Wings Over Wahpeton

[pbpancho]

There was a nice little airshow today in Wahpeton, ND. It was a 3.5 hr drive, but the weather stayed nice enough, and the show was fun. This is only really my 2nd airshow, at least since I was a little kid. All these were shot with my 70-200 2.8 (non-IS) with a Canon 2x TC MKI. I had a 100-400 but had to sell it to get the 70-200 for other stuff, how I miss it! The 70-200 with TC was not horrible, but it's just not as sharp!

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/6673/wingsoverwahpeton50.jpg

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http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4527/wingsoverwahpeton37.jpg

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/420/wingsoverwahpeton32.jpg

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http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/4549/wingsoverwahpeton16.jpg

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http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/5577/wingsoverwahpeton6.jpg

[DaleP]

Top shots. Love the Mustangs.

Is #6 the worlds largest control-line aircraft? ;)

[masterwillems]

Is #6 the worlds largest control-line aircraft? ;)

its a B-52 Stratofortress (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-52_Stratofortress)

Nifty plane and still in service since the fifties (as you can read:cool:)


Love the shots of the mustangs, they are truly fabulous planes!

[DaleP]

its a B-52 Stratofortress (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-52_Stratofortress)

Nifty plane and still in service since the fifties (as you can read:cool:)


Love the shots of the mustangs, they are truly fabulous planes!

The B-52 is #7. ;) I was referring to the inverted plane with 2 guys holding poles (?).

[PhotosGuy]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Forum%20Junk/Welcome-ChargerRT_020.gif

[Rivman]

. . . great shots - those Snowbirds are on borrowed time ! :cry:

[pbpancho]

In #6 the pilot is cutting a ribbon held on those poles. I have the before and after shot in the sequence as well.

[craig_xB]

Looks like you have a little sensor dust going on.

Shot 3 is my fave.

[cicopo]

#6 and the Mustang shot are great, and I agree the Snowbirds are likely on borrowed time from recent reports.

[urcunina]

Miss posted! sorry.

[spitfirejd]

Why are they on borrowed time? I couldn't find anything on Google about them going away.

[Adam1818]

#6 and the Mustang shot are great, and I agree the Snowbirds are likely on borrowed time from recent reports.

Not to sure what you mean borrowed time?

[JWright]

. . . great shots - those Snowbirds are on borrowed time ! :cry:

Why are they on borrowed time? I couldn't find anything on Google about them going away.

I was wondering about your comment also. They're scheduled to perform here at Miramar in October...

[Roy Mathers]

Craig is right - you've got a dust on the sensor problem.

[cicopo]

I don't remember whether I heard it on TV or the radio but there has been some talk about the costs to maintain & fly the rather old planes at a time when military spending is very heavy due to our commitment in Afghanistan. There has also been some talk about safety issues but I think cost is the big reason in anything I remember hearing.

[Rivman]

What it basicaly boils down to is politics and budgets, and Airforce brass has threatened to ground the Snowbirds to meet government budget requirements. The air force was told to find $43 million in savings in the coming year, and that reduction could go as high as $123 million if the government doesn't come up with a regular influx of cash to meet existing funding shortfalls. This information was from an article published in the Ottawa Citizen published on May 2, 2009.
In addition to the above, the aircraft they are now flying, the Canadair CT-114 Tutor, a two seat side-by-side trainer, of which 190 were built, has performed officially since 1973 and is no longer used as a trainer by the Airforce.
While they will make all of their scheduled engagements this 2009 season, the future is a little uncertain at this time. It certainly would be a shame to see our great Canadian Snowbird aerobatic team come to an end !