Culpeper AirFest, Virginia

Airshow Photography from the UK and around the world
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sylvancatharsis
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Culpeper AirFest, Virginia

Post by sylvancatharsis »

Greetings from the States!

Spent a lovely Saturday at the small (but not so) AirFest in Culpeper, Virginia, about 65 miles from Washington, D.C. For the spectator, this show was just about perfect: Clear blue skies, free admission, cheap food and drink, friendly atmosphere, easy in and out (which was probably helped by the fairly small crowd), short walk from parking to the airfield, and a wide variety of aircraft. Things were a little difficult for photography, with the sun in front most of the show and some of the displays fairly distant. Here are some of the shots I did get of the day's proceedings:

1. Star of the show: The SHAR, displaying at its home
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Another highlight was a mass flight of 29 vintage trainers and light warbirds, including formations of three T-34s, four T-28s, and nine T-6/SNJs, along with a race-track circuit of other types including a Portuguese-marked Chipmunk, a Piston Provost, two Navions, another SNJ, an immaculate Beech 18, and a PT-23 in Navy markings. The formations were a bit too high to get good shots of, and the aircraft in the circuit were too distant, but it was a spectacular sight and sound! Here are some of the formations.

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9. Kevin Russo gave a superb account of an SNJ-6
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10. The Fighter Factory's TBM Avenger was on hand for the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation
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11. This is The Dragon, one half of the jet dogfight act "Red Star and the Dragon." The markings on this Strikemaster are hardly authentic, but very striking!
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12. The other half of the duo, the "Viper-29" (an L-29 with an RR Viper)
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13. Bealeton Flying Circus
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17. The always-entertaining "Flying Farmer"
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19. Last air show appearance by "Dr. Smoke" before retirement
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20. Part of the lineup of twelve (!) T-6/SNJ/Harvards; the nearest example wore a Spanish AF color scheme.
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Hope these are of interest!
Author of CULT OF THE WYVERN, a novel about Westland Wyverns and aliens. (Really.)
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Weather Watcher
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Re: Culpeper AirFest, Virginia

Post by Weather Watcher »

Nice shots - very interesting to see what a 'small' show is like over there! Like the topside in No.2

David

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Corsair
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Re: Culpeper AirFest, Virginia

Post by Corsair »

Nice set of images, the polished Texan looks nice and the starting up Avenger looks great in b/w, that's one warbird I miss on the UK scene, and the Sea Harrier looks good and in private hands! could you imagine that in the UK :sad: Thanks for sharing :clap:
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swingy
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Re: Culpeper AirFest, Virginia

Post by swingy »

Nice pics. Looks like a good day out

Nivvy
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Re: Culpeper AirFest, Virginia

Post by Nivvy »

great photos thanks for the share so good to see what happens from the airshows across the water.

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Stu
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Re: Culpeper AirFest, Virginia

Post by Stu »

Very nice set :clap:
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