Yeah the helicopters are French army pumas on training exercises in Chad.....mad bastards they are!
I can only imagine. In America, where there was a huge influx of military surplus FAL type rifles in the late 80s-early 90s, the joke was that they had never been fired and only dropped once!
This was also said about the WW1 and WW2 rifles that also became plentiful on the civilian market, just only in bolt action form.
As for the Raptor.........sheeee it! Neat bit of kit huh...........
Scotty, it is amazing. I grew up in Anchorage watching the F-15s, then went to college in Fairbanks watching the F-16s. I love fighterplanes, the F-22 is well beyong both of those very capable jets. I am very glad it is on my side and not anyone else's. Nothing like having the radar cross section of an insect.
Just take a look at the turn at the 3.42 mark....it comes up from a low speed pass climbs at ...what...45 degrees into inverted and breaks into a inverted high g descending right turn......check out the shock waves....that's a kill!!
The manuever at the 4.20 or so mark is also notable.
..........and the roll at 5.25.....that's pure engine geometry....wow!
I am a grown man, and an aviation enthusiast. To see this in person, while knowing not only the maneuver capability of this aircraft, as well as its ability to avoid radar, is nothing short of amazing. I feel bad for any pilot flying anything less.
The "catwalk" you mentioned 7.30... I can imagine with the power setting they have to use on the low speed high angle pass your insides would just vibrate until they turn to jell-o!!!
I am sure it is an interesting experience for the pilot, but for someone on the ground when the plane is doing that, it does shake the ground to say the least.
Great aircraft, haven't seen one up close yet.....yet!!
I am sure you will enjoy the show, and also appreciate the knowledge that ultimately this aircraft is on your side. As production expands and deployments spread it will be at an airshow near you soon...hopefully. As for me, I can drive down near the base an watch them nearly daily if I wanted to commit the time.