NAF El Centro airshow


El Centro is the winter training base for Blue Angels, and their first show of the season is held every year on Saturday in March at this field.
I have visited El Centro Airshow only once, in 1998.
This was the year of El Ninyo, and El Centro was no exception to see heavy rainfall on the day of the Airshow.
The Blue Angels performed the low show, and it had to be terminated before they finish the whole program due to increasing rainfall.
Only the few minutes during the ground show were the sunlight, but this was like a miracle as the navy blue aircraft were lit up with black clouds in the background.
I do not have an opportunity to visit El Centro since then, although I have heard that if it is nice and sunny, the show is great to watch and take pictures.
C-130 Fat Albert with JATO and Vapor Ring
Fat Albert, a support TC-130G for the Blue Angels, demonstrates JATOiJet Assisted Take Off).
El centro is located in the dry desert but moisture from the rain has allowed propeller to produce "Vapor Ring"
Blue Angels Boss Prepare for Taxi
Blue Angels Boss Taxi for a demonstration flight although the sky behind him is dark with thick clouds.
Blue Angels Dirty Diamond Pass
Blue Angels in a dirty diamond formation flies by. This is a "low show" program. If it was nice and sunny, this would have been replaced by dirty diamond loop maneuver.
Blue Angels Return
Under very heavy rain, the Blue Angels aborted its performance and landed.
Still, the taxi back to parking spot is in a really tight formation.
Most people have left the show, only few people were watching them return.

Airfield information Click here



Copyright 2001 Morimoto, Makoto : All Rights Reserved.