Duxford FL sun position.

[GeorgeP]

My attendance at Duxford FL is still 12 months away but you can appreciate that I'd like to prepare for an airshow that involves a 16,000 km
flight from Australia.

I note that the airport a Duxford has a single runway aligned in the 24 / 06 direction with the hardstand / buildings north of it. I presume
the viewing area will be on the north side of the runway. Would anyone who has previously attended please advise whether the sun is behind
or ahead of the crowd line during the flying display. I'm hoping that the sun moves north during the summer and will be behind me as I'm
watching and photographing the aerial displays.

Thanks in advance for any responses and assistance.

[Dan O'Hagan]

Sadly, you're shooting against the sun for most of the show. It does improve for the photographer, marginally, as the day wears on, but only slightly.

[Hatstand]

In the afternoon (when the flying starts), the sun will already be a bit to the West, and it will keep moving further West and out of the way as the day goes on.

So roughly 1/3 or 1/2 of the time, when the planes are at the West end of the runway, the sun will be behind them.

The other 2/3 or 1/2 of the time, when the planes are in the middle or at the East end, the sun will be shining on them from the right.

Bear in mind the planes don't just fly up and down the runway though - so length of time with/without sun behind will vary accordingly. Your position along the crowdline may make a difference too... and any clouds may make the sun position irrelevant for some or all of the time.

Take a look at photos on these boards, taken from inside the airfield, on display days - people get plenty of good shots...

[GeorgeP]

Thanks for the prompt and clear responses. I did suspect that the sun might cause problems for photographers.

[DaveBr]

It's not as bad as some make out...

This is quite a fun tool to play with - drag the time in the bar at the top:
http://suncalc.net/#/52.0904,0.131,15/2016.07.09/14:01

[Hatstand]

It's not as bad as some make out...

This is quite a fun tool to play with - drag the time in the bar at the top:
http://suncalc.net/#/52.0904,0.131,15/2016.07.09/14:01

Wow, that's a great tool...! Very graphic, and very useful...

[Stagger2]

Only works really well when the sun is actually visible from earth. Perhaps 2017 will be the year it happens?

[GeorgeP]

It's not as bad as some make out...

This is quite a fun tool to play with - drag the time in the bar at the top:
http://suncalc.net/#/52.0904,0.131,15/2016.07.09/14:01

Thanks, Dave. I did come across this tool during my research but also wanted to get the opinion of those who have attended the show. Nothin' like intel from those who are on the ground. Thanks, again, for your assistance.

Only works really well when the sun is actually visible from earth. Perhaps 2017 will be the year it happens?

I was wondering whether the sun ever emerged from behind the grey... I sincerely hope that you all have a great day at this year's FL and that at least a few photons make it onto the field. I look forward to viewing all your images.

[alanp]

Here's another sun calculator to try - a bit more functionality & it also has a phone app which is very handy if you're heading for new locations :

http://photoephemeris.com/tpe-for-desktop

[AlexC]

As the others have said it's reasonable from around 15.00, but really quite good rather later in the day, that's of course if there's any sun at all to be had, sadly we see somewhat less of it then you lucky folks in Oz!