Pictures Of The Week
Week 30, July 2013
Clockwise from top left:
Birds of prey don't come rarer than the Osprey. Rob was on hand at the RAF Mildenhall press call to capture this superb wide angle of one of the bases new CV-22's. A departing RC-135 managed to sneak into the frame too!
Image © Rob Howarth
Nikon D3 + Nikkor 17-35mm ƒ2.8 lensIt's not often that you see a Glider display during a thunderstorm, but that is just what Bogdan captured in this stunning shot as Luca Bertossio passes through the eye of the storm at the Bucharest International Airshow.
Image © Bogdan Movileanu
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensWho hasn't gone commando once in their life? UKAR Staffer Dean West captured one of the Royal Navy's venerable Sea King HC4 assault helicopters striking a pose against a firey backdrop during the annual assault demonstration at Yeovilton Air Day.
Image © Dean West
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensIt was certainly one of the signature moments of RIAT 2013, however somtimes there is nothing like being right at the heart of the action. Anthony certainly felt this sensation and probably a crick in his neck too, capturing this unique angle of the Red Arrows and A400M formation!
Image © Anthony Baines
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 24-120mm ƒ4 VR lensThe Spitfire has a special place in the British heart, to go air-to-air with one has to therefore must be one of the ultimate achievements for any budding aviation photographer. Rob managed just this during a special Classic Wings Rapide flight when MH434 came out to play with them!
Image © Rob Laker
Sony A350 + Zeiss 16-80mm lensBye bye Bob! Mike was on hand at Bruntingthorpe to catch the final flight of VC-10 XR808 'Bob', marking the end of an era and the end of the C.1K in RAF service.
Image © Michael Palmer
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 300mm ƒ2.8 L IS lensNothing can beat a great big dirty 747! This particularly stunning shot of a Thai example hitting the tarmac at Heathrow perfectly exemplifies its power... and weight!
Image © Andrew Whitaker
Canon EOS 500D + Tamron 70-300mm lens
Pictures Of The Week
Week 29, July 2013
Clockwise from top left:
One of the highlights of RIAT 2013 was the large Italian AF participation in both the static and flying display. Using its 'smoke-winders' to maximum effect in the Gloucestershire sky is the RSV Eurofighter, expertly captured by Rich from the park & view at Rhymes Farm.
Image © Rich Andrews
Canon EOS 5D MkIII + Canon EF 500mm ƒ4 L lens & 1.4x TCLook no hands! The copilot/gunner of this AAC Apache takes a bow during the Sunday display at RIAT. A lucky capture by Dan, evident in this image is the sand blasted exterior of this AH-64D which had only returned from Afghan operations a few weeks previously.
Image © Dan O'Hagan
Canon EOS 20D + Sigma 50-500mm lensFairford again and Kenny's favourite display of the entire event. Making its debut at the Royal International Air Tattoo is this British Airways A380 joining the world famous Red Arrows for a unique flypast during the Saturday flying display. This photo ably demonstrates the size difference between the massive Airbus airliner and the Hawk T1 trainer.
Image © Alan Kenny
Canon EOS 50D + Canon EF 70-300mm L IS lensRIAT departures - stick or twist? Nigel decided to take the gamble that some of the departures from Fairford would route through the loop in Wales. Captured at the Bwlch is this French Air Force Mirage F1 winging its way back to France via a spot of low level flying. Lets hope this was not a final flypast.
Image © Nigel Blake
Canon EOS 1Ds MkIII + Canon EF 600mm ƒ4 L IS lensIt's not all doom and gloom for UK aviation enthusiasts. Seen working up at RAF Mildenhall is this CV-22B operated by the 7th SOS, captured departing to Sculthorpe using the callsign 'Knife 71'. A very welcome addition to the UK aviation scene, let's hope one of these Ospreys makes it onto the airshow circuit.
Image © Kevin Bell
Canon 50D + Canon EF 70-200mm ƒ2.8 L IS lens & 1.4x TCWhile everybody else was attending RIAT on the Sunday, Chris was realising of one of his long-standing ambitions - flying "Wing to Wing with a Spitfire". An experience provided by Classic Wings at Duxford, an added bonus is that they utilise one of the most iconic warbirds on the UK airshow scene, Spitfire IX MH434. "An amazing and emotional experience, it has imprinted a memory that I will always treasure", sounds like Chris had the flight of a lifetime.
Image © Chris Low
Panasonic FZ200
Pictures Of The Week
Week 28, July 2013
Clockwise from top left:
This week's main image was posted by RNAS Yeovilton local Rich Pittman. The 2013 Air Day at the station was blessed with a cloudless scorcher of a day and it was during the Commando Assault finale that the shot was taken. The "Jungly" Sea King in special markings for the 40th anniversary of the type made a spectacular flare release and Rich's shot captured it to superb effect.
Image © Rich Pittman
The same event, display item and even the same aircraft featue in the next shot by UKAR Staffer Phil Jones. The portrait composition and the three other helicopters taking part in the demonstration made this an eye catching one. The sunny conditions made this an opportunity not to miss, especially as the Sea King's days are numbered in Royal Navy service.
Image © Philip Jones
Shots of rare types are always something we relish on the UKAR forum. Ivan posted a thread of stunning shots of Russian types that have been restored to flying condition in the USA. Our choice was a ground shot of a Flogger still wearing its Bulgarian Air Force roundels but be sure to look at the whole thread by clicking on the thumbnail.
Image © Ivan Voukadinov
Canon EOS 40D + Canon EF 28-135mm IS lensAnthony Baines captured the escence of the Flying Legends Air show by stepping back and photographing the whole scene as the crowd on Duxford's "Tank Bank" watch the Balbo flypast, with many cameras and binoculars pointed skyward.
Image © Anthony Baines
Nikon D700 + 24-120mm ƒ4 VR lensAnother Flying Legends shot from Rob Howarth and a thoughtful composition featuring Poppy flowers, and B-17G Flying Fortress "Sally B" displaying. A superb shot conveying the objective of remembrance and commemoration superbly.
Image © Rob Howarth
Nikon D3 + Nikkor 17-35mm ƒ2.8 lensBrian Hare's thread from Warton features many shots of the Saudi Typhoons in flight at Warton, before their delivery. We were spoiled for choice as they were all captured in the superb conditions we were treated to during early to mid July. Our choice was this two seat Typhoon on a go-around.
Image © Brian Hare
Pictures Of The Week
Week 27, July 2013
Clockwise from top left:
We start this week with Katarzyna's dynamic photo of the Red Arrows displaying at the 100th anniversary RNAF air show at Vokel. With the Reds back to a 9 ship display, and new additions to their routine, they are living up to their reputation of one of the worlds premier display teams.
Image © Katarzyna Skonieczna Kate
Nikon D800 + Nikkor 200-400mm lensThe Dutch F-16 is always a welcome addition to the UK airshow scene. Waddington was graced with three F-16 displays this yearm and Kevin's photo perfectly captures the 'Dutch Lion' being put though a high G turn.
Image © Kevin Martin
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensA first for the mainland UK, the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight's Saab Viggen. After nearly 50 years since it's first flight, it still retains its futuristic looks. Craig captures the Viggen as it powers away to start it display on the Saturday's Waddington airshow.
Image © Craig Hollis
With the Patrouille de France only displaying at Waddington on the Saturday this year, Stuart took the opportunity to catch three of their Alpha gets taking off in late afternoon light as they drew to a to close the opening day of the show.
Image © Stuart Norris
Canon EOS 50D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensThe final photo from this years Waddington's airshow is the "Soloturk" F-16. As per norm with the Turks, the commentary was as entertaining as their display!
Image © Chris Low
Panasonic FZ200 & Panasonic 1.7x teleconverterMark ventured all the way to Taiwian to capture this Taiwanese AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo at Tainan air base.
Image © Mark Rourke
Canon EOS 600D + Canon EF 70-300mm lensJeff was fortunate enough to be on hand to capture this stunning photo of British Airways first A380 (G-XLEA) on it's inaugural flight into London Heathrow. With 12 more aircraft to follow this is going to become an increasingly common sight.
Image © Jeff Garrish