Re: Toledo Air Show 2019
Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2019 1:47 am
Thanks for the recap, I've seen shots of the heritage formation and MiG-17/F-100 and it looks cool. I wish they hadn't been so restrictive about Friday, I would have loved to get that on video. If I didn't already have a plane booked to fly tomorrow, I'd be very tempted to go anyway but I guess I'll miss out :/kalamazookid wrote: ↑Sun Jul 14, 2019 1:23 am Some highlights and tips for those who might want to go tomorrow:
If you've ever wanted to see a P-51, F-100 and F-16 in loose formation, you better go. There were two passes that would have been great photo opps, plus a head-on break and solo passes. It's not the tightest formation, but if you're in the right spot you should be able to get a shot. I didn't bother because I have neither the camera nor panning skills to keep up with that.
The F-16 airfield attack at the end of the show included flare drops. Again, if you've wanted to see this and haven't, here's your chance. The airfield attack itself is rather frustrating (five minutes of listening to garbled talking over the PA, followed by an attack pass, repeat that four times), but the flare drops are cool. The four-ship also shot a bunch of missed approaches afterwards, so you get good opportunities for low F-16 passes at the end. The four-ship that opened the show also each shot a missed approach after their two passes. Lots of good F-16 action from Team Toledo today.
This was by the far the most passes I've ever seen from the F-100 at any event. It flew as part of the Toledo lineage flight and stayed in the air for a sequence with the MiG-17. Probably 10-12 passes total, plus great views of the takeoff and landing with the drag chute.
Show center ended up being farther north than where it was officially marked. Not sure if that had to do with the wind being out of the SW, but most of the aircraft seemed to be centered on an area north of the announcer stand. I was in front of the KC-135 and that seemed to be pretty close.
If you're expecting an A-10 in the air based on the website schedule from earlier this week (the one I posted), you'll be disappointed. No A-10 flying today. FWIW, it's no longer listed on the website anyway.
Static display is very good - 2x F-35s (including a Norwegian), 2x F-15s (Westfield), A-10 (Fort Wayne), CF-18D, F-16, C-17 (Wright-Patterson), T-38 (special "Bulls" scheme), KC-135 (Rickenbacker) and C-130H (Mansfield), plus a few warbirds and other types.
Both B-25s flew, which was not listed on the schedule. Nice surprise.
The shuttle parking is really easy and well run. I parked at 8:45 and was at the gate by 8:55. Got on the second bus after the F-16s were done flying. Easy to leave the parking lot afterwards. If you don't want to deal with the shuttle, there might be VIP parking left for $20 and Loch Greenhouse is charging $10 to park in their lot, which is a short walk from the entrance.
I wasn't all that enthusiastic about this show all week and it turned to be well worth it. If I hadn't had the advance ticket, I likely wouldn't have gone and it ended being a solid show. Glad I made the trip today. Great job Toledo!
It actually looks like I got some decent pics too, so I'll try to post some tomorrow.