Tuesday, June 21, 2011

2011 Quad Cities Air Show - Part 1


Last weekend an air show in the Quad Cities (Davenport, Iowa) took place for the twenty-something time. Its claims to be the third largest air show in the United States and featured, among other exhibits, the US Navy's Blue Angels. Half of the show consists of static displays. Above is some type of Navy helicopter that was in the process of balancing it's side fuel tanks and was guarded by the local Civil Air Patrol members.



Another static display at the show was this World War II era Avenger. This craft carried a torpedo and was used primarily in the Pacific theater. This particular plane is in immaculate condition.



Spooky is a C-47 transport plane used near the end of WWII and converted to a machine gun platform used in Vietnam. This plane was called in, usually at night, to a target area, circled the target (known as orbiting) and discharged its twin side mounted machine guns downward. This measure usually decimated the jungle and allowed for other attack aircraft to conduct missions.


A-10 Warthog jets have been around for years. They are used in the Middle East to destroy tanks and provide cover for troops on the ground. The two engine nacelles allow the plane to linger over the target area.


The Quad Cities Air Show offers site seeing for many people. Willy the dog however, was not allowed on the show's grounds but hung out in the parking area with his owner. Both enjoyed the aerial portion of the five hour show. Know that.

1 comment: