Large Crowds Gather For Blue Angels and Thunderbirds Flyover
by Alex Lloyd Gross
April 28 2020. The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flew overhead in the region, taking off from Maguire Air Force Base. They did not dissapoint. With many airshows being cancelled, this was a great way to show off what the US has . There were no stunts or tricks. Only a single flyover . People left their houses by 12:30PM to stake out a good spot . The flight was supposed to go down the Delaware River so any kind of boat launch was prime real estate.
The scheduled flight time was supposed to be at 1::45. By 12:45PM police in Philadelphia blocked access to Linden Avenue and the boat launch. If you had your spot, you were set. If not, you better hope you got lucky. The view from the Bristol Borough boat launch was fine. People saw them go from left to right way off in the distance and then disappear. There were fears that the flight would no go down the river, but rather go farther inland.
By about 2:00 PM you could see the distinct formation of the Blue Angels coming south, towards the gathered crowds. Within minutes, they would be overhead, and people pointed their cameras at the sky. Cell phones captured video. To get better photos that make the planes look like planes and not dots in the sky, you needed a telephoto lens of at least 300mm
The Thunderbirds were to the right of the Blue Angels if you were looking south. Depending on your tree line, you might not have been able to see them. Along the borough waterfront, people had an obstructed view of the Thunderbirds, until they passed over. They were about a mile away from each other. As the planes got closer to center city Philadelphia, the pilots activated smoke trails, and flew towards the city and then further sough to Delaware.
Airplanes like this need to be used. It makes more sense to fly round the country , lifting spirits and saluting people as opposed to mundane flights over Florida, with no purpose. This duel team of the US Military are doing similar flyovers across the country, to salute healthcare workers and first responders working along the front lines of COVID-19.. You can see video here.