MCAS Miramar Airshow 27-29 September 2024

[boff180]

The show is off to a great start with the following announced.

USAF F-22 Raptor demo team
USN Blue Angels
USMC F-35B demo team
USMC MV-22B Osprey demo team
MAGTF demo



I think the Heritage Flight is also likely.

Andy

[spellow3010]

Thanks Andy... t-t-t-tempted.

[boff180]

Thanks Andy... t-t-t-tempted.

Already have my flights booked. It may be into the sun but I find that a challenge more than anything else!

Hoping for a CH-53K demo.

[boff180]

B-29 Doc will be appearing on both static and flying.

[CWS]

hmmmmmmm, never done an international airshow but have been so tempted to try and do one in the states. I have also only ever been to the East coast of America so this could tie in nicely with a trip to the West Coast.

[spellow3010]

B-29 Doc will be appearing on both static and flying.

Good grief Andy... properly tempted now.
Whilst there was a B29 in the static at the 2019 show I attended, I've never seen one fly.
Some thinking for me to do.

[CWS]

Got my trip booked , looking forward to seeing my first show outside of the UK

[Berf]

Got my trip booked , looking forward to seeing my first show outside of the UK

See you there!

[CWS]

Got my trip booked , looking forward to seeing my first show outside of the UK

See you there!

Indeed ! I'm debating just going in with normal admission or booking the grand stand. Has anyone done either/or at Miramar before?

[boff180]

As with all US shows, you have to pay for a good view otherwise you are off to the left or right of the showground.

I would suggest going for one of the tables with an umbrella as you get more space and some shelter - the sun can be epic. Miramar is the biggest US military airshow so the showground is quite big but the static is spread out quite a lot.

This will be my 4th time at Miramar.

[CWS]

Thanks for the advice ! I will look into when the tickets are available etc. I didn't realise it is the biggest Military one to be honest, looking forward to it even more !

[Berf]

Looking at some of the pictures from 2022, they are on Alamy if any wants to look, it appears that the tables are infant of the grandstand but there are people standing by the fence line infront of the tables. Are they just people who have stood up from the tables (or even grandstand). ie you have to buy a table seat to get to the fence line - even if you don't use the table!

[boff180]

Looking at some of the pictures from 2022, they are on Alamy if any wants to look, it appears that the tables are infant of the grandstand but there are people standing by the fence line infront of the tables. Are they just people who have stood up from the tables (or even grandstand). ie you have to buy a table seat to get to the fence line - even if you don't use the table!

Yes that's correct - to get anywhere near the fence-line except at the ends you need a seat in that enclosure or media access. This is standard at all US shows, they're free/cheap entry but you pay for your view.

[Berf]

Thanks Boff

[Berf]

The show is off to a great start with the following announced.

USAF F-22 Raptor demo team
USN Blue Angels
USMC F-35B demo team
USMC MV-22B Osprey demo team
MAGTF demo



I think the Heritage Flight is also likely.

Andy

Raptor/P51 Heritage Flight confirmed and Red Bull Air Force all now on the website.

[CWS]

Any idea what part of the year the tickets for the enclosures or grand stand become available? I have signed up for their newsletter but just want to check i'm not being thick and they are already purchasable

[CWS]

The show is off to a great start with the following announced.

USAF F-22 Raptor demo team
USN Blue Angels
USMC F-35B demo team
USMC MV-22B Osprey demo team
MAGTF demo



I think the Heritage Flight is also likely.

Andy

Raptor/P51 Heritage Flight confirmed and Red Bull Air Force all now on the website.

Very nice indeed!!

[boff180]

Usually around July

[Berf]

Talking of the grandstand - does it allow access to the fence line or is that cordoned off just for the umbrella people and is the grandstand numbered or is it just a free for all?

[CWS]

Usually around July

Thank you very much ! Sorry for the questions, just better to check these things

[Berf]

Here is some info from LAST YEAR'S local media just to give an idea of end times and rough costs. Grandstand does not seem excessive.

Parking, admission and blanket seating are free, but upgraded seating options can be purchased starting at $9 for the grandstand up to $263 for an “elite” package. The “signature” option includes front row, shaded seats, a food buffet, complementary beer, wine and soda, private restrooms and more for $200 a person. Military discounts are available for Friday.

Gates open at 8 a.m. daily. The line-up of performances will be the same each day, starting at 9 a.m. with comedy and exotic civilian plane races, opening ceremonies at 10:30 a.m., and ending with the Navy’s Blue Angels at 3 p.m. Flying ends at 4:15 p.m. and gates close at 5 p.m.

[CWS]

The closer we get the more exited I am for this. Can’t wait for the role demo, the one last year looked like madness

[boff180]

Can’t wait for the role demo, the one last year looked like madness

USMC F-18 by Andrew Evans, on Flickr

Troops and Fire by Andrew Evans, on Flickr

MAGTAF! by Andrew Evans, on Flickr

MAGTAF! by Andrew Evans, on Flickr

MAGTF by Andrew Evans, on Flickr

MAGTAF! by Andrew Evans, on Flickr

MAGTF by Andrew Evans, on Flickr

[CWS]

Bloody hell! Cracking pictures

[Tangoringo]

Have to agree with @boff180 ‘s comments above the MAGTF demo is corking and very well choreographed. I would post my own pictures but Boff’s cracking photos and video’s such as https://youtu.be/ACnQiPRsvxQ?si=qC7wFhpDukr6LzVW would do it far more justice than mine.
The sheer scale is mind blowing and even last weeks visit to Yuma felt like MAGTF lite.

One word of caution with the enclosures. We were fortunate to be in the Semper-Fi chalet after spoiling ourselves a little ( work took us there and general entry is free ) but for taking photos of t/o’s and some of the troop deployments there was a whacking great marquee and quite a few Blues aerials blocking a quite a large portion of the sight line so a grandstand may be a better option if you can bare the shade less environment. Iphone vid screenshot below illustrating the clutter....

Untitled by Tangoringo, on Flickr

One other slight negative ( and this may have been due to the threatened govt shutdown ) was the static was slightly thin with a lot of particularly air force no shows last year. Especially frustrating as there were a ridiculous number of F-18’s crammed in to the remaining ramp space out of bounds and almost impossible to photograph.

Either way you’ll have a cracking day and it’s definitely in the calendar for a repeat this year.