After the retirement of the Starfighter (see Pratica di Mare Airshow) one jet still to see was highon my list: the Gruman F-14 Tomcat, the last of the big fighters. When they have disappeard from the aircraft carriers in the Pacific and will see their end within the next few years my goal was clear:Oceana, located on the eastcoast of the USA,about a 4h drive south of Washington DC.
Where? NAS Oceana, VA - USA When? 24-26/09/2004
Oceana, together with theneigbouring Norfolk, is the main base of the Atlantic fleet and also home of Tomcat now.End of September the annual airshow was held, this year the theme was "Pursuit of Liberty". Indeed the entrance was free, but I can assure that my credit suffered quite a bit in the souvenir alley where I was snapping for Tomcat patches, T-Shirts... like a lot more other people as well.
As usual on big American shows the static display was wide and really accessible, which can sometimes be quite frustrating for the photographer. The static was really interesting with all the different Navy jets, but with the Norfolk base nearby I did miss a DC-9 and a C-2 Greyhound which would have been nice in the static display. Also no colourful F/A-18 of VFC-12 "Fighting Omars" could be seen on the ramp though they are based at Oceana. But well, do not worry, there have been 3 Tomcats, a rare OV-10A and a lot of other interesting aircraft in the static display. And no F-16, which was quite a surprise. mospagebreak title=F-14_Tomcats}
F-14 Tomcats - Airpower Demo & Solo Display
---- ---- ---- ----
---- ---- ---- ----
---- ---- ---- ----
---- ---- ---- ----
---- ---- ---- ----
---- ---- ---- ----
---- ---- ---- ----
The flight display had to suffer from the cancelation of the Blue Angels due to devastating hurricanes around their homebase Pensacola, but the organizer managed to fill this gap and I have had the impression that they did let the Tomcats fly more often :). Most impressive was the Airpower Demo including 6 Tomcats and 4 Hornets that 'attacked' the airfield with a lot of pyro involved. But most pleasing for the crowd were the high speed photo passes by the Tomcats. The Tomcat flight display was also remarkable, and has unfortunately the last F-14 solo display at Oceana as there will be no more display after the disbandment of VF-101 next year. Another highlight for the crowd was the first Super Hornet in the skys over Oceana. It impressed with its high maneuverability compared to the Tomcat. For the rest of the show it will be better for you to check out all the photos, I have selected more than 180 this time, and enjoy them. Ocena Airshow was a good possibility to say good-bye to the 'Cat, one of the most remarkable and impressive fighters. If you haven't been there yet, look out for next year's show, there will still be some F-14s around in the air!{
Radom Airshow 2018 had the Polish Air Force’s 100th anniversary as a main theme. Concluding from past events the expectations were very high, and the event attracted highlights such as the Ukrainian Suchoi Su-27 Flanker or the JF-17 from Pakistan for the flying display. In…Read More
This was another plane spotting trip to Taiwan. Even though it has a vivid aviation photography scene, it’s tropical climate and a military on high alert do not make it an easy country to pursue this hobby. With the aim to photograph some aircraft of…Read More
10.000ft above Belgium the howling sound of the Lockheed Martin’s F-16AM Fighting Falcon F100 jet engine could clearly be heard. No wonder, as the Demo Pilot for the Belgian Air Force, Sr. Cpt Darte, callsign „Vador“, knows how to place his jet only meters behind…Read More
This airshow was held to celebrate 100 years of aviation in Pilsen / Plzeň. Even though this fourth most populous city in Western Bohemia, Czech Republic, is undeniably better known for the type of blond lager beer to which the city gave its name, it also…Read More
Though the airshow season is not over yet, the event at La Ferté-Alais can surely be rated amongst the top shows of the year. This is not only due to perfect weather, but also due…Read More
An airshow in a spa town? That seems to be a highly unlikely combination, but it can be possible as proved recently in Slovakia. The 2. Národné Letecké Dni (National Air Day) was held on…Read More
In combination with the 65th anniversary of the "Group de Chasse" GC 01/030 "Alsace" a Open Doors Day (Journée Portes Ouvertes or JPO) was organized at the Base Aérienne BA 132 Colmar Meyenheim on Sunday,…Read More
The Miramar Airshow is the largest airshow in the world and the performing aircraft did range from civilian aerial aerobatics to the Marine Air Ground Task Force demonstration and the famous Blue Angels.The 2002 show…Read More
Where? NAS Oceana, VA - USA
Oceana, together with theneigbouring Norfolk, is the main base of the Atlantic fleet and also home of Tomcat now.End of September the annual airshow was held, this year the theme was "Pursuit of Liberty". Indeed the entrance was free, but I can assure that my credit suffered quite a bit in the souvenir alley where I was snapping for Tomcat patches, T-Shirts... like a lot more other people as well.
As usual on big American shows the static display was wide and really accessible, which can sometimes be quite frustrating for the photographer. The static was really interesting with all the different Navy jets, but with the Norfolk base nearby I did miss a DC-9 and a C-2 Greyhound which would have been nice in the static display. Also no colourful F/A-18 of VFC-12 "Fighting Omars" could be seen on the ramp though they are based at Oceana. But well, do not worry, there have been 3 Tomcats, a rare OV-10A and a lot of other interesting aircraft in the static display. And no F-16, which was quite a surprise.
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
The flight display had to suffer from the cancelation of the Blue Angels due to devastating hurricanes around their homebase Pensacola, but the organizer managed to fill this gap and I have had the impression that they did let the Tomcats fly more often :). Most impressive was the Airpower Demo including 6 Tomcats and 4 Hornets that 'attacked' the airfield with a lot of pyro involved. But most pleasing for the crowd were the high speed photo passes by the Tomcats. The Tomcat flight display was also remarkable, and has unfortunately the last F-14 solo display at Oceana as there will be no more display after the disbandment of VF-101 next year. Another highlight for the crowd was the first Super Hornet in the skys over Oceana. It impressed with its high maneuverability compared to the Tomcat. For the rest of the show it will be better for you to check out all the photos, I have selected more than 180 this time, and enjoy them.
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
---- 
