Photos: 50th Paris Air Show

A French Air Force Rafale jetfighter manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation performs its demonstration flight during the first day of the 50th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, Monday, June 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

The 50th Paris Air Show started on June 17, 2013 at the Le Bourget airport near Paris with major orders placed for the Airbus A380 super-jumbo jet and for Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

However thunder, lightning and rain put a damper somewhat on the air acrobatics.

So did the U.S. budget “sequester,” which prevented U.S. fighter aircraft from appearing at the show for the first time in 20 years.

The 50th Paris Air Show runs from June 17 to June 23, 2013.

Here are some photos during the opening of 50th Paris Air Show …

Please click the photos for larger images:

RThe AgustaWestland project Zero, an all electric Tiltrotor technology powered craft featuring a unique combination of airplane performance and rotorcraft flexibility is displayed at Finmeccanica stand during the first day of the 50th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, Monday, June 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori

Russian air force Sukhoi su-139 fighters performs during their presentation at Paris Air Show in le Bourget, North of Paris, France, Sunday, June 16, 2013. The Paris Air Show will open on June 17 at Le Bourget. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)

Visitors attend the opening of the 50th Paris Air Show, at the Le Bourget airport near Paris, June 17, 2013. The Paris Air Show runs from June 17 to 23. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

A British Airways Airbus A380, right, takes off in front of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner during the first day of the 50th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, Monday, June 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

#An Antonov An-70 military aircraft takes part in a flying display, during the opening of the 50th Paris Air Show, at the Le Bourget airport near Paris, June 17, 2013. The Paris Air Show runs from June 17 to 23. REUTERS/Pascal Rossigno

A British Airways Airbus A380 participates in a flying display, at the opening of the 50th Paris Air Show, at the Le Bourget airport near Paris, June 17, 2013. The Paris Air Show runs from June 17 to 23. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

A Qatar Airways Boeing 787 dreamliner is seen during a flying display, at the opening of the 50th Paris Air Show, at the Le Bourget airport near Paris, June 17, 2013. The Paris Air Show runs from June 17 to 23. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

An Xtreme Breitling Extra 300 aerobatic plane performs its demonstration flight during the first day of the 50th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, Monday, June 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

A Sukhoi Su-35 fighter takes part in a flying display, during the opening of the 50th Paris Air Show, at the Le Bourget airport near Paris, June 17, 2013. The Paris Air Show runs from June 17 to 23. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

A Sukhoi Su-35 fighter is taxied for a flying display, during the opening of the 50th Paris Air Show, at the Le Bourget airport near Paris, June 17, 2013. The Paris Air Show runs from June 17 to 23. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

A French drone aircraft is displayed at the Paris Air Show in le Bourget, North of Paris, Sunday, June 16, 2013. The Paris Air Show will open on June 17 at Le Bourget. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)

A French Air Force Rafale jetfighter manufactured by France’s Dassault Aviation performs its demonstration flight during the first day of the 50th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, Monday, June 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Eurocopter Tiger H61 helicopters take part in a flying display, during the opening of the 50th Paris Air Show, at the Le Bourget airport near Paris, June 17, 2013. The Paris Air Show runs from June 17 to 23. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol (FRANCE – Tags: TRANSPORT BUSINESS MILITARY

An Airbus employee presents three model airplanes in blue, white and red, made from starch using a 3D printing technique during the opening of 50th Paris Air Show, at the Le Bourget airport near Paris, June 17, 2013. In the future the company hopes to use this method to create prototypes and parts to cut down on current high levels of waste. The Paris Air Show runs from June 17 to 23. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol