New F-29 Crowdsmasher making huge impacts at airshows

Andrews Air Force Base, Md. – Despite having only recently been cleared to participate in both military combat and public airshows, the new Lockheed Martin F-29 Crowdsmasher fighter jet has already made huge impacts with airshow audiences, having twice during June demonstrations abandoned its scripted flight plan and produced spectacular ground collisions, fully engaging large numbers of surprised spectators in the process.

“When the Crowdsmasher goes up for its demonstration, it literally just seems to drive each and every [airshow] audience member right to the very edge of their seat,” said Fredrick Airshow promotions director Natalie Clearing. “Everyone from the paying customers to members of the emergency response team to the typically oblivious peanut vendors simply refuse to take their eyes off the plane for a single moment while it’s in the air – they’re that captivated. It’s exciting to see that they seem to have a real vested interest in the jet’s performance.”

The F-29 Crowdsmasher – assigned its foreboding moniker for its notable tendency to veer out of control and crash into large contingencies of airshow onlookers – has brought widespread attention to military aerial demonstrations, but has yet to translate to increased airshow ticket sales.

“We’re hoping that what the glorification of multi-car crashes has done for NASCAR’s popularity, the Crowdsmasher can do for airshows,” said Clearing, confirming the dramatic increase in airshow press coverage since the F-29’s fantastic crashes. “There’s a real buzz being generated by the prospect of the Crowdsmasher’s dual Pratt & Whitney® engines using a combined 70,000 pounds of thrust to send the craft cart-wheeling into scores of screaming spectators.”

Clearing suggested that the F-29’s unique ability to intimately interact with airshow audiences is driving the jet’s unprecedented popularity.

“The steady decline in attendance at public airshows during the last decade to me indicates that the lure of a simple mid-air collision has not been enough to attract interest in today’s hands-on market,” said David Moore, former pilot for the legendary stunt aviator squad the Blue Angels, who also consulted on the design of the F-29. “The Crowdsmasher is building a reputation as being able to consistently deliver a truly interactive experience for a good percentage of an airshow’s audience.”

Added Moore: “If being able to see and feel a sixteen million dollar jet up close while it’s actually in the air, even if only for a split second, doesn’t draw audiences, I’m not sure what will.”

Clearing agreed with Moore’s sentiments, saying that airshow planning committees have been unable to envision an attraction capable of drawing as much attention to aerial demonstrations as the crashing of an airshow’s star component into paying attendees.

“The Crowdsmasher is a guaranteed showstopper, that’s for sure,” Clearing said.