Officially titled, “Thunder Over the Boardwalk,” the 2017 Atlantic City Airshow took place on August 23rd. An annual even since 2002, the show would be celebrating it’s 15th year.
I had attended the Atlantic City show several times over the years, so I had become familiar with it’s format. This show is quite unique. Different than a typical airshow held at an airport or military base, this show is held over the Atlantic Ocean, viewed by spectators lined up in beach chairs along the shoreline. Others simply enjoyed the show as they strolled the boardwalk.
The show attracts huge crowds, often estimated in excess of 400,000. Needless to say, getting into the city can be a challenge. Now, I can’t be bothered with all that. In recent years I have parked in the neighboring town of Ventnor and walked the boardwalk into Atlantic City, all while I watched the airshow as it unfolded. Due to the large area these planes cover, I never had a bad vantage point. Not only did I avoid the congestion of trying to drive into the city, I avoided some serious “supply and demand” parking rates.
I did things a little different in 2017. This is where I reveal the best kept secret. The day before the show is the practice day. And when I say practice day, I don’t mean they work on a few moves, they pretty much duplicate the entire show. You get the benefit of the show minus the crowds. Brilliant!
US Navy F/A-18C Hornet Demonstration
This twin-engine jet is super loud, and quite impressive!
- First flight: November 29, 1995
- Introduced in 1995
- Maximum speed: Mach 1.8 (1,190 mph)
- Range: 1,275 nautical miles
US Coast Guard Rescue Demonstration
MIG-17
The MIG-17 is a Soviet Union fighter jet from the early 1950’s. Obviously built by the enemy, it is remembered as a plane used against the United States during the Vietnam War. Putting ill feelings aside, I have to admit: the flame coming out of the tail during flight was pretty cool.
- First flight: January 14, 1950
- Introduced: October 1952
- Maximum speed: 684 mph
- Range: 1,091 nautical miles
GEICO Skytypers Air Show Team
So easy, a Caveman can fly it! The Geico Skytypers Air Show Team are an aerobatic team that performs at airshows with six WWII era planes.
- The team performs in six SNJ-2, WWII era planes
- SNJ first flight: April 1, 1935
- Retired: 1995 (may have been outdated)
- Maximum Speed: 208 mph (Slower than a Ferrari)
- Cruise speed: 145 mph (slower than a Daewoo)
- Range 730 miles
P-51 Mustang
Made famous during WWII, the P-51 Mustang is a long range fighter, originally designed by North American Aviation for the Royal Air Force. It was later adopted by the U.S. Army Air Force.
- Designed in 1940 by NAA (North American Aviation)
- Introduced in 1942 with the RAF
- Originally designed with an Allison V-1710 engine, but had high altitude performance limitations. The Allison engine was replaced by the Rolls Royce Merlin, enhancing it’s high altitude performance, thus allowing it to compete with the German Luftwaffe’s fighters.
- Maximum Speed: 440 mph
- Cruise Speed: 362 mph
- Range: 1,434 nautical miles
United State Air Force Thunderbirds
Now it was time for the headline act, the Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds are the air demonstration squadron of the United States Air Force, and certainly the highlight of the day. To say their demonstration is impressive is an understatement. I had seen them a handful of times, and I must say, it never gets old. The sheer power of the planes, the intense loudness they produce, and their impressive maneuverability will blow you away. And then there’s the pilots, the people who bring this amazement to life. What it must feel like to know you’re the coolest person in any room you’re ever in.
I think that’s what makes them so stunning. You’re watching something happen, that you almost can’t believe is happening, and you have no other option but to be fascinated. We’ve all wanted to accomplish things in life we’ll never have the ability to accomplish. Whether it’s pitching a no-hitter in a MLB baseball game, scoring the game winning TD in the Super Bowl, playing a smashing guitar solo in front of a historic audience, or simply living the life of a movie character that seems so desperately desirable, we have all had dreams of doing something “special.”
What makes the Thunderbird pilots different than you’re favorite athlete, musician, or actor? The actors, musicians, and athletes do what everyone else does, they just do it better . . . at a level that is impressive. These Thunderbird pilots do something you don’t believe anyone can do!
USAF Thunderbirds:
- Assigned to the 57th Wing
- Based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
- Created in 1953
- Third oldest formal flying aerobatic team in the world, behind: French Air Force Patrouille de France (1931) and US Navy Blue Angels (1946)
Thunderbirds Aircraft: F-16 Falcon
- First flight: January 20, 1974
- Introduced August 17, 1978
- Maximum speed: 915 mph at sea level; 1,320 mph at altitude
- Combat range: 339 miles (loaded with bombs)
- Ferry range: 2,277 nautical miles
