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Dover air show brings fast jets, record crowd
A USAF F-35A creates a vapor cone during its performance at the First State Air Show at Dover Air Force Base May 19. The aircraft is flown by Capt. Melanie Kluesner, commander of the F-35 demonstration team.
BILL SHULL PHOTOS
May 22, 2024
The First State Air Show took off from Dover Air Force Base May 18-19, showcasing aircrafts from a range of eras.
A member of the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights parachute team arriving with the Delaware state flag. A record crowd of 100,000 people attended May 19, according to the air show announcer.
When the USAF’s largest cargo plane smokes the tires, you know it. A Dover-based C-5M burned some rubber when landing after its demo.
Capt. Melanie Kluesner in the F-35A passes through smoke created by pyrotechnics set off during her display.
Larry Kelly pilots Panchito, the North American B-25 based at Delaware Coastal Airport in Georgetown.
A walk through the cargo area of a C-5M is always a popular activity for air show attendees.
The crew of a Lockheed C-130 has the best seat in the house to watch the F-35 demo May 17.
An F-15C pilot from Louisiana hangs out waiting for his turn to take to the air.
Jeff Chorman of Chorman Aerial Spraying in Farmington brought his T-28 Trojan and T-6 Texan to the static display.
A C-130H from The Delaware Air National Guard, based at Wilmington Airport in New Castle County.
F-15E Strike Eagle pilots from North Carolina sell patches in front of the two airplanes they brought from Seymour Johnson AFB.
There was always a long line waiting to climb the stairs for a look at the C-5M cockpit.
Ferrari vs. 51: A World War II-era P-51 Mustang flies past a car from Precision Exotic Cars. For $200, attendees could get a run down the runway in a Lamborghini, McClaren, Ferrari or Mustang Cobra at over 100 mph. A ride in the P-51 would have been priceless.
The Smoke-N-Thunder jet-powered truck is always a crowd pleaser. The pyrotechnics were set off as the truck sped down the runway.
“Doc,” one of only two flying B-29s, was a popular attraction for people who walked the ramp to see the static displays.
An F-16 pilot from South Carolina sports the stars and stripes on his helmet when he taxied in May 17.
The F-35A creates a shockwave and vapor cone on a high-speed pass in front of the crowd. The F-35 demo team is based at Hill AFB in Utah.
A young air show fan wears ear protection from the loud jet noise, which many people call the “sound of freedom.”
An airman gets a closer look at the engines of an F-15.
The crew demonstrates how the C-17 can back up using its thrust reversers.
Photographers brought the big lenses to get awesome photos of the aerial performance.
An F-15C from Louisiana puts on a fantastic display – with afterburner – May 19.
A World War II-era P-51, left, flies with an F-35A during the heritage flight.
The U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute into the First State Air Show.
