Pictures Of The Week
Week 4, January 2013
Clockwise from top left:
Intrepid globetrotting staffer Phil Whalley ventured half way around the globe to capture (amongst other things,) this fine study of Jerry Yagen's recently restored Mosquito. Taken at the "Wings over Wairarapa" on 20th January at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton, New Zealand, the Mosquito is currently being dismantled and packed away for shipping to Virginia Beach on the 15th February.
Image © Phil Whalley
Nikon D7000 + Sigma 50-500mm lensAnother Photographer that went to great lengths, or in this case heights, to capture a stunning image was UKAR POTW regular Slawek Krajniewski, known on the board by his more familiar tag, Hesja. Slawek's Image of a Swiss F/A-18C Hornet was captured at Axalp at last years annual practice camp.
Image © Slawek Krajniewski
Nikon D800 + Nikkor 500mm lensContinuing the Alpine theme is this super clean Austrian Typhoon captured in perfect light. Werner's image was taken on Jan 26, 2013 at Hinterstoisser Air Base in Zeltweg, Austria. 7L-WB is depicted taking off for a surveillance mission during "Daedalus 2013", the air surveillance operation during the WEF in Davos.
Image © Werner P
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensThe UKAR legend that is Kenny seems to have put embarrassing super-hero costume faux pas behind him and has recently become a POTW regular to be taken seriously! His fine study of an F-15 at Nellis Red Flag 13-2 deservedly occupies #4 spot in this weeks selection.
Image © Alan Kenny
Canon EOS 50D + Canon EF 70-300mm lensThere's no excuses needed for including another Red Flag image. The ungainly "Buff" is always a favourite subject for Aviation photographers and Hans Antonissen's image captures the type's distinctive nose down approach to Nellis perfectly.
Image © Hans Antonissen
With most sensible folk wrapped up in the warm during the recent inclement weather, respect is due for anyone heading to the hills to pursue their hobby. The rewards are here for all to see in Michael Lovering's superb capture of "Shiny Two" transiting Dunmail Pass at low level.
Image © Michael Lovering
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensOne of Europe's most photogenic locations for shooting Airliners must be Innsbruck and the recently completed visitors terrace certainly adds to the photographer's experience. Philip Preindl shot this Thomson 757 after dark, our choice in a set that included some superb Alpine backdrops.
Philip Preindl
Image © Canon EOS 7D + Sigma 17-50mm ƒ2.8 lens
Pictures Of The Week
Week 3, January 2013
Clockwise from top left:
Early bird catches the Dragon Lady! Mike caught the sinister looking spy plane departing RAF Fairford during an airframe rotation between the Middle-East and Beale AFB, California during the early hours of January 25th of last year.
Image © Michael Buckle
Nikon D300 + Nikon 300mm ƒ4 lens & 1.4x TCHaving filled 20 Gigabytes with snowy landscapes and Black-bellied Dippers in Thetford Forest, POTW regular Nigel Blake was surprised to hear F-15’s firing up their engines at nearby RAF Lakenheath. The base had been closed for a few days due to freezing-fog so Nigel made the most of his opportunity to add some lovely snowy Eagle shots to his collection.
Image © Nigel Blake
Canon EOS 1Ds MkIII + Canon EF 600mm ƒ4 IS lensAn aircraft I had personally never even heard of is this Van’s RV-6A kit aircraft. Over 2400 of the type have been sold and built. Wallace took to the sky for a somewhat last-minute air-to-air shoot and gave an interesting description of the challenges he faced in his topic. The snowy surroundings of Loch Tay provided the ideal background.
Image © Wallace Shackleton
Canon EOS 5D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensOur own Peter Reoch was in Essex to see the arrival of this USAF E-4B, bringing with it the US "SecDef" Leon Panetta to the UK from Rome. Conditions at Stansted looked every bit as bad as the "Grim 01" callsign would suggest, but the fading light and freezing temperatures weren't enough to deter 'Preoch'!
Image © Peter Reoch
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 70-200mm ƒ4 L lensA rarity from the continent next; Oliver caught this Israeli Air Force Boeing 707 on a night stop at Cologne airport. Arriving late on Wednesday evening and departing early on Thursday morning, photo opportunities were quite limited, but Oliver made the most of what was available with the lighting and foggy conditions to record this memorable photograph.
Image © Oliver Jonischkeit
Canon EOS 50D + Canon EF 70-200mm L lensAnother photographer making the most of the snowy landscape in the UK this week was Liam Killington, who journeyed to RAF Marham and used the winter sunlight reflecting off of frozen fields to catch the resident Tornados lit up from beneath.
Image © Liam Killington
Nikon D300 + 300mm ƒ4 lensOnce Tactical Air Command's most valuable recce asset, this old warrior is on its way to do its final duty in the Air Force as a QRF-4C aerial target after years in storage in the desert. A sad end for this veteran, but an important mission for today’s armed forces.
Image © Kevin Bell
Canon EOS 50D + Canon EF 70-200mm ƒ2.8 L IS lens & Canon 1.4x TC
Pictures Of The Week
Week 2, January 2013
Clockwise from top left:
Aberdeen local Mark Leith clinches a well deserved top spot with a winter shot of a Bond Eurocopter AS332L coming into land across a backdrop filled with snow topped trees. After a few days of winter conditions throughout the UK it is a stunning reminder of the opportunities that become present alongside the disruption. We particularly liked the contrasting vivid reds against the blues of the sky and white of the treeline.
Image © Mark Leith
Next up comes a favourite amongst many UKAR members, the venerable F-4F Phantom II of the German Air Force, now entering their final year of service with the Luftwaffe. This striking plan view taken from a photoship shows off the sleek design of the old girl against a crisp wavy sea below. Eric Coeckelberghs's air-to-air photography is no stranger to the forums and we look forward to his contributions in the future.
Image © Eric Coeckelberghs
Canon EOS 1D MkIV + Canon EF 70-200mm L lensAnother snowy photo, this time of a 2sqn Tornado GR4 from Marham taken in the Mach Loop. A day of good weather and action allowed Rich Pittman to come away with a fantastic set of shots from the day's activities. I think we should also commend his commitment in the hobby for braving what will definitely have been freezing conditions for a well worth it set of photos!
Image © Richard Pittman
Chris Low decided to spend a day experimenting with his new Panasonic FZ200 camera, it certainly went well as he tested out new in-camera features such as the HDR function. This particular shot of the De Havilland Comet 'Grosvenor House' which was named by the owner after the hotel which he also owned.
Image © Chris Low
Panasonic FZ200The A-10 Warthog is loved for its brutish looks with its beastly cannon dominating the face of the aircraft. From a side on view as Kevin Bell captured, a more elegant view appears with its unusual but highly appealing design. Kevin was at Davis Monthan for Hawgsmoke, a live-firing competition held every two years with Warthogs from all over the United States.
Image © Kevin Bell
Canon EOS 50D + Canon EF 70-200mm ƒ2.8 L IS lens & Canon 1.4x TCCompleting the set is Mark Steven's nicely camouflaged Apache from Japan making a change from the drab all over olive green we are so used to seeing! It was seen at the Tsuiki airshow along with a lot of other Japanese hardware and in lovely weather too! So if you're a fan of exotica I would check the rest of Mark's set out too!
Image © Mark Stevens
Pictures Of The Week
Week 1, January 2013
Clockwise from top left:
Kicking off our 2013 in style is this stunning image from Poland. Using a fisheye lens, Waldemar Piela has excellently contrasted the smooth lines of the F-16 with the harsh angles of the aircraft hangar. The rest of his set contains plenty of other imaginative shots and is well worth a look!
Image © Waldemar Piela
Preswick is highly regarded by many aviation photographers, both for the angles available and the variety of traffic. Posted as part of a 2012 in review thread, this KC-10 was visiting the UK last February and is seen taxying for departure shortly after a rain shower in gorgeous light.
Image © 'DJ'
Canon EOS 5D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensFollowing the photographic location trend, the Swiss Alps is another favourite here at UKAR. This F-18 Hornet (the Swiss designation of the pure air defence aircraft) is captured climbing in beautiful surroundings.
Image © Philippe Rey
Nikkon D300s + Nikkor 300mm ƒ2.8 lensSomething slightly more exotic next – an Afghan Hip! Photographed at their base at Kandahar Airfield, three Afghan Air Force Mil-17 helicopters can be seen. Notably in the background a C-27A can also been seen, a type that has recently been withdrawn from service by the Afghans.
Image © Cristian Schrik
Canon EOS 1D MkIII + Canon 24-105mm ƒ4 L IS lensIn the off-season, many of us find ourselves shooting airliners in order for an aviation fix. One of the more exciting sights at Heathrow, the "All Blacks" Boeing 777-300ER here seen on approach onto runway 27R in crisp morning light. Check out UKAR's "Heathrow in 2013" thread throughout the year for more exotic movements.
Image © Samuel Pilcher
Canon EOS 50D + Canon EF-S 18-200mm IS lensThis nightshot from Krakow Airport was part of a photoshoot organised with the local spotters group and the airport authorities. Pick of the bunch for us was this shot of a Piaggio P.180 air ambulance, but check out the thread for plenty more excellent shots including Dreamliners by night!
Image © Tomasz Chrul
Canon EOS 450D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensLast up this week we have a classic shot from Heathrow. Taken back in 1963, the shot shows a BOAC Comet taxying past a BEA Vanguard. Many of our members will be too young to have even witnessed such a sight – but classic images such as these are always extremely welcome to show how beautiful airliners used to be!
Image © Graham Hutchinson