The Airsho 2017 is going on this weekend, and since the CAF abandoned the area, the attractions haven't drawn the crowds they used to. However, there are still some good events scheduled. One is the MIG 17. It isn't often we here in the U.S. get to see a MIG flyby, but according to the Airsho 2017 list of performers, Randy Ball is supposed to display his MIG-17. Hopefully, that will help make the $25 ticket price at the gate and the $5 parking fee worthwhile. No rain checks.
By the way, Annie Jacobson's book, "Area 51: An Uncensored History of America's Top Secret Military Base," tells a good story about how the Israelis were able to bribe/blackmail an Iraqi pilot to abscond with a Russian made MIG. They gave it to the U.S. which put it to test at Area 51 in Operation Have Donut and developed some defensive and offensive measures ultimately used by American pilots in sky battles over Vietnam. Unfortunately, a cocky Air Force Lieutenant General, Robert M. Bond, decided he wanted to fly the mig bypassing the usual training course for the plane. He crashed and died.
(According to a more recent version of the story, they obtained more MIGs later, and it wasn't that 1st MIG that the General crashed. Read that story at How a general's fatal joyride in a secret enemy jet almost revealed Area 51.)
Meanwhile enjoy the airshow.
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2:48 PM 9/14/2017
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