The Navy League of Minnesota hosted "Top Gun - Behind the Curtain" on Wednesday, June 1, which allowed members of the public to visit with Naval aviators, see aircraft depicted in the film up close, attend a private IMAX screening of the film followed by a question and answer session with pilots.
Media were invited to document the arrival of the aircraft on Tuesday, May 31, and the aircraft left with dramatic, unrestricted climbs on Thursday, June 2.
Nick Benson - JetTip.net
Arrival of the first aircraft, an F/A 18-F, USN 166791, wearing special colors for VX-9, based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California.
Nick Benson - JetTip.net
Nick Benson - JetTip.net
EA-18G, 169214, shortly after arrival at Minneapolis.
Nick Benson - JetTip.net
Use of deadly force authorized; fortunately we were on base with an invitation from the 934 AW and Navy League of Minnesota.
Nick Benson - JetTip.net
"Muppet" buttons up her EA-18G after arrival in Minneapolis.
Nick Benson - JetTip.net
The arrival of the F-35Cs was delayed a couple of hours by weather in Kansas, where they'd stopped for fuel; they arrived just before sunset on Tuesday, and are seen here taxiing past MSP's tower. Tails 169940 and 169939.
Lucas Benson - JetTip.net
A young aviation enthusiast learns about the ejection seat of the F-35C.
Nick Benson - JetTip.net
Booping the snoot, as one does when given the opportunity.
Nick Benson - JetTip.net
EA-18G and F-35C taxiing ahead of departure on Thursday.
Nick Benson - JetTip.net
US Navy F-35C departing with C-130Hs from the 133 AW in the background.
Nick Benson - JetTip.net
F/A 18-F, USN 166791, departing with the Minneapolis skyline in the background.
Sadly fast jets like the ones seen here aren't usually tracked by our flight data provider, but if you'd like to know when interesting commercial and general aviation aircraft are visiting your airport, check out our smart flight alert service. If you'd like to keep up with aviation happenings at MSP, check out the Minneapolis /St. Paul Aviation Spotting group.
Nick Benson
Nick lives in Burnsville, Minnesota with his wife and three children. He grooves on railroad and aviation photography, politics, geography, weather, and LEGO. He started JetTip's smart flight alert service in 2017, and is now a full-time avgeek. He can frequently be found atop a step ladder at MSP's Aircraft Viewing Area.
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