Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Charon on August 19, 2002, 02:18:04 PM
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Watched the Chicago Airshow from a very cool perspective, my mother and stepfather's boat anchored off the performance area (along with several hundred other boats). It wasn't as central to the action as being on one of the beaches, but the planes did end up passing directly overhead or just off to the side as they conducted their manuvers, which is a unique perspective.
Beautiful day (78 degrees F) low humidity, plenty of cold beer, two on-board bathrooms, 2 fridges, a platform to sit on and dangle ones feet in the icy waters as needed, and a great backdrop to the show.
The pictures suck though. haven't developed the film ones yet so I just have the ones I took with my Intel Web Cam, that also doubles as a cheap digital camera. The images are actually only about 1/2 to 2/3 the size of the action as seen by the naked eye. The blazing sunlight also washed out the camera and stressed its photo sensors to the max.
Anyway...
Charon
For you MS flight Sim fans, Miegs field from the runway breakwater. This is the entrance to Burnham Harbor, where my mom keeps her boat.
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Some A10s
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A C-5 (it's so big it looked like it was going 10mph as it flew overhead.
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A KC 135 with its dongle hanging out.
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the photo
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A P-51/F-16 memorial flyby. The 51 was the only WW2 warbird in attendance. There was also a bright red Mig17.
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The Lima Lima areobatics team in T-34cs
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One for the Army, an Apache
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Mavrick pays us a visit. Got to see a lot of AB action in the f-14 demonstration
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couple of B1s
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Finally, three of the Blues
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2
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3
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Bloody sweet Charon!
I'm properly green with envy. What a great way to see an air show. Got any pics of the the topless deck wenches? ;) Thanks for posting the shots. Btw, did seeing those low alt planes pass by Chicago's towering buildings bring back any memories? Just struck me as I was looking at 'em. I'll buy the beer for an invite aboard next time I'm up there! :cool:
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Sweet thank you for the effort.
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Charon, cool pics.
My Mom and Dad grew up in Chicago. I spent every summer there visiting relatives until I was about 14. Grandparents lived on the North side, Drake St. (900 N).
Cousins (male) went to Lane Tech. It was an all boys school back then. My sister lost a few friends in the ...can't remember the name.. Catholic School fire in late 50's.
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I'm properly green with envy. What a great way to see an air show. Got any pics of the the topless deck wenches?
Not on my boat Braz. The closest I got was this pic of a boat who's bow was loaded with babes. Unfortunately the camera does it poor justice. Notice that one woman has her legs up in a "come mount me" pose. I didn't know what was up with that -- since the boat was underway, perhaps she was airing something out :) Also notice that I was able to camoflage this picture from my wife as the Blues were coincidently flying through at the same time. Yes, that was intentional :)
On another note Braz, frankly it didn't connect as an image for me at the time. Sept 11, and our fighting men overseas, yes, but the potential impact imagry, no. I have seen this show a number of times and seeing planes flying through the building "canyons" (as both the Blues and Thunderbirds do) is such a natural and immersive factor of the show that it didn't seep in for me.
I don't recall that coming up for anyone else either on the boat or during the radio coverage, which was also heavy with Sept 11 obsevations, and they even had a radio guy up on the 100th floor of the John Hancock bldg (the skyscraper with the twin airials).
BTW, I want to try the building perspective some day, btw as the soloists fly within several hundred yards or so of the taller buildings as part of the show, and you're looking down on them :)
One thing, I spent too much time staring up at the sun or at the glare on the water, even wearing shades most of the time. My eyes feel like they did after being a bit too lazy with a welding mask.
Charon
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I'm familiar with all that MT, can't remember the name of that horrible school fire, but I have it in an old book somewhere on disasters. I used to live on the lake at Foster and Sheridan (N. side) until 6 months ago, but now I'm doing the suburban house thing in Buffalo Grove. Chicago is a great city, best in the world -- I'm a total cheerleader :) It's going to be nasty cold and dreary soon, but I guess you can't have everything.
Charon
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I graduated last year from IIT but for 4 years I got to watch the Chicago air show down at North beach, thats a great show. I miss it.
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RE: the Hancock building.
When I was about 12 yrs. old my Uncle worked for Otis Elevator, and had put in the high speed elevators there. He took me up past the observation deck to the ROOF! I went out to the rail the window washer hangs from and spit over the side. Was very cool for a 12 year old, hell, I'd like to do it now! :)
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That makes one of us MT :) I like heights in airplanes (didn't even mind sitting belted in a Huey with the doors open), but I have a hard time with the open heights. It was a real challenge for me to enjoy the view from the Eifel tower this year. It's funny. Ladders dont bother me at all, but any type of flat platform walking/standing experience can be challenging.
Charon