Korean War Hero at SUN ‘n FUN: Jim Tobul’s “Korean War Hero” F4-U4 Corsair was on static display and participated in the demonstrations at SUN ‘n FUN. I love being able to get up close and see these amazing machines that helped define our history.

Making History: On March 30th, Thunderbird # 8, Major Samuel “RaZZ” Larson, and # 8 DCC SSgt Justin Weidner, executed the first-ever F-16 touchdown at Richard B. Russell airport in Rome, Georgia. Thanks to the runway expansion, the Thunderbirds are now able to land at Richard B. Russell airport.

Perfomer Close-Ups: I always try to get close-up images of the performers as they taxi by at airshows. First up is Jerry “Jive” Kerby and Lunar Sawyer in their T-28. Followed by that is Jim “Torque” Tobul in his “Korean War Hero” F4-U4 Corsair.

Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaat Albert! The Blue Angels show is a bit different without everyone’s favorite C-130—Fat Albert. Bert is off for the season for some very significant maintenance work but will hopefully be back in time to kick off the 2027 season.

Wingtip Vortices Vape! For Throwback Thursday, I went back and looked over some previously unprocessed images from the 2021 Wings Over North Georgia Airshow. That weekend was rainy, so we had crazy moisture in the air.

Eagle Watch! Check out this Bayou Militia F-15C Eagle blowing past the show line at the Wings Over North Georgia Airshow in April. They were rocking the skies! The Bayou Militia is from the Louisiana Air National Guard 159th Fighter Wing.

NOT DEAD YET! It was great to see the Zombie Viper QF-16 at SUN 'n FUN. Their flight was not on the published schedule and really surprised everyone when they came screaming by. You never know what you’ll see or when at SUN ‘n FUN! You can see their “Not Dead Yet” motto on the tail.

Connie at SUN ‘n FUN! The Lewis Air Legends Lockheed VC-121A “MacArthur Bataan”, or more commonly known as the Constellation, or Connie for short was on static display at SUN ‘n FUN. This was my first time seeing this plane.

TFR Violation! What happens when you violate a TRF and don’t respond to air traffic control? You get two of these F-16 Vipers sent from NORAD to come after you, get your attention, and to escort you from the restricted airspace.

Saint Louis Sneak Pass! Here is Blue Angel Lead Solo # 5 LCDR Connor “Buddy” O'Donnell SCREAMING in front of the crowd followed by Opposing Solo # 6 MAJ Scott “Goldie” Laux flying over the crowd on the final day of the Saint Louis Airshow.

Saint Louis Sneak Pass!

YouTube video by David R Robinson

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Blues Echelon Parade or Thunderbirds Echelon Pass-In-Review? The number of comments I’ve had with my posts comparing similar maneuvers between the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds has been amazing. Thanks everyone for your comments!

Solos: Blue Angels Fortus or Thunderbirds Calypso Pass? Two of the amazing solos maneuvers the elite military flight demonstration teams perform are the Blue Angels Solos Fortus and the Thunderbirds Solos Calypso pass. Do you have a favorite? If so, which is your favorite and why?

Night shows are THE BOMB! I’m ready for another night show. It doesn’t get any better than the Tora pyro team, lasers, fireworks, drones, and planes shooting fireworks all coordinated with music. This was at SUN ‘n FUN in April.

I’m slowly making another pass though my backlog of images that I haven’t gone through in detail. Here are a couple of images of Captain Nick “Laz” Le Tourneau with the F-22 Raptor Demo Team RIPPING up the sky at SUN 'n FUN.

It was a great day back in April when the Bayou Militia from the Louisiana Air National Guard 159th Fighter Wing flew their F-15Cs at the Wings Over North Georgia Airshow.

I haven’t posted any Thunderbirds images in a while, so here are a few Thunderbirds images from the Wings Over North Georgia Airshow. Some of these I have not previously shared before.

What’s the closest you’ve been to a flying Blue Angel? I’d love to see close images others have, so please share your up-close images in the comments. Yesterday’s Breakfast with the Blues in Pensacola gave everyone a great opportunity to see them very close. I wish I could have been there.

Here are a few shots from SUN ‘n FUN of the Titan Aerobatic Team. They fly the North American T-6 Texan. This plane was the primary trainer during World War II.

Can three F-5s fit inside the NASA Guppy? Yes, they can! NASA sent their three Freedom 250 F-5s to SUN 'n FUN inside the Guppy. It's kind of hard to believe until you see it up close. The shot with the people gives you a bit of the scale. It's massive on the inside.

Thunderbirds Taxi Action! The Air Force Thunderbirds look amazing in the air and on the ground. Watch the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds taxi out to kick off the Friday show at the Wings Over North Georgia Airshow over the mountains in Rome, Georgia.

Thunderbirds Taxi Action!

YouTube video by David R Robinson

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Eagles Buzzing Over Rome! It was quite the sight to see and hear the four F-15C "Bayou Militia" Eagles from the Louisiana Air National Guard 159th Fighter Wing screaming over the north Georgia mountains at the Wings Over North Georgia Airshow. Here’s an up-close view of one of them.

It’s Red, White & Blues week in Pensacola. This is one of the very few private (not on a government base) airshows which are free to attend. It’s also the Blue Angels hometown show. Pensacola is super supporting of their local Blue Angles team, and they always come out in full force.

As the Air Force Thunderbirds narrators say, “Approaching from directly in front, your 2026 Thunderbirds, and the inspirational Delta Burst!”.

Thunderbirds Delta Burst at SUN 'n FUN

YouTube video by David R Robinson

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Happy Birthday to Thom Richard! Thanks for the haircuts and great views with your T-6 and P-47 last time I saw you fly at Warbirds Over Monroe.

Blue Angel # 6 Opposing Solo Connor “Buddy” O'Donnell (currently lead Solo # 5) going ballistic after the sneak pass at the 2025 Augusta Airshow.

Thunderbirds Solos: The Air Force Thunderbirds Solos are Lead Solo Major Laney “Rogue” Schol and Opposing Solo Major Bryce “Triple” Turner. The solos compliment the Diamond with sneak passes and opposing passes.

The Tomcat and the Guppy at SUN ‘n FUN.

I haven’t shared a Blue Angels shot in a while, so here’s Lead Solo # 5 LCDR Connor “Buddy” O'Donnell executing the Minimum Radius Turn maneuver at the Vidalia Onion Festival.

Jack Aces Formation Aerobatic Team: I first saw the Jace Aces team perform at the 2024 Terre Haute airshow. The P-51 Mustang is one of my favorite planes to see flying. Seeing three of them fly in formation is a special treat.

P-38 Lightning & F-22 Raptor Heritage Flight: The Spirit Of St. Louis Air Show & STEM Expo was my first time to see a P-38 fly. The Planes of Fame Air Museum brought their P-38J Lightning which flew a solo demo as well as in the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight.