MILAVIA > Air Shows > Boston-Portsmouth Air Show 2012 Last updated: 21 August 2012
MILAVIA Air Shows

Air Show Report : Boston-Portsmouth Air Show 2012

Boston-Portsmouth Air Show 2012 - Pease ANGB, Portsmouth, NH

Portsmouth International Airport at Pease in Portsmouth NH welcomed back the US Navy's Blue Angels for the 2012 Air Show. The Blue Angels were last at Pease back in 2010 and put on a fantastic show. Photo report by Dave O'Brien.

USN Blue Angels came to Portsmouth International Airport at Pease for the Boston-Portsmouth Air Show 2012
MC-130E Hercules of the AFRC 711th SOS arriving at Pease
The MC-130E Hercules was on static display for the airshow
The Rhode Island Air National Guard attended with one of its C-130J Hercules
This C-17A Globemaster III of the 105th AW from Stewart ANGB was on static show
99th FTS T-1A Jayhawk with red 'Tuskegee Airmen' tail visiting Portsmouth
B-52H Stratofortress of the 23rd BS from Minot AFB arriving at Pease
B-52H Stratofortress close-up
New York ANG LC-130H Hercules arriving for the static show
New York ANG LC-130H Hercules departing
UH-60 BlackHawk of the 249th Medical Company arriving at Pease
Boeing 757 aircraft pull
The crowd at the Boston-Portsmouth Air Show 2012

Boston-Portsmouth Air Show 2012

The Boston-Portsmouth Air Show was held on June 30th and July 1st. The weather was very hot with temps being in the upper 90's both days. The year prior the air show didn't have enough concessions or water and they really had a problem. This year they brought in free water stations and doubled the number of concession stands but I think the crowds stayed back because of the problems the previous year and the heat.

Civilian Acts

For Civilian Acts the show had The Black Diamond Jet team. This is a 6 jet team but because of other commitments they only brought 2 of their L-39s and left the MiG-17 which was such a hit last year. Michael Goulian flew his Extra 330SC and Dan Marcotte his Pitts. Sean D. Tucker was also here and I had the chance to photograph Sean out at the poles where he cuts the ribbons 3 different ways. It was pretty amazing being that close to him while he's only 30 feet off the ground.

Dan McCue in the F4U Corsair flew with a P-51 known as "Quick Silver". Panchito, the B-25 which is part of the DAV outreach program to increase public awareness for disabled veterans also took flight along with a TBM Avenger. Jane Wicker Wing Walker who flew with the 450 Stearman was very impressive. She flew sitting on the wing as the plane was inverted!

The Black Diamond Jet Team L-39
The Black Diamond Jet Team brought only two of its L-39s
The Black Diamond Jet Team L-39 two-ship
The Black Diamond Jet Team L-39 two-ship
Michael Goulian arriving in his Extra 330SC
Michael Goulian flying the Extra 330SC
Michael Goulian flying the Extra 330SC
Dan Marcotte in his nicely painted Pitts
Sean D. Tucker
Sean D. Tucker
Sean D. Tucker
Sean D. Tucker
Sean D. Tucker
Sean D. Tucker
Sean D. Tucker
Sean D. Tucker
Sean D. Tucker
Sean D. Tucker
Sean D. Tucker
Sean D. Tucker
Sean D. Tucker
Sean D. Tucker
F4U Corsair
F4U Corsair
F4U Corsair
F4U Corsair
F4U Corsair flying together with the P-51 Mustang
P-51 Mustang 'Quick Silver'
P-51 Mustang 'Quick Silver'
P-51 Mustang with the B-25 Mitchell
B-25 Mitchell 'Panchito'
B-25 Mitchell 'Panchito'
B-25 Mitchell 'Panchito'
B-25 Mitchell 'Panchito'
TBM Avenger
TBM Avenger on the flightline
TBM Avenger display flight
Jane Wicker Wing Walker and the 450 Stearman
Jane Wicker Wing Walker and the 450 Stearman
Jane Wicker Wing Walker and the 450 Stearman
Jane Wicker Wing Walker and the 450 Stearman
Jane Wicker Wing Walker and the 450 Stearman

Military Acts

Our 157th ARW sent up a KC-135R Stratotanker for a few passes. The Golden Knights flew the opening act and then did a mass jump in the afternoon.

157th ARW KC-135R Stratotanker
KC-135R Stratotanker fly-by with extended boom
US Army Golden Knights parachute team arriving
US Army Golden Knights' C-31A Troopship
US Army Golden Knights
US Army Golden Knights

Four days of USN Blue Angels

The Blues put on a great act; the original C-130 painted to match the Blues and known as Bert was in the repair depot so they brought up a Marine KC-130T which was called Ernie. Just not as nice to photograph as Bert. The #6 solo had some incredible take offs at Pease, he would clear the runway and lift off past the fence line, past the access road to the golf course and pull up at the end of the driving range. On Thursday I was probably 50 ft away from where he lifted straight up, it was just awesome to watch!

Regular KC-130T Hercules replaced the Blue Angels 'Fat Albert'
USMC KC-130T Hercules flown by the Blue Angels
USMC KC-130T Hercules flown by the Blue Angels
USMC KC-130T Hercules flown by the Blue Angels
USMC KC-130T Hercules flown by the Blue Angels
USMC KC-130T Hercules flown by the Blue Angels
USMC KC-130T Hercules flown by the Blue Angels
USMC KC-130T Hercules flown by the Blue Angels
USMC KC-130T Hercules flown by the Blue Angels
USMC KC-130T Hercules flown by the Blue Angels
USMC KC-130T Hercules flown by the Blue Angels
Blue Angels arrival and practise on Thursday
Blue Angels arrival and practise on Thursday
Blue Angels arrival and practise on Thursday
Blue Angels arrival and practise on Thursday
Blue Angels arrival and practise on Thursday
Blue Angels arrival and practise on Thursday
Blue Angels arrival and practise on Thursday
Blue Angels arrival and practise on Thursday
Blue Angels arrival and practise on Thursday
Blue Angels arrival and practise on Thursday
Blue Angels arrival and practise on Thursday
Blue Angels arrival and practise on Thursday
Blue Angels Friday rehearsal
Blue Angels Friday rehearsal
Blue Angels Friday rehearsal
Blue Angels Friday rehearsal
Blue Angels Friday rehearsal
Blue Angels Friday rehearsal
Blue Angels Friday rehearsal
Blue Angels Friday rehearsal
Blue Angels Friday rehearsal
Blue Angels Friday rehearsal
Blue Angels Friday rehearsal
Blue Angels Friday rehearsal
Blue Angels on Saturday
Blue Angels on Saturday
Blue Angels on Saturday
Blue Angels on Saturday
Blue Angels on Saturday
Blue Angels on Saturday
Blue Angels on Saturday
Blue Angels on Saturday
Getting the jets ready for another day
Blue Angels ground team
Blue Angels on Sunday
Blue Angels on Sunday
Blue Angels on Sunday
Blue Angels on Sunday
Blue Angels on Sunday
Blue Angels on Sunday
Blue Angels on Sunday
Blue Angels on Sunday
Blue Angels on Sunday

I would like to thank Andrew Pomeroy of the Pease Development Authority who gave me access I couldn't have had even with press passes. This was the last show with this air show promoter so it's uncertain when the next air show will be held at Pease. I really wish the NH ANG would step up and take it on like all the other guard units do in New England and keep the show affordable for those who attend.

Our previous Boston-Portsmouth Air Show reports: Boston-Portsmouth Air Show 2011 Boston-Portsmouth Air Show 2010


Report and photos by Dave O'Brien ( view portfolio )

Published: 21 August 2012