JP-5 Converters Overhead - AKA Blue Angels

Capt MJ

Capt MJ

Serviam.
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It’s a perfect, sunny 70 degree day in Annapolis, and my day has been made brighter by the Blues doing their initial air show site recon overhead a few miles away before the practice show commences at 1400. There is just nothing like taking the laptop out to a comfy chair on the deck, working remotely, and having a Blue blow by overhead, entering or exiting the show space. Breastbone is vibrating, speech is drowned out, ears filled with military jet roar, all is well!

“JP-5 converters” phrase courtesy of former fighter weenie DH, who is enjoying himself by not working while sitting on the deck and listening to a beloved sound.

I attached a few pics from previous years.

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That's why they close the Bridge. They were grounded during DD Graduation but they had the Pueken Hogs as a flyover at Graduation. Not many can say Mission Accomplished RTB.
 
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"Fuel to Noise conversion at its greatest !"

Unit/Organization: I heartly agree!

Aircraft?: A low flying F4 at military power will suck the air from your lungs. No wheels down, low speed, (Power /Weight+) flying, but I do miss that insane ROAR!
 
Took my son on a tour at Cherry Point one year. Listening at a demonstration of Air Sea Rescue and I heard that roar (you can't mistake it). Turned around and saw F-4 taking off down the runway. My question. where did that come from?. Officer said they were refurbishing and selling them around the world. The Thud had a worse glide slope, that is why they called it the THUD.
 
Sorry: "Pueken Dogs" not Hogs. They will probably hunt me down, either Hogs or Dogs.
 
And...back out on the deck for Day 2, Blues overhead. Overcast today, not sure if they are doing low show or have enough ceiling for high show. It’s all good.

To get in the mood:
 
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AF6872 said:
Sorry: "Pueken Dogs" not Hogs. They will probably hunt me down, either Hogs or Dogs.
Click to expand...
"Pukin" No "e"

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Yesterday - during practice - they had four (4) of them for most of the time, but then the other 2 hornets joined them. Those guys were doing head-on passes up and down the Severn. They appeared to be at tree level, when looking at Triton Light. One pass by just one of them was at Mach .89 or so, because he was making things rumble before he got there. I saw vapor on his leading edges and the sound was great. It set off a dozen Firstie car alarms.

I would be interested in hearing from someone who went to the show today, if they did any "sneak passes" at high speed. Alas, I did not go to the show as I was driving back home.
 
For practice day they do what is called Circle and Arrival. What you saw was the diamond formation going up and getting their bearings. Then the solos go up and do the same. They find the mid point of the show (the barge or ship usually) and their other marks for the show. Essentially ‘getting to know the airspace’. Usually they go up 2 by 2 by 2 then diamond and solos, then a practice show. Depends on weather and show window times (closing the bridges upsets people and obviously inhibits travel for folks). I always like practice day better than the show. The one part of a show like USNA is you don’t see all the prompt and circumstance of the marching and take off. They actually do still do that all at the air base regardless of where the show is at. For practice day the numbers on the tail might be mixed up depending maintenance and if they have a VIP passenger. So sometimes on practice day you might see a 7 in there (they don’t change the numbers for practice day) or a 2 flying in the 5 slot. USNA is one of my favorite shows. Probably had a sneak attack, I think it’s every show they have, low or regular. Can’t remember it not being in a show over the years.
 
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