Photos: Spotter's guide to D-M air show
Get educated on Air Force planes! Get the details about aircraft overhead this week for the 2012 Davis-Monthan AFB Open House.
Davis-Monthan AFB Open House
Its low observability, or stealth characteristics including composite materials, special coatings and flying-wing design make the B-2 an almost undetectable bomber capable of delivering massive firepower in a short time anywhere in the world. This two-person-crew bomber can travel up to 6,000 nautical miles before refueling. Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman; Corp.; Number of crew: Two pilots; Maximum speed: Subsonic; Range: Intercontinental; Ceiling: 50,000 feet
Davis-Monthan AFB Open House
First delivered to D-M in Oct. 1975, the A-10 is a common sight above Tucson. It's easy to identify – just look for the twin turbofans on the rear fuselage. Nicknamed 'Warthog' for its appearance, the A-10 has been used heavily in Iraq and Afghanistan. Flying at low speed and altitude, it can identify and take out targets on the ground with fierce accuracy. Manufacturer: Fairchild Republic Co.; Number of crew: One pilot; Maximum speed: 420 mph; Range: 695 nautical miles; Ceiling: 45,000 feet
Davis-Monthan AFB Open House
The B-1 bomber can carry the largest weapons payload in the Air Force – up to 75,000 pounds – and travel long range to deliver it. A key component to the Lancer's efficiency is its wing configuration. The forward wing setting is used for takeoff, landing and refueling. When pointed to the rear, the wings aid in subsonic and supersonic flight. Manufacturer: Boeing Number of crew: 4; Maximum speed: 900 mph; Range: Intercontinental; Ceiling: More than 30,000 feet
Davis-Monthan AFB Open House
Utilizing just three crew members, the C-17 is a flexible workhorse. It can deliver more than 100 troops and up to 170,900 pounds of cargo into a battle area and land on even short, narrow runways. It's capable of carrying almost all of the Army's air-transportable equipment anywhere in the world. Its reliability also makes the C-17 ideal for medical evacuations. Manufacturer: Boeing; Number of crew: 3; Maximum speed: 450 knots; Range: Global with in-flight refueling; Ceiling: 45,000 feet
Davis-Monthan AFB Open House
With a primary mission to transport U.S. Marines, equipment and supplies from ships and land bases for combat, the MV-22B Osprey can operate as a helicopter or a turboprop aircraft. This medium-lift, assault-support aircraft offers twice the speed, six times the range and three times the payload of the CH-46E Sea Knight, which it replaced. Manufacturer: Bell-Boeing; Number of crew: 3; Maximum speed: 250; knots Range: 860 nautical miles; Ceiling: 25,000 feet
Davis-Monthan AFB Open House
The HC-130P/N is the only dedicated fixed-wing combat search-and-rescue platform in the Air Force inventory. This extended-range version of the C-130 Hercules is utilized in personnel-recovery missions in all weather, humanitarian operations and spaceflight support for NASA. Air-to-air refueling can be done at night for up to two helicopters at the same time. Manufacturer: Lockheed Aircraft Corp.; Number of crew: 10 Maximum; Speed: 289 mph; Range: At least 4,000 miles; Ceiling: 33,000 feet
Davis-Monthan AFB Open House
The Pave Hawk's primary mission is to head into hostile environments to recover people. This makes the twin-engine helicopter well-suited not only for combat, but also civil search and rescue. Twenty Pave Hawks were deployed to the New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Flying 24 hours a day for nearly a month, the crews saved more than 4,300 lives. Manufacturer: United Technologies/Sikorsky Aircraft; Number of crew: 4; Maximum speed: 184 mph; Range: 504 nautical miles; Ceiling: 14,000 feet
Davis-Monthan AFB Open House
The Thunderbirds fly six F-16s that are only slightly modified for their performances – each can be prepared for combat in less than 72 hours. The F-16's long-range combat radius and ability to change position is unrivaled. This highly maneuverable aircraft can withstand up to nine times the force of gravity and travel 500 miles to deliver its weapons before returning to base. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Corp.; Number of crew: One pilot; Maximum speed: 1,500 mph; Range: 1,740 nautical miles; Ceiling: Above 50,000 feet
Davis-Monthan AFB Open House
First flown by the Royal Air Force, P-51 Mustangs were then used in World War II by the U.S. to escort B-29 bombers. By the end of the war, P-51s had destroyed almost 5,000 enemy aircraft – more than any other fighter in Europe. Following its military service, the P-51 became popular with civilians and today is an air-show mainstay. Manufacturer: North American Aviation; Number of crew: One pilot; Maximum speed: 437 mph; Range: 1,000 miles; Ceiling: 41,900 feet
Davis-Monthan AFB Open House
This popular training aircraft has served with air forces of more than 20 nations over several decades. It made its first flight in 1948 and was used to train pilots qualified to fly propeller-driven aircraft in the 1950s and 1960s. Production continued until 1959, and 5,691 T-33s were built. Other uses for the trainer include drone director and target towing. Manufacturer: Lockheed Aircraft Corp.; Number of crew: 2; Maximum speed: 525 mph; Range: 1,000 miles; Ceiling: 45,000 feet
Air Force A-10 pilot Capt. John Collier flies with World War II fighter aircraft over Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson.
Here are five important things to know before you go to "Thunder & Lightning over Arizona," the 2012 Davis-Monthan Air Force Base open hou…
Airshow at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base during their Open House.
Photos from the weekend air show at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
Photos from the weekend air show at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
Anthony Shastay described his flight Sunday in a single-engine plane above Tucson as "amazing."