Indianapolis Air Show August 25-26, 2007

Photography and story by Dave Gore

  The Indianapolis Air Show kicked off its 11th year in fine fashion at Mt. Comfort Airport, as it hosted the United States Navy Blue Angels, along with a long list of civilian acts and warbirds. The weather was a little ominous on Saturday with passing sprinkles and lower ceilings, but Sunday's weather proved to be perfect, with gorgeous deep blue skies filled with bright white trails of smoke from the performing aircraft. 

  Indy had a large group of civilian acts this year, which included Team Fastrax and the world's largest American flag jump, Greg Koontz in his Super Decathlon, Tim Weber in his Extra 300, David Martin in his CAP 232, Billy Werth in his Pitts 2SC, Sean Tucker in the Oracle Challenger II, Eric Tucker in the Extra 300L and Columbia 400, and Greg Shelton flying his 450 Steerman with Ashley Battles out on the wing. Team Red Bull was on hand with an assortment of performers including the Red Bull Skydiving Team, the MiG-17 piloted by Bill Reesman, and the amazing aerobatic Red Bull Helicopter, which wowed the crowds with a number of rolls and loops across the sky. The US Air Force jet car was also on hand, lighting up the afterburner and racing Michael Wiskus down the runway in his Lucas Oil Pitts.

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  The Indy show is famous for it's warbirds, and this year's version did not disappoint as vintage aircraft including the B-25J “Panchito”, B-17G “Yankee Lady”, B-24 “Ol 927”, P-47 “Wicked Wabbit”, P-51 mustangs, an F4U Corsair, and much more filled the sky to the delight of the crowd. Along with the aircraft, Rich's Incredible Pyro was at Indy with an awesome display of explosions to simulate bombing runs and strafing runs by the performing warbirds.

 

  Obviously rounding out the show was the crowd favorite, the US Navy Blue Angels. Fat Albert got things rolling by doing his short field takeoff, high speed flat pass, and short field landing to the delight of everyone in attendance. Then it was time for the six F-18's to fill up the late afternoon sky. With the shorter runways, the Blues had to stage out of Indianapolis International, but they performed flawlessly, flying extremely tight and seemed to be spot on with their entire demonstration. The Blues flew the high show on Sunday, and with the beautiful deep blue background, the aircraft sparkled in the late day sun.

 

  All in all, it was a great weekend for the Indy Air Show, and the gorgeous weather on Sunday, they experienced very large crowds that were still arriving late into the day. It was family entertainment at its best, and you couldn't have asked for a better weekend for a show!