Airshow - 16

The next display was the F-22 Raptor. This is the second time I have seen this plane fly and it absolutely amazes me every time. The vectored thrust allows this plane to do things other planes just cannot. This is the closest to the maneuverability of a radio-controlled model that a full scale airframe can get. The only limitation on this jet must be the pilot's ability to withstand the G-force the plane can dish out. This plane can fill many roles with a variety of weapons and includes stealth technology.

This first photo is the jet passing in front of us on his way to the airstrip for take-off. You see the very different reflective coating on the canopy that reduces glare for the pilot.


The airplane did not take long to get into the air and the gear was already up by the time he got close to us. You see a little of the flame exiting the engines. I like this shot as we see a clear view of the pilot and you see his heads-up display.


Stay in touch!
Doug White

Comments

Post a Comment

Please include your name in your comment so I know the author! Thanks.

Popular posts from this blog

Palo Duro Canyon

Image
I was  pleasantly surprised by the number of comments back from my reunion e-mail yesterday. I appreciated each of them as most referenced similar feelings to what I tried to express. You just never know.... We met up with a couple Thursday night to go to the Texas play in Palo Duro Canyon. I grabbed a few quick photos of the canyon on the drive in. The panhandle has been blessed with a wet spring and the canyon was beautiful with all the green. If you have never been to this state gem, you are missing something. Growing up, I spent many an hour in this park creating great memories. The sky was clear and the temperatures hot for these photos. Thanks, Doug White https://jdwarchive.blogspot.com/
Read more

James Earl Rudder

Image
While on the subject of people that have made significant contributions to TAMU, James Earl Rudder is one of those individuals. Rudder was a 1932 graduate of TAMU and commissioned into the US Army. On June 6, 1944 as a Lt.Col., he led a company of 225 Army Rangers in the assault at Pointe Du Hoc in the D-Day Invasion of France. He and his troops faced 90 foot cliffs heavily protected by German fire. His mission was virtually impossible but with incredible bravery, they succeeded in taking the location, though only 90 men survived the assault. He continued his role in WW II, including the Battle of the Bulge, to its end.  After the war, he was a leader in private and public roles before becoming the 16th president of TAMU in 1959. He made the decision to transition A&M from an all-male military university to what you see today - corps optional, women, and integration. That decision was not received well by many/most former students but he knew it was needed for A&M to become...
Read more

Whooping Family #2

Image
We moved the boat to be closer to the whooping crane family. These photos make it look like we were right next to them. We were not. Telephoto lenses and high resolution cameras make for amazing photos! Their family portrait. You can see the colt is the same size as the parents and much further along in the transition to fully white feathers. Rarely will you see all three of their heads down in the grass. At lease one was on constant watch. I stole this crop concept from Pedro to show the close-up details of a colt compared to an adult. It is interesting to see the eye color is different in the colt. The cranes were after wolf berries in this section of the swamp. You see some berries in the adult's beak in this photo. Junior decided to join in the berry feast under the very watchful eye of a parent! Stay in touch! Doug White
Read more