United States - California - Travis Air Expo 2008 - Travis AFB, Fairfield - 08/30/08

[Bernardo Malfitano]

I go to a lot of airshows, and there's pretty much nothing that makes me go "Holy crap that was crazy!!!" anymore. This did:

[Bernardo Malfitano]

This act never gets old:   

[Bernardo Malfitano]

If he had taken any longer to turn from base leg to final, I would have started running for cover 

[Bernardo Malfitano]

The most photographed taxi-in ever:

(That's Rob, Mike, Saggy, Paul, and Clark, in the last shot)

[Bernardo Malfitano]

New aerobat. What was her name again? She was quite good. 

[Bernardo Malfitano]

I think she likes me 

[Bernardo Malfitano]

We all worked hard today 

[Bernardo Malfitano]

Some more aerobatics.

[Bernardo Malfitano]

Great flying by the B-25 pilots!  And the C-17 demo was as impressive as ever.

[Bernardo Malfitano]

Just three more for tonight. I'm always impressed at how Eddie yanks that Stearman around like it's a Pitts!

[Steve K]

Cool shots everyone -- two B-25s!  

You all are making it hard for me to say no to this show and stay home to work tomorrow....

[Bernardo Malfitano]

Oh, and great shots, everyone! Especially with the F-18; None of my Hornet shots really came out (I was experimenting with my new 1.4x), which is a shame since today's was just about the best Hornet demo I've ever seen. Lots of condensation, a new high-alpha/high-sideslip roll, cool stuff.

I would post my heritage flight shots, of which I am quite proud, but they look just like Clark's, so I'll spare you the repetition.

And one more thing: I read on the Travis website that backpacks would not be allowed but camera bags would be. Many other military bases have this rule and they all let me in with my camera-backpack (except Edwards, where no bags of any kind are allowed, not even purses or folding-chair bags, but at least they are clear and consistent about this rule). So I got to the gate... and was told that I would not be allowed in with my bag. I said "But it's a camera bag, and on your site..." and the guy said that he was told; no backpacks or large bags. He then asked me if it was all camera gear and why I needed such a big bag just for camera gear, and I opened it and welcomed him to dig around, which he did. Satisfied that it really was just camera gear, he said "Let me see what I can do", and went to get a supervisor. The supervisor said he did not want to make an exception to the rule, so even though it was a camera bag, it was still too big, and I had to go leave it in the car and walk back carrying my gear. Not a good way to start the day. But the airshow was fun and all OTHER personnel at the base were very nice and polite and used common sense, so I'll do my best to overlook the pain-in-the-butt no-common-sense security people at the gate. (Hmmm, I'm not really doing my best, am I?)

[Midnight Storm]

Oh, and great shots, everyone! Especially with the F-18; None of my Hornet shots really came out (I was experimenting with my new 1.4x), which is a shame since today's was just about the best Hornet demo I've ever seen. Lots of condensation, a new high-alpha/high-sideslip roll, cool stuff.

I've just about had it with my 1.4x as well. I got to borrow my friends 500mm to shoot some wildlife a few weeks ago and realized I just don't have what it takes to post quality images with my 200/1.4X combo. I just need to save up the bones. Till then this is the best I can do.

[Clark Cook]

We all worked hard today 

The 4 hours of sleep really shows............................looks like I'll get 5 before I head back...................

[Bernardo Malfitano]

I've been editing more pictures and I really can't resist...

Heavies on parade: