I saw them in Meridian as a kid when they were flying the F-4 Phantom. Fantastic show.
It does sound like that! I’ve been at NASM since 99 and some variation of this current company since 2003.
They’re fairly decent even if they are Navy pilots.
I've seen the Thunderbirds fly everything since and including the F-105. The most impressive shows overall by a little bit, have been with the F-16s. That being said the F-4s were awesome .. what they lacked in maneuverability they made up for with sheer NOISE. You FELT an F-4 show in your gut. The F-16s have a bit of that. I honestly liked those LOUD F-4 shows better. The T-38s were the worst, not as agile as the F-16s.....and as jets go, quiet. I spoke about seeing a F-105 show, and I did, I can remember it, but we were watching off base and I was quite young. I remember them being pretty loud, and flying pretty straight, at least from at least a mile off the flight line off base. This brings back good memories from a LONG time of go for me, and some more recent ones.They’re fairly decent even if they are Navy pilots.
Ironically, even though I have ~1700 hours in the front seat of Phantoms, I never got to see them or the Thunderbirds when they were flying F-4s.
Sounds like we live pretty near one another on the Emerald Coast. We go see them from the water every year when they do the show over the beach.
so any advice on logistics, where to park etc. basically any advice would be appreciated.
There’s a guy I play golf with in Meridian that goes to Pensacola every time they have a show there. I’ve never seen such a die hard Blue Angle fan. I see them buzz the beach in OB(part time resident)when I’m there which is usually enough for me. But may have to take in the Meridian air show as I live just a few miles from the base. They really are something.
Here is the link for the event. I've never watched an air show there so I'm not sure I would be much help.
In fairness, they only happen here once every 10-12 years or so. With that being said, logistics change a little each time. Their website is really being updated on the fly, it seems, weekly. They've added a a lot more details recently
I was a fireman at NASMER for 30 years and was involved with several airshows. Every time I was there they had the crowds parking on the South Runway and would have shuttle buses to ride from parking to the tarmac area. I feel sure they'll have something similar set up this year.
I was going to ask, “like what?”…but realized you had already answered that in the same sentence.
Pensacola Country Club or the base golf course?
He might as well just move here. They fly over NAS Pensacola almost every Tuesday and most wendsdays in season. Plus the beach show and homecoming.
