This was my first ever visit to Dover AFB, also a new state I visited for the very first time, it was only a 2-hour drive from home to Maryland and the roads in Delaware are very quiet, I cannot wait to go back. The forecast for the air show weekend was very mixed, both myself Andrew Robinson our other photographer attended on Friday 17th May, which was a DOD & Media day, we were lucky not to get any rain, I decided later in the day to skip Saturday according to the forecast, Sunday was rather cloudy to start with, but it all turned out nice in the end.
“I’m incredibly excited to open our doors to the community during the 2024 First State Airshow and open house as a way of saying ‘thank you’ for their tremendous support,” said Col. Chris McDonald, 436th Airlift Wing commander.
I enjoyed the variety of aircraft both on display and in the air, visitors could see aircraft and military vehicles up close, including: C-5M Super Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules, B-29 Superfortress "Doc", F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, T-38 Talon, T-6 Texan II, OA-1 Bird Dog, L-17 Navion, DHC-1 Chipmunk, DHC-82 Tiger Moth, T-28 Trojan, T-6 Texan, UH-1 Iroquois, UH-60L Black Hawk, U-28A Draco, B-52 Stratofortress, U.S. Army M1A1 Abrams tank.
The “First State 2024 Air Show” featured an impressive array of performances, including notable acts by Rob Holland, Patrick McAlee, and the Jersey Jerks in their SNJs, Scott “Scooter” Yoak delivered a remarkable display in his P-51 Quick Silver, later Scooter was paired up with the F-35A Lightning II to present USAF Heritage flight.
On the ground the public could experience the thrill of precision racing as Precision Exotics showcased their supercars on the runway, captivating the audience with their speed and agility and for a fee you could get yourself a ride, the State Trooper finally caught up with them I am sure, Hayden Proffitt delivered an exceptional performance with his jet truck, Hot Streak II, while the American Airpower Museum presented an impressive aerial display featuring their Avenger and P-40 warbird, alongside the B-25J Mitchell “Panchito”. Bill Culberson skillfully piloted the WSK Lim-5 (MiG-17), the flybys of the KC-135, C-17 Globemaster III, and C-5M Super Galaxy added to the excitement, not very often you can witness such graceful heavy lift aircraft performing a banana pass for the crowd’s delight.
The US Army parachute team “Golden Knights” took to air twice, with Rob Holland adding to the excitement of their routine, one standout demonstration flight performance was the F-15C, it was great to witness the F-15C demo once again, the fast passes and steep low tactical turns made the noise levels rise, but I have a set of images that says it was worth it.
Despite early weather challenges, without doubt the headline performance, USAF newest fighter F-35A Lightning II and leading the team is Captain Melanie “MACH” Kluesner, based out of Hill AFB, UT with 388th FW. The F-35 Demo Team is an aerial jet demonstration team, oh boy did we get an incredible demo the maneuvers performed illustrated this next generation jet’s capabilities with fast high tactical turns, with copious amounts of vapor creating a fantastic set of images, that I will show case for a long while.
Fly High Aviation Media would like to thank Staff Sgt. Marco A. Gomez, USAF, Media Operations, NCOIC 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs office, the organizers, volunteer's, #teamdover and David Shultz Air Shows, who provided a very professional service including Air boss, Announcing, and Ground Operations support services, the air show overall was a very professionally organized event, thank you for all your help in making this event run smoothly.
Fly High Aviation Media is proud to bring you the following report from the "First State Air Show" at Dover AFB, DE.
Photography: Harry Morrow.
Andrew Robinson.
Here are a few of the arrivals on Friday 17th May 2024 for the “First State Air Show” at Dover AFB DE.
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Media & DOD day, crews mix with families and school kids and get to try out the hardware.
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Friday 17th May 2024 was a practice day once the weather was clear some heavies like KC-135, C-5 & B-25J Mitchell, with Bill Culberson in the WSK Lim-5 (Mig-17) and we finished with an excellent display from Capt. Melania “MACH” Kluesner in the F-35A Lightning II.
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Here is a selection of images taken from the static aircraft lines, not the biggest line up there was something for everyone to enjoy, as always it was great to meet and chat with some great people.
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The flying display starts with our national anthem being played while a parachutist from the US Army demo team Golden Knights flies the Stars & Stripes, in the sky high above with the Golden Knights in there C-147A, is Rob Holland in his MXR Technologies MXS aircraft, as the rest of the Golden Knights team descend to the ground using tactical maneuvers as they float back to earth.
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My first time photographing Patrick McAlee from Extreme Flight, with his Amateur Built Pitts Special S-1E, the aircraft is lightweight agile, designed for advanced aerobatic performance, the power comes from 235HP, it’s modified for high energy precision-controlled maneuvers, SMOKE-ON.
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Rob Holland is one of the most decorated, respected, and innovative aerobatic pilots and airshow performers in the world today. Flying the MXS-RH, an all-carbon fiber, competition-ready, single-seat aerobatic airplane designed and built by MX Aircraft, Rob Holland brings an unrivaled performance to air shows across North America, thrilling millions of spectators with his dynamic and breathtaking display.
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Where can you see USAF heavy lift aircraft do banana passes like a fighter jet just a little slower, yeah at Dover AFB Air Show, great performances from KC-135 Stratotanker McDill AFB, C-17 Globemaster III Charleston AFB and Dover AFB very own C-5M Super Galaxy.
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Taking to skies were three fantastic warbirds from time gone by, each aircraft working the display line one at a time, kept the audience totally engaged, stunning aircraft in their own right, B25J Mitchell “Panchito”, TBM Avenger and my first time photographing P-40M Warhawk, great sight and sound that filled the air.
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Precision Exotic were there with a handful of super cars, so was a state trooper checking they were going fast enough all great fun especially for those paying for the experience of going so fast in a road worthy car, we were further entertained by a stunning red Ferrari and Patrick McAlee in his Pitts Special racing down the runway, audience seemed to like that a lot, it was a lot of fun.
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Not my first time photographing SNJ’s but first time catching the Jersey Jerk’s, on Sunday 19th May 2024 we were treated to some excellent formation flying with the SNJ-6 flown by Kevin Russo performing a solo flying display.
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A "WSK Lim-5" refers to a Polish fighter jet, specifically a licensed production version of the Soviet MiG-17, built by the WSK-Mielec factory in Poland, Bill Culberson took aircraft #1713 through its paces including various fast rolling passes, including some incredible photo opportunities with several banana passes, he finished off with a superb vertical climb.
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Taking to the air is Scott “Scooter” Yoak flying a P-51D Mustang known as “Quick Silver”. Scott Yoak is best known as the custodian of Quick Silver, the immaculate P–51D Mustang that he and his father spent 15 years bringing to life. Since 2008, Yoak has shown the airplane at airshows, displaying its ability to roll, loop, and climb while audiences listen to the airplane’s iconic sound.
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The Hot Streak II is a 25,000 horsepower, twin jet engine 57' Chevy pickup. The world's fastest 57' Chevy pickup and arguably even the world's fastest pickup, the Hot Streak II is capable of reaching speeds over 350 miles per hour. It sure gets the crowds out of their seats, joining Hot Streak II was Rob Holland with his amazing MX Aircraft as they have a drag race down the runway, too close to call.
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US Army parachute team “Golden Knights” take to the air again with clear skies allowing for a full show, after all the parachutists had recovered to the ground, we were treated to a nice flyby by the teams aircraft a de Havilland C-147A (Dash-8).
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USAF F-15C Eagle Demonstration, from 159th FW of the LA ANG based in New Orleans and known as the “Bayou Militia” with full afterburner on what seemed forever the F-15 made some incredible fast passes with tight tactical turns creating for me as a photographer some unique photo opportunity.
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Without doubt the headline performance, USAF newest fighter F-35A Lightning II and leading the team is Captain Melanie “MACH” Kluesner, based out of Hill AFB, UT with 388th FW. The F-35 Demo Team is an aerial jet demonstration team, with a mission to inspire, engage and recruit the next generation of Airmen, as well as educate the global public on the capabilities of the Air Force’s newest 5th-generation stealth fighter, oh boy did we get an incredible demo the maneuvers illustrated this next generation jet’s capabilities with fast high tactical turns, with copious amounts of vapor creating a fantastic set of images.
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Forming a USTAF Heritage flight is a F-35A & P-51D, gracing the skies with great harmony of flight and synchronization, the spectacular sound of the Mustangs engine showcases a perfect blend of modern & classic aviation power. A fitting way to end a great air show, thank you #teamdover.
