Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Aviation events in the United States and Canada
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197cup
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Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by 197cup »

Hello, I'm after advice for attending this show. I'll be taking my 500mm lens is it easy enough to clear security with this big lens?. Any other general advice would be gratefully recieved :smile: .

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AlexC
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by AlexC »

You will be generally be shooting into the sun.
Pte. Aubrey Gerald Harmer, R. Suss. R. (att. to the Sherwood Foresters) KIA 26/9/1917 Polygon Wood, aged 19, NKG. RIP

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197cup
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by 197cup »

That's no problem, I've been to two Red Flags so I've got a good idea what the light will be like :smile: .

DeanW
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by DeanW »

Thunderbirds, Golden Knights, F-22 demo, F-35 Heritage Flight with P-38 and the VFA-122 Super Hornet demo are the known participants for the show so far. The T-33 Ace Maker is TBC.

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197cup
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by 197cup »

Thanks for the info :smile: , not a bad line up so far.

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Paul_Reflex
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by Paul_Reflex »

I notice that the static lineup on the website has been updated and now includes a QF-4, E-2C, A-4, Mig-29 & Mig-23.

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AlexC
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by AlexC »

197cup wrote:That's no problem, I've been to two Red Flags so I've got a good idea what the light will be like :smile: .


Oh right. You'll also know that it can get quite hot, even though their airshow is usually rather late in the season. My first time there was for the big 1997 show in April.
Pte. Aubrey Gerald Harmer, R. Suss. R. (att. to the Sherwood Foresters) KIA 26/9/1917 Polygon Wood, aged 19, NKG. RIP

Trenethick
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by Trenethick »

Any rumours about a big show next year for the anniversary as in 2007, the only airshow I have ever left in the dark at 1730(well it was November)

SkyDave
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by SkyDave »

As a potential first timer to Nellis, any hints tips on the show and where the best place would be to photograph the flying display from within the field?

flight79
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by flight79 »

wait did someone say mig 23 :drool: :yahoo: :rock:

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Paul_Reflex
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by Paul_Reflex »

flight79 wrote:wait did someone say mig 23 :drool: :yahoo: :rock:


There's a Mig 23 and Mig 29 in the Threat Training Facility at Nellis, so I'm assuming they're planning to drag them out in the sun.

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boff180
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by boff180 »

Paul_Reflex wrote:
flight79 wrote:wait did someone say mig 23 :drool: :yahoo: :rock:


There's a Mig 23 and Mig 29 in the Threat Training Facility at Nellis, so I'm assuming they're planning to drag them out in the sun.


There are Mig-29's and a Mig-23 flying in the US as warbirds. More likely it is them.

There is also an Su-27 :-)

DeanW
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by DeanW »

boff180 wrote:There are Mig-29's and a Mig-23 flying in the US as warbirds. More likely it is them.

The MiG-23s are based in Delaware on the East Coast though. Would be very surprised if Nellis forked out a fortune to fly them across the country for static only.

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197cup
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by 197cup »

Latest list for Nellis
A-10C Thunderbolt II
A-4 Skyhawk
AH-64 Apache
B-17 Flying Fortress
B-25 Mitchell
B-377-SGT Super Guppy Turbine
Bell 412
C-5 Galaxy
C-17 Globemaster III
C-130 Hercules
C-47 Skytrain
CF-104 Starfighter
CH-47 Chinook
de Havilland Vampire
E-2 Hawkeye
F8F Bearcat
F-15C Eagle
F-15E Strike Eagle
F-16C Fighting Falcon
F-18 Hornet
F-22 Raptor
F-35 Lightning II
F-86 Sabre
HH-60 Pave Hawk
HU-16 Albatross
L-39 Albatros
L-159 Alca
LH-72 Lakota
MiG-23
MiG-29
MQ-1 Predator
MQ-9 Reaper
P-51 Mustang
PB4Y-2 Privateer
QF-4 Aerial Target
RC-12 Huron
RQ-7 Shadow
SNJ-5 Texan
T-6 Texan
T-28 Trojan
T-33 Shooting Star
T-34 Mentor
T-38 Talon

McG
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by McG »

According to a post on Fencecheck, the Mig 23 & Mig 29 are indeed those belonging to the Threat Training Facility.

The CF-104 is being flown in.

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Paul_Reflex
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by Paul_Reflex »

The flying display schedule has been posted on the website:

Wings of Blue
Vicky Benzing Stearman Act
NASA ER-2 demonstration
West Coast Ravens
Chuck Coleman
Nellis Heritage Parade (Various former Nellis aircraft)
T-33 AceMaker
Smoke-n-Thunder JetCar
C-17 PACAF Demonstration Team
Nellis Capabilities Demonstration
DC-10 Water Drop
F-18 TAC Demo
F-22 Demo
Heritage Flight (F-22, F-35, F-86, P-51)
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

The NASA ER-2 is a great addition, sadly the CF-104 is no longer on the static list.

PeterR
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by PeterR »

Well that isn't a bad line-up...

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Wrexham Mackem
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by Wrexham Mackem »

Yep, that's a great line up for a USAF show, very jet focused which is rather rare in the US.

edhunter
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by edhunter »

I'm looking to go to nellis airshow in the future and am looking for advice please be aware I don't drive so any hints and tips would be great. Who do you book tickets with? Is there a company who does tours? what is the average cost? Do you stay on the strip? What is the cost of merchandise, food and drink? Do you aircraft doing live firing? Are there any similarities with RIAT?

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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by McG »

edhunter wrote:I'm looking to go to nellis airshow in the future and am looking for advice please be aware I don't drive so any hints and tips would be great. Who do you book tickets with? Is there a company who does tours? what is the average cost? Do you stay on the strip? What is the cost of merchandise, food and drink? Do you aircraft doing live firing? Are there any similarities with RIAT?


Nellis is a free show.

I stayed just off the Strip. Others I spoke with were staying on the Strip or at some of the hotels next to the base. There is a Super 8 Motel directly opposite the main gate at Nellis. If you've never been to Vegas, you may want to stay on the Strip.

Some of the aviation tour specialists do trips to Aviation Nation. They will be able to offer advice on pricing.

The base can be accessed by public transport. Visitors to the show who walk up are bussed in from the main gate. Visitors with a car are bussed from the car parks at the Speedway.

Merchandise is probably cheaper than RIAT as prices are in dollars. All of the based units have merchandise stalls.

Food prices last weekend were about $7 for a Bratwurst, $4 for a Hot Dog, $6 for a burger. $4 for a bottle of Pepsi (20oz). $3 for a bottle of water.
There are water bowsers that allow you to re-fill a water bottle for free.

There is a role demo featuring the various based units. This involves firing of flares by F-16 Aggressors, F-15C's and F-15E's. There is no other live firing.

Next years show will be big as it's the wrap up show for the USAF 70th anniversary.

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Rampvan
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by Rampvan »

Sorry another question, what is the static like and are other based aircraft viewable !

McG
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by McG »

The Static at Nellis is quite diverse, you get some rare stuff - US Army EO-5 (Dash 7) and TC-135S (RC-135 crew trainer without the recon equipment fitted) for instance.

1 of each based unit was on display & 2 Aggressors. The Jolly ramp could be shot from a distance. The other based aircraft were either moved to the other side or moved down to where the visiting Red Flag squadrons operate from.

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Rampvan
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by Rampvan »

Thx for reply


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TAN
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Re: Nellis AFB airshow 2016

Post by TAN »

I'm planning on going to Nellis next year for Red Flag,could anyone give any advice on what size lens i'd need,300 or above?
Will probably be shooting from the Speedway area.

Tan.

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