clareprop (#8),

Bit far back, but have just had a look at this Thread. Your:
In 1942, in ole Alabam', our USAAAC instructors used to playfully tap our AT-6 wingtips together for fun, no harm resulted AFAIK.

We thought it was great, but "don't try this at home !

Danny42C.

In my opinion, the Red Arrows put on the best display relative to the Blues, the Thunderbirds, and Snowbirds, although the last was handicapped by having to take off well before their display and climb to altitude for the vertical part of their routine.

The first time I saw the Reds, the Rollbacks were done with all nine, not just five. Equally impressive, more than I suppose 95% of those present could appreciate, was a rejoin of the nine, begun with a run-in (over the crowd) with the airplanes abreast and spaced though a 145-degree arc and then pulling up into a loop. At the top of the loop, they had gathered into the nine-plane diamond.

Eclat! indeed.

The video clearly demonstrates the Blues aren't that good - don't they know that you've got to point the undercarriage towards the ground?? Bunch of amateurs....

Tourist, having been involved in a few displays there a definite buzz getting there in time, performing at minimum height and as perfect as possible. Having also watched the average Joe Public air show goer much of the excellence is missed.

You can very rarely get anywhere close to displaying the aircraft in its operational role. Better just fly at a safe height where everyone can see you.

What also impresses me is that the F/A-18 is such a good aircraft aircraft with the precicise control systems and feedback via its flying controls for such close formation aerobatics. It must weigh in at c. 60,000 lbs at display take off weights and the throttle / engines response too is very impressive I can't imagine a similar standard of close formation being possible in a Tornao F 3 or with a GR Tonkw,,of whatever mark ,no matter how good the crews were
MB

These two look quite close together in 67wg?

http://airheadsfly.com/wp-content/up...7554506174.jpg

Plus here is a nine ship

https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/me...-nine-ship.jpg

The Blue's C model Hornets won't weigh anywhere near that much for displays, empty weight is c.24,000lbs, max take-off weight is 'only' c.52,000lbs...

-RP