Following on from Andy's set, I've finally got round to sorting mine out from our trip to Grottaglie Navy Base. Could not have asked for better hosts here, friendly, welcoming and enthusiastic to show us what we wanted to see. The Harrier pilot who showed us round was, believe it or not, born in Colchester! You go all the way to the heel of Italy...
A brilliant day out, sadly no flying from the Navy boys but their open attitude made up for that, totally free access round the hangars and aircraft and a willingness to tow and pose a Harrier just for our photographic delight. The Guardia di Finanza chaps were equally as accommodating and put a flight on just for us - all round top guys, it's very refreshing to encounter this attitude.
Hopefully something different in here!
Marina Militare AV-8B Harrier II+ by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Militare AV-8B Harrier II+ by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Militare AV-8B Harrier II+ by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Militare AV-8B Harrier II+ by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Militare AV-8B Harrier II+ by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Militare AV-8B Harrier II+ by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Militare AV-8B Harrier II+ by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Militare AV-8B Harrier II+ by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Militare TAV-8B Harrier II+ by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Militare AV-8B Harrier II+ by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Militare AV-8B Harrier II+ by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Militare AV-8B Harrier II+ by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Militare AV-8B Harrier II+ by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Mlitare Sea King special scheme by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Mlitare Sea King special scheme by Sam Wise, on Flickr
You've got to be kidding me!
Marina Mlitare Sea King special scheme by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Militare SH90 by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Italian Marina Militare crew having a laugh for the camera by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Militare SH90 by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Militare HH212 by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Militare HH212 by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Marina Militare HH212 by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Guardia Di Finanza HH412 by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Guardia Di Finanza HH412 by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Guardia Di Finanza HH412 by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Guardia Di Finanza HH412 by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Guardia Di Finanza HH412 by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Guardia Di Finanza HH412 by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Guardia Di Finanza HH412 by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Guardia Di Finanza HH412 by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Guardia Di Finanza HH412 by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Guardia Di Finanza HH412 by Sam Wise, on Flickr
Harriers, Helicopters and Heat: a Grotty Day Out!
Harriers, Helicopters and Heat: a Grotty Day Out!
Twitter: @samwise24 | Flickr: samwise24 | Shamelessly copying LN Strike Eagle's avatar ideas since 2016
Re: Harriers, Helicopters and Heat: a Grotty Day Out!
Sad that you didn't get a chance to catch some AV-8's flying. Good to see the specially painted SH-3 is still being looked after! Some nice images in there though. I've worked with the Italian's quite a lot over recent years and found them always very hospitable, air force, army and navy. Nothing is too much trouble and I spent some time at Grottaglie a couple of years back and they were top guys!
Love the close-up of the AB.412
Love the close-up of the AB.412
Re: Harriers, Helicopters and Heat: a Grotty Day Out!
Well actually we did see one taking off when we visited Gioia del Colle earlier in the week, which was the fist Harrier I'd seen fly since I was in single figures. So I'm glad I got to see at least one fly.
As it goes Gioia del Colle was the only base where we had a negative experience with the hosts, or rather just the one host. Most were very pleased to see us with the Typhoon pilot being unbelievably enthusiastic about showing us round, but the guy who was tasked with looking after us clearly didn't want to know.
The special scheme Sea King was in great nick and they were quite proud to show it to us.
As it goes Gioia del Colle was the only base where we had a negative experience with the hosts, or rather just the one host. Most were very pleased to see us with the Typhoon pilot being unbelievably enthusiastic about showing us round, but the guy who was tasked with looking after us clearly didn't want to know.
The special scheme Sea King was in great nick and they were quite proud to show it to us.
Twitter: @samwise24 | Flickr: samwise24 | Shamelessly copying LN Strike Eagle's avatar ideas since 2016
Re: Harriers, Helicopters and Heat: a Grotty Day Out!
Forgot to comment on this earlier, but some lovely stuff mate!
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomdjones/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tomd.jones/
Hell is other people.
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tomd.jones/
Hell is other people.
- Ledhead27
- UKAR Staff
- Posts: 2210
- Joined: Tue 20 Dec 2011, 6:49 pm
- Location: Inverness (and occasionally 20,000ft - if the aircraft can make it that high)
Re: Harriers, Helicopters and Heat: a Grotty Day Out!
Meh...they're alright I guess...
"PostMan, FuelMan, SpamCan, NoPlan, CivviMan, Dan"
UKAR Party Plane Captain
4 out of 5 baguettes
UKAR Party Plane Captain
4 out of 5 baguettes
Re: Harriers, Helicopters and Heat: a Grotty Day Out!
Thanks chaps. Would be grateful for some C&C on my photos here - anything I should be fixing or changing in my photography?
Twitter: @samwise24 | Flickr: samwise24 | Shamelessly copying LN Strike Eagle's avatar ideas since 2016
- paullangford
- Posts: 1484
- Joined: Fri 01 Jun 2012, 7:53 am
Re: Harriers, Helicopters and Heat: a Grotty Day Out!
Wissam24 wrote:Thanks chaps. Would be grateful for some C&C on my photos here - anything I should be fixing or changing in my photography?
Nice set Sam, far from me to comment on anything technically or creatively, they look spot on to me, thanks for sharing
- redbearing
- Posts: 1318
- Joined: Mon 01 Sep 2008, 1:02 pm
- Location: Fort Lauderdale Florida
- Contact:
Re: Harriers, Helicopters and Heat: a Grotty Day Out!
Great Set, variable stuff!
- sylvancatharsis
- Posts: 1217
- Joined: Thu 29 Jan 2009, 3:01 am
- Location: Port Side of the Pond
- Contact:
Re: Harriers, Helicopters and Heat: a Grotty Day Out!
Nice to see these! The Harriers are sweet, indeed, but I must say I'm quite fond of the Guardia di Finanza machines. Lovely schemes.
Author of CULT OF THE WYVERN, a novel about Westland Wyverns and aliens. (Really.)
Flicky Flicky
Flicky Flicky
Re: Harriers, Helicopters and Heat: a Grotty Day Out!
Agreed, it is a very attractive scheme, on great looking helicopters.
Twitter: @samwise24 | Flickr: samwise24 | Shamelessly copying LN Strike Eagle's avatar ideas since 2016