Airshows Review: Rhode Island National Guard Open House June 27-28

Rhode Island National Guard Open House June 27-28


Location: Air National Guard Base, Quonset, Rhode Island

Admission: FREE

Parking: A $10 donation is requested to benefit the Hasbro Children’s Hospital

Value: Very Good

One of the best organized shows we have been to in some time. Traffic flows were well managed. Gallery location on the flight line provided excellent photo opportunities with take off from north to south and landing south to north as there was a 10 knot quartering wind. The taxi way was between the gallery and the runway so there were excellent close up opportunities as the aircraft taxied by. 400mm was more than enough lens although there were photographers around with 500mm. Heat haze was a problem at this focal length.

Static displays were numerous and varied included the B-1 Lancer and CV-22A Osprey. All performers seemed fired up and on their game. We have seen the Blue Angels perform many times but they were particularly fired up at this show. Sadly, there was no JATO for Fat Albert.

The Canadian Snowbirds gave a wonderfully graceful performance. The show also included the Oracle Challenger flying acrobatics around the Black Dagger Team as it descended. The show provides an excellent outing for the family as there are many amusements on the site to keep the young ones entertained. Food service was plentiful and not overly expensive. Sanitation facilities were plentiful, clean and well dispersed.

Over all I would definitely put this show on your calendar for next year!

Aircraft/Performers Presented:
Blue Angels
Snowbirds from Canada
F-16 Demo Team
F-22 Raptor Demo Team
Black Daggers U.S. Army Special Operations Command Parachute Team
P-51 Mustangs of the The Horsemen
Michael Gullian
John Klatt
Ed Hamill
East Coast L-39C DEmo Team
Static included the B-1 Lancer
and many others.


Rating: 9.0 out of 10

Review and photos: by Andrew.J. Warren of http://www.airshowsreview.com/