Pictures Of The Week
Week 52, December 2012
Clockwise from top left:
A much missed type, this F-117 shot was taken back in 2008 at Holloman AFB just weeks before the Nighthawks retirement from US Air Force service. This image truly shows the sunset on the original ‘Stealth Fighter’.
Image © Paul Ashenden
Fujifilm S2Japanese aircraft types are always a favourite on UKAR, and this Kawasaki P-1 shot in the late afternoon sun is no exception. A type that many UK enthusiasts can only dream of seeing, the P-1 was introduced into service this year, and eventually a fleet of 10 will replace the P-3C in JMSDF service.
Image © Mike Leonard
Nikon D7000 + Nikon 70-200mm ƒ2.8 lensAviation Enthusiasts from around the global are all welcome on UKAR, bringing with them images of exotic aircraft from their local airfields. This Agusta A109 is the newest addition to the helicopter fleet of Prefectura Aeropolicial de Carabineros (Chilean Police) and is seen arriving at it’s home base of Tobalaba, Chile.
Image © Antonio Segovia Rentería
Canon EOS T3 + Canon EF 75-300mm lensAn extremely nice Christmas present for Keith who visited Sharm El-Sheik over the festive period, was this smart looking DHC-7. The aircraft is operated by Petroleum Air Services which operate three of the type for VIP flights for the oil industry in Egypt. Seen landing with the iconic Sharm El-Sheik terminal in the background.
Image © Keith Newsome
Nikon D700 + Nikon 80-400mm lensHere at UKAR, we have a deep love of the Vickers VC10. It’s an aircraft that just looks right from every angle, and this aerial shot clearly demonstrates that. ZA147 is seen parked at Prestwick, where nowadays many examples from RAF’s airlift fleet often visit.
Image © 'DJ'
Canon EOS 5D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensTaken from the infamous 'Airport Pub' at Manchester on an early morning, this Boeing 737 from Ryanair is seen on approach to runway 23R with a rainbow in the background.
Image © 'HS-TRA'
Canon EOS 600D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensThe American Air Museum at Duxford is often regarded as a difficult environment for aircraft photography, but some clever in-camera functions and post-processing made this shot of the B-24 really catch our eye. HDR is often overdone but here Brian has used it to it’s best to overcome the extreme light and shadow conditions.
Image © Brian Marshall
Sony NEX-5N + Sony 10-18mm lens
Pictures Of The Week
Week 51, December 2012
Clockwise from top left:
Usually found up a hill in Wales somewhere, Laurie Hughes took time out from the low level scene and went hunting VC10s at Brize Norton and was rewarded with this wide angle shot of a 99 Sqn C-17 in glorious winter light.
Image © Laurie Hughes
Nikon D300 + Nikkor 10.5mm fisheye lensWith time running out quickly for the mighty VC10, Brize Norton will be inundated by photographers looking for a last fix of "fun bus" action. Pete Fletch has aptly captured this VC10 heading off into the sunset.
Image © Pete Fletcher
Nikon D300 + Nikkor 18-70mm AF-S lensMore sunset action, this time from Germany, where Mick Balter went to Norvenich, his local base for fast jet action, but additionally he came away with this fine shot of a NATO E-3A.
Image © Michael Balter (MBAviationImages)
Canon EOS 1D MkIII + Sigma 28-70mm ƒ2.8 EX lensIf you want rare and unusual "Urkles’" thread from Thailand is essential viewing. Amongst all the flying exotica this shot of a Thai Navy AV-8S Harrier stood out.
Image © Mark Rourke
Sony A330After 57 years the Polish Air Force has retired the Antonov An-2 from active duty. Bartek was privileged to fly in formation with the old biplane and shoot these wonderful images against a very cold but festive looking Polish landscape.
Image © Bartosz Bera
Canon EOS 5D MkII + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensNormally Stansted is the home of budget airliners not military aircraft, so this Indian Air Force AW101 was a pleasant break from the norm. It had arrived at Stansted to be packed up and delivered to India on an Antonov An-124.
Image © 'strega'
UKAR’s undisputed master of the ‘Golden Oldie’ Fred Martin has well and truly come up trumps with these superb images of the glory days of RAF Binbrook and its resident Lightnings.
Image © Fred Martin
Nikon FM + 300mm lens
Pictures Of The Week
Week 50, December 2012
Clockwise from top left:
We start this week with a unique photo from Heathrow. The aircraft, British Airways Concorde G-BOAD, was painted in Singapore Airlines livery on the port side and British Airways livery on the starboard side. In 1977, British Airways and Singapore Airlines shared a Concorde for flights between London and Singapore International Airport at Paya Lebar. The service was discontinued in 1980 due to over flight noise complaints from the Malaysian government.
Image © Jonathan Francis
The 'Mach Loop' in Wales has had a bit of a revival recently on UKAR. Expertly captured at the Bwlch Exit is Tornado GR4 ZD720/086 at maximum bank and with the wings swept fully forward. Interestingly, this aircraft carries mission markings on the nose from participating in Operation Ellamy in Libya.
Image © Craig Hollis
Canon EOS 5D MkIII + Canon EF 400mm ƒ5.6 L lensTaken on Adam's last planned trip of the year to RAF Coningsby, the day saw plenty of action in possibly some of the best light of the year including this wonderful sunset. Luckily a couple of based Typhoons stayed in the circuit until the sun finally disappeared enabling Adam to grab this stunning image of a two-seat Typhoon landing in the evening light.
Image © Adam Duffield
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 100-400 L IS lensCaptured on approach in crystal clear blue skies following a training mission is a Saab JAS 39C Gripen from the 'Puma' [Cougar] Squadron, part of the 59th "Szentgyörgyi Dezső" Tactical Wing based at Kecskemét in Hungary. The Hungarian Air Force operates 14 JAS 39 Gripens including two duel seaters.
Image © Thomas Faller
Nikon D7000 + Sigma 50-500mm OS lensPhotographer Tom was lucky to attend the Open Day at Graf Ignatievo AB in Bulgaria and was rewarded with this great capture of a MiG-21UM on recovery following its participation in the flying display. These two-seat 'Fishbeds' are used for conversion training, check rides and dogfight training sorties with 1st Squadron (1/3.IAE) at Graf Ignatievo.
Image © Tom Wittevrongel
Canon EOS 50D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensA rare Tiger indeed. This particular F-5F is used for ECM purposes by the Swiss AF and normally flies from Payerne AB. Due to low fog at Payerne and for the pleasure of photographer Philippe, this two-seat combat trainer had to make a diversion to Sion. The aircraft is seen here departing back to its home base with an Ericsson Erijammer A-100 'Vista 5' ECM pod being carried under the wing.
Image © Philippe Rey
Nikon D300S + Nikkor 300mm ƒ2.8 VR lens
Pictures Of The Week
Week 49, December 2012
Clockwise from top left:
With the Swiss Air Force's Hornets performing evening and night sorties at Payerne, Steve took the opportunity to capture some distinctly different photos to those we normally see from Switzerland - which offers fantastic photo opportunities all year round due to their open airfields. The photo selected was one of many which could have been chosen and took top spot this week and illustrates a Hornet climbing silhouetted against the setting sun. It is highly recommended you check out the rest of Steve's shots!
Image © Steve Vonlanthen
The Red Arrows have already begun their work up for the 2013 season when they will return to a 9-ship formation. Claiming number two spot for POTW is this excellent photo of two Red Arrows in the circuit in extremely dramatic lighting conditions with the glossy surface on the Hawk reflecting the evening colours.
Image © Keith Campbell
Canon EOS 1D MkIV + Canon EF 400mm ƒ2.8 lensTim makes third place this week with an excellent night-shot from RAF Lakenheath, a type of shot we have seen quite a lot of recently. This one is much different and his adaptation to the situation presented is highly appraised. Because most have had the aid of the last chance check lights on the aircraft but as the aircraft were perform last chance checks at the 06 end they weren't lit up by the viewing area requiring a much longer exposure!
Image © Tim Holden
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensNASA's WB-57s have always been sought after by many enthusiasts and are very infrequent visitors to RAF Mildenhall. Luckily the transiting WB-57F stopped in on a glorious Sunday with perfect Winter light around. Unsurprisingly the mound was very busy for its arrival and Mark's close up shows a large collection of decals on the aircraft's nose, these are zaps from the different airbases and countries it has visited.
Image © Mark Handley
Nikon D300 + Nikkor 300mm ƒ4 A-FS lensAlan Kenny's travels are frequently documented on these boards, this one however brings a subject a lot closer to home. Taken from the flightdeck giving an elevated view of British Airways both old and new. The preseved elegant Concorde's sleek lines show up nicely against a pair of bulky triple sevens and reminds us of the different designs of old and modern aircraft.
Image © Alan Kenny
It's always nice to see a change from grey on the Typhoon with its vibrant orange primer coat. Brian captured an excellent panned photo of this primer Typhoon in fantastic late afternoon as it recovered to Warton. This block 10 Typhoon T3 is destined for the Royal Saudi Air Force joining 24 already delivered previously, eventually the Saudi Typhoon force will be 72 strong.
Image © Brian Hare
Canon EOS 60D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensThe last slot in POTW goes to Rene Köhler with his gorgeous detailed photo of a Junkers JU-52 in flight over Munster, Germany. The photo was taken in 2011 and depict D-AQUI, a Lufthansa marked JU-52 which has been seen in the UK a few times before including the flying display at Duxford's Flying Legends in 2009.
Image © Rene Köhler