Curious on the backstory behind the photos? This is the place. You'll find not only write ups on local outings, but also reviews of major events I’ve attended.
A New Look For The Dallas Poseidon
An interesting group of mumps and bumps on this P-8A Poseidon seen landing at Dallas Love Field, including a new dorsal fairing near the tail! The aircraft is part of the classified BUPERS SDC Dallas test & evaluation unit.
"SHINR02" touching down on runway 31R at Dallas Love Field back in February after a training sortie over the Gulf of Mexico. This Poseidon is part of the secretive Dallas Love Field-based US Navy detachment BUPERS SDC Dallas/NAWC-23 and appears to have received a new dorsal fairing modification near the tail! The following information is all publicly accessible online.
The tight-lipped Dallas, Texas-based unit plays an important role in test and evaluation of advanced sensor technology such as Raytheon's AN/APS-154 Advanced Airborne Sensor (AAS), which can be seen in these photos slung underneath the aircraft. According to the US Navy, the huge pod was first flown on the P-8A Poseidon in 2015.
The AAS is a state-of-the-art radar used on the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. Developed by Raytheon, the AAS is an upgrade to the AN/APS-149 Littoral Surveillance Radar System (LSRS), which was designed to provide multi-function target detection and tracking as well as high-resolution ground mapping at standoff ranges covering land, littoral, and water areas.
The AAS boasts a double-sided AESA radar, offering near 360-degree coverage and the ability to simultaneously scan, map, track, and classify targets. Moreover, the radar contains a moving target indicator (MTI) that can detect, classify, and track targets on land and at sea at the same time. Synthetic aperture and inverse synthetic aperture radars generate clear, high-quality imagery of inland and ocean areas, allowing P-8 crews to profile vessels from long distances and in adverse weather conditions. The AAS can even detect the faint wakes left by submerged submarines on the surface of the ocean.
The AAS is a game changer for the U.S. military. Once a hostile vessel is identified, targeting information can be sent to another armed platform and a networked weapon can be guided to the target through a data link. As for the rest of bumps and and antennas, I could only speculate as to how they play a role, but I'll refrain.
The Super 80 Send Off
The conclusion of American Mad Dog operations happened four years ago and I had the privilege of being on airfield for the historic day!
September 4th, 2023 marks four years since the final day of revenue operations for the American Airlines MD-80, affectionately nicknamed the Mad Dog. On September 4, 2019, many aviation enthusiasts and employees mourned the end of an era as the last American Airlines MD-80 flights took to the air concluding 36 years of operations for the Dallas/Fort Worth-based airline.
I was one of the lucky ones to witness the occasion in person as I attended the "Super 80 Send-Off" hosted by the DFW Airport. As I gazed upon the sea of American MD-80s lined up on the tarmac, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia and gratitude for this aircraft - this workhorse of American Airlines that had carried so many passengers to destinations all over the world.
The numbers speak for themselves - the MD-80 constituted a whopping 44 percent of American Airlines' fleet at its peak in 2002 and carried over 87 million passengers in its lifetime - truly a testament to the aircraft's reliability and versatility.
In tribute to the airframe, American operated the final revenue flight from Dallas/Fort Worth to Chicago O'Hare as flight 80. The rest of the departures were non-revenue position legs with the majority going to Roswell for storage. Lucky for us watching, many of the pilots performed some rather spirited departures including wing waves and low transition departures!
Love it or hate it, here's to the Mad Dog - a true aviation legend. The skies are sure quieter without it!
The Belgians Invade Fort Worth
The Belgian Air Force pays Fort Worth a visit.
Belgian Air Force 80 landed at Fort Worth Meacham Airport this morning following a 10.5-hour flight from Brussels. The appearance of the Falcon 7X caught my attention, particularly in light of the recent news that the Belgian government is refusing to accept delivery of their first F-35As, originally slated for delivery by Fort Worth's Lockheed Martin later this year. This raises the question of whether the two events are linked. I suspect there's a possibility!
2022 Wings Over Dallas WWII Air show
Though the 2022 Wings Over Dallas Air Show was marred by tragedy, we must remember both those who were lost and the mission of the Commemorative Air Force.
It's been over 8 months since the tragic accident at the Commemorative Air Force Wings Over Dallas WWII Air Show. Like many others, I still think about that day often. It was a day that changed the lives of so many people forever.
As a photographer who was at the event, it's been difficult for me to look back at my photos from that day. The memories and emotions that they invoke can be overwhelming. However, after speaking with friends and families of those involved, I realized that my photos could serve as a tribute to those lost on November 12, 2022 who dedicated their lives to preserving and displaying these incredible pieces of aviation history.
The six men who tragically lost their lives on that day were all deeply dedicated to the organization, and it's clear that their passion and love for aviation was unwavering. I have no doubt that they would want us to continue to remember them and the Commemorative Air Force in a positive light. The accident does not define the 70 year-old organization and their thousands of selfless volunteers.
This photo album is dedicated to the six men who lost their lives: Terry Barker, Craig Hutain, Kevin "K5" Michels, Dan Ragan, Leonard "Len" Root, and Curt Rowe. They will forever be remembered by so many both for the lives they lived and their dedication to honoring our veterans through their passion of aviation.
I want to urge everyone to keep the comments section respectful and refrain from speculation. The investigation is ongoing, and there are still many people deeply affected by this tragedy. Let's honor those lost by continuing to support the Commemorative Air Force and the incredible work that they do.
Fort Worth Alliance Airport 7/4/23
A quick trip to the Fort Worth Alliance yielded two classic aircraft in a short span of time!
A quick trip to the Fort Worth Alliance yielded two classic aircraft in a short span of time!
First up was an Eastern Airlines Boeing 767-200 that has been in service with multiple carriers since its delivery to EgyptAir in in 1984. The airframe, registration N605KW, remains one of the few 767-200s still using the legendary Pratt and Whitney JT9D engines. These engines have powered some of the most iconic aircraft such as the classic 747-100/200 series. With its nearly 39 years of service, this old veteran is still going strong. It departed for March Air Force Base in California as "Eastern 9038 heavy" presumably to perform a military charter.
Shortly after Eastern departed, an FBO crew van arrived to 94-7310, a C-130H Hercules belonging to the 302nd Airlift Wing out of Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This C-130H boasts upgraded NP2000 propellers, but despite the modern addition, the airplane still has that unmistakable look and exhaust of an older Herk. If you look closely, you can also see the outline of the number five on the side as this aircraft was recently used for firefighting, outfitted with a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems, also known as MAFFS.
Seeing these older types in action is always enjoyable for me. It's a testament to the longevity and reliability of the these legendary designs. While newer models have since been introduced, these old planes are still running strong and getting the job done.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport 6/28/23
Various traffic seen at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Wednesday, June 28th, 2023.
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth
A brief look into the history behind Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth.
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, also known as Carswell Field, is a military installation located in Fort Worth, Texas. The base was established in 1942 as a Consolidated Aircraft Corporation manufacturing plant, with the primary mission of producing B-24 Liberator bombers for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
After the war, the base was transferred to the Strategic Air Command and became home to the 7th Bombardment Wing, where it continued to be used for production of aircraft. During the Cold War, the base played a critical role in deterring Soviet aggression as a key storage site for nuclear weapons.
In 1994, the base was renamed Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth and now serves as a joint reserve base for multiple military units across different branches. Some of the units that are currently stationed at the base include the 301st Fighter Wing (F-16s), the 136th Airlift Wing (C-130Js), Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 (F/A-18 legacy Hornets), Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 (KC-130J), Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 59 (C-40 Clipper), and multiple other units. As you'll see in the photos, we'll occasionally also see transient traffic generally tech stopping for fuel on their way across the US.
One of the base’s biggest highlights for locals and visiting enthusiasts is the massive presence of Lockheed Martin, particularly the F-35 Lightning II program. Lockheed Martin takes up the entire west side of the base and uses it as a key location for the production of the F-35 Lightning II, a fifth-generation fighter aircraft that can be used for a variety of missions. The F-35 program is one of the largest military aircraft contracts in history and provides jobs for thousands of people in the area. In addition to the F-35, you'll also see foreign F-16s which are used to test and modernize the platform.
We are definitely spoiled to have such a variety of aviation to choose from in North Texas and it's easy to take the history that surrounds us at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth for granted. From manufacturing bombers during World War II to playing a key role in deterring Soviet aggression during the Cold War, this base has seen it all. Today, it serves as a vital base for multiple units, ensuring the safety and security of our nation.
Ruslan Rising
Another visit by the mighty Ruslan…
The mighty Ruslan departs DFW Airport in all its smoky loud glory! This Antonov Airlines An-124-100M-150 made a brief visit to Dallas/Fort Worth this morning before continuing on to Space Florida Launch and Landing Facility Airport (KTTS) down in Florida. No matter how many times I see it, it's always incredible to watch this enormous machine fly.
Around The Metroplex: April 24-25
Activity around the Dallas/Fort Worth area between April 24-25.
It's been a cloudy but busy past 48 hours here in the Fort Worth, TX area. Yesterday at the Fort Worth Alliance Airport, we had two fairly rare Boeing visitors - one from 1961 and one from 2021! First to depart was "HOKU 808," a KC-135 making the long trek back to it's home at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mere minutes later, the much newer 737 MAX 10 taxied out as "BOEING 101" for a 7hr10m test flight over the Gulf of Mexico. Amazing that 60 years separate these airframes yet they still share many similarities, like that iconic Boeing cockpit/nose section.
Fast forward to this morning, and I made the quick trek down to the Fort Worth Meacham Airport and made it just in time to see two beautiful CH-53K King Stallions belonging to the Ironhorse of HMH-461 (Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina) prepping to depart. My first time seeing the relatively new King Stallion in the flesh! It's almost unsettling how clean these CH-53s are...! First to taxi out was "METAL 44" which first flew only 4 months ago followed by "IRONHORSE 12," which interestingly enough is the first King Stallion delivered to the USMC back in May 2018! Both headed east for what I assume is the trek back home to North Carolina after spending time at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Southwest Arizona.
A Royal Classic
One of the few private 737-200s still flying around and this one has quite the history!
Those of us in North Texas are fortunate to have no shortage of classic aircraft based in the area, and this privately-owned Boeing 737-205(A) is one of my personal favorites as there are few private (or operating for the matter) "Jurassic Guppies" still flying in '23!
Even with yesterday morning's temps at a crisp 49F and a slight headwind, this classic ate up a significant portion of Addison Airport's 7,203ft runway 34 for its 2.6 hour flight down to Nassau, Bahamas!
This airframe was delivered to Norwegian airline Braathens S.A.F.E. in 1986 before being converted into a VIP configuration in 1993 for Saudi Arabian Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz. The Prince had a rather flashy interior outfitted with the aircraft boasting a VIP configuration of 19 seats, a meeting quarters, dining room, two large salons, and a master state room in the back with a bed. I also have it on good authority that much of the aircraft has gold accents and the photos in the below link seem to confirm that!
In 1999, the aircraft was sold to Basic Capital Management Inc of Dallas, TX and has been based in Addison ever since. Hoping this beauty still has plenty of life left in it!
OH....I forgot to mention this aircraft is for sale.. but you'll have to call for the price...
For Sale:
https://www.hangar67.com/aircraft/1986-boeing-737200/24336
Airframe History:
https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/boeing-737-200-n370bc-basic-capital-management-inc/rqp1vj
Flying Heavy Metal
Bruce Dickinson, frontman of iconic metal group Iron Maiden visits the Commemorative Air Force in February 2022.
Iron Maiden frontman, Bruce Dickinson, is no stranger to heavy metal, nor is the Commemorative Air Force B29 B24 Squadron. With a personal connection to the B-24 Liberator and an accomplished pilot himself, Dickinson was a fitting guest at the CAF's Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center in Dallas, Texas in February 2022 - home of the Commemorative Air Force operated B-29 Superfortress "FiFi" and B-24 Liberator "Diamond Lil."
In addition to touring the world for over 40 years with his iconic band, Bruce is a pilot and has accumulated over 7,000 hours of flight time since obtaining his license in the 1990s. He has previously flown Boeing 757s for a British airline, and most notably flew Iron Maiden on multiple tours around the world in Boeing 737s, 757s, and 747s affectionately dubbed "Ed Force One," a homage to the band's mascot, Eddie. In addition to commercial aviation, Bruce has forayed into the air show scene, flying his replica WW1-era Fokker Dr.I Triplane which was made most famous by German flying ace Manfred Von Richthofen, The Red Baron.
Dickinson's visit was not only special because of his passion for historic aviation, but also a deep personal connection to one of the two heavy bombers that call the Education Center's 30,000 sq ft hangar home. Bruce's great uncle served as a B-24 crewmember with the Royal Air Force's 200 Squadron during WWII. Bruce credits his great uncle for getting him into aviation and cherished the opportunity to get up close and personal with the world's only regularly flying example.
After touring the hangar, nose art gallery, and graciously agreeing to a sit-down interview, Dickinson was treated to a flight in a 1953 T-34A Mentor trainer operated by the CAF T-34 Sponsor Group where he was able to get some stick time prior to his spoken-word show at the nearby Majestic Theatre in Downtown Dallas.
A special thanks to our friends at Buffalo Airways for helping set up this wonderful visit and of course, thanks to Bruce for making time to come visit our beloved warbirds!
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport 1/16/23
Various traffic seen at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Monday, January 16th, 2023.
Various traffic seen at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on Monday, January 16th, 2023.
The Flying Subaru
A Subaru helicopter? Huh? Yep, you heard that right.
A Subaru helicopter? Huh? Yup, this is a Subaru Bell 412EPX. This is an incredibly modernized variant of the legendary Huey family with electronically controlled Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-9 engines, an improved main transmission, and a glass cockpit. The Bell 412EPX is a commercial version of the Subaru-Bell UH-2, formerly the UH-X, which was built to meet the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's requirement of a UH-1J replacement. Pictures below are N412EX flying at the Floyd Carlson Airfield in the Dallas/Fort Worth area yesterday morning. The Floyd Carlson Airfield was established in 2018 by the Bell Training Academy and is used for training customers critical, normal, and emergency procedures.
