This past weekend, Barnes Air National Guard Base held the
Westfield International Air Show. I went and I had a blast. I grew up on three
Air Force bases and had attended many air shows as a child and I knew that I
would enjoy going to this one.
I originally planned to go with Mary, but it’s just not her
thing. While I was on the Internet getting all the details for the air show, it
was mentioned that there was only room for 12,000 cars. They recommended to get
there earlier than later. I found out the lots opened at 6:30 a.m. and the
gates to the base opened at 8:00 a.m. So,
I arrived at 6:10 a.m. and I read my latest Harry Bosch series book by Michael
Connelly while waiting for the gates to open.
My goals were the following: find big planes; walk around in
them; and watch the air show.
The first plane was a C-5 Galaxy A – a cargo
plane that on the upper level has 73 airplane-like seats, two bathrooms and a
kitchen. Of course, when flying thousands of miles, that is the only way to
travel, especially when hauling huge pieces of equipment that could roll over
on you. The backside of the plane had a ramp to get equipment in. Me with my two
knee replacements couldn’t make it up. I turned to a man next to me and asked
for help, explaining to him about my knees. His wife immediately went to my
other side and together they hauled me up. That was so nice of them! I then
walked around and asked questions of the crew. That is how I found out about
the upper-level passenger seating.
My next big plane was a KC-135 which supplies fuel to planes mid-air.
I found out that the plane holds 31,000 gallons of fuel in its wings and belly.
I can’t even image how long it takes to fill that up! Touring it required
climbing a metal staircase, and, even with my knee replacements, I made it! At
the rear of the plane was an area where a crew member would be at the controls
to attach the refueling boom to the plane needing fuel. I also went up to the
cockpit where I learned the plane has been in use since 1958. Over the years,
the instrument panel has been upgraded to keep up with modern technology.
Now, coming down the
metal stairs was much more complicated than going up. First, I’m afraid of
heights, and second, going down stairs is much more difficult for me with the
knee replacements. I need to go down one step at a time, turning my feet sideways.
I explained this to the nice crew member and he volunteered to help me down. I
accepted his offer.
The air show kept getting delayed due to heavy cloud cover,
but finally cleared enough for the show to go on. There was a single engine
prop that did loops and dives with smoke pluming out from the rear so you could
see in detail what the plane was doing. The fighter jets flew past at a low
level like 100 feet so we could get a good look at them. They then pulled up
and flew into the sky. Watching that was quite breath taking. My favorite
moment was when the C-17, which is a large cargo and troop transport, flew low
and circled the airfield several times so we could get a good look at it. For
its size, it had a lot of mobility and made sharp turns with ease.
After an hour and a half, I thought the show was over and I
started walking back to my car. I heard a lot of oooo’s and ahhhh’s as I was walking. I looked up and there were parachute jumpers coming down to land. Had
I stayed in my original spot, they would have landed right in front of me. Drats!
I spent seven hours at the air show and was never bored. There
were all sorts of planes sitting on the runway (static displays) that you could
look at. Plus, all types of vendors. For food, I had a funnel cake with lots of powdered sugar and a
lemonade drink with a whole lemon cut up in it. Not very nutritious, but all
part of the day’s fun.
It has been seven years since Barnes held their last air show
and I hope that the next one is much sooner than that. I made so many memories
that will last for years to come.
Until next time…
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