BMCAS Air Show

It was hot.  Even spring in coastal Carolina can be hot. The heat seemed to radiate from the asphalt where the flying machines were resting. We were at the Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, for their 2015 edition of their air show. It is a great family oriented event. There would be several thousand people on hand.  One of the most interesting things we saw all day we saw as we entered the spectator area. As you would expect on a military base security was enforced.  At the entrance to the exhibition area the marines searched backpack and hand bags.  They also used a metal detection wand to scan each person.   We were asked to extend our arms out from our sides for this.  Just in front of us a young boy of about seven or eight years of age was to be scanned by the Marine. However, when the marine demonstrated how the boy was to extend his arms the boy ran to him and hugged him! He had thought the marine wanted a hug! It was what they once called a "Kodak Moment". (I don't know what they call that now. A YouTube moment?)  After passing through security we set up our chairs in front of an orange plastic barrier with a full view of the airstrip.

There was a large exhibit of various airplanes. These airplanes were not to fly in the air show. Almost all of the aircraft were of the military variety. On previous occasions there had been many more civilian airplanes. One of the more interesting was the Rockwell OV-10 Bronco.  Broncos were used primarily as forward observation aircraft in warfare.  Pilots of these planes would report enemy positions to ground forces.  All the Broncos I had seen before had been the military olive drab color. But this plane was painted blue and white NASA  color scheme.  There were several F-16 "Fighting Falcons" on hand as well.  These fighter aircraft had "Viper" and "Swamp Fox" emblazoned on their tails. I think that one of the interesting features of the combat jet is the position of the control stick in the cockpit. In most aircraft it is positioned between the pilot's legs but in the F-16 it is  positioned on the right hand side. Incidentally, the "Fighting Falcon" is referred to as the "Viper" by the pilots because of its resemblance to the "Viper" fighters in the television show Battlestar Galactica. There

were several helicopters of different types and a C-130 "Hercules" cargo plane. I had flown in one of those in the 1960s.  Two of the newest American aircraft were also there.  The F-35 "Lightning II" and the V-22 "Osprey".  The F-35 is the most technologically advanced fighter plane today. It can be used by the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. It has the ability to take off from short runways, hover and land vertically. The V-22 can take off like a helicopter then rotate its engines ninety degrees and fly like an airplane.  Also on display was a B-25 bomber of WWII fame. The polished aluminum really shined brightly in the Carolina sun.  Surrounding the aircraft were booths selling food and drink as well as souvenirs.

The flying part of the air show started shortly after eleven with skydivers landing with a huge American flag. We stood and sang the national anthem with hundreds and then it was show time.
Each show has its announcer. Sometimes a performer has their own announcer. Aerobatic stunt planes are airplanes designed for that specific purpose. They are relatively small and powerful.  The pilots of these aircraft subject themselves to tremendous "G" forces during their acrobatic manoeuvres.  We watched as they performed barrel rolls, loops, figure-eights and other stunts which defy description all to the sound of screaming engines and blaring music from the loudspeakers.  This type of flying is descendant from the flying circuses f the 1920s.  I does make ones pulse quicken to watch an airplane seemingly tumble out of the sky.  A ribbon was stretched across the runway less that twenty feet off the ground and an airplane, flying inverted, cut the ribbon with its tail.

The military aircraft put on a show as well. And the Marine Corps presented a mock pilot rescue.  This involved paratroopers, helicopters, and jet aircraft. It was exciting with lots of smoke and fire and noise from the aircraft.

The last event of the day was an exhibition by the U. S.  Navy's Blue Angels. They thrilled the crowd with their flying skills in their F/A-18 "Hornets".  See my video here.