There are folks who consider air shows unworthy of attending without the headlining presence of either the U.S. Navy Blue Angels or the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. But shows not hosting the superstars of formation flight can offer their own unique lineups.
An afternoon on the Wildwood beach is always enhanced by a Shooting Star. Photo: Frank Moriarty/Aerospace Perceptions
Such was the case with New Jersey’s “Wildwoods Thunder Over the Waves” air show on September 6, and the event’s practice lineup the previous day. The skies over the Atlantic Ocean were relatively clear, except for a bit of haze from persistent wildfires. This was a dramatic improvement compared to bad weather which plagued major East Coast shows this year including Reading’s World War II Weekend and Maryland’s Ocean City Air Show.
Aside from the military aircraft participating over Wildwood – C-17 Globemaster, P-8 Poseidon, and the U.S. Army Golden Knights’ de Havilland C-147A – there was an intriguing mix of seldom-seen and historic jet aircraft that elevated the show’s lineup to stellar status.
The unmistakable profile of the Lockheed Shooting Star. Photo: Frank Moriarty/Aerospace Perceptions
Among them was Ace Maker Aviation’s Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star. The T-33 was the training aircraft of the Shooting Star, America’s first true jet fighter. It’s service record stretches all the way back to 1948, so seeing this California-based aircraft was a rare opportunity.
The Shooting Star was America’s first operational jet fighter. This T-33 is a two-seat training aircraft. Photo: Frank Moriarty/Aerospace Perceptions
The unmistakable twin-boom tail of the de Havilland Vampire. Photo: Frank Moriarty/Aerospace Perceptions
Rare also applies to the de Havilland Vampire, a jet that first went into production even further back in time, in 1946. Late in World War II it was designed as a high-tech combat jet. The Vampire that thundered over the waters this weekend was “Vampy 2,” one of a handful of Vampires based in Louisiana and flown by Vampire Airshows.
Precision flying at its finest as the two MiG-17s pass in formation. Photo: Frank Moriarty/Aerospace Perceptions
Seeing these historic jets fly individually was spectacular, but the excitement level was notched higher by a formation flight by two Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17s – both without and with afterburners! On the latter passes, there was no missing the long streaks of flame trailing both aircraft. The precision flying of the pilots was impressive and this presentation was a show highlight. Though the Texas-based Fighterjets Inc. has a busy itinerary during air show season, almost always it’s a single-aircraft appearance. Seeing these two 17s carve their way through the air side-by-side was unforgettable.
MiG-17 in full aerodynamic profile. Photo: Frank Moriarty/Aerospace Perceptions
MiG-17 with afterburner ablaze. Photo: Frank Moriarty/Aerospace Perceptions
The “Wildwoods Thunder Over the Waves” air show was the locality’s first event, as Greater Wildwood Tourism Authority saw an opportunity to shift attention from the unsettled circumstances around Atlantic City’s air show. They have unquestionably set a high bar for the years to come.
