Pictures Of The Week
Week 44, October 2016
Clockwise from top left:
The Norwegian Air Force historical squadron have been regular visitors to the UK over the past few years with their Vampire pair and more recently, their MiG-15. Fredrik recently took advantage of an opportunity to visit them at their home base of Rygge where he took this great shot of the MiG departing.
Image © Fredrik Edvardsen
Making their second appearance in as many weeks are the Portugese Air Force and their F-16's. This time Kelvin had to travel a bit further than Scotland to grab this excellent shot of one on finals, the shot being taken at Monte Real Air Base within Portugal itself.
Image © Kelvin Sullivan
It's no secret that Timeline Events recently hosted a nightshoot event at RAF Cosford to specifically capture the Jaguar in it's natural habitat; the dark. In the first of a number of appearances in this weeks selection, Rich took this very moody and emotional sunset shot of a pilot standing in his cockpit. The quality of the photography that has come out of this event has been superb.
Image © Rich Pittman
Exemplifying what made this photoshoot a bit different, Jonathan captures this scene of a Jaguar and crew with one unusual difference.. smoke. Utilising a smoke machine added a new dimension to these images and gave the impression of a foggy night mission about to take place somewhere in Norfolk or Europe.
Image © Jonathan Hughes
Rounding up the small selection of superb Jaguar night photos is everyone's favourite retirement scheme; Spotty. The excellently lit shot taken by Steve has made us all a little jealous and does make some of us wish that we had attended the event. Oh well there is always next time!
Image © Steve Tron
Joining the growing number of airfields offering night photography, RAF Northolt recently hosted a charity event where an example of every type available was on display. Whilst the event wasn't perfect, as the constructive criticism in our review highlights, it was an excellent first try. The star of the evening, captured here by Paul, being the A400M Atlas which 70Sqn were kind enough to ground run for the gathered photographers, proving just how much of a beast this aircraft is. Perhaps the RAF should have stuck with the development name - Grizzly - it is far more appropriate.
Image © Paul Langford
Pictures Of The Week
Week 43, October 2016
Clockwise from top left:
The regular Joint Warrior exercises held off the Scottish coast are known for bringing rare visitors to our shores. The most recent iteration of this exercise, held during October attracted a number of types to RAF Lossiemouth including the Portugese with their F-16's. Calum caught one of their aircraft returning from a sortie in the company of the based Typhoons, not often to do you catch a Typhoon and an F-16 on the runway together.
Image © Calum Linnen
Highlighting the professionalism of the pilots, Norwich Airport recently witnessed a Helicopter emergency when a Bristow AW139 experienced its flotation gear activating in mid-air! The pilots bought the stricken bird back to the airfield and landed her without any fuss. Not only is the resultant photo an unusual sight but John was also very lucky to capture the moment for eternity.
Image © John Bilcliffe
Another recent visitor to our shores for Joint Warrior was the Swedish Air Force with their Gripens, this time deploying to RAF Leeming en masse. Not only did they travel north to take part in the exercise but the pilots also tried their hand at the many UK low flying areas; Kelvin caught them plying their trade in the Lake District.
Image © Kelvin Sullivan
What else is there to say but Japanese hardware is currently the holy grail of aviation photography. Many concentrate on the front line fighter types, especially the F-2 and F-4 but a regularly overlooked type is the home grown T-4 trainer. Marc caught this example whilst on a recent trip to Japan, we aren't jealous. Honest.
Image © Marc Brouyère
Wings Over Houston is one of the UKAR top 10 worldwide airshow's. Each year they change their theme and attract some of the rarest warbirds to participate in their excellent flying display. Dries recently flew out to Texas to experience this airshow and caught a Swallow on the ground. Not the bird type but the mean Me-262 Swallow as it taxied for its display slot. We wished one would travel to the UK for a formation display with a Meteor. We can but dream.
Image © Dries Embrechts
Many of you may have read our review into the unique Wonsan airshow that was recently held in North Korea; every one that braved the iron curtain of the nation was certainly given an experience of a lifetime. Andrezj was one of those brave souls and caught this superb slow shutter capture of an An-2 departing the airfield. These aircraft are slow at the best of times, that is a seriously slow shutter!
Image © Andrzej Rogucki
RAF Coningsby recently hosted the annual Air Combat Power Visit where members of the military/VIP's can attend an exhibition of the RAF's capabilities. Showing that the RAF has "some" maritime capability whilst waiting for its own aircraft to be delivered, the US Navy kindly provided one of it's brand new P-8A Poseidons to go on display at the event; highlighting that some of these aircraft are being operated by British crews. Kevin took this great night shot after dark of the aircraft at rest.
Image © Kevin Bell
Pictures Of The Week
Week 42, October 2016
Clockwise from top left:
With Northolt Nightshoot XXI proving to be one of the best of recent editions, it would be rude not to include more images from the event. Making the journey from RAF Cranwell was 45(R) Squadron's poppy-based scheme B200GT King Air. Jonathon took full opportunity of the lengthy ground-run to give us the unique opportunity of the aircraft running in the dark.
Image © Jonathan Hughes
The number of World War I era aircraft being restored to flight this year is certainly impressive, with the restoration scene being stronger than ever before. Complementing this has been the return to flight of this glorious Sopwith Pup, which was captured climbing into the late evening sky on departure from Duxford on its first post-restoration flight.
Image © Tony Clarke
Duxford is synonymous with vintage and warbird aircraft, with one being incredibly unlucky if you spend a day at Duxford without some form of classic aircraft movement. Stalwart of both the forum and Duxford, Brian was on hand to capture Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar's recently restored Spitfire T9. This particular aircraft, MT818, is unique in that it was the prototype two-seat trainer Spitfire, which first flew on December 1946.
Image © Brian Marshall
October tends to be a very quiet year for the aviation enthusiast after the winding down of the airshow scene. However, many make the pilgrimage to Axalp, Switzerland, for the annual live firing demonstrations high in the snowy Alps. Unfortunately, this years edition was cancelled but this didn't deter Kelvin from visiting a few of the bases. One particular photo that caught our eye was this Super Puma hauling back supplies from the firing range.
Image © Kelvin Sullivan
With the daylight hours shortening, nightshoots become a good distraction during the colder times of year. Kleine Brogel has jumped on the band-wagon, with their recent event providing the opportunity to shoot a number of their F-16's. The stand-out aircraft on display simply HAD to be the vibrant Tiger Squadron example!
Image © 'Raptor25'
Despite becoming a particularly aged aircraft now, the Su-22 "Fitter" continues to soldier on with the Polish Air Force. On a recent visit to the WZL2 maintenance facility at Bydgoszcz, "Alpha Delta 210" got the opportunity to see one of these classic aircraft amongst dozens of its counterparts. It's certainly refreshing to see a few of these aircraft still in the much preferred green camo scheme.
Image © 'Alpha Delta 210'
After a few problems during initial delivery stages, the Boeing 787 "Dreamliner" has evolved into a very popular aircraft with carriers worldwide. Jetstar of Australia operate a total of 11 examples in arguably one of most attractive schemes of any operator.
Image © 'NTG1610'
Pictures Of The Week
Week 41, October 2016
Clockwise from top left:
The recent Northolt nightshoot saw a number of RAF special schemes attend and, for once, everything arranged by the hard working organisers occurred. As the sun sets, Rob caught this emotional shot of the 47 Squadron anniversary Hercules against a back drop of moving clouds.
Image © Rob Laker
Another of the special schemes attending the Northolt event was the elusive Operation Granby Tornado. Presented in all its splendour for the gathered photographers to shoot, Simon took this elevated shot of what is arguably the smartest looking Tornado in the RAF.
Image © Simon Wright
No, it isn't Shuttleworth. Steve recently travelled to Hahnweide for the popular event which can last all day, literally. This Bleriot flew in the evening sunshine just as the mist started to form, a picturesque scene for such an iconic aircraft.
Image © Steve Screech
As elusive as the Operation Granby Tornado has been the three special scheme Chinooks operating from RAF Odiham. Mark was lucky enough to attend the base for a quietly publicised event where all three flew together. Such a shame these did not make it to many, if any, airshows over the summer.
Image © Mark Bryan
The Comet has to be the UKAR staff team's favourite all time aircraft and we are so lucky for the only airworthy example to be based at Shuttleworth, an airfield that recognises its pedigree. Darrell recently attended the Air Race event and caught this brilliant top side.
Image © Darrell Thompson
Yet to appear in the UK are any of the replica Me-262 that have appeared over recent years. One such example recently appeared at the Airpower event in Austria. Giorgio was on hand to grab this shot of the Swallow launching into the sky at the beginning of its display routine. Anyone for a Meteor and Me-262 formation?
Image © Giorgio Varisco
Usually we feature aircraft in our Pictures of the Week but every so often, other types of flying machine catch our eye. This close up of an inflating hot air balloon recently taken at Headcorn by Ian really took our eye, all the colours of the rainbow. No wonder it's registration ends in WOW!
Image © Ian Amis
Pictures Of The Week
Week 40, October 2016
Clockwise from top left:
One of the talking points of the international display circuit this year has been the sudden re-emergence of the Ukrainian Su-27 Flanker display. With attendance in, amongst others, Denmark, Bucharest and Malta, it is at the latter where POTW-regular Alistair really wowed us with this golden shot of this Su-27UB. The pair sent to European shows, "58 Blue" and "71 Blue" are the most advanced "Flankers" in the air arm's inventory having recently been overhauled and upgraded.
Image © Alistair Zammit
POTW-regular Barrie stayed true to form with his photography at Shuttleworth's final show of the year, with some sublime slow-shutter work on Peter Teichman's repainted P-51, "Tall In The Saddle", which was unveiled earlier this year.
Image © Barrie May
Also at Shuttleworth recently, and reviewing the show for us, Dan produced a fine brace of images from the Bedfordshire aerodrome, including the Collection's immaculate Avro 504K, in beautiful lighting conditions providing vibrant contrast and colours to the composition.
Image © Dan O'Hagan
Canon EOS 50D + Sigma 50-500mm lensIt really is excellent to see PA474 back in the air again after a hiatus for much of 2016. Arguably, one of the UK's most important warbirds, the BBMF's flagship machine appears to be in fine fettle following her engine fire and substantial maintenance period, and we loved Daniel's excellent topside composition of the venerable old lady.
Image © Daniel Kennedy
Alongside the Romanians, Croatia is the other European nation soldiering onwards with its MiG-21s. POTW-regular Dino caught this striking machine adorned with the nation's colours which has been rather photo-friendly of late, and a good thing too as the nation is actively seeking replacements for the type.
Image © Dino van Doorn
We enjoyed POTW-regular Tomasz's contributions this week covering the Aerofestival in Posnan, Poland. In particular, the study of this Iskra, which now a classic machine in its own right, flown by Slawomir Hetman, one of Poland's most experienced test pilots, really caught our eye.
Image © Tomasz Chrul
Finally this week, we don't know what's changed in the RAF in recent years, but special tails and schemes are appearing thick and fast of late, a far cry to the drab days a few years ago where jets seldom strayed from the dull grey or green we're used to. Another-such special scheme recently broke cover at Marshalls of Cambridge on this RAF C-130 celebrating the 100th anniversary of 206Sqn which was caught by Matt before hastily being retreated back into its hangar. We hope to see it out and about in the new year.
Image © Matt Varley