Pictures Of The Week
Week 13, March 2017
Clockwise from top left:
We open this week's POTW with an example from a superb set of images from Malaysia's LIMA 2017 airshow, courtesy of Mark Rourke. If you haven't seen the full set of images yet they are certainly worth a look, with great diversity in the participants of the show ranging from the Russian Knights to a B-1B Lancer from the USAF. However, it was one of the home team that particularly caught our eye, with the F/A-18D from the Royal Malaysian Air Force captured against the tropical Malaysian background, giving a real sense of energy and movement through the image.
Image © Mark Rourke
From the rare treats of LIMA, we move to the USA and the Baltimore Air Show, with Slawek Krajniewski's image from a show that he describes as the best of 2016. It is another image that conveys the great power of the depicted fast jet, in this case the F-22A Raptor of the USAF, capturing the vapour in the air as it collides with the aircraft during it's very impressive routine. We look forward to seeing it back in the UK at RIAT this summer.
Image © Slawek Krajniewski
A little bit closer to home this time, however, still with a slight exotic aspect. Adam Duffield got fortunate when on a visit to RAF Mildenhall to not only encounter great weather, but also a flight of eight F-15Cs of the 142nd Fighter Wing, Oregon Air National Guard were making a night stop on their way back west. A very nice bonus to the regular residents of RAF Mildenhall.
Image © Adam Duffield
Back to Asia, and a visit for Michael Lovering to Japan. Sometimes the photograph is about far more than just the resultant image and the story behind this series of images certainly add to their character. A three week visit happened to coincide with Exercise Forest Light, a joint exercise between the USMC and JGSDF, with Michael coincidently passing one of the locations of the exercise, he ended up waist deep in snow chasing these USMC Ospreys, the reflected light from the snow certainly adding to the quality of the images illuminating the aircraft through the mist of the snow.
Image © Michael Lovering
Continuing to demonstrate the truly global reach of the UKAR forums, our next stop is Australia, curtesy of George's visit to the Antique Aeroplane Fly-In at Echuca. The set of images offer a change of pace from the modern military dominated POTW seen so far, with the DH.60M Moth offering a much more gentle feel, looking sublimely graceful in the golden Australian light.
Image © George P
The days of the venerable Westland Lynx in Royal Navy service are sadly now over, with their duties handed over to the Wildcat; many readers will have great memories of them as stalwarts of the UK airshow scene in the hands of the Black Cats. Mark Russell made the trip to RNAS Yeovilton to say farewell to the helicopters making their decommissioning flight on March 17th. A change of location from his position for the first sortie enabled him to capture this great image of the four Lynx departing Yeovilton.
Image © Mark Russell
Our final image for the week showcases a rarity of the Airliner world, with few examples of the forty-eight year old DC-8 still operational. Paul Nelhams caught this example, operated by the Samaritans Purse, in some great weather departing Shannon Airport on a stop on a trip from Jordan over to the USA.
Image © Paul Nelhams
Pictures Of The Week
Week 12, March 2017
Clockwise from top left:
Many years before the UK's most famous airshow gained it's "Royal" title, the International Air Tattoo had a reputation for attracting the rare and unusual to our shores. There was nothing more graceful to appear than the unique Concorde, caught here departing by Derek in 1985! Boy do we feel old!
Image © Derek Ferguson
When travelling to the Wild West be sure to visit Yuma and take in the action at this superb USMC base. Not only do you get modern aircraft but relics of the Vietnam era flying alongside them. Kevin recently made the trip and caught this Harrier departing on another mission; a sight that is sorely missed in the UK.
Image © Kevin Bell
The Swiss countryside is some of the most beautiful on this planet and we can only imagine the feelings and sensation of flying low through the deep valleys. Philippe was lucky enough to experience this once in a lifetime view in the back of a PC-7.
Image © Philippe Rey
The US Navy Legacy Hornet demonstration is unlikely to ever make it's way to the UK and therefore we must travel or view photographs of this aggressive display. This year for the 2017 season the display team have unusually chosen to paint the display aircraft in a special scheme, particularly commemorating an A-7 in VFA-15 markings. Martin caught the aircraft during one of it's first displays at Tico.
Image © Martin Pring
Wallace is a POTW regular and when he published his shots of the recent Bruntingthorpe Night Photoshoot, it was highly likely we would like what we saw. This more artistic shot of a crew preparing to depart on a mission caught our eye as something usual.
Image © Wallace Shackleton
It's not often that we see images from Coventry airport, however if you know where to go this airfield can supply some unusual angles for photography. Cameron recently popped by and caught some of the cargo aircraft coming and goings including this rarely seen 737.
Image © Cameron Sys
It's always a big occasion when a prototype comes to town and therefore the interest of many was piqued when the brand new CS100 visited London City for testing. Pete was on hand to catch the testing in action of this pretty little regional jet.
Image © 'tink_norfolk'
Pictures Of The Week
Week 11, March 2017
Clockwise from top left:
The USAF airfields of Suffolk have a very special place in our hearts thanks to the unusual and rare aircraft that they attract. Regular visitors to these bases to perform circuits are the E-3A AWACS on NATO. Mark recently ended up 'head on' during one of these circuits.
Image © Mark Rourke
Red Flag may attract many to the South West of the USA however this area also has it's own Mach Loop known as Jedi Transition. During a recent trip, UKAR Staffer Rod caught this superb shot of a Hornet pulling hard through the Canyon.
Image © Rod McDonough
The Army Air Corps Apache fleet regularly deploy north to the Otterburn ranges for exercises and, if you know where to go, helicopters in this area can supply some unique angles. Danny obviously knows these spots and used them to great effect to capture this aggressive shot.
Image © Danny Bowie
UK Staffer and POTW regular Brian recently made one of his regular trips to Duxford where he caught the newest of a growing number of two-seat Spitfires taking advantage of the good weather. Seen here conducting ground trials, the aircraft made its first post-restoration flight last Saturday morning and will be soon be flying customers as part of the Aero Legends fleet.
Image © Brian Marshall
The Cold War Jets collection at Bruntingthorpe is unique in the UK due to the vast majority of their assets being kept in a taxiing condition. Famed for their fast taxi days and Lightning night shoots, the wider collection recently hosted a night photoshoot. Jonathan was on hand and caught this fantastic image of a venerable Buccaneer cycling its wing fold during the length of the exposure.
Image © Jonathan Hughes
Farnborough has been, for years, considered to be a shadow of its former self. However on a good weather day some of the angles that are on offer can still result in some superb images. Combine that with a large aircraft such as the A-400M being thrown around like a fighter and shots such as Paul's can be taken.
Image © Paul Langford
The Orbis flying Eye Hospital has helped thousands of people world wide with life limiting sight problems who would otherwise not been able to seek treatment. It is a unique and very important aircraft that rarely visits the UK. Dan happened to be in the right place at the right time to capture this modern wonder as it recently visited our shores.
Image © Dan Elms
Pictures Of The Week
Week 10, March 2017
Clockwise from top left:
With a distinct lack of large evening/sunset Airshows in the British Isles it is a challenge to obtain shots of the Red Arrows illuminated by beautiful low sunlight. Before relocating to Cyprus, the Reds undertake intensive winter training at RAF Scampton and with the British weather, opportunities to capture this shot in the UK is rare. Michael just so happened to be on hand.
Image © Michael Hallam
Bartosz's photos always cause a buzz on the UKAR forums. His latest set stems from a 2015 air-to-air shoot with a pair of Polish F-16s. As always the quality is superb, but what makes these shots special is that one is carrying the DB-110 Recce Pod, rarely photographed at the best of times.
Image © Bartosz Bera
The Rafale could arguably be called the most beautiful modern fighter currently in service, however it can be difficult to capture one in its home environment. Reinier recently gained access to St Dizier where he captured this unusual angle of the Rafale at rest in its shelter.
Image © Reinier Bergsma
It can't have escaped your notice that there is a major US Army airborne deployment in progress to Europe. The large fleet on helicopters has begun to arrive at Bremerhaven Docks where they are undertaking air tests before moving to Illesheim Army Airfield in Bavaria. Forum member 'Bigclick67' was on hand to capture this Apache on its air test upon arrival to Europe.
Image © 'BigClick67'
When Ramex Delta displayed for the final time in 2016, the aviation world mourned the loss of a unique and innovative duet in a world dominated by solo military fast jet displays. Fear not, unlike the dwindling support for airshows from the RAF, the French Air Force have immediately replaced the Mirage 2000Ns of Ramex Delta with a new duo called Ramex Courteau (Knife) this time flying Mirage 2000D. Not only is there a new team in town, a Mirage 2000D has been painted in this eye catching "Vanille-Chocolat" sand scheme to mark the 30th anniversary of the Ouadi Doum mission carried out by Chad based Jaguars. 'Raptor25' was on hand to capture one of the first appearances of the newly painted aircraft.
Image © 'Raptor25'
Even though they have recently appeared at RIAT, the F-5BM of the Spanish Air Force is a rare beast and not often captured within its home nation. Kelvin recently crossed the border from Portugal and visited La Talavera Air Base in the hope of getting some action. He was awarded with multiple Tiger missions, allowing him to capture this excellent shot of a pair on approach.
Image © Kelvin Sullivan
There are certain nations who paint their aircraft in camouflage schemes which suit the aircraft they are covering. One such nation is Oman whose light sand paint scheme works well on larger aircraft. Recently caught by Matt passing through Cambridge on its way to Larnaca was the excellent example on an Omani C-130J which shows off the scheme at its best.
Image © Matt Varley