Google Sightseeing takes you on tour of the world as seen from satellite, using the free Google Earth program, or Google Maps in your web browser. Each weekday your guides James and Alex present new weird and wonderful sights as suggested by readers.

The editors: James & Alex

Planes in formation

Thursday, 14th February 2008 by Rob

In the Saratoga Passage, Washington, there appear to be four planes flying in very close formation. Although it could just be an image overlay problem (there appears to be a seam between them) the four ‘motion ghosts’ are all in the same frame, making me believe it to be genuine.

formation.jpg

The small, square wingspan (about 22 feet with the ruler, assuming they are flying low) makes them likely to be aerobatic planes, but I can’t identify which model, sadly.

I’m hoping this isn’t a repeat of the last time planes in formation were featured on Google Sightseeing, as it turned out to be a case of photoshop shenanigans!

Thanks to kjfitz at virtualglobetrotting.com.

7 Responses to 'Planes in formation'

  1. 1. nova72 says:

    these two are out of formation….
    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth
    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

    To the south, here is interesting road block, Land Ho!
    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

  2. 2. Izzy says:

    The reflections on the water appear to suggest these are genuine images, and not photoshopped fakes.

  3. 3. Keith T. says:

    It’s not farfetched as this area has a history of aviation enthusiasts (Boeing’s backyard, after all). But the nearest civilian airfield is Paine Field, unless Whidbey has air shows.

    Could they be these? I admit, the wing colors don’t seem to be there.

  4. 4. WRA says:

    @ nova72: The boat in the road is probably coming from the Nichols Bros boatyard across the street… http://www.nicholsboats.com. Great find!

  5. 5. Bob says:

    Some more there :
    http://virtualglobetrotting.com/view.php?service=0&mid=13720

  6. 6. Dan says:

    And is that another boat, just below and to the right of the red one in the road?

  7. 7. Rob Prior says:

    These are four members of the Blackjack Squadron out for a practice flight. The blackjacks fly homebuilt aircraft from Van’s Aircraft (vansaircraft.com), and the wingspan is just about what you measured, 22-24 feet depending on the model.

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