Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Photos of operational aircraft from bases, airports and "spotter" outings
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Macc
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Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by Macc »

The first half of 2011 saw a lot of farewells, in January my last flying Nimrod, in March the final Tornado F3s retired, in April 14sqn were disbanded and in Summer RAF Kinloss closed to flying activities.

My first trip of the year to catch my final Nimrod, the anniversary R.1 on a cold January day in my prelim study leave.

1.
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For the last time.. by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

2.
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My last active Nimrod by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

3.
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Goodbye forever by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

At the end of my study leave in February, me, Mark (Lossie15) and Niall (np1991) spent the day down at RAF Leuchars to catch some Tornado F3s. A day which started off slowly but by mid-morning four Tornado F3s launched and five Typhoons. The conditions were almost perfect with clear blue skies disrupted by a short spell of high-level cloud when the afternoon sortie of two F3s launched - one a Battle of Britain coded aircraft, the other being 111sqn flagship JU. Between the sorties, a circuit bashing C-17 provided entertainment.

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Export 13 by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

5.
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Trembler jet by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

6.
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My final F3 by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

More Tornados, GR4s this time..

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Bright burners! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

8.
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Head-on by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

Even more Tornados, a German one this time. With HARMs.

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Self HARM by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

In 2011, the RAF Search & Rescue celebrated their 70th anniversary, marking up each Sea King with anniversary marks.

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SAR 70th anniversary by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

April came, and 14sqn went. One of my favourite squadrons, their old flagship, 'BX' was a favourite of mine. Here's Snake flight, the squadron's last flight.

11.
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Tornado GR4 by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

12.
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Flip it over by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

13.
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14sqn farewell! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

May saw me sitting a lot of important exams with little time to get out, so it was June before I saw aircraft through the viewfinder again.

14.
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What you looking at? by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

15.
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Ready to touchdown by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

16.
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Burning star! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

My first air display of the season was Lossiemouth's family & friends day 2011. Featuring The Blades, a based RAF Sea King display, the silver Tucano and the new Tornado role demo routine's debut.

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Knife-edge! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

18.
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Tornado! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

At the end of June, the Red Arrows displayed over Lossiemouth beach for Armed Forces day, unfortunately the weather didn't play ball and the photos weren't all that great.

July was an extremely busy month, beginning with trips to Easterton airfield and then Bond helicopters at Aberdeen-Dyce.

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Aero-tug launch by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

20.
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Bond Super Puma by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

21.
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Puma cleaning by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

22.
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Dassault 7X by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

Next stop was Yeovilton Air Day. The Polish MiG-29 rehearsed in the morning sun and the French role demo was excellent - both top highlights.

23.
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Holy smokes! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

24.
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Super Etendard by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

25.
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Puissance du Rafale! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

The following day, a day at Duxford Flying Legends where the sun did it's best to hide and Big Beautiful Doll took to the air for her last time. The Red Bull P-38 Lightning was a gleaming beauty, however!

26.
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Sea Fury! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

27.
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Shining lightning by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

Two days at RAF Mildenhall because RAF Lakenheath was closed, with the F-15s temporarily based. Also, an RC-135 was present - another highlight!

28.
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Low take-off! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

29.
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Thrust up! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

The trip ended at RIAT, a fantastic six days. Was great to see lots of friends too!

30.
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Lonely Mirage by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

31.
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A-10 demo team by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

32.
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Eager photographers by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

33.
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Ukranian summer.. by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

34.
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Swiss tiger by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

35.
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German Airbus! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

36.
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Fighting falcon! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

37.
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Viper tails by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

38.
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Warton Typhoon by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

39.
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Pilatus line by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

Me, Lee and Kieran spent the Saturday in the field at Rhymes farm. Monsoon rain at the start, beautiful light at the end. What a day. Spent the first few hours playing X-Plane on Lee's iPad!

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Carrying the clouds by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

41.
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Smokers by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

42.
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Airlifter by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

Sunday also saw mixed weather attempt to disrupt flying program.

43.
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Solo Turk! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

44.
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Belgian tiger! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

More Tornado action!

45.
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Tornados by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

46.
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Evening sortie! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

A disappointing Leuchars, mainly due to the weather.

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Corkscrew by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

48.
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Role demo by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

A Tristar, an aircraft I see little of!

49.
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Three holer! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

50.
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L1011 Tristar by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

Another trip to Easterton airfield.

51.
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Pitts S1 by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

52.
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New Jabiru by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

More heavies, a late evening USN C-130T, a CAF CP-140 and a USN P-3C.

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Twilight Hercules by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

54.
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Aurora by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

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Orion commander by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

November begun with a PC-7 arriving at sunset.

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Pilatus PC-7 by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

Poor conditions on this trip to Aberdeen-Dyce.

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Azerbaijani Airbus by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

Then a trip to 663 VGS at RAF Kinloss.

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Primary colours by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

59.
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Under the sun by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

60.
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Shining Vigilant by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

A quick stop 'n' go from a C-17, and three Typhoons diverting in at dark were the next visitors.

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Big beauty by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

62.
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Globemaster by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

63.
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Formation lights by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

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1,000,000 hour jet! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

And so the sun began to set, till next year!

65.
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Lit-up Tornado by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

Hope everyone has a great New Year,
Chris

DeanW
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Re: Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by DeanW »

Great stuff Chris. That lot really demonstrates you're good at all aspects of aviation photography. That sheep and Sea King snap is quality!

RoverDriver
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Re: Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by RoverDriver »

j
Last edited by RoverDriver on Sun 08 Jul 2012, 10:13 am, edited 1 time in total.

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RickIngham
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Re: Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by RickIngham »

Epic stuff Macc. Definetly one of UKAR's most interesting photographers...you always seem to find that new angle that others miss. Look forward to seeing your work in 2012! Also nice to meet you at Yeovilton...

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triple_ace
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Re: Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by triple_ace »

Excellent pics as ever Chris - well done.

Another vote for the sheep shot from me too.

Cheers for posting.

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triple_ace
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Re: Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by triple_ace »

Hi Chris.

Going back to the sheep shot I was wondering what editing techniques you used.

Cheers.

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LN Strike Eagle
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Re: Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by LN Strike Eagle »

Tremendous set of photos Chris, that really show off your talent at its best.
"You really are an oafish philistine at times!"

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Macc
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Re: Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by Macc »

triple_ace wrote:Hi Chris.

Going back to the sheep shot I was wondering what editing techniques you used.

Cheers.

Thanks for the lovely comments everyone!

@triple_ace If you're meaning on the sheep shot, there wasn't any! That's it pretty much straight out the camera with some contrast added.

Chris

Flare Path
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Re: Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by Flare Path »

These are really special. Well done. :clap:

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jimbob1194
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Re: Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by jimbob1194 »

Good year for you Chris. You've got a real eye for photography. :clap:

James
The Mustang won't do what a Spitfire does, but it does it over Berlin.

PeterR
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Re: Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by PeterR »

Echoing the comments above, they're all fantastic. You have a brilliant eye for photography, and to be totally honest I wish I could see and capture some of the shots/angles that you do. You always produce a high standard of images, even when they're of a Vigilant! Top work!

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sylvancatharsis
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Re: Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by sylvancatharsis »

Superb set; #23 and the sheep/Sea King are my picks.
Author of CULT OF THE WYVERN, a novel about Westland Wyverns and aliens. (Really.)
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triple_ace
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Re: Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by triple_ace »

OK thanks Chris. In that case it is a lovely composed shot.

Keep up the good work.

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Kenny
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Re: Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by Kenny »

Gorgeous set of pics Chris. It's very hard to pick a favourite, but I love the sheep one and the bw Tonka

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Sky Pirate
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Re: Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by Sky Pirate »

Spot on Chris.

Hugh.
Very low and Fast!!!

HOLTY

Re: Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by HOLTY »

You really do set an exceptionally high standard of photography for the rest of us Chris. Looking at your PP style has certainly inspired me to try and do things in a similar vein.

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Shocman
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Re: Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by Shocman »

Hi Chris, outstanding set of images, the variety of subject is amazing.
Thanks for share, and congratulations for incredible job.

Greetings from Chile!!!

Shocman :cool:
Aviation from the most southern country in the world
http://shocman.wordpress.com

itfcscott
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Re: Macc's 2011 in pictures..

Post by itfcscott »

Stunning set mate, 31 is stunning :clap: :clap:

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