Pictures Of The Week
Week 21, May 2013
Clockwise from top left:
Bathed in some unusual blue sky, Duxford kicked off its annual airshow program in style and deservedly takes the top spot and dominating this weeks pictures. Neil certainly caught the best angle that the BBMF's Lancaster can offer, even if he had to be a bit 'naughty' to pull it off!
Image © Neil Jones
Nikon D300 + Nikkor 300mm ƒ2.8 lensNot very often do you see a red star over Liverpool but that is certainly what visitors saw at the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Battle of the Atlantic. One of the many military vessels in port was the RFS Vice-Admiral Kulakov and sitting on the deck was this rather smart KA-27 Helix.
Image © Harry Tranter
From one red star to another. Helen took this superb shot of a Tu-22M3 Backfire roaring away at an airfield somewhere in Russia recently, something many of us can only dream of.
Image © Helen Badger
Duxford certainly went 'where eagles dare' with this unique formation of warbirds to commemorate the RAF Eagle Squadrons being joined by the Red Arrows. Phil caught this moment for all eternity and takes a deserved fourth spot this week.
Image © Phil Chaplin
Canon EOS 1D MkII + Canon 400mm ƒ5.6Perfect symattery in motion as captured by 'Bazza' recently. The Red Arrows are back up to full strength for the 2013 season and from what we see here they are also back on top form.
Image © 'Bazza'
Rarer than rare, a helicopter you won't see anytime soon! Kevin was extremely lucky to catch this Senegalese Air Force Mi-17 on approach to Dakar-Youff Airport.
Image © Kevin Bell
Canon EOS 50D + Canon EF 70-200 ƒ2.8 & 1.4x TCThe sun sets on the Cold War jets of Bruntingthorpe. Ian captured resident Buccaneer XW554 basking in the evening sun.
Image © Ian Finch
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 18-135mm lens
Pictures Of The Week
Week 20, May 2013
Clockwise from top left:
Top spot this week goes to Anthony Baines whose image of the Lancaster over the Derwent Dam captures perfectly the 70th anniversary commemoration of 617 Squadron's Operation Chastise.Of all the images posted on the board, we felt that Anthony's image explained and illustrated the event best.
Image © Anthony Baines
Nikon D300 + Nikkor 18-70mm lensBotswana isn't a regular source of airshow images posted on UKAR and as we are gluttons for something a bit different "paravion's" photo of an ex US Huey was chosen to occupy a place on this weeks POTW.
Image © John Talman
Nikon D90 + 24-120mm lensThe unique Antonov 225 must be high on any aviation photographer's list of planes to capture. The six engined behemoth is one of the most charismatic cargo aircraft and Maurice's image conveys this perfectly.
Image © Maurice O'Donoghue
Nikon D7000 + Nikkor 70-300mm VR lensTime for an unusual action photo. Richard Digby's image was taken the moment a Ju52 clipped the oilseed rape on approach to La Ferte Alais's grass runway. Luckily no harm was done except for perhaps giving the pilot a red face.
Image © Richard Digby
Canon EOS 1D MkIV + Canon EF 400mm ƒ5.6 L lensA colourful, imaginatively composed and a very photogenic subject all add up to a superb image of these three Stearmen at Hardwick. Congratulations to "jonny7" for his vision and skill.
Image © John Bilcliffe
Sony Cybershot HX-200VStu's image from Old Warden captures perfectly the concentration needed to pilot these magnificent flying machines.
Image © 'Exiler'
Canon EOS 5D MkIII + Canon EF 400mm ƒ5.6 L lensProp blur, angle and rarity helped decide on this image's inclusion in this weeks POTW feature. Shot at Dolna Mitropolia Air Base, Anton was rewarded for his efforts with a superb collection of images.
Image © Anton BalakchievMbr />Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lens
Pictures Of The Week
Week 19, May 2013
Clockwise from top left:
Kicking off our selection this week is a stunning image of the Turkish Stars. Emin's selection of images of Turkish Air Force assets have been well received by our forum members, including a number of lovely air-to-air images. This well composed image of the national aerobatic team departing in formation overhead is our favourite of his selection.
Image © Emin Findikli
RAF Lossiemouth & RAF Leuchars again hosted a number of photographers during their Joint Warrior exercises last month, events which were greatly appreciated by aviation photographers. This image of a French Navy Rafale caught our eye for it's composition and colours, especially difficult when the aircraft is seen "tagged & bagged".
Image © Andrew Beaumont
Another Joint Warrior image now, but the weather conditions may suggest otherwise! The strong winds experienced created sandstorm conditions that aircrew may be more familiar with in Afghanistan not Scotland! This CP-140 Aurora is operated by 407 Squadron RCAF and was one of the multiple Marine Patrol Aircraft operating from RAF Lossiemouth.
Image © Ben Montgomery
Canon EOS 7D + Sigma 120-300mm ƒ2.8 OS lensHMS Illustrious was on show in central London as part of the 70 Anniversary Celebrations of the Battle of the Atlantic. An impressive sight, even without Harriers onboard! Merlin ZH838, Sea King XV647 and Lynx ZD262 were noted onboard the carrier.
Image © Ian Bowskill
Canon EOS 5D MkIII + Canon EF 24-105mm L lensA golden oldie for this week, featuring a F-15I Ra'am during it's appearance at Waddington Airshow in 2001. The shot was taken with a Canon EOS 3 as the Israeli jet blasted off to begin it's display on the Sunday. The appearance of the Israeli aircraft was massive coup for Waddington with the obvious political issues, but something we'd love to see happen again sometime!
Image © Michael Hall
Canon EOS 3 using Fuji Sensia 100 ISO filmFinishing off our selection this week is this capture of 41 Squadron's anniversary jet on approach to it's home base at RAF Coningsby. We're used to seeing more exotic aircraft types from 'Kenny' as his job takes him across the globe but his images from home-soil are equally pleasing.
Image © Alan Kenny
Canon EOS 50D + Canon EF 70-300mm L IS lens
Pictures Of The Week
Week 18, May 2013
Clockwise from top left:
Pete's ears are still ringing from what he calls "some of the best flying I have seen in the Mach Loop", and one can clearly see why! This F-15D's pilot, from Lakenheath's 493rd FS 'Grim Reapers', spotted Pete and his fellow photographers at the top of Cad West and managed to keep the jet low for as long as he could. Over the years we've had a large number of stunning F-15 images from the Mach Loop on UKAR but we could only wish all pilots were as cooperative as this Eagle driver!
Image © Pete Fletcher
Nikon D300 + Nikkor AF-S 300mm ƒ2.8 VR lensNigel had some good fortune in the loop as well when he was treated to not one, but two four-ships of F-15C's on April 30th! Low flying Lakeneath F-15's had eluded him for some time but the knowledge that the 493rd FS had done a couple of circuits of the Loop the previous week, coupled with the good weather forecast, Nigel took his chances. An excellent choice in hindsight.
Image © Nigel Blake
Canon EOS 1Ds MkIII + Canon EF 600mm ƒ4 IS lensNext up is another legendary fighter, although slightly more vintage! This lovely topside pass of Peter Vacher's Hurricane I must have put a massive grin on Ian's face! R4118, operating out of RAF Croydon, flew 49 sorties during the Battle of Britain and she's credited with shooting down five of her opponents. After service with the RAF, R4118 was shipped to India where she ended up at a university for engineering instruction until Peter Vacher managed to purchase her.
Image © Ian Matthews
Nikon D300 + Sigma 50-500mm lensOn to the next historic Hawker. The world's sole airworthy Hawker Demon is seen taking off from Old Warden for one of the famous evening displays. Lovely light and a slow shutter speed gave 'Shuttleworth-addict' Steve the result he was looking for!
Image © Steve Buckby
Seen here, making a spectacular pass over Moscow's Red Square, are 6 VVS Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot close air support aircraft. Every year the Russians celebrate the capitulation of Nazi Germany, or 'Victory Day', with a parade consisting of elements of the ground and air forces. While Victory Day is celebrated on May 9th, Helen's shot shows the practice session a few days earlier on the 7th.
Image © Helen Badger
Canon EOS 5D MkII + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensWith the demise of the Luftwaffe's Phantom fleet coming closer and closer, the last of the special coloured aircraft was revealed on May 8th. 37+01, the first F-4F delivered, can be seen thundering down Wittmund's runway 26 upon arrival from nearby Jever, where it received its spectacular Phantom Pharewell livery.
Image © Rene Köhler
Anton took the opportunity to hop aboard for a training flight to practice the Bulgarian Air Force's contribution for the annual St. George Day and Day of the Bulgarian Army festivities. This image of Mi-17 '419' seen passing over the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was our favorite shot from the lovely set Anton shared on our forum.
Image © Anton Balakchiev
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 24-105mm L IS lens