The Miramar Air Show is a major
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The start of Fall in San Diego means that it is time for the Miramar Air Show - a three day event which features large ground displays of military aircraft and an aerial display by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. There are also aerial shows performed by stunt pilots throughout the day plus flying performances featuring different types of military jets and helicopters. The air show draws thousands of spectactors each year. Most of the photographs on this site are from the 2008 show.
This is a photo of the control tower at MCAS Miramar in San Diego.
The air show includes displays of many unique types of aircraft such as this Tilt Rotor V22 Ospry airplane (with helicopter-like maneuverability).
The Miramar Air Show is held at MCAS Miramar (Marine Corps Air Station) in San Diego, one of the largest military bases in the United States. It used to be known as NAS Miramar (Naval Air Station) and was the filming location for the popular 1986 movie "Top Gun". The Navy's prestigious Top Gun Flight School was located at Miramar until 1996 when it was relocated to Fallon, Nevada.
One of the finest military jets in the world is the F-18E (which is pictured here). Jets similar to this one are used in the training of "Top Gun" pilots.
This sleek-looking jet is actually decades old. It is an F4D Skyray.
This is an unmanned aircraft known as the Predator.
This air show is the perfect place to capture some great military aircraft photos - both on the ground and in the air. Air show photography can be a fun and rewarding hobby, and there are many other air shows staged at military bases in California throughout the year.
This plane with the twin 8-blade propellers features a large radar detection device mounted on top. It is known as the E2 Hawkeye.
Another radar detection plane is the large E3 Sentry aircraft.
This is a cockpit view of the E3 Sentry airplane.
The Blue Angels Air Show is still far and away the most popular event at Miramar each year. This elite team of Navy pilots demonstrate remarkable precision and flying ability as they perform some incredible maneuvers. The jets are capable of reaching speeds of 1,200 miles per hour (Mach 1.7+).
The Blue Angels fly together in their famous delta pattern. While most photos on this page were taken at the 2008 Air Show, this one is from several years earlier.
Not all aircraft at the Miramar Air Show are airplanes. There are a large number of military helicopters present such as this UH-60 Black Hawk.
This huge transport plane is the C5 Galaxy. It can carry lots of cargo (including tanks) as well as troops. Visitors to the air show are encouraged to walk through the vast cargo holding area of this plane.
This is the tail view of the C5 Galaxy transport plane.
Military air shows are great family entertainment too. The Miramar show is free to the public and allows people to have close-up access to lots of interesting aircraft. For more pictures of the
Miramar Air Show, click here.
There are a number of World War Two vintage airplanes
on display such as this DC-3 model.
Another vintage World War Two airplane - the B25 Bomber.
Close-up view of the B25 Bomber aircraft.
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San Diego skyline photos
Pictures of Balboa Park
San Diego area attractions
Pictures of Sea World
Pictures of the San Diego Zoo
San Diego hotel photos
Pictures of Coronado
Pictures of La Jolla
San Diego main page
Miramar Air Show 2
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