Piston52Heavy
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Darn it! I left around 1:30 or so. It was raining pretty good, low ceiling and I had to go to work. I thought about heading out tomorrow but it looks like most of the good stuff came in already. Crap!
Selfridge/ Willow Run airshows 2017
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Darn it! I left around 1:30 or so. It was raining pretty good, low ceiling and I had to go to work. I thought about heading out tomorrow but it looks like most of the good stuff came in already. Crap!
Xray
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Far as I know, F-4 Canadian F-18 and F23 still due.
F-15 and V-22 and extra Hornets/F-35 were unannounced surprises, so you never know what else might come in. I personally am hoping for a heavy bomber.
Guaranteed a great flying day for the Tbirds though, should be far better than the show itself, plus quite a few warbirds yet to appear.
I almost didn't go, so glad I did I would have booted myself in the *** half the day if I didn't.
Rain came, it sucked but then left and things were great.
I really thought the majority of acts would fly in FRI, was surprised at the turnout today.
A few guys were out there with me most of the day, locals. They were debating the merits of Caballas parking lot, they came to the conclusion that Sugarbush was superior because in the parking lot there is a stand of trees between you and the runway, so you'd either miss the low flyers or have to stand way back in the parking lot ,, They also thought it was highly unlikely cops will let airshow watchers congregate there on show days.
F-15 and V-22 and extra Hornets/F-35 were unannounced surprises, so you never know what else might come in. I personally am hoping for a heavy bomber.
Guaranteed a great flying day for the Tbirds though, should be far better than the show itself, plus quite a few warbirds yet to appear.
I almost didn't go, so glad I did I would have booted myself in the *** half the day if I didn't.
Rain came, it sucked but then left and things were great.
I really thought the majority of acts would fly in FRI, was surprised at the turnout today.
A few guys were out there with me most of the day, locals. They were debating the merits of Caballas parking lot, they came to the conclusion that Sugarbush was superior because in the parking lot there is a stand of trees between you and the runway, so you'd either miss the low flyers or have to stand way back in the parking lot ,, They also thought it was highly unlikely cops will let airshow watchers congregate there on show days.
Piston52Heavy
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I noticed that the F-22 wasn't on your list. So there is still hope. It would be nice to see a B-52 and/or a B-1 come in.
Piston52Heavy
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Air Boss 128.7 very active and so was Thunderbirds 235.25
ssmontecarlo82
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+1. Great viewing today. I wonder how this evening airshow will shake out. I'm headed back out in a few hours.
Xray
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Yeah, airboss 128.7, I remember the guy with the exaggerated southern accent from other shows.
Got there around 10:30 am, Tbirds were already up in practice, did a few nice passes and landed.
2 F-22's came in shortly after that, then they pretty much followed the show routine F-100, F-86, Mig and F-18 demo along with various prop acts.
Tbird show was great, they were literally screaming right down my throat from where I was at ,, Had to do the low show as the area was socked in by cloud cover.
Heard very little Tbird chatter, yes I did hear them a bit on 235 but nothing like usual, I'm thinking I have to be missing some freqs here.
Stayed to past 7pm, following aircraft arrived after the show:
2 F-15's tail code JZ
2 F-5's tail code TY
1 Canadian F-18 ... All of them did multiple passes before landing, glad I stayed.
Phantom never did show up that I know of, bummer.
Got there around 10:30 am, Tbirds were already up in practice, did a few nice passes and landed.
2 F-22's came in shortly after that, then they pretty much followed the show routine F-100, F-86, Mig and F-18 demo along with various prop acts.
Tbird show was great, they were literally screaming right down my throat from where I was at ,, Had to do the low show as the area was socked in by cloud cover.
Heard very little Tbird chatter, yes I did hear them a bit on 235 but nothing like usual, I'm thinking I have to be missing some freqs here.
Stayed to past 7pm, following aircraft arrived after the show:
2 F-15's tail code JZ
2 F-5's tail code TY
1 Canadian F-18 ... All of them did multiple passes before landing, glad I stayed.
Phantom never did show up that I know of, bummer.
Piston52Heavy
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I was thinking the same about the F-4. BUMMER!! Too bad the F-22s aren't flying in the show! I enjoyed seeing the F-100 fly.
What was flying tonight?
ssmontecarlo82
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I rolled back to Sugarbush about 7:30. Figured that I would drive around to M-59 and see what was going on on the airfield. To my surprise, there were about 10 vehicles lined up near the Cabela's entrance off of 59. I parked, and am glad I stayed.
It went just as advertised on the Team Selfridge website. The MiG, followed by skydivers and lastly the Starfire, dropping fireworks as it flew over the field. It wasn't much compared to what we saw earlier in the day, but it was still cool to see these elements at night (the MiG flew just prior to sundown).
I had family members on the airfield for the Friday Gala, and they told me the main act, A Thousand Horses, started their set as the Starfire was landing. The website said everything wrapped at 11, and I left after the Starfire landed.
It went just as advertised on the Team Selfridge website. The MiG, followed by skydivers and lastly the Starfire, dropping fireworks as it flew over the field. It wasn't much compared to what we saw earlier in the day, but it was still cool to see these elements at night (the MiG flew just prior to sundown).
I had family members on the airfield for the Friday Gala, and they told me the main act, A Thousand Horses, started their set as the Starfire was landing. The website said everything wrapped at 11, and I left after the Starfire landed.
I am the guy from Ohio that Xray mentioned earlier in this thread.
Thanks to everyone for updating this year's frequencies. I am not much of a "Scanner." The part of the hobby I enjoy is watching the airshow while listening in to the freqs, I'm not too good at finding them. With your updates, I will be able to program my scanner before heading out.
The weather forecast looks good, so I am coming up to Selfridge. If by myself on the motorcycle, I will be at the Sugerbush site. I really like watching the show from there. However I have a friend that is thinking of going too. He prefers to actually go in the airshow, and look at all the static displays. If he goes I will watch it on-base.
My question- When I went to the Youngstown airshow this year, scanners were prohibited. The Youngstown show was at the Air Force National Guard side of the airport, so I hope this isn't a new rule at every Air Force show. I had never seen this before. I politely explained/demonstrated how my scanner doesn't have the ability to transmit, but it didn't matter. I had to take it back to my motorcycle. Does anybody who went in to the Selfridge airshow today know if scanners are permitted? If I go in with my friend, I would like to take my scanner.
Thanks to everyone for updating this year's frequencies. I am not much of a "Scanner." The part of the hobby I enjoy is watching the airshow while listening in to the freqs, I'm not too good at finding them. With your updates, I will be able to program my scanner before heading out.
The weather forecast looks good, so I am coming up to Selfridge. If by myself on the motorcycle, I will be at the Sugerbush site. I really like watching the show from there. However I have a friend that is thinking of going too. He prefers to actually go in the airshow, and look at all the static displays. If he goes I will watch it on-base.
My question- When I went to the Youngstown airshow this year, scanners were prohibited. The Youngstown show was at the Air Force National Guard side of the airport, so I hope this isn't a new rule at every Air Force show. I had never seen this before. I politely explained/demonstrated how my scanner doesn't have the ability to transmit, but it didn't matter. I had to take it back to my motorcycle. Does anybody who went in to the Selfridge airshow today know if scanners are permitted? If I go in with my friend, I would like to take my scanner.
Xray
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Great show today, surprise they put the F-35 up, probably to fill in for the missing Phantom and maintain show momentum.
Kind of odd routine, he took off then a prop act went up and droned on and on for half an hour, meanwhile the F-35 was orbiting over the bay. Even heard airboss asking if he had enough fuel to orbit 20 more minutes, he said yes.
They finally cleared him in, he did 3 tame passes then landed.
No restrictions on scanners far as I'm aware, though its been nearly a decade since I have been on base.
Doesn't mention any restrictions here FAQ | Selfridge Open House
I go to a slightly different spot, same route down Continental st, can only drive 1 way towards Sugarbush.
Instead of going to the hill I stop closer to the flight line where they fly right over you, I'll have a pop up tent pitched and a big black Dodge Ram in front, feel free to stop by if you make it that way.
Hill and that little fenced off area still good but the foliage has grown last 3 years, views a bit more restricted than last show.
My nephew went to the show with a friend, they really wanted to see the Raptors and F-35 so they went in, but he left after doing that and came back with me to watch the show.
Kind of odd routine, he took off then a prop act went up and droned on and on for half an hour, meanwhile the F-35 was orbiting over the bay. Even heard airboss asking if he had enough fuel to orbit 20 more minutes, he said yes.
They finally cleared him in, he did 3 tame passes then landed.
No restrictions on scanners far as I'm aware, though its been nearly a decade since I have been on base.
Doesn't mention any restrictions here FAQ | Selfridge Open House
I go to a slightly different spot, same route down Continental st, can only drive 1 way towards Sugarbush.
Instead of going to the hill I stop closer to the flight line where they fly right over you, I'll have a pop up tent pitched and a big black Dodge Ram in front, feel free to stop by if you make it that way.
Hill and that little fenced off area still good but the foliage has grown last 3 years, views a bit more restricted than last show.
My nephew went to the show with a friend, they really wanted to see the Raptors and F-35 so they went in, but he left after doing that and came back with me to watch the show.
Xray
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Here by the way are some jaw dropping pics taken today by a guy watching the show with me
https://glensuszko.smugmug.com/2017/SANG-Air-Show-2017/
https://glensuszko.smugmug.com/2017/SANG-Air-Show-2017/
Piston52Heavy
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Those are some very nice photos!!!!!
My friend is coming to the show with me, so we will probably go on base to watch it. I see from your link that they don't specifically list scanners as prohibited. I'm going to bring my scanner, and hope for the best. I have it all programmed, and fresh batteries.
If I can talk my friend into it, or if we see going on base will put us in too much traffic, I will head to the south end of Continental/Sugarbush and look for your popup. Thanks, I really do like that spot.
Awesome photos for sure. They look like the photos in one of those glossy calendars you see at the mall around Christmas.
If I can talk my friend into it, or if we see going on base will put us in too much traffic, I will head to the south end of Continental/Sugarbush and look for your popup. Thanks, I really do like that spot.
Awesome photos for sure. They look like the photos in one of those glossy calendars you see at the mall around Christmas.
Xray
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Taking pics like that is beyond my comprehension, I'd hate to see what a camera setup like that would cost [am going to ask].
Am 95% sure there would be no problem with scanners.
Traffic was very light today, likely will be heavier on SUN.
It is nice to see the static display and I do miss checking out babes in shorts, but view of flying aircraft is my priority and the base just doesn't offer that.
Tell your friend that crowd separation from the flight line for Tbird shows is 1,200 ft minimum [a full 4 football fields].
Separation at my spot is about 0 to 40 ft.
I will be there late after the show watching departures [hopefully will take off that way, most have been taking off the other way so far but they could well change that or mix it up after the show].
You'll probably want to get on the road, but if you want to kill a little time watching takeoffs after the show, stop on by.
Am 95% sure there would be no problem with scanners.
Traffic was very light today, likely will be heavier on SUN.
It is nice to see the static display and I do miss checking out babes in shorts, but view of flying aircraft is my priority and the base just doesn't offer that.
Tell your friend that crowd separation from the flight line for Tbird shows is 1,200 ft minimum [a full 4 football fields].
Separation at my spot is about 0 to 40 ft.
I will be there late after the show watching departures [hopefully will take off that way, most have been taking off the other way so far but they could well change that or mix it up after the show].
You'll probably want to get on the road, but if you want to kill a little time watching takeoffs after the show, stop on by.
Xray
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Another nice show, ronski from the forum was out there with me and my uncle.
Great show but the after show was as dead as I have ever seen.
Yankee aircraft took off and an F-18 but they took off the other way. 2 OH F-16s took off, the other way to but they came back and did 2 passes.
That was it, stayed to 7:30 or so and nothing else in the air.
Found another very active TB freq used during the show, most active of all for future reference.
149.65 [am]
Great show but the after show was as dead as I have ever seen.
Yankee aircraft took off and an F-18 but they took off the other way. 2 OH F-16s took off, the other way to but they came back and did 2 passes.
That was it, stayed to 7:30 or so and nothing else in the air.
Found another very active TB freq used during the show, most active of all for future reference.
149.65 [am]
My friend, and I went in to the airshow.
The good- The Selfridge MPs didn't even ask me about my scanner. No problem at all. Hopefully what happened at Youngstown was just an oddball rule for that base. Maybe just a misunderstanding of the rules by the head of the Youngstown ANG security team. Actually the security folks, and all the personnel helping out for parking today, were very nice, and did their best.
We had a good time at the show. My friend really wanted to walk around all the planes, and look inside them. There were lots of different aircraft there to check out.
The T33, and the MIG17 really surprised me with how good they were. I had seen both in the air before, but never doing such good acrobatic routines. Very impressive. It was also neat seeing a Hurricane, and an F100 Super Sabre fly. Both of those were firsts for me today. I always enjoy seeing a new (for me) type in the air. You can read about old aircraft, but nothing beats seeing them in the air.
The bad- It was a real nightmare getting out of there. Probably an hour from in the car to I94 on-ramp. I don't think I will ever do that again. Anymore trips to MTC will be off base. The base really is kind of landlocked between the highway, and the water.
Bummer about the F4 not being there. I always liked F4s, and one was supposed to be there this weekend. We talked to a fellow that appeared to be connected to the ground crew for one of the jets. He told us that due to avionics issues, that the Phantom didn't' even leave its home base for Selfridge.
The F35 flew a pretty lame show. I realize that he was just supposed to be in the Heritage flight, but even his couple of solo passes weren't all that special. It also would have been nice if the F22 had flown.
Xray- Our original plan was to go in the show, then leave early for Sugarbush to watch the Thunderbirds, and all the acts leaving for home after the show. However the winds changed from light, and variable to 10 knots out of the south. Once they turned the airport around to use runway 19, I knew all the post show traffic would depart south. So we just headed to Tony Packos for dinner, then home. Maybe catch you next year at YIP or two years from now back at MTC. My next airshow is the Cleveland Air Show on Labor Day weekend.
The good- The Selfridge MPs didn't even ask me about my scanner. No problem at all. Hopefully what happened at Youngstown was just an oddball rule for that base. Maybe just a misunderstanding of the rules by the head of the Youngstown ANG security team. Actually the security folks, and all the personnel helping out for parking today, were very nice, and did their best.
We had a good time at the show. My friend really wanted to walk around all the planes, and look inside them. There were lots of different aircraft there to check out.
The T33, and the MIG17 really surprised me with how good they were. I had seen both in the air before, but never doing such good acrobatic routines. Very impressive. It was also neat seeing a Hurricane, and an F100 Super Sabre fly. Both of those were firsts for me today. I always enjoy seeing a new (for me) type in the air. You can read about old aircraft, but nothing beats seeing them in the air.
The bad- It was a real nightmare getting out of there. Probably an hour from in the car to I94 on-ramp. I don't think I will ever do that again. Anymore trips to MTC will be off base. The base really is kind of landlocked between the highway, and the water.
Bummer about the F4 not being there. I always liked F4s, and one was supposed to be there this weekend. We talked to a fellow that appeared to be connected to the ground crew for one of the jets. He told us that due to avionics issues, that the Phantom didn't' even leave its home base for Selfridge.
The F35 flew a pretty lame show. I realize that he was just supposed to be in the Heritage flight, but even his couple of solo passes weren't all that special. It also would have been nice if the F22 had flown.
Xray- Our original plan was to go in the show, then leave early for Sugarbush to watch the Thunderbirds, and all the acts leaving for home after the show. However the winds changed from light, and variable to 10 knots out of the south. Once they turned the airport around to use runway 19, I knew all the post show traffic would depart south. So we just headed to Tony Packos for dinner, then home. Maybe catch you next year at YIP or two years from now back at MTC. My next airshow is the Cleveland Air Show on Labor Day weekend.
Xray
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Didn't miss much not staying.
Selfridge is known for its poor crowd egress, another reason I don't miss going on the base.
But statics are cool, some good photo ops.
Agree the F-35 was lackluster, I'm pretty sure the pilot himself would have loved to put on a more appealing show. Was probably totally limited what he could do, at least I was right under his landing passes which were the best part of his show.
Have fun at Cleveland, make sure you enter 149.65 in your scanner.
Knowing me I'll be at Ypsi FRI SAT SUN and MON - Will start posting about that here soon as far as locations ect.
Selfridge is known for its poor crowd egress, another reason I don't miss going on the base.
But statics are cool, some good photo ops.
Agree the F-35 was lackluster, I'm pretty sure the pilot himself would have loved to put on a more appealing show. Was probably totally limited what he could do, at least I was right under his landing passes which were the best part of his show.
Have fun at Cleveland, make sure you enter 149.65 in your scanner.
Knowing me I'll be at Ypsi FRI SAT SUN and MON - Will start posting about that here soon as far as locations ect.
I was on the base Sunday, as well.
Had a great time, one of the best airshows I've been to in a while. (And all the best have been on AF bases - hmmmmmm.....)
Getting in was no trouble; We came from the south, exited at N. River Rd. The terrain inside the construction gate they had us enter was interesting, but not a problem. Getting OUT on the other hand... got in line to go back to the south gate, and....... didn't move. At all. I looked in the mirror several times & noticed that the line to the Main Gate was moving pretty steady; several others noticed, too; so we turned around & flowed pretty steady to the north gate. Near the BX they put half of us in the left turn lane & ran 2 lanes out the gate. Total 45 minutes from getting in the car to going through the gate, but not complaining, because we got to see more of the base that way. (There's a part of me that really misses living on base.)
Hadn't seen the T-28's in quite some time; they came to Battle Creek years ago. Love the sound of those engines! I suspect that what the F-35 did was meant to kind of fill in for the missing F-4. I'm really bummed about that, too; was really looking forward to seeing a Phantom fly again! Nothing like an F-4 afterburner takeoff to get your cardiovascular system upshifted and check the adhesion of your dental fillings.
Had a great time, one of the best airshows I've been to in a while. (And all the best have been on AF bases - hmmmmmm.....)
Getting in was no trouble; We came from the south, exited at N. River Rd. The terrain inside the construction gate they had us enter was interesting, but not a problem. Getting OUT on the other hand... got in line to go back to the south gate, and....... didn't move. At all. I looked in the mirror several times & noticed that the line to the Main Gate was moving pretty steady; several others noticed, too; so we turned around & flowed pretty steady to the north gate. Near the BX they put half of us in the left turn lane & ran 2 lanes out the gate. Total 45 minutes from getting in the car to going through the gate, but not complaining, because we got to see more of the base that way. (There's a part of me that really misses living on base.)
Hadn't seen the T-28's in quite some time; they came to Battle Creek years ago. Love the sound of those engines! I suspect that what the F-35 did was meant to kind of fill in for the missing F-4. I'm really bummed about that, too; was really looking forward to seeing a Phantom fly again! Nothing like an F-4 afterburner takeoff to get your cardiovascular system upshifted and check the adhesion of your dental fillings.
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DougG2001
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If anyone wants to know. I just talked to someone for the willow run air show about scanners just so i didnt have to walk all the way back to my car when I go. They stated as long as it has no transmission ability its fine and will be subject to inspection during subject to search when coming in the gate.
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