United States - Illinois - Chicago Air & Water Show 2008 - Chicago - 08/15/08

[Bretten Bailey]

Chicago Air & Water Show 2008
Chicago
Illinois
United States
» 08/15/08 - 08/17/08
» http://www.chicagoairandwatershow.us

Previous Event Thread



Attending
AeroShell Aerobatic Team
Bill Leff
Bill Stein Airshows
Firebirds Xtreme
Herb Hunter
Lima Lima Flight Team
Rob Holland
Sean D Tucker
The Collaborators
Tora Tora Tora
US Army Golden Knights
USAF B-1 Flyover
USAF B-2 Flyover
USAF F-15E Strike Eagle East Demo
USAF F-22A Raptor Demo
USAF F-4 Phantom
USAF Heritage Flight
USMC AV-8 Harrier Demo
USN Blue Angels
USN Legacy Flight
Vlado Lenoch
Warbird Heritage Foundation

Aerial Event Database Page with Google Map »

[ARDVRC2]

Hello everyone I just joined fence check, and I am new to the forum.  I just bought a new Canon XSI and I am eager to try it out this weekend at the 50th!  Does anyone know if there will be a schedule of flight times for the Fri, Sat, and Sun shows?

I was also thinking about heading over to Gary to catch departures and arrivals during the show.  Are there any good spots to do so, such as the East end of the runway?

[joel love]

The Friday show which in past years was a practice show, this year is an official show. IT will start a 3.00 PM with the Blue Angels as the the lead act. Bill Murray will jump with one of the parachute teams. There will be a concert on the beach at 5.00 PM with Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band with the night portion of the show after. Saturday and Sunday the water show begins at 9.00 AM with the air show at 11.00 AM.

On a personal note, plan to get there early and stay all day. It is a lot less hassle that way. Just think of it as a day on the beach and an airshow happened.

joel

[joel love]

Just a couple of teasers from the hanger party show last night.

enjoy:
joel

[Andyman]

Joel I LOVE the Rhino on approach shot.................

[ARDVRC2]

Those are great shots Joel!  Wish I could have made it to Gary last night

[JT]

Just a couple of teasers from the hanger party show last night.

enjoy:
joel

 Dang Joel you beat me to it  . Very nice starter to what should be a great show.

[tbunce]

I tried to catch some action at Gary Airport for takeoff and landings, but came up with only two half decent images. Gary is pretty much impossible to get good pictures after 3:00 with the sun angle behind all the action. There is pretty much nowhere to take pictures south of the runways due to the toll road and industrial areas blocking any view or being able to get close. I made myself very mad when I moved from a hidden spot that was an all or nothing location. Some others with a scanner heard they were coming in from the other end of the runway so I followed. Just as the Blue Angels made a pass over the airport before landing. I coulda been a contenda with the shot I missed!   

Perhaps I'll have better luck on Sunday since the show starts earlier, or I'll brave the crowds (TV news just said they expect 4-5 million viewers during the 3 day show along the beaches) and go into Chicago at the break of dawn. Lots of architecture to occupy the morning! From last year's discussion, I don't have a long enough lens at only 200 mm, so I'm still trying to decide what to do. I can't compete (not that I'm even trying) with the incredible images already posted and that I expect to see, so I'll concentrate on enjoying the view, sounds, and foods in any case. 

The lineup at Gary was certainly a drool worthy attraction. F-5's F-4, F-15's, F-16's, F-18's, Shell Aero Team, P-51, C-130's plus others I couldn't see. The fence is tall, so the F-4 I have here was shot between the links from quite a distance. This is portrait format, cropped top and bottom, but full frame horizontally with a 200mm lens to give an idea of the distance from the aircraft.

I really, really would love to get a proper set of photos for a large format image of that F-4 and the F-5's at least. Really good looking aircraft. Does anyone know how to work miracles and get me a last minute escort? 

I appreciated that there was a food vendor set up outside the terminal with an excellent Italian Sausage and grilled onions on a fresh Hoagy roll plus a 12 oz soda for only $4.50.

[RockyController]

Nice pictures, you can tell the F-4 pilot isn't far off since he left his gear hanging on the aircraft.

[ARDVRC2]

Great Phantom shot!  I was out at the beach on Fri and the Super Hornet demo is awesome.

[The Edge]

Went along for the afternoon event yesterday and a good display from a few acts.  I'll post some shots later.  Went home when the band started as I have guests.  Boy was I a fool.  Looked like they had some good displays later in the evening including Air Force and navy Heritage displays and from my apartment down near the river they would pass while repositioning.  The evening light looked gorgeous.  I hope someone here has some shots to highlight what I misssed.  Now to get ready for the full day show.

Rob

[BruteFM]

Anyone know if the Blues had a problem on Saturday? There was an abnormal delay between Fat Albert and the jets, and Number 1 didn't have a number on his tails. (I'll have a pic up soon.)

[FlyingKiwi]

Just saw the WGN news report of the show, they said it featured both stealth fighters and Raptors, fancy that... and the Blue Angels fly at 1,000 mph!   

Looking forward to seeing some more photos from you folks who made it to the show!

Richard.

[jderden777]

Nice shots guys! Looking forward to seeing more from this show

Jonathan

[joel love]

Here are a couple from today. I always envy you guys who have gotten great B2 Pics. It seem every time it appears at a show i attend the weather or vantage point is crappy. However my vantage point ant the weather today allowed me to get this one. I think it is pretty good. Also one of the heritage flight.

enjoy: joel