Nellis Golden Air Tatoo 1997

[rf104g]

Hi

The Golden Air Tattoo, to celebrate 50 years of USAF, was promoted as the show of the century so expectations where very high.
On arrival for the press day it became obvious that the rumours where indeed rumours but still there was more then enough to see at the show
The static contained most of the type's current in service at that time, alongside a collection historic USAF aircraft.

the oldest airplane then in service a NT33A from CALSPAN, making its last public appearance before final retirement to the museum at Wright Patterson AFB


QF-106A which was still sporting some interesting artwork and titles from its previous owner when it was in service with the New Jersey ANG’s 177 FIG.


YF-15B from Nasa


RAAF F-111C from 6 Squadron now buried in a landfil


This was one of two YF22A prototypes built and was displayed carrying the false serial ‘86022’.


Blue Impulse first time outside Japan



A full report is on our website soon

Thanks for looking.

Regards Ronald.

http://www.Karo-Aviation.nl

[rdchawk]

I've got this show on video - it looked a superb airshow

[canard67]

I was there and it was a good show but not as good as IAT that year. I was disappointed that the RAF did not send the Red Arrows.

[croaky]

The day of the airshow was also my 50th birthday so a very good birthday party was celebrated at Nellis.

[bluetail]

I was there and it was a good show but not as good as IAT that year. I was disappointed that the RAF did not send the Red Arrows.

I was there as well, the RAF sent a BBMF Spitfire (which flew in formation with a Buchon) and a couple of Tornado,s from Goose Bay

[Beefy]

[SPLAT]

Croaky , I remember your birthday well , you didn't look bad for 90
M y biggest dis-appointment was missing the F106 land.
If I remember rightly , a lady was pointing a shotgun at us , to get off her land!!
Great set of shots.

[st24]

I was there and it was a good show but not as good as IAT that year. I was disappointed that the RAF did not send the Red Arrows.

I'm really glad the RAF didn't send the Reds, there were more teams you could shake a stick at including firsts for me for the Snowbirds, Fumaca and Blue Impuse, and the show overall was great, it being a celebration of the USAF and not a RIAT type show. Being in April as well of course the Reds were a month away from getting PDA for the season.
Nice images of a great few days out in the desert (even though it was absolutely perishing on that Thursday... brrrr...!)

[rf104g]

thanks for the comment

on the press day a few of the old aces were around, including retired Brigadier General Steve Ritchie, a veteran pilot ace, with five confirmed kills to his credit


A F-4 Phantom in a freshly applied Vietnam style camouflage scheme

[Worldnis]

Well done Ron,

I remember being there as well. We did meet up there or did we?
Good transfer from slides!

Regards
Rob