Air & Space Mobile Airshow Spotter's Guide
Fun facts about the airplanes you'll see on the 2012 circuit.
How to recognize: Single vertical tail, cropped delta wing, half-moon air intake beneath cockpit.
Learn more about the Lockheed Martin F-16 »
How to recognize: Though sometimes mistaken for its nemesis, the F-86, the MiG has a larger vertical tail. Its tailplanes ride high; whereas a Sabrejet’s tailplanes ride low, close to the fuselage.
Learn more about the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 »
How to recognize: Twin vertical tails, canted outward; short, slightly swept (as opposed to straight) wings.
Learn more about the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet »
How to recognize: Twin vertical tails canted outward, broad back, gold-tinted cockpit canopy, modified delta wing.
Learn more about the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor »
How to recognize: Scoop nose with a pronounced beak on the upper edge of the intake, swept wings and tailplanes, round fuselage, and a large curved and frameless glass cockpit.
Learn more about the North American F-86F Sabre »
How to recognize: Enormous half-circle intakes flanking the fuselage; drooping wings; loud. Earplugs mandatory.
Learn more about the Boeing AV-8B Harrier »
How to recognize: Low-wing monoplane. Aerobatic monoplanes all look alike: thin wings with symmetrical airfoils, sleek fuselages, tapered vertical tails. The easiest way to tell them apart is by the performer’s paint scheme.
Learn more about the Extra 330SC »
How to recognize: Long nose, low wing, and big air scoop faired under the fuselage, just aft of the wings.
Learn more about the North American P-51 Mustang »
How to recognize: High-wing, two-seat, light monoplane.
Learn more about the Interstate Cadet »
How to recognize: Twin piston engines, tapering flat-top fuselage and dolphin nose, twin vertical tails connected by a broad elevator, tubular steel fuselage, tail-dragging landing gear.
Learn more about the Twin Beechcraft 18 »
How to recognize: Open-cockpit biplane with wings staggered fore and aft and connected by struts and flying wires; round engine, usually cowled.
Learn more about the Waco UPF-7 (PT-14 trainer) »
How to recognize: Biplane; bungee landing gear; compact fuselage.
Learn more about the Pitts Special »
How to recognize: Snub nose, low wing, greenhouse canopy, often in its original silver coat.
