The 2002 Miramar Air Show
October 19-20, 2002
These photos were taken by me, Fred Bruenjes, at the 2002 MCAS Miramar Airshow in San Diego, Californa. I attended during Saturday and Sunday afternoons (October 19-20). I have been attending for many years and was eagerly anticipating this year's show because I didn't get my "fix" in 2001 due to the September 11 attacks and subsequent cancellation of the air show.
These pictures were taken with a Canon D60 digital SLR camera, mounted to a 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS lens for the airborne shots, and a 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS lens for the static displays. I didn't feel out of place with such a big camera/lens, because at one point there were four of us lined up against the fence with the exact same 100-400mm lens! Most of these photos are shown at quarter resolution.
This F-14 Tomcat was a big hit because MCAS Miramar used to be NAS Miramar, home of "Fightertown USA", the Top Gun school.
A wingwalking act, using a 1937 Waco JMF-7 with a jet engine strapped on!
Kyle Franklin wingwalks while his dad Jimmy Franklin pilots.
A member of the Red Baron Stearman Squadron.
An AV-8B Harrier hovering like a helicopter.
This UH-1N Huey helicopter was used as a camera ship, to take pictures of the crowd between performers.
The Blue Angels' Marine Corps C-130 Fat Albert doing a JATO (Jet Assisted Take Off).
The Navy's Blue Angels, flying F/A-18 Hornets.
Blue Angels #5 lead solo pilot Scott "Intake" Kartvedt is a hometown boy from El Cajon!
It looks like a certain collision but they missed each other!
This F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter is so stealthy that only the guy in the red shirt can see it.
The pilot of the aforementioned F-117, showing support for the Angels (who were in the World Series at the time).
Sloppy taxi! (Just kidding!) It seemed like we didn't feel as much heat or hear as much noise as with a "normal" jet when this was taken.
Looking up the nose of NASA's F/A-18 Hornet chase plane.
Sentimental Journey, a 1944 B-17G. Notice the two movie kills!
The plane that the US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team jumped out of.
The plane that the US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team jumped out of.
Sunset against the bleachers and an American flag.
