS Miramar and it seemed very fitting to have it at this air 
T-6, View from backseat, downwind at Miramar. (Russ Albertson)show. After Collver gave me the preflight brief, he fired up the Pratt and Whitney supercharged R-1340. I had the back canopy open, and was great to hear the nine cylinder radial purr. He called the tower with his call sign, War Dog 17, and we taxied out and were cleared for takeoff.
The airspace was closed for the air show and the tower let stay in the pattern for some low passes down the runway with smoke on! On takeoff, Collver pushed the power up, and the 600-horsepower accelerated us quickly; and as soon as we were airborne, he retracted the gear and held us just off the ground until we built up speed and then pulled up steeply and turned downwind. I looked back over the tail and saw our trail of white smoke curl down the runway.
On the downwind, just past the numbers, he banked and dived for the first pass down the runway and I had a great view of the grand stands and static aircraft displays. We pulled up again for three more passes and just beat a small rain shower as he turned final after we were cleared to land. Taxiing in, I opened my canopy to get the full effect of Pratt and Whitney again. Unfortunately, I missed seeing Collver perform the next day at the show due to poor weather in the morning, but I remember him from past shows and he is always outstanding. It is always great to hear a powerful radial engine roar overhead at an air show… it just wouldn’t be the same without them. John Collver has been performing at air shows all over the southwest since 1982. His schedule can be found on his website: www.wardog-17.com
MV-22 Osprey lifts off from Miramar, (Russ Albertson)Even with a slow start due to weather, the Marines put on an exciting show. After opening ceremonies we saw Sean Tucker do an always-impressive show in his Oracle Challenger. The Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) demonstrated its tremendous ability as F/A-18 Hornets and AV-8 Harriers made gun and bomb passes and simulated artillery beat up the area in front of the stands. Cobra helicopters escorted MV-22 Ospreys as they delivered troops to the runway in front of us. We even had a couple of Abrams tanks rumble by the stands.
As the weather improved, the F-16 Fighting Falcon roared into the air with impressive 9-G turns and blazing afterburner. Not to be out done, the F/A-18 Super Hornet streaked by on his demo with an amazing visible shock-wave effect surrounding the plane. The Hornet also showed its amazing slow flight ability by flying by at around 100 knots.
F/A-18 with “Angel Hair” condensing on the wings. (Mel Turner)The Legacy Flight is always a favorite with the Super Hornet flying wing on an F-4U Corsair. No Marine air show would be complete without the AV-8B Harrier. This plane always “wows” the crowd with its vertical takeoff and landings but I think it is most impressive when it hovers in front of the crowd, and then tilts its nose up and just accelerates into the sky!
The F-22 Raptor, still new to the USAF and air shows, gave an incredible demo with its vectored thrust and tremendous power. The Raptor showed us very tight loops and turns and what looked like a flat spin as it fell straight down, slowly turning, but under full control. At the bottom of this maneuver, the Raptor pilot simply added power, pulled the nose up, and thundered away.
Next the Heritage Flight, with the P-51 Mustang, F-16 Falcon and F-22 Raptor made passes in front of the stands and this formation really showcased the advances in fighter aviation from WWII to the present.
Another favorite is Chuck Aaron in his Red Bull aerobatic helicopter. Flying the BO-105 twin-turbine helicopter, Aaron performed vertical and diving rolls, loops and does things with a helicopter that can only be described as magic!
The skies continued to clear as the Canadian Forces Snowbirds taxied out in nine CT-114 Tudor jet trainers. After takeoff, the nine planes were a spectacular sight as they flew tight formations as close as four feet at speeds up to 320 knots! They do 65 shows a year all over North America and are now in their 40th season. It is quite a sight to see the nine-plane formation flying straight at the crowd and then roll toward each other and cross very close. Flying nine planes makes 50 different formations and maneuvers possible and is a very tough act to follow.
The US Navy Blue Angels were up to the challenge, however, and put another spectacular show. It is simply amazing how close they fly with precise formation changes in loops and rolls. The solo pilots always appear to be on a collision course as they make head on passes! They have been flying the F/A-18 Hornet since 1986 and have performed for more than 460 million people since they began in 1946.
All in all, another great air show weekend here in San Diego and next year they will be celebrating “The 100th Year of Naval Aviation.”
I would like to thank the USMC Marine Corps and the outstanding personnel at MCAS Miramar.
