A Primer On Those Fighter Jets At The Air And Water Show

By Meha Ahmad
air and water show
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform over Lake Michigan during the Chicago Air and Water Show on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012, in Chicago. Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press
air and water show
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform over Lake Michigan during the Chicago Air and Water Show on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012, in Chicago. Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press

A Primer On Those Fighter Jets At The Air And Water Show

By Meha Ahmad
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Have you ever seen a biplane do a loop-the-loop? How about a F-22 Raptor pull off a barrel roll?

Not sure what those are? Neither are we. But you’ll get your chance to see it up close this weekend.

On Saturday and Sunday, an estimated two million people will flock to rooftops, bars, parks and beaches along the lakefront to catch Chicago’s famous Air and Water Show.

The show is free to the public and has been thrilling Chicago for more than 60 years. This weekend, crowds will watch performances that include the UK’s Royal Air Force, the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights, and, of course, the ever-popular Blue Angels.

But beyond a few aerial tricks, just what can those military aircrafts do?

Dr. Rob Havers, military historian and president of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, stops by the studio to break down the kinds of aircraft that will be showing off this weekend. We’ll also hear from Herb Hunter, “the voice” of the Air & Water Show.

GUESTS: Herb Hunter, official announcer of the Air & Water Show, former military and aerobatics pilot

Dr. Rob Havers, President and CEO of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library.