aglaser

How many of you out there are truly moved to see any millitary plane flying.. I saw a few millitary jets ( couldnt tell what they were) practicing dogfighting and was brought to tears.. I dont know why,, but it was so awe inspiring that I truly cried.. How many of you have felt this way??

khodges

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I haven't quite been brought to tears, but I do enjoy watching any military craft doing its thing. I usually get a feeling of "man, I wish I was in that thing" when I see one, and I can't hear engine noise without going outside to see what it is. A couple of weeks ago, I heard a low "thrum" that kept getting louder, until it was obviously the sound of multiple helicopters. Got outside in time to see four MH 53 Pave Low go by at about 1500 feet, with four Blackhawks following them. I don't live really close to any military bases, but occasionally something like this goes by.

I get a thrill from anything from WWI to today when I get to see one in its element.

outdoorhunting

I live not too far from a refueling airbase. There is nothing, I repeat, nothing will " shiver your timbers" like a C130 or a jet- powered refueler going overhead at low altitude. When I was younger we used to go out to the airbase & park at the end of the runway. When they came in or took off,- you can't believe the sound. It was like your lungs couldn't get any air while the plane was overhead!!!!! It was actually hard to breathe.

JPGale

I live about a mile from Moffet airfield in CA and I am right under the flight path, although not an active military base, I still see a lot of different planes very close up. I don't even go outside for the C130's etc just to common, I try for most others such as (these I have seen) C5 galaxy, An124, F18 (inc blue angels), F22, MQ-9 Reaper, and recently, a P-51, B-17, B-24 and a B-25.

It is cool to see the planes but the noise they make that low is immense.

James

outdoorhunting

Huh, I can hardly hear you. I think standing under those planes did something to my hearing !!! Ain't it cool when they go over & you can count the lug nuts on the wheels & actually see the pilots!! I gotta stop talking about this, at my age, I don't think the ole ticker can stand this much excitement !!!

stang

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Well, after working on them for twenty some years they sure don't "move me to tears". They're just machines, no more exciting than a cement mixer as far as I can see. I don't think I'll start crying over a machine anytime soon but each to his own I guess.

bash-ace-RCU

My Feedback: (16)

I've been on Air Force bases my entire life, yet I still have to run out and see what kind of plane is flying by or it will drive me nuts. For me, the most awe inspiring aircraft moments are when I see the B-1's taking off full of bombs every day on combat sorties, nothing else compares for noise except maybe a shuttle launch.

castlebravo

I was a Avionics tech in the Marine Corps and our barracks was at the approch end of one of the runways on NAS Alameda so approaching or taking off aircraft uaually meant interupted TV time! I got to climb over all of the A-4's, Ch-53's, A-3's, A-7's, A-6's, and P-3's i wanted to (My primary MOS was A-4 Com Nav).
Today, I still run out the door whenever i hear something other than the typical PipBeachNa GA airplane (now i live very close to the largest GA airport in Oregon, Hillsboro Airport). Every once in a while, some interesting birds fly in and out of there. Last weekend it was a B-17 from the Collins Foundation. On tuesday on my way home from work, a A-26 Invader flew over my truck on approach for landing. Of course there are the disadvantages.....during the airshow the year before last, a Hawker Hunter crashed into a couple of houses after some unknown anomaly.Nobody on ground hurt however Pilot was not so fortunate. Luckilly, it did not affect future airshows.

khodges

My Feedback: (1)

I know I've got hearing loss. Standing(running, working, loading, unloading) behind C-141B's and C-130's for 8 years, practicing ERO's (engines running onloads). Even with Mickey Mouse ears and those foam plugs in place, it still made your ears itch and your head buzz.

No matter, I still love to see any of them in the air. Sure, they're "just" machines, but there is something visceral, something magic, and no cement mixer will ever come close (mainly they can't build a runway long enough )

blitzskiff

sure i have especially older ones like p-51's and f4 phantom's.

JCOKEEFE

My Feedback: (2)

[8D]Just prior to last weekends Memorial Day observance, I heard an unusual sound
overhead, and in looking up, I saw of formation of three A10 Warthogs flying fly.
They were on their way to a Memorial Day observance somewhere close by.

It was a great sight.

MetallicaJunkie

at times i have become extremely moved by seeing some footage of planes and jets full scale and rc .... i havent been to an airshow in many years, and have a feeling it'll choke me up when i see something breathtaking flying flying in the air.. at least now i know im not the only one........ Certain music has this effect on me too, depending on my mood

huggins

I see that aglaser is from Indianapolis. Do you ever go to the Indy 500? We go every year and I look forward to the "flyby". F-16's in tight formation and low altitude flying by, right over your head, just at the end of the singing of the Star Spangled Banner on Memorial Day weekend is truely awesome. In my opinion, it doesn't get much better than that.

The other memorable sighting of military aircraft that I have was just after 9/11. All air traffic had been suspended for several days and it was still in effect when I was at a youth soccer practice with my son and three or four military jets flew over, fairly low. There was dead silence as all eyes stared. They were the first airplanes that I had seen since before the horrible event.

Mike

safeTwire

My Feedback: (2)

Whenever I hear a Military aircraft approaching be it a plane, jet or heli, I drop what I am doing and run out to get it in view. Filled with emotion and with a tear in my eye, I wave and shout as loud as I can!

I am deeply moved for (all) those in the Military serving our Country!

outdoorhunting

Hey, Huggins. I live not too far from Greentown, (just across the road from the 1/4 Midget track on 350 E). Just 2 or 3 days after 9/11 a buddy & I was dove hunting at Mississinewa (spelling ?) .I was looking up & seen a really big jet surronded by 4 smaller ones. I told my buddy that HAD to be Air Force One & escorts. Man, I thought, " NOBODY WANTS TO SCREW WITH THAT FORMATION!!!!!) talk about" filled with emotion". By the way, where do you fly? I belong to the Blue Angels, our airfield is on 700 W. 1 mile North of 26. We're having a fly-in this Sat. You ought to come by,if you have time. Later Ed

804

My Feedback: (1)

I live at the North end of the "racetrack" pattern the jets fly on raceday, about 25 mi. North of the Indy Speedway. Since I never go to the race, the highlight of every Memorial day is watching them fly over my house several times. This year, I was at the club, 10 mi. west of my house, and they flew over our field while we were barbequeing. Pretty cool.

A few years ago, they had a B-2 flying. Even my wife, who could give a crap about planes, was emotional seeing that. Talk about awe-inspiring.

huggins

Hi Ed,

I am a member of the Kokomo Blue Angels as well for the past 7-8 years. I was out last night flying. Steve and myself were the only ones there. Kind of surprised me since it was such a nice day. I primarily fly there during the week when I am able (which really isn't that much[]). On Sat.'s I fly up in Galveston. I am planning on coming to the fly-in on Sat. if the weather (and that is a big "if" for the way it has been so far this year) cooperates. I will introduce myself then. We have met before. I was at the meeting last week.

Mike

gboulton

My Feedback: (15)

I'm "moved" by darn near anything that flies (save for the occasional stinging insect...and even then the bumblebee is pretty cool). By golly, if it's got wings, it's cool.

A few airplanes really tug at me though:

The F-4 Phantom. Big, loud, obnoxious, belches smoke. It's TRULY a collection of compromises flying in close formation...I mean...look at the thing. It's so ugly only its mother could love it. And yet...gorgeous.

Any Pitts S model. The last of a breed, imo...airplanes made with almost no regard for "stability", or "comfort"...they don't even understand the phrase 'straight and level", much less perform that maneuver. Their purpose is singular : EXCITEMENT. Can't handle its quirks? Fine...go fly an Extra or something. The Pitts will kill you.

The Cirrus Sr-22 G III - Gotta be the silver edition. It is, imo, THE most GORGEOUS GA aircraft EVER created, bar none. It's pure sex with wings...flies like it too.

And, saving the best for last : The F-15 Eagle. The baddest of the bad. It's the last time the Air Force ever asked for an airplane that had ONE job, and did it EXCEPTIONALLY well. Its job was simple : Anything else in the air is there because WE LET IT BE. Any weather, any conditions, anywhere in the world, any time, any opponent...and the boys at McDonnell Douglas delivered. How good is it at its job?

And besides...I'm partial to airplanes my dad helped design.

TakingFlight96

I'am moved by seeing any warbird ; but, one that really gets me is the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk "Flying Tiger", ( General Claire Lee Chennault, correct me if I'm wrong ). My dad used to be an aircraft mechanic and at the time of my birth he was working on an Allison engine ; so he named me after the Allison engine. I have yet to hear one start up, but, hopefully I will up at Oshkosh this year. I usually am not moved to tears, but, theirs gotta be a first time for everything.


TakingFlight96

rcdude7

My Feedback: (264)

I cry real tears at the sight of military aircraft. I have been a airframes mechanic for the past 21yrs and also powerplants for the past 15. ALL of my experience has been on naval jet aircraft. I cry every day I go to work only to find 5,6, or 7 broken planes that need my attention. I go home smelling like JP-5, grease, and oil. My hearing is slowly degrading from the sounds of screaming jets everyday, even though I wear hearing protection most of the time.
What really gets my attention is the clatter and smoke of an old radial engine coming to life at an airshow. Those old planes have character and beauty. WWII aircraft are my favorites.

Mike

JollyPopper

My Feedback: (6)

Probably the most awesome sight I ever saw was on my way to an assignment in north St. Louis. Passing Lambert Airport one day, four F-15s came screaming down the runway adjacent to the McDonnell Douglas plant, went vertical, and lit all eight afterburners. I thought that was against FAA rules or something, but it happened. They were tail-on to me at maybe 300-400 yards, and the noise and vibration was actually frightening. Anyone who has ever had four of those monsters pointed directly at them with all eight engines in afterburner will know what I am talking about.

skyraider71

I Served in the Navy aboard an aicraft carrier. I currently work as an
aircraft mashaller at U.P.S. I've seen all the jets I care to see.
Awhile back, I was doing some yard work. I looked up and saw a
red WACO flying in a low circle right over my house! I think all
aircraft are very cool, but nothing gets to me like a classic bipe!

AlphaWhisky

I haven`t seen too many F-15`s, but have been 'moved' by the likes of these and a few in between .....

Alan W

skyraider71

Are those models in formation? or are they full scale?

Wild Foamy

well ive been on work experiance at RAF Brize Norton all this week serving on VC10 aircraft.

the power and attitude of these aircraft is amazing, ive got a pic of me standing on the wingtip and one of me standing on the tail, 40 years old and they are still going strong

other than that, i only really see the occasional cessna or piper buzzing overhead in the clouds