MILAVIA > Air Shows > The Great New England Air Show 2015 Last updated: 30 May 2015
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Air Show Report : The Great New England Air Show 2015

The Great New England Air Show 2015 Westover ARB

The Great New England Air Show hosted by Westover ARB in Chicopee, MA, returned this year with the Canadian Snowbirds and Hornet Demo, USAF F-22 Raptor, and the USN Blue Angels. Report and photos by Dave O'Brien

May 16th and 17th kicked off the air show season for New England at Westover Air Reserve Base, home of the 439th AW. This would be Westover’s 75th Anniversary and having two major formation demo teams the crowds exceeded 375,000 for the weekend.

Not sure why we’ve been so unlucky with weather the last few shows in New England, back in 2012 at this show it was hazy, hot and humid with temps in the mid F° 90’s (around 35° C) on both days. This Friday’s media day and Sat had both clouds and very hazy skies making taking the pictures very challenging but all demo’s were allowed to do their high shows.

The show started off with some War bird flights and then a C-5 demo from the home wing. To witness the C-5 flying low and slow in the pattern is just amazing. Next up was Rob Holland in his Window World MXS-RH by MX Aircraft who is now in his 14th year as an air show pilot.

The CF-18 demo was next being piloted by Captain Denis "Cheech" Beaulieu, painted in a brand new theme commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The Canadian Snowbirds went up next putting all 9 aircraft through ballet like maneuvers.

The Geico Skytypers took to the skies next in their SNJ-2 / T-6 Texans. The Army’s Golden Knights followed the Skytypers. They couldn’t jump in the morning due to the low ceiling and were able to get off a jump as the skies lifted a bit. Local favorite Sean Tucker followed the Knights pulling amazing G’s and cutting ribbons at 3 points in front of the crowd.

Now my favorite demo was going up next, the F-22 Raptor! Words cannot describe the maneuvers this aircraft can pull. You’re pretty much always guaranteed some vapor as he’s pulling off his tight turns.

Fat Albert and The Blue Angels took over the field and put on an awesome show awing the crowd in their multi-ship maneuvers and also their opposing solo’s split second twists at show center.

I would like to thank the 439th PAO for allowing me access on Friday and to return Saturday to capture this event.

UH-60 Blackhawk
B-52H Stratofortress
MQ-9 Reaper getting its load-out for the show
T-38 Talon
Canadian Snowbirds groundcrew working on the Tutor
U.S. Army Gloden Knights flag jump show opener
Sean D. Tucker ribbon cutting act
F-22 Raptor Demo Team preparing the jet
F-22 Raptor Demo
F-22 Raptor Demo Team's pilot strapping in
F-22 Raptor Demo Team start-up
F-22 Raptor Demo Team leaving parking
F-22 Raptor Demo pilot waiving
F-22 Raptor Demo Team's back-up jet
F-22 Raptor Demo with weapon bays open
F-22 Raptor Demo belly shot
F-22 Raptor Demo
F-22 Raptor taxies past the GEICO Skytypers' T-6 Texans
RCAF CF-18 Hornet Demo Battle of Britain special
RCAF CF-18 Hornet Demo display
RCAF CF-18 Hornet Demo on return
Blue Angels' pilot going for a ride with the Snowbirds
Canadian Snowbirds
Canadian Snowbirds formation take-off
Canadian Snowbirds diamond formation
Canadian Snowbirds loop
Canadian Snowbirds break
B-1B Lancer arriving for the static display
C-130 Hercules arriving for the static display
B-17G Flying Fortress 'Yankee Lady' arriving
B-17G Flying Fortress 'Yankee Lady' landing
C-17A Globemaster III
OC-135 Open Skies
F-16C Fighting Falcons
F-15C Eagle
T-38 Talon
C-130 Hercules
F-15E Strike Eagle
A-10 Thunderbolt II
C-5 Galaxy taking off
C-5 Galaxy fly-past
C-5 Galaxy waiving the flag
RCAF CF-18 Hornet Demo take-off
RCAF CF-18 Hornet Demo high-speed pass
RCAF CF-18 Hornet Demo over Westover's tower
RCAF CF-18 Hornet Demo Battle of Britain paintscheme
Canadian Snowbirds pre-flight
Canadian Snowbirds ground show
Canadian Snowbirds formation flight
Canadian Snowbirds
Canadian Snowbirds formation break
Canadian Snowbirds
Canadian Snowbirds pilots after the display
GEICO Skytypers formation take-off
GEICO Skytypers
GEICO Skytypers opposing solos
U.S. Army Golden Knights' C-31 jumpship
U.S. Army Golden Knights precision landing
Sean D. Tucket Oracle Challenger
Sean D. Tucket Oracle Challenger
P-51D Mustang
P-51D Mustang
F-22 Raptor Demo Team
F-22 Raptor Demo Team ground show
F-22 Raptor Demo Team
F-22 Raptor Demo Teampre-flight checks
F-22 Raptor Demo Team chocks away
F-22 Raptor Demo taxiing to the runway
F-22 Raptor Demo take-off
F-22 Raptor high-G turn
F-22 Raptor top-side
F-22 Raptor high angle-of-attack
F-22 Raptor high-speed pass
F-22 Raptor almost disappearing in its own cloud
F-22 Raptor appearing from behind Westover's tower
Rob Holland MXS aerobatics
USN Blue Angels ground crew getting Angel #6 ready
USN Blue Angels' Fat Albert taking off
USN Blue Angels' Fat Albert
USN Blue Angels' Fat Albert
USN Blue Angels announcer
USN Blue Angels ground show
USN Blue Angels ground show
USN Blue Angels Lt Ryan Chamberlain ready to strap in
USN Blue Angels #6 smoke test
USN Blue Angels ground crew
USN Blue Angels #5 take-off
USN Blue Angels main formation
USN Blue Angels solos
USN Blue Angels afterburner shot
USN Blue Angels solo
USN Blue Angels main formation
USN Blue Angels main formation
USN Blue Angels high speed pass
USN Blue Angels main formation break
USN Blue Angels paired solos
USN Blue Angels leader breaking for landing


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

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First Published: 30 May 2015
Last Modified: 30 May 2015


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