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The Milwaukee Air Expo 05

    If the City of Milwaukee seemed a bit noisy In July, or the skies seemed a bit crowded, it may have been because of the Milwaukee Air Expo. This is the second season for the Expo, and sponsors hope to make this an annual event. The main sponsor is TCF Bank. Other sponsors included Red Baron Pizza, and the U.S. Navy, as well as the Army, and Air Force, and The 440th Wisconsin Air Guard unit. Though military aircraft were well represented, this was not primarily a military airshow, and there were a number of stunt pilots and stunt teams from the regular airshow circuit.
    There were also a number of ground based exhibits, food, drink, the pleasant surroundings of a breezy day at Milwaukee's Lake Front, and an announcer who was simulcasting over radio 1130 AM. Air Force, Navy, and Army recruiters were there, as well as representatives of the flying teams from those services, and from the U.S. Army Black Daggers parachute team. The Red Baron Pizza truck, as well as a number of other food vendors, helped to fill the lakefront area with good smells, to compliment all of the interesting sights and sounds. All in all, there was plenty to do, and plenty to eat.
    The no fee event opened at 11:30, with the first fly bys taking place around noon. Over 100,000 people were estimated to have attended each day's events. The official web site for the event, and for any future events is www.milwaukeeairexpo.com. The fly bys were of an impressive collection of the worlds finest military aircraft. I do not envy anyone who is on the wrong end of one of these machines during an attack.
    For those who are interested, these photos were taken using a Canon D30 digital SLR. It was set at a film speed of ASA 400. The lens for all of the Aerial shots was a Canon 70-210 zoom, with a top aperture of F 4.0. The camera was set for an aperture of F 8, and was allowed to determine it's own shutter speed. The ground shots and crowd shots were generally taken with a Sigma 28mm aspherical lens with a maximum aperture of f 1.8. The images were recorded onto a 1gb micro drive.
    This equipment is all about five years old, which puts it way behind the curve of today's latest. Still, it is plenty good enough, and anyone considering getting into digital photography these days, and on a budget, could do a lot worse that to pick up a used D30, and a couple of lenses.
    I was a third shift worker, and almost did not attend the Expo. After stopping off for a 90 minute nap, I loaded up my camera gear, parked the car at the lake, in the parking structure, and found myself a spot. At the end of the day, I was very tired, hot, and sunburned. I wouldn't have traded the day for anything, certainly not for a day of sleeping in. I suspect that nearly the whole of the estimated 100,000 plus crowd felt the same way. The only regrets shared by most of the spectators, was that we were on the ground, rather than in the air. Well, maybe next year. If you were down there, great. If not, there is to be another show next summer.

The Event	The Fly Bys	The Coast Guard
The Stunts	The Red Barons	The Blue Angels

The Event

	An estimated 100,000 people showed up for each day of the Expo. As with any lakefront event, here in Milwaukee, a selection of blankets, and lawn chairs was visible.
	People strolled the lakefront, and milled about, while waiting for the show to start, and even during the performance. We are a restless bunch.
	The Red Baron offered food, and many people partook. Right now, every one is looking up, as the photograph shows.
	Plenty more to eat, if pizza is not your favorite outdoor food. The food and especially the cold drink, came in very handy during the six hour show in the hot sun.
	A look over the lake front at the Art Center. The whole place was jammed, including the roof of the Art Center itself. Shady spots on the ground were particularly sought after.
	The Navy exhibit included a simulator, and a chance to get your photograph taken in an F-16 cockpit mock up.
	At the end of the show, everybody wanders toward Lake Drive, their cars, and their homes. The show was great, the planes awe inspiring, and the lakefront beautiful; but the heat of the day takes it's toll, and we are all tired.

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The Event	The Fly Bys	The Coast Guard
The Stunts	The Red Barons	The Blue Angels