Novemeber 8 and 9, 2008, NASA celebrated its 50th anniversary with a spectacular airshow at the Kennedy Space Center outside of Cocoa, Florida. It was a beautiful day with a light breeze, temperatures in the low 80s, as several thousand people gathered on the causeway at Kennedy. We were treated to amazing feats of aerobatics. Below are a few photos from that day. Hope you enjoy.


NASA Emblem.jpg
Welcome to NASA

American Flag Brought in by 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles.jpg
The Stars and Stripes being flown in by a parachutist from the 101st Airborne "Screaming Eagles" jump team.

101st Airborne Screaming Eagle Parachutist.jpg
101st Airborne Screaming Eagle Parachute Canopy

Air Force Reserve BiPlane.jpg
Air Force Reserve Bi-Plane

Air Rescue C-130 Cargo Plane.jpg
An Air Rescue team conducted a demonstration of a rescue. This is the C-130 cargo plane they use.

Air Rescue HH-60 Helicopter.jpg
An Air Rescue HH-60 helicopter swoops in to the rescue...

Air Rescue HH-60 in Action.jpg
...an retrieves the stranded pilot.

Air Rescue HH-60 in Flight.jpg
HH-60 helicopter in flight.

Air Rescue C-130 Refueling Two HH-60 Helicopters.jpg
The Air Rescue C-130 cargo plane can refuel two HH-60 helicopters in flight, dramatically extending their flight time.

B-25J Bomber - Belly View.jpg
B-25J Bomber - Belly View

B-25J Bomber - Top View.jpg
B-25J Bomber - Belly View

Castrol Aviator Aerobatic Stunt Plane.jpg
The Castrol Aviator stunt plane performed incredible aerobatic acts!

F-16 Falcon.jpg
The F-16 Falcon is so fast I had a difficult time catching it with the camera!

F-16 Falcon and F4 Phantom.jpg
Air Force history: A modern F-16 and a Vietnam-era F-4 Phantom in a side-by-side flyby.

F4 Phantom on Dirty Flyby.jpg
F-4 Phantom making a "dirty" pass (wheels, flaps, and tailhook extended).

F-18F Super Hornet.jpg
Navy F-18 Super Hornet.

F-18F Super Hornet and Corsair.jpg
Naval history: An F-18 Super Hornet and a WWII Corsair in a side-by-side flyby. Both were carrier-launched fighters.

Corsair in Dirty Pass with Gear, flaps, and Tailhook Down.jpg
Corsair in dirty pass.

F-104 Starfighter in Close Flyby.jpg
The amazingly fast F-104 Starfighter in a close flyby.

Navy Blue Angels C-130 Cargo Plane - Fat Albert.jpg
The United States Navy's Blue Angels flies with a large support team transported by their C-130 cargo plane affectionately called "Fat Albert". It has impressive short-takeoff capabilities.

Navy Blue Angels C-130 Cargo Plane - Fat Albert - Top View.jpg
"Fat Albert" banking through a turn.

Navy Blue Angels F-18 Super Hornet.jpg
The Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team currently flies F-18 Hornets.

Navy Blue Angels F-18 Super Hornets on Inverted Dirty Pass.jpg
Two Blue Angels make a dirty flyby, one of which is inverted.

Navy Blue Angels.jpg
Navy Blue Angels in a diamond formation.

Navy Blue Angels F-18 Super Hornets - Rolling Over.jpg
Blue Angels in a diamond formation making a staggered roll.

Navy Blue Angels F-18 Super Hornets.jpg
Blue Angels in a diamond formation making a knife-edge pass.

Navy Blue Angels F-18 Super Hornets - Close Order Flying.jpg
The Blue Angels fly within 18" of each other!

Navy Blue Angels F-18 Super Hornets - Formation Flying.jpg
Blue Angels in formation

Navy Blue Angels Demonstration Team.jpg
The United State Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team - 2008