Jacksonville Sea and Sky Spectacular 6-8 november 2009 was a part of “Week of Valor 2009”
I went to Jax beach on Sunday the 8th. The entrance was free, but the main parking was 20 USD per vehicle. However this included the transportation between the parkinglot and the show area.
The show as opened by skydivers with the British and the American flag, and two small red planes who followed them by spiraling down around them. The British flag landed first and then the American flag was left alone in the air, slowly descending to the national anthem and landing to the crowd’s big applause.
During the day a lot of pilots gave us their best performance in aerobatics, but due to a limited 200mm focal length those aircraft were kind of a dot in the sky. Therefore I have focused on preparing the photos showing what I do not usually see.
The skydivers jumped from this aircraft, C-23, a military variant of Short 360. As far as I know after googling – it belongs to the Army National Guard.
After demonstrating rescue at sea, this USN SH-60B flew past the crowd
… as did this USCG HH-65
And after that I saw a little something in the sky that did not fit in among the seagulls…
This sight is the most absurd I have seen. So quiet and floating across the sky and yet so deadly!
The B-2 went three or four times past the crowd before it left. I guess it might be the same B-2 that reportedly flew over the stadium for the opening of the Jax Jaguar’s footballgame this weekend.
A combination of a helicopter (BO-105) and a fixedwing is not what you see the most… First the helicopter held hovering a coupple of miles south of the pier while the fixedwing had an acro-display for us. For those of you who have not seen the Redbull helo do acro-maneuvers – go to Youtube (after watching these pics of course 😉 and search for Redbull Bo-105! It’s sick!
At least two of the pilots were mentioned by the speaker as being participants in the Redbull Air Races
“Heritage Flight” with F-16, A-10 & F-86 Sabre
The Sabre had the lowest passes! Because the military rules did not let the military fly any lower?
The beach was reserved for the show only. Surfers and swimmers would have to go outside the boundaries of the airshow. A lot of police-forces were present on the beach.
This picture shows the crowd on the beach just before the Blue Angels came. People standing/sitting on the beach as long as the eye could see. And this is only the half of the show-area. The rest was behind me. This picture was taken from the pier – the show center.
Fat Albert – too bad they do not use JATO anymore – at least not after this season.
By: timuss - 4th January 2010 at 22:16
WOW great shots love the Blue Angels ones, and the heritahe flight what a line up.
By: Jezza - 29th December 2009 at 02:39
In U.S. military service, the Short 330 was designated the C-23A Sherpa. The C-23B Sherpa was similar to the C-23A, but with cabin windows.[3] The Short 360 derivative was modified by replacing the rear fuselage of the Shorts 360, with its single tall fin, with the twin tail and rear loading ramp of the Short Sherpa. The modified Short 360 was designated C-23B+ and C-23C.
By: mike currill - 8th December 2009 at 07:45
Excellent shots, your C-23 Sherpa is actually a derivative of the Shorts 330, which was the predecessor of the 360.
I think you’ll find they are a hybrid, Wings and fuselage are 360, tail feathers are 330
By: Ren Frew - 7th December 2009 at 23:41
Excellent shots, your C-23 Sherpa is actually a derivative of the Shorts 330, which was the predecessor of the 360.
By: Manston Airport - 17th November 2009 at 15:41
Nice shots there 😎 Any ideas why they have the british flag during the skydive??
ATB
James
By: 92fis - 16th November 2009 at 19:28
Nice shots, heritage shots are my favourites. That Sabre looks superb.
By: Aero59 - 14th November 2009 at 19:40
Andreas, great shots! Thanks for sharing.
cheers Andy
By: Tartan Pics - 12th November 2009 at 21:18
Excellent set Andreas! great captures thanks for sharing!
By: benyboy - 12th November 2009 at 19:56
Very nice pics, thank you for sharing.
It looks just like the Sunderland airshow :rolleyes:
The Blue Angels were amazing at Finningley in 92. It must be time for a another visit.
Ben
By: Flygirl - 10th November 2009 at 18:49
Stunning shots.:)
By: Fifeguy - 10th November 2009 at 18:38
Fantastic pictures. Looks like it was a great day
By: seilfly - 10th November 2009 at 18:22
The rest of the pictures are showing the Blue Angels’ F/A-18s and their show. I think no further comment is needed for those pics!
Please note: The Blue Angels have their homecoming airshow this weekend at NAS Pensacola. I guess they are at their best during the season – so if you are within 5hrs of Pensacola: No excuse! 🙂
Questions, comments or tips as greatly appreciated!
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November 10, 2009 at 6:21 pm