Star Wars Canyon: Episode VII

Photos of operational aircraft from bases, airports and "spotter" outings
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Tim Laurence
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Star Wars Canyon: Episode VII

Post by Tim Laurence »

41 Squadron TorDet were operating out of NAWS China Lake during October-November. Here are some images of them and others along Star Wars Canyon.

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All images taken using a Canon 5DS and 500mm F4 IS L (currently for sale in the Sales & Wanted section of this forum). Here is a log that I kept for the time I was out there. Definately the busiest amount of activity I have seen in all my visits. Plenty of regulars, plus aircraft from Oceana, Whidbey Island, Miramar, Fallon.....and Coningsby.

MONDAY 19 OCT 2015

09:32 F-18F VX-9 230
09:52 F-18F VX-9 400
10:31 F-18F VFA-122 173
14:00 F-18F VX-9 222
14:31 EA-18G VX-9 501
16:18 F-18F VFA-213 210

TUESDAY 20 OCT 2015

09:29 F-18E VFA-122 263
09:53 F-18F VX-9 222
09:53 EA-18G VX-9 500
09:54 EA-18G VX-9 500
09:56 EA-18G VX-9 500
09:57 F-18F VX-9 222
09:59 F-18F VX-9 222
10:00 F-18F VX-9 222
10:01 EA-18G VX-9 500
10:04 F-18F VFA-122 173
10:26 F-18F VFA-106 267
10:40 TORNADO GR4 41SQN EB-Q
11:52 F-18E VX-9 111
12:19 F-18D VMFAT-101 275
13:50 TORNADO GR4 41SQN EB-X
14:12 F-15C 144FW 017
14:12 F-15C 144FW 521
14:14 F-15C 144FW 017
14:14 F-15C 144FW 521
14:16 F-15C 144FW 017
14:16 F-15C 144FW 521
14:18 F-15C 144FW 017
14:18 F-15C 144FW 521
14:28 EA-18G VAQ-133 504
14:37 F-18D VX-9 444
16:19 F-18E VFA-106 106

WEDNESDAY 21 OCT 2015

08:55 FA-18 NASA 850
09:45 F-18F VX-9 222
09:49 F-18D VX-9 444
10:31 TORNADO GR4 41SQN EB-Z
10:33 TORNADO GR4 41SQN EB-Z
10:42 TORNADO GR4 41SQN EB-Z
11:06 F-18F VFA-122 152
11:57 F-18F VFA-41 105
12:46 F-18E VFA-122 274
12:46 F-18E VFA-122 256
13:40 F-18E VX-9 162
14:31 F-18F VFA-122 173
14:32 F-18E VFA-122 260
14:33 F-18E VFA-122 263
14:37 F-18F VFA-106 267
14:47 F-18D VMFA-323 401
14:47 F-18D VMFA-323 406
15:58 F-18E VFA-106 131
17:10 F-18D VMFA-323 401
17:10 F-18D VMFA-323 406
17:27 F-18E VX-9 162
17:27 F-18E VX-9 250

THURSDAY 22 OCT 2015

09:50 F18-F VX-9 250
10:15 F-18F VX-9 222
10:17 F-18F VX-9 222
10:23 TORNADO GR4 41SQN EB-Z
10:25 TORNADO GR4 41SQN EB-Z
10:26 F-18E VFA-122 260
10:26 F-18E VFA-122 256
10:31 F-18E VX-9 162
10:32 F-18E VX-9 111
10:35 F-18F VX-9 250
12:59 F-18F VFA-122 111
13:08 TORNADO GR4 41SQN EB-Q
14:25 F-16 ED 547
15:17 F-18D VMFA-323 401
15:17 F-18D VMFA-323 405
15:19 F-18D VMFA-323 401
15:19 F-18D VMFA-323 405
16:39 F-18D VX-31 112
16:59 F-18F VFA-106 212

FRIDAY 23 OCT 2015

09:05 F-16 ED 169
10:33 F-18E VFA-122 215
10:33 F-18E VFA-122 251
10:59 F-18F VFA -122 111
11:55 C-17 McCHORD 0218
12:29 F-18F VFA-213 210
12:46 F18-E VFA-122 215
12:46 F18-E VFA-122 251
13:05 F-18F VFA-122 111
13:44 F-18F VFA-41 111
14:31 F-18E VFA-122 263

MONDAY 26 OCT 2015

09:49 F-18E NSAWC 115
09:53 F-18E VFA-122 274
09:53 F-18E VFA-122 251
10:05 F-18E VFA-122 215
10:05 F-18E VFA-122 200
10:15 F-18F VX-9 222
10:15 F-18F VX-9 250
10:16 F-18E VX-9 162
10:17 F-18E VX-9 162
10:18 F-18E VX-9 162
10:18 F-18D VX-9 444
10:19 F-18E VX-9 162
10:20 F-18D VX-9 444
10:21 F-18F VX-9 222
10:21 F-18E VX-9 250
10:22 F-18F VX-9 222
10:22 F-18E VX-9 250
10:24 F-18F VX-9 222
10:24 F-18E VX-9 250
13:07 F-16 ED 352
14:25 F-18E VFA-147 200
14:56 F-18E VX-9 250
15:21 TORNADO GR4 41SQN EB-Z
15:25 F-18F VFA-106 216
15:56 F-18E VFA-122 256
16:19 F-18E VFA-122 251

WEDNESDAY 28 OCT 2015

09:13 EA-18G VX-31 532
09:45 EA-18G VX-31 557
09:55 EA-18G VX-31 557
10:06 F-18D VX-9 444
11:36 F-35A RNLAF OT F-002
12:11 T-38 ED 197
12:42 F-18F VFA-41 105
12:43 F-18F VFA-41 113
14:14 F-18F VFA-122 173
14:46 TORNADO GR4 41SQN EB-X
14:48 TORNADO GR4 41SQN EB-X

THURSDAY 29 OCT 2015

09:59 EA-18G VX-31 557
10:06 F-18E VFA-106 136
10:06 F-18F VFA-106 264
10:12 F-18F VFA-41 102
10:33 F-18F VFA-122 111
11:30 F-15C 144FW 035
11:30 F-15C 144FW 522
11:32 F-15C 144FW 035
11:32 F-15C 144FW 522
12:14 F-18F VFA-41 106
13:11 F-18E VFA-122 215
14:27 TORNADO GR4 41SQN EB-X

Thanks for looking.
@timlaurencephotography

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RichPittman
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Re: Star Wars Canyon: Episode VII

Post by RichPittman »

Superb Tim,

So much more like the East to West passes.

How are you finding the 5ds?
I am really thinking of selling my 6d and 7dmk2 and going for the 5ds
Always remember "If you cannot turn tight...you cannot fight!"

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urkles
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Re: Star Wars Canyon: Episode VII

Post by urkles »

Fantastic post, great stuff

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Tim Laurence
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Re: Star Wars Canyon: Episode VII

Post by Tim Laurence »

RichPittman wrote:Superb Tim,

So much more like the East to West passes.

How are you finding the 5ds?
I am really thinking of selling my 6d and 7dmk2 and going for the 5ds


Yeah E-W are much better passes. So far so good with the 5DS, it is very sharp and has the option of FF or crop mode. The only negative is that as it is 50MP, you do notice some noise kicking in in low light conditions. I start to see it at ISO 800/1000.

Tim
@timlaurencephotography

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RickIngham
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Re: Star Wars Canyon: Episode VII

Post by RickIngham »

Superb set as always Tim...can't begin to tell you how jealous I am about that NASA F-18! Glad you were there to catch it.

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Fumbles
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Re: Star Wars Canyon: Episode VII

Post by Fumbles »

Wow! looks like you had some awesome luck again, I've yet to catch a older C model Hornet in the canyon. I'll be there 3 maybe 4 times in 2016 and hope to see at least one.

Great set of shots too! Have to ask.....
11:55 C-17 McCHORD 0218
I know C-130s have been spotted on the ridge, but was the C-17 just over the top?

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Tim Laurence
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Re: Star Wars Canyon: Episode VII

Post by Tim Laurence »

Fumbles wrote:Wow! looks like you had some awesome luck again, I've yet to catch a older C model Hornet in the canyon. I'll be there 3 maybe 4 times in 2016 and hope to see at least one.

Great set of shots too! Have to ask.....
11:55 C-17 McCHORD 0218
I know C-130s have been spotted on the ridge, but was the C-17 just over the top?


The canyon is much wider than I thought, the C-17 followed the line, turning in and around just above being landlocked, then dropped in a lot lower towards Panamint. Really impressive to see.

Tim
@timlaurencephotography

FERG
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Re: Star Wars Canyon: Episode VII

Post by FERG »

The East > West Eagles are lovely..

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boff180
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Re: Star Wars Canyon: Episode VII

Post by boff180 »

Number 10 is just :win:

exdraken
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Re: Star Wars Canyon: Episode VII

Post by exdraken »

superb photos!

and a fully armed F-15C!!!! how come?!

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