The McGuire Air Expo
The headline act at this year’s event was the U.S Air Force Thunderbirds. The Viper East team demonstrated the awesome abilities of the F-16, and the F-15 Strike Eagle tactical demonstration was a real crowd pleaser. The Air Force F-16 and F-15 teamed up with Chris Baranaskas in the P-51 Mustang “Glamorous Gal” for the Air Force heritage flight. The U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet put on a superb demonstration, and then teamed up with the American Airpower Museum’s FG-1D Corsair “Skyboss” for the Navy heritage flight. Team McGuire provided flyby’s of the KC-10 Extender, C-17 Globemaster and KC-135 Stratotanker. Paratroopers from nearby Fort Dix demonstrated a troop insertion from a C-17.
Matt Chapman put on a great show in his Eagle 580 (CAP 231) with his usual dizzying aerobatics. The Geico Skytypers demonstrated perfect formation flying and WWII dogfighting techniques. Red Star and Dragon showed the crowd a jet age dogfight. Chris Baranaskas demonstrated the capabilities of the P-51 Mustang and Dan Dameo put the FG-1D Corsair through its paces. Herb & Ditto performed a very crowd pleasing aerobatic act where Herb would pass through the smoke rings created by his wing tip smoke.
Jerry Kerby showed the Expo crowd his T-33 Shooting Star, wearing vintage Thunderbird colors. A number of aircraft were on static display including the B-17 “Memphis Belle” and the C-47 “Spooky”. Larry Kelley’s B-25 “Ponchito” was on hand to help support the Disabled American Veterans. Later era aircraft on display included the A-10 Thunderbolt and the impressive B-52 Stratofortress. The enormous C-5B Galaxy passed thousands of visitors through the open front and rear ramps. The 2008 McGuire Air Expo turned out to be a great event enjoyed by all who attended, despite the bad weather Saturday.
Article and Images by Robert S. Cherry a Bucks County, PA based freelance photographer specializing in aviation photography and Bucks County stock images.
Contact him through his website at www.RobertCherryPhotography.com.