Millville NJ Wheels and Wings Airshow 2021
Heritage flight of F-22 and P51
Labor Day weekend out to Millville’s Executive Airport for their annual airshow. It was postponed twice because of COVID-19 but fell on the perfect weekend. Sunny and clear on Saturday provided clear blue skies as the backdrop, while Sunday was breezy with an overcast sky, giving the photos a grey, moody feel. Now, while at these airshows, it’s essential to bring shades, sunscreen, and a hat, as you’ll be in the sun all day. And think about arriving early. Millville didn’t just host an airshow; they also had a car show. For the kids, they had bouncy houses and slides. So plenty of things to do to occupy your time before the show. Second, you want to claim a spot early while photographing the event. Ideally, you want the sun on your back and photograph the planes with optimal lighting. So consider that while selecting your spot. Unfortunately, this wasn’t an option this weekend as the sun was directly in front of spectators, which lead to mostly shooting into the sun. Regardless, you learn to adapt. Make some friends while you’re at the show. Airshows bring like-minded people together. Whether you're military, inspired by aviation, or enjoy photography like myself. I gathered a friendly group while shooting on Saturday. Standard Gauge Railroader, a YouTuber, inspired me to start filmmaking again, as did two other fellows shooting the show with telephoto lenses. One shared his story about a whale watch, and the other mentioned the Conowingo Dam. It made the airshow that much more enjoyable. Now, onto the show itself.
The show began with the Army’s Golden Knights taking to the sky in their C-31, flying up to thirteen thousand feet before dropping the first parachute. They sang the National Anthem as the Golden Knight came floating down, the American flag waving behind. Landing precisely at the end of the anthem, a surprise flyover accompanied the performance. The featured performer, an F-22 and P-51, buzzed over the crowd, the aircraft crossing over one another show center. What a start!
The show also hosted a variety of aerobatic performers, including the Jersey Jerks, Kevin Russo and his Snj-6, Jacquie B with her extra 300, and a familiar face, Mark Meredith with his super chipmunk. I photographed his plane at the Pocono raceway a couple of weekends back and met the pilot behind the plane at this event. After his performance, he came to the spectator line and handed out personalized cards. He inspired youth about aviation and took a moment with each spectator and, listening to their stories and sharing his.
A surprise act was Jerry Conley and his vampire jet. Development of the aircraft began during the Second World War in 1943 as an aircraft suitable for combat that harnessed the innovation of jet propulsion; it quickly opted for a single-engine, twin-boom aircraft equipped with the Halford H.1 turbojet engine, which was later known as the de Havilland Goblin. Originally ordered as an experimental aircraft, the decision to mass-produce the aircraft as an interceptor for the Royal Air Force (RAF) was finalized in May 1944. In 1946, the first production aircraft entered service with the RAF, months after the conflict ended. The Vampire was the second jet fighter, after the Gloster Meteor, operated by the RAF, and it was the service's first to be powered by a single jet engine. The Vampire was quickly used to replace many wartime piston-engine fighter aircraft. The RAF operated it as a front-line fighter until 1953. About 3,300 Vampires were manufactured.
The Golden Knights took to the sky again, performing various demonstrations. First was a Baton Pass, where two jumpers exited the aircraft and demonstrated the basics of flight control by flying their bodies together and linking up while in freefall. Once together, they exchange a wooden baton. Next up was the Cutaway. Where a single jumper exits the aircraft and intentionally causes his parachute to malfunction. This maneuver demonstrates what a parachutist would do should an actual malfunction occur. After that was the Diamond Track. Two jumpers demonstrate the incredible amount of lateral movement that can be achieved in freefall by gliding apart. Once they reach a pre-determined altitude, the jumpers change direction, turning back towards each other while streaking through the sky at a combined speed of more than 300 miles per hour, their smoke trails forming the shape of a large diamond in the sky. Last was the Diamond Formation. Four jumpers now fly their bodies’ together while in freefall. Plummeting through the sky at 120 miles per hour, the jumpers fly within inches of each other yet never touch. At a predetermined altitude, the Team Leader signals the other jumpers, and they each separate in different directions.
The main event and most anticipated flight of the day was the F-22. The most dominant fighter. Unprecedented in air dominance. The 5th generation F-22 unique combination of stealth speed and agility combined with lethal long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry makes it the best fighter in the world. The F-22 later banked and met with the P-51 for their heritage flight. It is an excellent showcase of how far fighter jets have come and an impressive look at history firsthand.
If you enjoyed the article and want to view more, I also made a video about the day. There, you will see how I captured the shots and the performance of these aircraft. Thanks to our veterans past, present, and future, as well as Millville’s Executive Airport, for hosting this event.