Winston-Salem Air Show

I attended my first air show since moving south this weekend. The annual Winston-Salem Air Show was held on Saturday and Sunday at Smith Reynolds Airport in WS. It's about an hour from home, and I went up on Sunday, meeting some Facebook friends. No jet team, and not much military presence, but they had an interesting show none the less - the featured performers were the privately owned A-4 Skyhawk and Sea Harrier. The Golden Knights opened the show with their usual routine. One neat thing I ran into - one of the GK team (not a jumper) was talking with a group next to me while they prepared to open the show, and he was explaining the timing loops they made before the first jump, in order to have the first jumper go out right on time based on the narration. The light was good - at our backs most of the day, with some in and out puffy clouds.

I was told to go in the south gate, as parking and crowds were lighter there, and so they were. Gates opened at 10am, I got to the parking lot at 9:25, and there were only about 5 cars already there. We staked out a spot on the fence line, then took a walk through the static displays. Statics included an AF Reserve C-130, FedEx 757, EA-6B Prowler out of Cherry Point, and a number of war birds and aerobatic aircraft. They also had a local Mopar club and several NASCAR Modified teams bring their cars down to display.

http://www.moose135photography.com/A...Winston-XL.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/A...Winston-XL.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/A...Winston-XL.jpg

First time I've seen an A-26 in flight.

http://www.moose135photography.com/A...Winston-XL.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/A...Winston-XL.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/A...Winston-XL.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/A...Winston-XL.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/A...Winston-XL.jpg

You know you're in the South when your air show includes a jet-powered outhouse...

http://www.moose135photography.com/A...Winston-XL.jpg

The Prowler was only a static at the show, but he departed immediately after the event. After take off, he made about 4 trips around the pattern, one configured, and the rest high-speed low passes.

http://www.moose135photography.com/A...Winston-XL.jpg



http://www.moose135photography.com/A...Winston-XL.jpg

They had a couple of guys jumping motorcycles - and no, they didn't jump over any airplanes!

http://www.moose135photography.com/A...Winston-XL.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/A...Winston-XL.jpg

To close the show, the Harrier and Skyhawk were joined by a Huey and Cobra in a simulated squad patrol recovery.

http://www.moose135photography.com/A...Winston-XL.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/A...Winston-XL.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/A...Winston-XL.jpg

The Harrier lays down some Napalm as cover...

http://www.moose135photography.com/A...Winston-XL.jpg

Great shots, and great sun.

Nice work.

AJ

Great shots Moose! Way to start off at the new location. You may have to host a few of us from NYCA for next years show. Nice variety of planes, clear blue skies and no haze.............

Looks like it must have been a nice air show, and the light definitely better than Jones Beach!

Airshow at Moose's next August...................who's going?????????????????

Where was this light at Atlantic City! LOL

Excellent coverage! LOVE the Skyhawk takeoff sir

Great shots Moose !! Glad you were able to make it to Winston Salem for the show.
Even though they didn't have a Jet Team they sure had a great line-up of RARE aircraft !! WOW!!
BTW, I just found this video of the show and the A-4 and Sea Harrier really tore it up !! :cool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tQPoGhwew0

Thanks for sharing Moose! With the Sea Harrier, Scooter, Vietnam Era choppers and the jet powered outhouse who cares about no jet team! If I caught this one on the radar with the great weather and light I would have taken a drive. :(

Great shots John, you were lucky to have the wide angle for the wall of fire, although you must have anticipated it. And great video as well, to whomever shot it.

Also, I saw the jet powered port o pottie up at Rhode Island a few years ago, it was pretty cool!