BZ's SF Fleet Week '08 - Snowbirds page

The Saturday Show

Here's a Canadair CT-114 Tutor in closeup.


The Snowbirds start off their routine with looping all 9 planes.


Here they are, near the apex of the loop.


The Snowbird's routine differs quite a bit from the Blues and Thunderbirds.


First off, they fly quite a few more planes - 9 vs. 6.


Then there's the difference in the planes themselves. Trainers vs. Front line combat aircraft.


What the plane lacks in pure power and speed, the team makes up for in close flying precision.


The Snowbirds' performance is more like a ballet, vs. the gymnastics routine of the Blues.


The opposing passes are a bit easier to catch with a camera, since they aren't going as fast!


Here's another closup view of the Tutor.


These two are flying in pretty darn close formation!


Looking good!


The routine like I mentioned before, is like a ballet - very measured and smooth.


The Snowbirds did however, shift their show center towards the Marina Green - where the big show crowds were. I thought that was a nice touch.


Their flying covered a huge area though, so I'm sure everyone got a good look at them.


Here's the main formation minus the solo planes.


Here is one of the solo planes rejoining the group.


And here's the other one rejoining.


Here, all 9 do a loop.


Their parting pass - all line abreast.

The Sunday Show

Being on the boat Sunday, I was able to get a lot closer! :-)


Here they are, coming out of a loop.


A very dynamic view of the plane as it passes almost directly overhead.


You can see how close those opposing passes are! No optical illusion here!


I like the paired view.


He's tucked in there pretty tight!


They did some canopy to canopy passes too.


Sometimes their paths take them quite far away.


Here are the solos rejoining the main group.


And here's the big break. The planes are heading toward the Marina Green show area.


Once they break, they spread out quite far!


Closing move is the line abreast pass. Thanks for the show!