Pictures Of The Week
Week 12, March 2013
Clockwise from top left:
Our feature image this week is this punchy image of the Blue Angels popular support ship 'Fat Albert' posted by 'bcpix' from a 'catch-up' set taken at MCAS Miramar in October 2012. The strong colours of the Angels scheme, blue sky, the sharpness and the details picked out on the Hercules' underside have made for a very striking image.
Image © 'bcpix'
Low-level photography frequently graces the modern military section of UKAR but rarely are they from anywhere other than the valleys of Wales or the Lakes. Clearly not as well documented as those UK training areas, it took Phil several months of research and patience to gather material for a magazine article covering the low flying training of the French Air Force. We think this fine image of a Mirage 2000N - amongst others - was just reward for his persistence.
Image © Philip Stevens
Although all are a welcome addition to the grey fleet, RAF special scheme tails have been a little hit and miss of late, as has the weather, so to get one of the better ones in good light makes for a great combination. Tornado GR4 ZA614 EB-Z of 41 (R) Test and Evaluation Squadron carries a scheme to tie in with the UK hosting of the Olympics for 2012, and to also commemorate Grp. Capt. Don Finlay, OC 41(F) Sqn in 1940/1941, who won Olympic medals for the 110m hurdles in Berlin (1932) and Los Angeles (1936). Chris' image also dates back to October of last year as EB-Z taxies in at Lossie.
Image © Chris Milne
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Hurricane IIc PZ865 has been enjoying a long sojourn under the care of ARCo at Duxford. On 27 March Brian was on hand to catch '865's first flight after its major restoration program, which has included a new colour scheme as per the BBMF's commemorative rotation policy. The Hurricane rolled out in South East Asia Command colours sporting the markings of a 34 Squadron Hurricane, coded EG-S, from 1944, and the personal aircraft of Canadian pilot, Flight Lieutenant Jimmy Whalen DFC. Sadly, Jimmy lost his life on 18 April 1944, 5 days before his 24th birthday. He had to his credit 3 Bf109s destroyed and 1 damaged whilst flying from England and 3 Japanese Navy Val Type 99s destroyed over Ceylon. This will be one of a number of fresh warbirds that we'll look forward to seeing in 2013.
Image © Brian Marshall
Sony SLT A-57 + Sony 70-300mm SSM lensWe learn much of the South American aviation scene via the lenses of 'Shocman', often adding rare and colourful types to the pages of UKAR - and this set does just that. On 21st March a flypast took place to commemorate the 83rd Anniversary of Chilean Air Force which included this element; a Boeing EB-707 Condor escorted by an F-16MLU. The Condor -of which this is their sole example - was developed by Israel Aircraft Industries, in conjunction with ELTA, to fulfil AEW & C, ELINT, and COMINT requirements. A rare beast indeed.
Image © Antonio Segovia Rentería
Canon T3 + Canon EF 75-300mm lensContinuing the wide ranging nature of UKAR contributions comes this set from Alex Klingelholler covering the Mittlere Transporthubschrauberregiment 25 "Oberschwaben" now Hubschraubergeschwader 64 (HSG 64) from Laupheim carrying out fire fighting training with the CH-53 using a water carrying container named 'Smokey'. The unit is seen in this image being dunked in a nearby lake to collect 5000 litres of water, but hopefully no 'urban legend' divers!
Image © Alex Klingelhöller
Sony Alpha 77 + Sony 70-400mm lensWe go back to the States for our final image of the week. Soren spent two days in and around Naval Air Facility El Centro in January during a busy period for the base, with the Blue Angles, VFA-106, VFA-122, TW-2 and a Canadian CF-118 unit on base amongst a number of other units. This warmly lit Canadian Hornet caught in the late afternoon as it turns finals to land is just one from a very varied set, including CAG birds and sunsets.
Image © Søren Nielsen
Canon EOS 1D MkIV + Canon EF 500mm ƒ4 L IS lens
Pictures Of The Week
Week 11, March 2013
Clockwise from top left:
Starting this week's selection is this stunning image of 'Just Jane'. Captured at East Kirby's recent photography event, the beautiful Lancaster is seen lit up on a ramp dispersal with the dark blue sky creating a really menacing look to the image.
Image © Keith Meachem
Canon EOS 5D MkIII + Canon EF 24-105mm ƒ4 L IS lensThe undoubted star of Northolt's 14th nightshoot was the Tp86 Sabreliner from the Swedish Air Force. Seen without its Air Sampling Pods, the classic type was captured head-on beautifully with the help of the excellent lighting set up at Northolt.
Image © Adam Duffield
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 70-200mm ƒ4 L lensAnother Northolt shot now, this time featuring the HAC Hurricane which appeared at the event. A colourful dusk sky complements the Hurricanes camouflage well in this image, showing that loosely cropped images can work beautifully in the right conditions!
Image © Rob Laker
Sony A350 + Sony 16-80mm lensCaptured during Red Flag 13-3 at Nellis AFB, these two based HH-60G Pavehawks are seen conducting a practice Combat Search and Rescue mission in some stunning evening light with the traditional background of the rough Nevada landscape.
Image © Steve Sinton
Nikon D300 + Sigma 70-200mm ƒ2.8 lensMore stunning scenery now, but this time with some Spanish flair! Captured breaking away from the photoship, the Eurocopter Tigre units at Almagro have been conducting pre-deployment training ahead of the types first deployment to Afghanistan later this month.
Image © Dirk Jan de Ridder
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 24-105mm ƒ4 L IS lensA real classic next, this HS748 operated by the Indian Air Force was one of many exotic aircraft present for Aero India 2013. We advise a browse of the full set of images from the event, with many classic types as well as new Indian developments on show.
Image © Dave Jeffereys
Captured in glorious low winter in early March, this Royal Navy "Jungly" Sea King HC4 is seen operating in support of the Royal Marines exercising on Dartmoor. The Sea King HC4 is soon to be retired from Naval service, with ex-RAF Merlins replacing them, so catch them while you can!
Image © Kevin Wills
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 70-200mm ƒ2.8 L lens
Pictures Of The Week
Week 10, March 2013
Clockwise from top left:
Fred has posted some truly incredible images on UKAR over the years and this is right up there with the best of them. Taken at the 1971 RAF Upper Heyford Open House, a KC-97L Stratotanker from the Texas Air National Guard is seen during a refuelling demo with a 81st Tactical Fighter Wing F-4D Phantom II. This particular shot was taken towards Fred's "end of black and white period” in photography. It doesn't get much better than this, oh for that time machine!
Image © Fred Martin
Practika Nova 1 + 300mm lens on Ilford FP3 filmIt is an aircraft we're all going to greatly miss from skies, with the imminent retirement of the remaining Luftwaffe Phantoms this year. While the Greek and Turkish Air Forces in Europe will continue to operate the Phantom for the foreseeable future, only the Luftwaffe examples have been seen at UK events fairly regularly. Marcel travelled to the last Toom base at Wittmund to snap two of the specially painted retro schemed F-4's, performing a low approach in fantastic blue skies - brilliant! Going to have a little cry now.
Image © Marcel "Tigerspoon" Bartwicki
Nikon D90 + Nikkor 70-300mm VR lensThis shot definitely deserves recognition, not only is it a fine image of an RAF Hawk T.2 landing at RAF Valley during a sunset, but also Harry travelled from Lincoln to Anglesey on the train, which meant no fewer than five changes enroute. We salute your dedication! Has he got home yet?
Image © Harry Forman
Canon EOS 20D + Cabnon EF 70-300mm IS lensthe Phantom theme on the Week In Pictures, Slawek has delved into his archives for this shot of a Luftwaffe F-4F departing in full afterburner at the Czech International Air Fest 2008 at Brno
Image © Slawek Krajniewski
Nikon D300 + Nikkor AF-S 400mm ƒ2.8 VR lensTaken at last years Southport Airshow is this eye catching image of Classic Flight's (or Classic Air Force as they are now known) Gloster Meteor T.7 producing plenty of vapour. John was concerned how this photo would turn out with the aircraft display facing the sun. We can confirm it worked out, quite brilliantly!
Image © John Rooney
Canon EOS 20D + Sigma 70-300mm lensRich captured the Army Air Corps latest helicopter, the AugustaWestland AW159 Wildcat, as a crew member performs external checks prior to the aircraft lifting off from the plains. The Wildcat is scheduled to become operational with the Army Air Corps in 2014.
Image © Richard Pittman
This Italian Air Force Boeing KC-767A is seen on approach to RAF Leuchars recently. The aircraft was conducting tanking trials on 1 Squadron Typhoon's before embarrassingly taking them to Malaysia for the 2013 Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA). If only we had more VC10's - oh!
Image © Calum Linnen
Nikon D90 + Sigma 70-200 ƒ2.8 lens
Pictures Of The Week
Week 9, March 2013
Clockwise from top left:
First up this week is Rick Ingham who caught XV106/W at RAF Brize Norton on it's final flight, before departing to Bruntighthorpe to be dismantled. With only 4 VC-10s left inservice with the RAF, this is becomingly increasingly rare site. With the remaining aircraft due to be retired around September this year, it will bring to a close 51 years of RAF service.
Image © Rick Ingham
With over 125 aircraft participating, Red Flag 13-3 was billed as one of the largest exercise in the last 30 years. Nellis is always going to be a target rich environment and Hans Antonissen captured this 64th Aggressor Sqn F-16C with it's striking "Blizzard” camouflage scheme doing a low pass before breaking to land.
Image © Hans Antonissen
With topside, vapour and blue skies, what's not to like about Liam Killington's dynamic photograph of a 29 Sqn T3 Eurofighter at RAF Coningsby
Image © Liam Killington
In 2012 the RNLAF started to receive their new CH-47F (NL). Niels Roman captured this 'Grizzly' in the wild over one of the low flying area 5. In total the RNLAF will receive 9 F models and unlike the earlier CH-47Ds which are green, the F model will be grey.
Image © Niels Roman
Lloyd Horgan had an early start so that he could give us this excellent photo of Dean flying the Pitts S-1T Special over Dorset, during his first ever air-to-air shoot!
Image © Lloyd Horgan
Jonathan Coombes captured this pair of Westland Apache AH.1 during the recent Pashtun Dawn 2013 exercise on the SPTA.
Image © Jonathan Coombes
With the air show season still a couple of months away, Mark Handley traveled up to RAF Coningsby to catch the display Typhoon practising this years display. Fortunately for us, morning fog gave Mark the opportunity to visit the BBMF hanger to catch their MK IIC Hurricane undergoing going it's winter maintenance.
Image © Mark Handley