Pictures Of The Week
Week 40, September 2012
Clockwise from top left:
Top spot in POTW this week goes to this stunning sunset image taken at the 2011 Photo Flying Days event at Zorsel in Belgium. The composition and colour captured in Daniel's image of the T-28 Fennec is something to behold and the thread also contains some fantastic air-to-air shots.
Image © Daniel Rychcik
This eye catching image of a MiG-29 Fulcrum of the Polish Air Force was taken by Bartosz at the Lithuanian Air Force base in Siauliai. The characteristic black smoke from the Klimov turbofans is captured to good effect as the jet takes off, passing very low over the photographer! If you like your Fulcrums, take a look at the whole thread by clicking on the thumbnail.
Image © Bartosz Bera
Canon EOS 50D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensOur second Fulcrum shot comes courtesy of Marcel Bartwicki, shooting this image as the sun went down at this years ILA trade show in Berlin. The silhouetted canopy frame and detail of the HUD caught our collective eye.
Image © Marcel "Tigerspoon" Bartwicki
Nikon D90 + Nikkor 70-300mm VR lensUKAR regular Andy Evans shot this excellent image of the Birmingham leg of the recent 60th anniversary tour of the Avro Vulcan. This well thought out shot shows the people gathered to see the "Tin Triangle as she passed over Birmingham airport.
Image © Andrew Evans
Nikon D300s + Sigma 50-500mm OS lensThis striking topside of the RAF E-3D Sentry was caught by Barry during the practice/arrivals day for the 2012 Leuchars Air show. the light on the aircraft gives some nice contrast against the dark grey clouds in the background.
Image © Barry Farquharson
Nikon D300s + Sigma 50-500mm OS lensWith the closure of Cambrai in France in the Spring of this year, Frank went to capture the Mirage 2000s of the Armee de l'Air before they were gone for good. this topside shows the beautiful lines of the "Deux Mille" to good effect.
Image © Frank Boucot
Canon EOS 7D + Sigma 50-500mm lensThis nice close up of the Jodel DR1051 was shot the at fly-in at Stow Maries in Essex. If you're in to your GA and aerobatic types, this is an excellent thread, from which we felt this well composed shot was the best.
Image © Anthony Baines
Nikon D300 + Nikkor 80-400mm lens
Pictures Of The Week
Week 39, September 2012
Clockwise from top left:
Every now and then an overseas airshow delivers a particularly special package leaving UK enthusiasts filled with envy - unless of course they made the effort to witness it firsthand. Peter travelled to the Czech Republic for the NATO Days at Ostrava-Mosnov, returning with images including the best from both the east and the west's air-forces. This dynamic break by two French Air Force Mirage 2000Ns is our choice image from a great set.
Image © 'tailslides'
The Tornado Role Demo has been a highlight of the 2012 season amongst an airshow scene now sadly lacking in loud and fast modern jet action. The pyrotechnics and high-g manoeuvring often deliver strong photographic images, but throw in a possible compressor stall or other fuel ignition anomaly such as this against a dark background then you've got a winner. Taken at the Leuchars Jubilee Air Show (A Diamond Celebration), the effect isn't quite the diamonds of an SR-71 but just as spectacular!
Image © David Taff
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensA regular visitor to both Lakenheath and our Pictures of the Week, Nigel has shown a penchant for the low-light image and we've again picked out one of his sunset shots, this time of a visiting C-17 about to depart. Lovely colouring and a landing light focal point make for a strong composition.
Image © Nigel Blake
Canon EOS 1Ds MkIII + Canon EF 100mm f2.8 lensChris' visit to Coningsby was rewarded with some perfect lighting, which has painted this Typhoon in warmth. With the panning technique bringing the subject out from the background the resulting image is most definitely a 'keeper'!
Image © Chris Hayball
Canon EOS 5D MkII + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensTaking a well-earned break from coding the pages of UKAR our own Dan Butcher took a trip to Lakenheath shooting the few Eagles that moved during the day. Luckily the weather was in his favour, even into the evening allowing for this late-in-the-day shot.
Image © Dan Butcher
Canon EOS 20D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensAirport visits by Boeing's futuristic 787 'Dreamliner' are still a rare sight so to catch a great shot of one such event is an instant hit. This Ethiopian example making the types first visit to Sweden and seen landing at Arlanda airport on 20 September couldn't be any sweeter - not least because it also included a classic Caravelle in the background.
Image © Andreas Eriksson
Canon EOS 650D + Canon EF 70-200mm L IS lensIt was difficult to select a single image from a stunning set of 'Golden Oldies' from Fuji Velvia slide scans by Dino of US-based classics, but for rarity alone this QF-106A taxiing in at Tyndall AFB in August 1993 just edged it for us. This Delta Dart is beautifully marked and has just returned having escorted a drone QF-106 on a one-way trip.
Image © Dino van Doorn
Pictures Of The Week
Week 38, September 2012
Clockwise from top left:
Of all the "dying species" in military aviation, few will be lamented quite like the Phantom. Despite the onset of old-age, the F-4 is still proving a trusty workhorse for the Japanese, and our intrepid jet-setter Kenny made the most of his work layover in Japan to visit Hyakuri to shoot some of these wonderful old machines in very pleasing paintschemes. Stunners.
Image © Alan Kenny
Canon EOS 50D + Canon EF 75-300mm lensMike Higgins is a name which deserves to be known more widely in aviation circles. He's the organiser of the Jersey International Air Display, and year-in, year-out steadfastly refuses to fill his display with the mundane items too many shows build their flying programmes around. This year his typically outside-the-box thinking was rewarded with appearances by the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight's majestic "SAAB Combo" of Tunnan and Viggen, in formation with the SK-60. Martin's photograph captures the lines of the three aicraft perfectly, in ideal weather conditions.
Image © Martin Eames
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensThe appearance of sunset shots on UKAR is a sure sign that winter is on the horizon. For those wanting to sharpen up their sunset shooting techniques, it seems Heathrow is a fine place to start. Mark Kwiatkowski shows how it should be done, with a shot rich in colour, and thoughtful in composition.
Image © Mark Kwiatkowski
Canon EOS 50D + Canon EF 70-200mm ƒ2.8 L IS lensOften the best aviation photographs are those where you feel you can almost hear and smell the subjects. Slawek Krajniewski's wonderful study of an afterburning Tornado from the RAF Role Demonstration at RIAT 2012 is one such image. It's been said on UKAR that when it comes to editing, less is more, unless it seems you have the dexterity wth Photoshop that Slawek does - certainly he's proving himself to be both a master with the lens, and with the mouse!
Image © Slawek Krajniewski
Nikon D3X + Nikkor AF-S 500mm ƒ4 lensWith the demise of the Jaguar and Harrier in recent years, the Mach Loop has perhaps lost some of it's appeal, unless you Strike (Eagle) lucky, which is what Geoff did with this terrific shot of a Mudhen oozing vapour from the wings. Certainly makes a change from the Hawks and Tucanos!
Image © Geoff Stockle
Nikon D300 + Nikkor 70-200mm ƒ2.8 & 1.7x TCThe Eurofighter is a type which has yet to really win a place in the hearts of the enthusiast community, but this fine evening capture by Mathias Grägel of a trio of German examples at Neuburg in Bavaria might just start to change our opinion of the jet. Perhaps the "Tiffie" is a type which is easier on the eye on the ground than in the air?
Image © Mathias Grägel (GME-AirFoto GbR)
Canon EOS 50D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensAnd finally, it's splashdown! POTW regular Richard Pittman brings up the rear this week with a dramatic shot of a Spanish CL-215. We love it!
Image © Richard Pittman
Pictures Of The Week
Week 37, September 2012
Clockwise from top left:
Philip's "in yer face" action shot of perhaps the most famous Spitfire on the circuit takes pride of place as this weeks "Picture of the week." Evoking memories of Ray Hanna this stunning photo was taken at Bex airfield in Switzerland situated between Sion and Geneva.
Image © Philippe Rey
Nikon D300 + Nikkor 300mm ƒ2.8 VR II lensYou can almost hear the engine roar, smell the Kerosene, feel the heat and even see the hammer marks in Anton's fine study of a Bulgarian MiG-21. Shot during regular flying from Graf Ignatievo AB in 2009, Anton's images serve as a superb precursor to October's open day.
Image © Anton Balakchiev
Canon EOS 40D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensDuxford's superb newcomer "Razorback" Thunderbolt P-47G "Snafu" is superbly captured by Jonathan Coombes at the recent September display. What caught the UKAR team's eye and led to its selection was the fact that the subject was superbly lit, which is sometimes difficult to achieve at Duxford shows.
Image © Jonathan Coombes
Nikon D300 + Tamron 70-300mm USD lensUKAR staff man Dan Butcher attended the arrivals for the "Norwegian Air Force open day" at North Weald recently and came away with some superb images for his efforts. None more so than this specially marked F-16, resplendent in its 2012 red white and blue centenary scheme, celebrating 100 years of the RNoAF.
Image © Dan Butcher
Canon EOS 20D + Canon EF 70-300mm IS lensDarrell's moody shot of the steamed up canopy of the Imperial War Museum's F-15A Eagle stands out from a fine set taken at Duxford last weekend for the annual September airshow. F-15s featured in the flying display too, a quartet of F-15Cs from Lakenheath getting the action underway on both days.
Image © Darrell Thompson
Nikon D7000 + Nikkor 18-105mm lensLong time UKAR stalwart "Kenny" seems to have the ideal job for this hobby, spending his life jetting around the globe then spending most of his free time photographing aircraft in the subsequent far flung locations. This Orion seen at NAS Atsugi near Yokohama in Japan exemplifies this.
Image © Alan Kenny
Canon EOS 50D + Canon EF 75-300mm lensLast up for this week is a "Golden Oldie" from Phil Bradshaw who captured this FG1 at the 1986 43 squadron missile practice camp at RAF Valley. Seen here taxiing out to runway 14, carrying a live sidewinder for the sortie it somehow seems, although comparatively recent, from a bygone age. XT860 would be lost during exercise "Elder Forest" just two years later.
Image © Phil Bradshaw
Pentax MG + Makinon 135mm lens with Fuji 100 ASA print film
Pictures Of The Week
Week 36, September 2012
Clockwise from top left:
The Saab Viggen was a real favourite of fast jet fans across Europe when it was in service with the Swedish Air Force. Earlier this year a Viggen returned to the skies thanks to the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight, to the delight of many and Luigino Caliaro has been lucky enough to fly an air-to-air sortie with the aircraft, bagging this image of the iconic jet.
Image © Luigino Caliaro
Andrzej Rogucki posted a fine selection of photos taken during rehearsals for the celebration of the Polish Aviation Day but this was the pick of the bunch for us. You can almost feel the heat as a Su-22 Fitter takes off from Minsk Mazowiecki Airfield.
Image © Andrzej Rogucki
Canon EOS 1D MkIV + Canon EF 500mm ƒ4 L IS lens & Canon 1.4x TCContinuing with the cold war theme this week is the Mig-29 Fulcrum. Seen on the taxiway during 100 years Serbian Air Force show, which was held at Batajnica on September 1-2, this Fulcrum shows off the black "smoke" from the engines to great effect.
Image © Carl Brent
Sunshine and blue skies haven't been in Suffolk much over the course of this summer but the F-15 Eagles from RAF Lakenheath have. Luckily John was able to get all three on his recent trip to the base and also included some dandelions to give this lovely summery image.
Image © Jonathan Haylock
Canon EOS 40D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensOne of the highlights of this years air show season is the chance to see the Albatros and RE.8 reproductions before they head to permanent static display at the RAF Museum. The pair are seen together during their first UK air show appearance at the military pageant held at Old Warden on September 2nd.
Image © Peter Cox
Canon EOS 1D MkIV + Canon EF 400mm ƒ5.6 L lensThe distinctive start up of the Vampire engine is captured by Laurent at the old airbase of St. Stephan during the "Hunterfest 2012" held on 24 and 25 August. The Hunterverein association organizes several days of flights offering a chance for lucky passengers to fly in one of these classic jets.
Image © Laurent Baudillon
EOS 50D + Canon 70-200mm ƒ2.8 L IS lensSeen on arrivals to the Spottersday at Gilze-Rijen is this A-10 "Thunderbolt II". Once a common sight in the skies over the UK and Europe the 81st Fighter Squadron, the sole unit operating the A-10 in Europe, is due to move from its base at Spangdahlem in Germany as part of US defence cuts.
Image © Rob Hendriks
Canon EOS 40D + Canon EF 300mm ƒ4 L IS lens