+GrinchWSLG 24 Posted July 8, 2008 A little background first. Our small local municipal airport which is primarily a corporate use and GA field used to have a little fly-in. Since there used to be few warbirds based at the airport they would fly some circles and call it good. I was just a young lad, probably 10 or 11, when I started volunteering. First it was plane washing, and, once it officially became an airshow, I helped park cars. My dad being the former air traffic controller that he is, eventually took over the parking lot position of the airshow committee. From then on I ended up working as an aircraft fueler and line safety volunteer. I watched as this little fly-in evolved into a real airshow. After September 11th the format of the airshow was changed into a one day long celebration of American independence. The date was changed to the first saturday after the 4th of July and the entire show culminated in a massive fireworks show. This year apparently they posted record attendence with over 25,000 attendees. Unfortunately, due to not being around because of college, I stopped volunteering a few years ago. This year I came as a spectator for what I assume will be my final Freedom Fest as I'll be moving eventually this year to Washington. This also being my first major event with the Sony Alpha DSLR, I was determined to get some good shots. Anyway, sorry for ranting. I'd like to share some of my favorite shots from the day. The entire set can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/thepirateking...57606017065669/ These are from the 4th, the day before the air show. I went over to shoot some of the early arrivals since I would be able to roam around the taxiways and ramp without crowd lines to impede me. These are the show itself. If you live near Northern Indiana and don't have plans next year, I really suggest this airshow, the staff really want everyone to have a great time and the performers really love to come here every year. Thanks guys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Weasel Keeper 0 Posted July 9, 2008 Well crap. That's two airshows I missed on the 4th weekend. Huntington, IN had a show on the 4th and Goshen on the 5th. I didn't hear about the Huntington show until I was watching the news and they said it was already in progress. I wasn't going to drive 45 minutes just to catch the last hour...grrrrr. I work with two guys who commute from Goshen and Elkhart, but I was on vacation last week so I didn't see them and they couldn't tell me about the Goshen show. Well, plus I was driving in an SCCA road race in Indy on the 5th. Sweet pics! I'll watch for this next year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+ST0RM 145 Posted July 9, 2008 Great photography. The B&W B-25 shot is probably my favorite. Looks like you had a good variety of aircraft. Jeff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Fates 63 Posted July 11, 2008 Awesome Shots. I wanted to make it....since I'm just down in Indianapolis, but....car problems prevailed. Indianapolis (Mount Comfort), IN is putting on their show soon August 22-24 http://www.indyairshow.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kukulino 1 Posted July 11, 2008 (edited) Wow, Czechoslovak L-39 Albatros is famous in the world Very nice shots. Thank you :yes: Edited July 11, 2008 by kukulino Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+DoctorQuest 125 Posted July 11, 2008 Nice pix. Thanks for sharing. Sounds like a good time. I'm looking forward to the Offutt AFB airshow here in August. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+GrinchWSLG 24 Posted July 16, 2008 Thanks for the comments guys. I'm going to try to make it to Thunder Over Michigan in Willow Run too. Chances are I'll get nabbed for my government job before then, knowing my luck I'll get my letter to report to the FAA Academy and the report date will be the day of the airshow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Weasel Keeper 0 Posted July 17, 2008 Dayton is this weekend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Dave 2,322 Posted July 17, 2008 Dayton is this weekend. You going to be there? Fates, Fast Cargo, Hrntfixr and I will be there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smokey799 1 Posted July 17, 2008 Great Photos.... Last time I saw the Starfighter(s) was at the Cold Lake Airshow 2 or 3 years ago. Didn't know there was three of them now. Nothing like that sound they make. I'll be flying from Calgary to Abbotsford in August for the show. Only good one in western Canada this year. I'll post a few pics of the superbug. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Weasel Keeper 0 Posted July 17, 2008 Thinking about it. You know it's going to be like 175F degrees right? Replied to your PM, I'll let you know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mannie 21 Posted July 17, 2008 Great photos. Wish I could be there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+GrinchWSLG 24 Posted August 12, 2008 Just to let you guys know, I did Thunder Over Michigan up at Willow Run this past weekend like I mentioned earlier. Airshow and weather were pretty disappointing. Shame to see such a great roster of performers get let down by such an awfully run airshow. I wasn't terribly happy with the photos that I came away with, but did manage some more high contrast grayscales that may have saved the day. The rest of the color shots can be found here http://www.flickr.com/photos/thepirateking...57606673569997/ Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stratos 3,192 Posted August 12, 2008 WOW!! Who own those F104?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+GrinchWSLG 24 Posted August 12, 2008 WOW!! Who own those F104?? Its a privately owned team known as the Starfighters. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted August 13, 2008 Well, they don't get any points for originality. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
