Fort Worth Airshow: I will be attending the Fort Worth Airshow at the end of this month with some of my grandkids. Never been there before and if any of you have attended that show...

Mi630

I will be attending the Fort Worth Airshow at the end of this month with some of my grandkids. Never been there before and if any of you have attended that show, can you tell me how it is laid out. Specifically, if I take my camera, will I be shooting into the sun or will the sun be behind me mid afternoon? The Blue Angels will be performing so that should be around 3PM. I saw the Blue Angels in Chicago in August over the lake and the sun is behind us there. I have shot the Angels with the sun behind me and also having to look into the sun and it is such a difference.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Mi630 wrote:

I will be attending the Fort Worth Airshow at the ... (show quote)

I googled Fort Worth Airshow and came up with this site: http://www.allianceairshow.com/
Click on Ramp Layout, then download Ramp Layout.
That should help you, as North is indicated on this map.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Similarly using Google and adding "images" to a search for Fort Worth Airshow, you can see what other photographers have accomplished in the past. Looking at the event's website, I would consider whether pre-purchasing tickets is advised if you plan for photography.

Mi630

Morning Star wrote:

I googled Fort Worth Airshow and came up with this site: http://www.allianceairshow.com/
Click on Ramp Layout, then download Ramp Layout.
That should help you, as North is indicated on this map.

Thanks for the info. As feared, the spectators will be facing west. Possibly with the show being end of October, the sun will be low enough in sky to still get some decent shots.

lamontcranston

If your grandchildren are young take some earplugs for them to wear. I took one of my grandsons to the Ft. Worth show and during the Blue Angels fly-over he freaked out with his hands over his ears because young children have very acute hearing and the loud noise hurt his ears. We finally had to leave to stop his crying.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Mi630 wrote:

Thanks for the info. As feared, the spectators will be facing west. Possibly with the show being end of October, the sun will be low enough in sky to still get some decent shots.

Performances are between 10:00am and 4:00pm. Spectators will be facing west, so at least till noon and a bit after, you'll have the sun behind you and overhead. Of course, if they keep "the best for last" you'll have to deal with back-lighting and may end up with black silhouettes in the sky...
Then just maybe you'll get lucky and it will be an overcast day, but without rain or snow :-)

Mi630

lamontcranston wrote:

If your grandchildren are young take some earplugs for them to wear. I took one of my grandsons to the Ft. Worth show and during the Blue Angels fly-over he freaked out with his hands over his ears because young children have very acute hearing and the loud noise hurt his ears. We finally had to leave to stop his crying.

Thanks. I took them to a local airshow a couple years ago and took some noise cancelling headphones. The youngest one slept through the whole Blue Angels show.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Mi630 wrote:

I will be attending the Fort Worth Airshow at the ... (show quote)

I envy you. Love airshows. Miss my flying days.

I always have some conflict. I grew up in Corpus Christi, TX where the Blue Angels were first invented. (They actually home based at Jacksonville Fl, but moved back to Corpus Christi in 1948, while I was still in sixth grade.) However, I joined the USAF and so I'm always looking for the Thunderbirds with their red flight suits.

bfstuff

Looks like old Carswell AFB. I used to be stationed there. Spectators should be facing west. Sun likely to be on your left, depending on time of day. If you can, stop by Horace Carswell's grave at the headquarters building to pay respects. Interesting fact... He is the only medal of honor recipient buried on the base named after him.

LessN2 Loc: Texas

bfstuff wrote:

Looks like old Carswell AFB. I used to be stationed there. Spectators should be facing west. Sun likely to be on your left, depending on time of day. If you can, stop by Horace Carswell's grave at the headquarters building to pay respects. Interesting fact... He is the only medal of honor recipient buried on the base named after him.

The airshow is held at Alliance airport, north of Ft Worth.
As far as where Maj Carswell is buried, at one time he was moved on base in front of HQ building. When the base closed down the active duty commitment, he was moved again.

This is from the TSHS (Texas State Historical Society)

On February 26, 1948, Carswell was buried in east Fort Worth at the Rose Hill Cemetery. To honor the Texas hero, Carswell was reburied at Carswell Air Force Base on October 9, 1986. After the base was closed in 1993, Carswell’s body was taken in dignified ceremonies to the north side of Fort Worth to Oakwood Cemetery, a historic cemetery, and buried in the Carswell Memorial Park. His parents’ remains were also moved and buried beside their son.

bfstuff

LessN2 wrote:

The airshow is held at Alliance airport, north of ... (show quote)

Sorry, I stand corrected. I haven't been there in quite a while. Thanks for the update.

Billynikon Loc: Atlanta

I have seen the Blue's several times in Pensacola Beach. Best shot is when the solo comes over the water and it rooster-tails behind him