One of the main attractions drawing me to the Nellis Air Force Base airshow in 2004 was an appearance by the newest addition to the inventory, the F-22 Raptor, which entered service just a few weeks before the show, at a cost of $258 million dollars each. Although I'd heard that a squadron had been formed at Langley AFB in Virginia, I didn't realize that several of the birds were also stationed here at Las Vegas. However, since Nellis is one of the main testing facilities, I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised.
In five years' time I'm sure we'll probably be sick of the sight of them, but at the moment the Raptor is a terrific novelty. It was great seeing them in action, but the flybys were a very ordinary affair, almost entirely consisting of high flat passes, with only one banking turn while they were in the airshow area, which was away from the crowd and at a great distance from the flightline. Fortunately, however, on the media day before the show I was at the Threat Training Facility in another part of the base, and managed to get this shot while standing on top of a Russian tank! Although it's backlit and a bit soft, it'll have to do until I get something better!
Fighter Wallpaper
Helicopter Wallpaper
Aircraft Wallpaper
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