I Wonder How Many Cup Holders The F-22 Has?

The NukeFamily was back in DC this weekend for the Andrews Air Force Base Joint Services Open House. That’s a great Washington DC generated name for the event, but I think most civilians would call it what it is: showing you where all of those tax dollars went. I can tell you it was money well spent. Admission was free; they weren’t going to charge you to see where you’re money went, and the show was awesome. I’ve been to a gazillion Airsho’s, but as soon as they’re over I’m ready for the next one. I love watching the military jets fly. The older planes are cool too, but there’s nothing like hearing a jet engine screaming as the pilot takes it through its paces. We got to see the FA-22 Raptor fly. This is the plane that is replacing the F-117 Stealth Fighter. All I had was my little Kodak camera and I had to use the video option on it, so this video isn’t the greatest, but it’s the sound I want you to hear. This thing is awesome!

Now, if you want to see it up close doing that turn, then click on this link. The video is much better than mine, but it doesn’t sound as cool. The pilot is pulling 9G’s when he makes that turn; that’s the equivalent of 9 times the force of gravity, so if he weighs 165lbs, he’s going to feel like he weighs 1,485lbs. Put yet another way; it would feel like eating 17 Big Mac combo meals then sitting down to watch Season 3 of Seinfeld all in under 20 seconds. Ouch. My best time ever is 3 minutes 20 seconds and only 2 combo meals. I, of course, didn’t remember about the video capability of my camera until AFTER the Thunderbirds had flown, so I borrowed this video for you. It’s called; “The Sneak Pass” because the 4 Thunderbirds flying in formation take your attention up high and then off to the right and then #5 comes screaming over your head from the left. It’s usually good for some extra sales for the guys working the Kleenex tissue booth.

I’ve seen them do this many times and it still catches me off guard. I couldn’t wait to see the look on NukeBoy2′s face. I didn’t catch it right at the moment that it happened, but here is a pretty good re-enactment.

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He and NukeGirl actually had their fingers in their ears more than they had them out. When the Raptor flew, everyone in our group had their ears plugged except me. Wussies! I love the sound, feeling the vibration in my chest, having the fillings dislodged from my teeth. We had taken NukeBoy1 to an Airsho years ago in El Paso, but he was only 4 or 5 and wasn’t old enough to appreciate it. He thought the coolest thing he saw that day was Robosaurus; the only thing that didn’t fly. Well, the jet powered truck didn’t either, but it could if it wanted to. It has 3 jet engines on it with 3G’s of thrust; that’s the same ratio as the Space Shuttle. In other words, if he could stand his truck on end and point it towards Mars with a reasonable amount of certainty that it would fly straight, he could launch himself into space.

At the end of the day, we had 3 NukeKids who had a blast. NukeBoy2 and I walked around and looked at the C-5, the B-52, the M1-Abrams tank and too many helicopters to count. He got to talk to pilots and sailors. He got the autographs of 3 of the Thunderbird pilots and when it was all said and done, he had a whole new slew of heroes to look up to. That’s a successful family excursion in my book.

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Launch It:

WeaselMomma

I am officially jealous. I love a good air show and haven’t been to one in years. That looked fantastic and like the entire family enjoyed it.

(NukeDad) It was a blast, WeaselMomma! You need to get your weasels out to one-they’d have a ball.

WeaselMommas last blog post..Weekend Roundup III

May 18, 2009 @ 6:55 pm

WOW – you are indeed one Nuclear Dad! How COOL is what you share with the Nuke Kids?

: )

(NukeDad) That’s what it’s all about; show them as much as I can while I still have them. One day it will be up to them to experience their own adventures, and hopefully they’ll have a good base to build upon.

May 18, 2009 @ 8:43 pm

SurprisedMom

It SOUNDS like your family had a great time! I think it’s wonderful NukeBoy 2 found heroes to look up to. How nice they were to sign autographs. Unfortunately, I’d be like your kids with my hands over my ears, not because I didn’t appreciate the machinery, but because I have a sensitivity to sounds. But I would have loved to see all the flying machines on the ground. So are taxpayers getting their money’s worth?

(NukeDad) Taxpayers are getting their money’s worth as far as the military goes, now the rest of it, I’m not so sure. Quite a few potholes the last time it rained.

SurprisedMoms last blog post..Monday Mumblings 4

May 18, 2009 @ 11:17 pm

Melisa

REAL heroes/role models. That’s great! (Much better than taking them to see Dennis Rodman or someone like that)

I was singing “Danger Zone” from Top Gun as I was reading this. Is that weird?

(NukeDad) I thought you would have have busted into “Take my breath away”, but “Danger Zone” works too.

May 19, 2009 @ 8:07 am

tom

That is AWESOME! I must take the fam to a real airshow. They usually have one right here every year, but it’s no where NEAR as cool as the one you saw. There is nothing like flames and speed and noise to inspire a kid.

(NukeDad) They were inspired, I know that! Now if we can keep the momentum going and translate it to school work…

toms last blog post..A Very Hard Lesson

May 19, 2009 @ 11:35 am

Otter

I have never been to an air show but I bet they are awesome. We have an air force base nearby that is home to F-14′s I think. Whatever they have is one of the older planes that is nearly extinct. Anyway I have been fishing before when they made a big turn over the lake. The sound echoing off the mountains and water is overwhelming. Very cool.

(NukeDad) Otter, when your boy gets old enough, you need to make it a point to get both of you to an Airsho. It is an awesome experience. He probably won’t appreciate it until he’s at least 6 or 7, so you’ve got some time to plan for it.

Otters last blog post..100th Post

May 20, 2009 @ 2:26 pm

Mike

I’m jealous as well. I haven’t been to an air show in years as well. Love to see the new and the old aircraft at the shows.

(NukeDad) The F-22 alone was worth the trip. You would have loved the “Heritage Flights”; They would do fly-bys with newer and older planes together. The F-18 did one with the P-40, but the best was the F-22, A-10 and the P-51 Mustang. It was really cool.

May 21, 2009 @ 1:18 am

I’ve got an award waiting for you at my place!

(NukeDad) Thanks, Melisa! I’ll go check it out.

Melisas last blog post..I’d Like to Thank The Academy & a Few Ladies…

May 23, 2009 @ 8:07 pm