Punta Gorda Air Show
Charlotte County Florida
Stati Uniti
24Th-25Th March 2012
Punta Gorda Airport is a civil airport located 3 miles southeast of Punta Gorda in Charlotte County. In addition to carrying out the civil airport task with its 29 destinations, it has been for over 30 years the headquarters of the “Florida International Air Show”. A non-profit event created with the sole purpose of raising funds to be allocated to entities engaged in charity operations or local events. In 2012 we went to Florida to experience the emotions of an Air Show away from home. Surprises as expected were not lacking.
The sun, the heat and the warmth of the people from all over Florida to live two days in the name of the passion for the world of flight, have characterized this wonderful experience. Large number of visitors at the opening of the gates at 10 am. Extraordinary guests of the event the U.S. acrobatic team Navy Blue Angels.The Grumman F8F Bearcat,a single-engine naval fighter used in the 40s by the US Navy on the occasion in a special color version, is also on the scene. Beautiful with the colors of the Blue Angels acrobatic team.
Grumman F8F "Bearcat" Private
The six-pilot squadron will close out each day of the air show with their precision formations and high-speed maneuvers in McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet jets at speeds up to 700 mph.The opening ceremony in the morning at 11 am with the descent on the runway of the American flag attached to the feet of a paratrooper and the performance of 11 RVbelonging to the AeroDynamix Team. Great performance by the driver Matt Younkin with his Twin Beech 18and the Gary Ward with his MX2. Both pilots showed great skill, pushing their aircraft to the limit of their capabilities.
“Crew” Blue Angels McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet US Navy
Beyond the American acrobatic team present at the Air Show the Black Diamond, an acrobatic team formed by two Mig-17sand five Albatros L-39,all paint in arctic camouflage. Known to most as the plane that has resolved the conflict in the Pacific with over 2000 knock downs the Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsaircould not miss in an event dedicated almost entirely to the aircraft used over the years by the US Navy. Beautiful in its blue livery has given wise of its great qualities of maneuverability all enlivened by the noise of its powerful 2450 hp engine. After the nostalgic era of the piston engines, the aircraft that forms the backbone of the US Navy, the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, burst onto the scene. The aircraft belonging to the Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106), also known as the “Gladiators”, is a United States Navy F/A-18 Hornetand F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet Replacement Squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C VFA-106 (FRS) “Gladiators” US Navy
When eyes are not turned to the sky, visitors can get up close with a variety of aircraft including a WWII B-29 FIFIwhich is a heavy bomber and only one of its kind in the world still flying. The world’s last flying SB2C Helldiver, a rare WWII Dive Bomber made for the U.S. Navy, will also be on display.
Thanks to my brother-in-law Peter for the two fantastic days spent together.
Charlotte County Airport March 24-25 2012
GALLERY
GALLERY STATIC DISPLAY
