Pictures Of The Week
Week 48, November 2016
Clockwise from top left:
The Lightning Preservation Group's "Q-Shed", first "opened" in 2010, has quickly become the stuff of an aviation photographer's dream in the off-season. The much-loved "Twilight QRA" event held once again this November proved why the Leicestershire aerodrome is such a hit. Becoming a pretty accomplished POTW regular, we loved Ian's Cold War-esque composure of Lightning XR713, LPG's most recent addition, at rest in the former RAF Wattisham building.
Image © Ian Garfield
Ivan wowed us with his thread from EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh (often simply referred to as "Oshkosh") recently, and we could have picked any one of his photos for feature in this week's top seven, but it was this fine study of the monstrous and rare Martim JRM-3 "Hawaii Mars". It's reported that only one Martin Mars remains flying, and that the owners flew her at Oshkosh in the hope of enticing a new buyer. Regardless, being one of the largest flying boats ever to enter production, it is truly excellent to see this wonderfully charismatic machine.
Image © Ivan Voukadinov
Tis almost the season, and yearly retrospectives and reflections get well-underway. Reminding us of warmer, and indeed, more colourful times, Andy posted a winner of a set from his time at RIAT this year, and posted as good an opener as one could hope for. The French Rafale solo display once again amazed crowds at the show, and Andy's different composure is one that really caught the eye, and is one he can be proud of.
Image © Andy Kenyon
We're always pleased to see Chris' shots from Germany, which seems to be a little more reclusive of the European air arms than most others. With its own particular gems, Wittmund may no-longer host the venerable F-4s, but the A-4 Skyhawks still strut their stuff over the north German district, and never are they as fine as when caught in beautiful sunset lighting (also note that the red "R" of Richthofen worn by the formerly based Phantoms is proudly displayed on the tail).
Image © 'BigClick67'
Dan looks like he's had a trip to remember from the States, and we've enjoyed his numerous and populous photo threads posted recently, but it was his set from NAS Meridian which we liked. A seldom-seen base, with plenty of T-45 Goshawk action, it was great to see some photos of the Hawk's beefier (and more interesting) Navy cousins!
Image © Daniel Reeves
We thought that the gorgeous and rare Hellenic RF-4Es posted in the thread would have been enough when we opened the thread, but Rob's set from numerous Greek air bases, including Andravida, went one step further. Providing a clean and attractive composition of none other than an Egyptian Air Force F-16. Taken on strength by the air arm in 1982, before being supplemented by an order of Block 52+ machines in 2010, Egypt operates around 220 - 240 of the machines, yet despite this they are incredibly rare outside of Egyptian shores (and there aren't many photos of them from inside Egyptian shores either!).
Image © Rob Schleiffert
Last but by no means least, Croatian MiG-21s are some of the last left in Europe, and they themselves haven't got long left on the clock. Whilst sporting the more PC grey drab scheme that befalls most modern military machines these days, they're still incredibly rare beasts, and sport charisma that more modern counterparts just cant match. As unlikely as it is, it would be fantastic to see these types in the UK one last time.
Image © 'Raptor25'
Pictures Of The Week
Week 47, November 2016
Clockwise from top left:
Showing how popular this airshow is with British enthusiasts we once again this week feature an image from Aviation Nation 2016. Fire bombing demonstrations are always something to behold so imagine when it is something the size of DC-10 performing the demo as caught here by Mattias.
Image © Mattias Richter
UKAR Staffer Rod regularly travels south from his home in Canada to the Nevada military airfields. Rod was lucky enough to spend some time at NAS Fallon recently and took this superb shot of an F-5 returning from a mission.
Image © Rod McDonough
Jedi Transition otherwise known as Rainbow Canyon is fast gaining a reputation as the American equivalent of the Mach Loop. It's a location that you never quite know what you are going to get, even C-17's have recently been captured flying through the canyon. On this instance Peter was on hand to capture a pass by one the KLu's brand new F-35A's showing from at least one angle these aircraft do look good!
Image © Peter Steehouwer
Rich is known for his awesome images of helicopters and the access he obtains to take them. Some of the more "sexy" Merlins out there are owned by the Portugese whom Rich was lucky to spend some time with earlier this year.
Image © Rich Pittman
The A-7 Corsair is a type with personality that many of us miss. We were lucky at RIAT 2014 when the Greeks sent a pair for their final ever visit before retirement. Dr Cake took this superb shot of one of them landing.
Image © 'Dr Cake'
Lakenheath is being used as a regular stop off for returning USAF aircraft on their way home or for deliveries of brand new aircraft to international customers. One such instance of the former recently saw a number of Seymour Johnson Strike Eagles stop over on their way West; Tom was on hand to capture them.
Image © Tom McGhee
A recent delivery to Norwich airport was this Ex-Philippines registered AW139, a rare visitor to our shores. The aircraft is obviously in need of a little TLC but Matt was on hand to capture it being towed into a Hangar with a rare beam of sun shining on her in stormy skies.
Image © Matt Varley
Pictures Of The Week
Week 46, November 2016
Clockwise from top left:
Located close to the Arizona border in South East California is the quiet town of El Centro, home to the Naval Air Facility of the same name. A base that is famous with enthusiasts the world over as being pot luck, you never know what you're going to find. Mark recently spent some time on base and captured this superb image of a legacy Hornet touching down.
Image © Mark McGrath
The Scottish Charity Air Ambulance is a rarely photographed beast, so when Wallace posted a set from Scone our interest was peaked. Not only did he capture this helicopter but he also captured it operating at night illuminated by the airfield lights. It's a genius composition that is certainly worthy of a recognition.
Image © Wallace Shackleton
Everyone likes a water reflection shot especially at night. It's unusual however to see such a shot of an airliner or freighter on an active airfield. That's precisely why this week we have chosen Cameron's shot taken at Coventry.
Image © Cameron Sys
Brian is a bit of a legend when it comes to his coverage of activity at Duxford, something that is often taken for granted. When he recently took this shot of a based T028 Fennec sitting outside surrounded by moody skies we thought it worthy of a slot in this weeks selection.
Image © Brian Marshall
VFC-111 based at NAS Key West are famous for their colourful tails on their venerable F-5N Tiger II's. They are also a rarely captured beast and therefore when Dino posted this superb set from a recent base visit the shots certainly peaked our interest.
Image © Dino van Doorne
Back in May, a number of UKAR Staff team members visited Italy as part of a Forest Aviation Tours event. One of the highlights of this tour was an access all areas visit to Lecce where they were given opportunities to capture the Italians brand new M-346 trainers. Tom was on the ball when he captured this superb shot of one departing on another training mission.
Image © Tom Jones
The Nellis Aviation Nation airshow is a popular event that presents many challenges for photography thanks to the sun angle throughout the day. Yet, the rarities that attend and the show stopping set piece are must see's regardless. An example of this is Keith capture of the Privateer performing it's display at the show.
Image © Keith Draycott
Pictures Of The Week
Week 45, November 2016
Clockwise from top left:
The Dassault Falcon 2000 family is beautiful on a normal day but when this example recently departed Norwich its beauty was enhanced by this gorgeous rainbow filling the sky. In a case of being in the right place at the right time, Matt caught this moment and shared it with the rest of us.
Image © Matt Varley
Following the tragic events at Shoreham, the Hunter has been a rare sight in the skies above Britain. One of the few regular operators has been the HHA who fly them on military contracts. In an increasingly rare opportunity Harry took full advantage of an opportunity to shoot one of these beautiful aircraft air to air and shared the results with us.
Image © Harry Measures
Lakenheath has a reputation for sunset photos, Jayson's image is a perfect example as to why this reputation is well earned. It's one of the quintessential winter images that we see each year and long may that continue.
Image © Jayson Cork
Many people would have witnessed the graceful silent majesty of a glider being displayed at an airshow. Little do many realise however that the Italians hold a championship for this noble skill. Giorgio recently attended the latest iteration of these championships near Como.
Image © Giorgio Varisco
The Commemorative Air Force has different sections, known as Wings, located over the entire United States operating a vast array of classic warbirds. Dries recently visited the Dixie Wing of the CAF based in Peachtree City, Georgia and captured their gorgeous P-39 receiving some well earned TLC. A type missing from UK skies for far too long.
Image © Dries Embrechts
There's a café at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport that overlooks the visiting aircraft ramp, this is quite handy as the airfield serves as a fuel and lunch stop for passing military traffic on a daily basis. Edwin was recently present during a short trip to the area and caught this AV-8B+ visiting the airfield.
Image © Edwin Schimmel
The program of events at Shuttleworth has not failed but to provide a beacon of hope to civilian airshows nationwide during 2016, ending on a high note at the Shuttleworth finale. UKAR's own Big Cheese Mk2, Dan Butcher, caught the Hangar 11 collections P-51D departing in gorgeous evening light, ending the season in style.
Image © Dan Butcher
Canon EOS 50D + Canon EF 100-400mm L IS lens