Airshows are one of the primary showcases of military and civilian aviation all around the world. From vintage aerobatic feats recollecting the early 'barnstorming' days to high powered military fighter jets and everything in between, Airshows are a stable of aviation showcase held around the world every year. Either hosted by active military bases or civilian airports, Airshows are one of the greatest pastimes you'll find in America and the world, drawing millions of people each year. Here you'll find selected images from Airshows all around the west coast of the United States going as far back as 2003.
Long Beach kicked off the first (hopefully) annual Long Beach Airport Open House this year with a nice intimate gathering of assorted warbirds, private aircraft, helicopters, and more with the backdrop of jetBlue Airliners coming in throughout the day. Participation from local Law Enforcement and aircraft owners, this event is a great start to hopefully something that continues to grow!
Even with the government shutdown prohibiting aerobatics, the 2013 Apple Valley Airshow was a success with quite a few warbirds out from the Planes of Fame Air Museum and fly-bys of various aerobatic and vintage classic aircraft including a rare Fokker DR1 replica! The weather was great for the show with warm temperatures and many static aircraft from civilian to law enforcement.
This year's Planes of Fame Airshow 2013 featured an incredible gaggle of 6 P-38 Lightnings (5 of which were flyable and flew during the show). Beyond the Lightnings, the usual incredible line up of European and Pacific theater World War 2 warbirds along with jets from the Korean War era headlined the show. Aerobatics included Rob Harrison, Sean Tucker, and the Silver Wings Wingwalker team.
Normally turning Chino Airport into a beehive of activity, this year the two days before Planes of Fame Airshow 2013 were relatively quiet with only some aircraft being serviced on Wednesday and a very bad Santa Ana wind storm causing all work and arrivals to stop on Thursday. With little going on other than occasional engine run ups, it was a good time to shoot the Air Museum aircraft!
Sneaking by the 2013 Sequestration, NAF El Centro ended up being one of two airshows that the USN Blue Angels are able to perform, kicking off their short season with the traditional NAF El Centro Airshow where they had been practicing for three months. Other surprise acts this year included demos by a Marine MV-22 Osprey, British Apache Longbow, aerobatics, and more that made for a great show!
Kicking off the airshow season once again is the Cable Airport Air Faire 2013. A smaller show, but with a lot of flying! This year featured a lot of aerobatic performers including Dr. D's Old Time Aerobatics, Rob Harrison's Tumbling Bear, John Collver in his War Dog Texan, and more! As usual, there was a nice assortment of vintage warbirds from the 1920s through the Korean Conflict!