Pictures Of The Week
Week 39, September 2013
Clockwise from top left:
Here's something you certainly don't see every day. A mighty SR-71 Blackbird pulling vapour. Posted from within the vaults of the renowned Freer family archive, Stu's shared a true classic, in every sense. The shot was taken almost 30 years ago, at the 1986 Air Fete at RAF Mildenhall. A show, like the aircraft depicted, which we fear we'll never see again.
Image © Stu Freer
Minolta SLR + Tamron 70-300mm on Kodachrome 64 slide filmLaurie Hughes came back from a trip Reno's annual Air Races with quite a haul. His second successive entry into UKAR's weekly "hall of fame" comes not from Reno, but from a day spent some 70 miles down the road at NAS Fallon. Modern jets, in their all-over grey tend to leave us cold, so how refreshing to see a splash of colour on this Aggressor Fighting Falcon.
Image © Laurie Hughes
Nikon D300 + Nikkor 70-300mm lensThe CASA Aviojet's a type we don't see too often on the pages of UKAR. We're struggling to think of a visit to these shores since the Patrulla Aguila spent a weather affected weekend stuck on the ground at Fairford in 2011. It's a fairly underpowered and unremarkable type, but rarity, like absence, can make the enthusiast's heart grow fonder. Kevin Martin's extended visit to a number of Spanish bases has produced a fascinating thread on the vaired inventory one of the most overlooked air forces in Europe. This Aviojet shot ticks plenty of our boxes.
Image © Kevin Martin
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensNext we go much, much futher south with this excellent photograph of an Australian Army Tiger ARH taking part in the Riverfire event in Brisbane, where it displayed as part of a two-ship routine. Roy's image has that in-your-face quality and drama that these days seems so difficult to capture at the watered-down, Health and Safety-ruled events in the UK.
Image © 'Roy RX' (Jet Thrust Aviation Images)
Canon EOS 40D + Canon EF 70-300mm L IS lensMikael Carlson is probably the most adventurous Bleriot pilot since Louis himself! Never content to merely hop his vintage machines along a runway, he displays them in a remarkably dynamic fashion. He actually managed to end upside down in one of his two machines in Switzerland just a few days before this image was taken at Hahnweide's Oldtimer event in Germany. To make the later booking, he shipped the damaged machine back to Sweden, before collecting his serviceable one and getting straight back on the horse, so to speak! Ramon's captured a real sense of the event, not just in this picture, but in the rest of his exceptional thread too.
Image © Ramon van Opdorp
Interesting weather can often add to an otherwise regulation image. We see hundreds of Mach Loop images every year on UKAR, many of them featuring the largely soulless Typhoon. What stood out for us in Jack's image is the unusual low cloud in the valley below his vantage position on the "Top Shelf" of the Bwlch.
Image © Jack Williams
Canon EOS 600D + Canon EF 400mm ƒ5.6 L lensRick Ingham's threads usually guarantee top quality, and this thread was no exception. This Eurocopter EC130T2 was shot at this year's Helitech trade show, held this year at the ExCel centre in London's Docklands, which made for a very different backdrop, and one which certainly adds to the image.
Image © Rick Ingham
Pictures Of The Week
Week 38, September 2013
Clockwise from top left:
Japan may be famous for being the Empire of the Rising Sun however Nevada is the Empire of the Reno Sun when it comes to the annual Reno Air Races. Caught very early on a typically beautiful Nevada morning, this elegant P-51 struck the perfect pose for Laurie Hughes to capture this golden shot.
Image © Laurie Hughes
Nikon D300 + Nikkor 70-300mm lensA sad end to the month as one of the last truly charismatic aircraft in the RAF inventory bade farewell after half-a-century's sterling service. Our own Dan O'Hagan was on hand to capture the final operational sorties by RAF VC10s, culminating in a flypast at Brize Norton of the last two flying examples. It remains a stain on the RAF's name that not a single VC10 will, at present, find a home in the Royal Air Force Museum. A damning epitaph.
Image © Dan O'Hagan
Canon EOS 20D + Sigma 50-500mm lensSouth American F-16s are one of the holy grails of military aviation photography thanks to their unusual colour schemes. Christopher was in the right place at the right time at Arturo Merino Airport to catch the recoveries from the annual Chilean Armed Forces parade flypast.
Image © Cristopher Holcomb Lara
Canon 60D + Canon EF 70-300mm IS lensTake a Hind, add smoke with a pinch of front quarter and you get one of the meanest photo subjects on the planet. Andrzej Rogucki caught this superb angle at the 2013 NATO Days at Ostrava in the Czech Republic during the solo Czech Mi-24 display. If Carling did scary helicopters....
Image © Andrzej Rogucki
Canon EOS 1Dx + Canon EF 500mm ƒ4 L IS lens & Canon 1.4x TCThe Edwardian aircraft collection at Shuttleworth is world famous which makes any photo of them in the air that little bit special. Thanks to a windy 2013 season, these magnificent flying machines haven't been able to take to the sky much making this photo by Chris Low at the "Shuttleworth Uncovered” event rare.
Image © Chris Low
Panasonic FZ200A gripping (or should that be Gripen?) photo of a low light launch at the Arctic Challenge Exercise 2013 held at Bodo Air Base in Norway. A challenging shot not just for the low shutter speed but thanks to Norwegian law not being very enthusiast friendly! Gregorz Kozak braved a 1200km round trip and a run in with the authorities to bring us this superb image. Flame on!
Image © Grzegorz Kozak
Just one Jesolo! Give it to me! Terrific flying, in Italy! Ok, so we may not win any awards for singing but Daniele Ghisolfi certainly deserves a place in this weeks selection for the outstanding shot taken at the Jesolo Air Extreme airshow in Italy. The shot was taken in the toughest conditions facing the sun and we think this angle is not only unique but technically excellent too!
Image © Daniele Ghisolfi
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 400mm ƒ2.8 L lens
Pictures Of The Week
Week 37, September 2013
Clockwise from top left:
This colourful study of Bort 69 trailing a 'chute was the standout image from a fine set posted by UKAR POTW regular Richard Pittman. Taken at the Czech International Air Festival held at Hradec Kralove, it highlights that if you're prepared to travel the rewards can be great.
Image © Rich Pittman
Traveling even further afield enabled Taro Oguma to capture this superb image of Hyyakuri's finest at its home base's airshow. With the European Phantom's steady decline, Japan is becoming something of a Mecca for "Phans" of the type.
Image © Taro Oguma
Canon EOS 60D + Canon EF 500mm ƒ4.5 L lensArriving at St.Mawgan (or Newquay if you're young!) the "Queen of the Skies" ZA148 is welcomed by its new guardians at the Classic Air Force collection after retirement from the RAF. UKAR staffer and Classic Air Force employee Peter Reoch's sublime effort captures the scene perfectly in what is undoubtedly a "historic" image.
Image © Peter Reoch
This Canadian Lysander's scheme almost jumps off the screen for those more used to seeing photos of Shuttleworth's black example. Taken at the Gatineau executive airport in Quebec, Canada, Ian's shot was the pick from his post from the Vintage Wings Of Canada display.
Image © Ian Graham
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 300mm ƒ2.8L L IS lens & Canon 1.4x TCThe recent visit of Saudi Arabian Typhoons and Tornadoes to RAF Coningsby to take part in Exercise Green Flag attracted many photographers, many of whom posted on the forum. Our pick of the bunch was Phil's Stunning shot of "Gringo12" breaking into the circuit.
Image © 'phil1959'
Canon EOS 1000D + Canon EF 75-300mm lensMarking Manchester Airport's 75th anniversary was a display by the RAF memorial flight's Lancaster. A familiar sight that should never be taken for granted. A classic view in perfect conditions results in Trevor Hannant's shot being included in this weeks selection.
Image © Trevor Hannant
Canon Rebel T1i + Canon EF 75-300mm lensThe Red Arrows are probably the most photographed display item in the UK airshow circuit. The tight formation, well framed and composed coupled with coloured smoke make for an image with plenty of impact. Jack Williams' image goes to show that you can always make a better picture with a little bit bit of creativity.
Image © Jack Williams
Canon EOS 600D + Canon EF 400mm ƒ5.6 L lens
Pictures Of The Week
Week 36, September 2013
Clockwise from top left:
Adam really did strike gold with this photo of Sally B during September's Seething Charity Air Day. With heavy thunderstorms in the area, the crew stuck at it, pausing their display for 10 minutes before completing it against the colourful backdrop of a rainbow.
Image © Adam Duffield
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensNearly 50 years since the SR-71 was introduced, this aircraft still looks one of the most futuristic to ever to grace the sky. Keith captured this great photo, showing the iconic lines of Duxford's SR-71A, 61-7962, located in the American Air Museum.
Image © Keith Campbell
Canon EOS 1D MkIV + Canon EF 70-200mm ƒ2.8 L IS lensAnother striking photo from Duxford's September Air Show. Peter captures the Red Arrows starting their routine against the dynamic cloudscape of Cambridgeshire at the end of Sunday's show.
Image © Peter Loud
Sony A850 + Tamron 120-400mm lensThe final photo this week from Duxford's September Show is of the Royal Norwegian Air Force Historic Flight's Vampire. Tim caught this great photo of their single-seat F.3 variant during their display on Saturday.
Image © Tim Croton
Canon EOS 50D + Canon EF 400mm ƒ5.6 L lensGut Zoltan caught this outstanding photo of a Slovak Air Force Mig 29AS resplendent in its digital camo scheme and Tiger tail during this year's Slovak International Air Fest held at the Sliiac Military Air Base. I for one would love to see this aircraft grace the UK airshow scene sometime in 2014.
Image © Gut Zoltan
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensDino chose the right location to compose this striking photo of the Royal Dutch Navy's new NH90 set against the Erasmus suspension bridge during the World Port Days, held annually at Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
Image © Dino van Doorn
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 300mm ƒ4 L lensTo finish off this week, we have an excellent 'land-locked' photo of a Finnish Air Force Hawk Mk51 going through the Mach Loop in Wales. With the Finish Hawk fleet being reduced over the next few years due to fatigue, I'm hoping this will not be the last time we see them visit the Low Fly Areas in the UK.
Image © Emilio Di Pietro
Pictures Of The Week
Week 35, September 2013
Clockwise from top left:
A super shot of the Super Connie kicks off this weeks POTW! While enjoying a swim in a lake not far from Sion (Switzerland) Phillipe was surprised to see the immaculate Breitling Super Constellation enter the circuit for landing. While he missed photographing the arrival, the aviation enthusiast in him quickly took over and one hour later he captured some brilliant shots as the classic Lockheed propliner lifted off for departure.
Image © Philippe Rey
Nikon D800 + Nikkor 70-200mm ƒ2.8 VR lensAlthough aircraft much more rare could be enjoyed at Radom airshow in Poland it's this shot of the Belgian Air Component's F-16 display that stood out for us. Paul was there to capture Florennes based Captain Renaud "Grat" Thys putting the F-16 through its paces while it released some flares.
Image © Paul Harvey
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensAnother airshow favorite, and once again shot at Radom. The The Royal Netherlands Air Force is always a strong supporter of airshows around Europe and the Apache Demo Team adds some much needed variety at the fast jet dominated airshow program. Throw in some flares and you can't go wrong as Martin shows us!
Image © Martin Dove
Canon EOS 60D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensThe other RNLAF demo team is, of course the F-16 Demo Team. While a completely different shot from the Belgian example in this weeks Pictures of the Week selection it certainly isn't less impressive. Captain Stefan "Stitch" Hutten puts the 'Orange Lion' into a high speed topside pass, a maneuver always appreciated by the aviation photographer!
Image © Fredrik Edvardsen
Canon EOS 7D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lensRAF Coningsby has been the place to be for some fast jet action with exercise Green Flag kicking off. A mixed bag of 4 Royal Saudi Air Force Tornados and 4 Typhoons have deployed to the Lincolnshire base to take part in the 2 week exercise. While the Tornados are sadly no longer sporting the stunning desert camo they once wore it doesn't make them any less of a rare sight.
Image © Nicholas Thompson
Canon 500D + 70-200mm ƒ2.8 L IS lensUnusual but perhaps familiar to Bond fans is this BD-5 Micro, captured at the Bray Air Show in Ireland. Though not the BD-5J jet powered variant seen in the movie 'Octopussy', the propdriven BD-5 does share the same characteristic lines. This is one of only two of these kit aircraft that remain airworthy in Europe, the other example being part of the Flying Bulls collection out of Austria.
Image © Ciaran Hickey
Nikon D7000 + Nikkor 18-300mm VR lens'Old Skool Boeings' is what Stu Freer titled his fantastic topic in our popular 'Golden Oldies' topic. One such Old Skool Boeings, a KC-135A from Strategic Air Command's 42nd Bombardment Wing based at Loring Air Force Base makes a spectacular boom-down pass along RAF Mildenhall's runway. A fine display from this smokey classic!
Image © Stu Freer