Axalp 2010 - Enter The F/A-18 Hornets! (pic heavy!)

[viper28]

Afternoon,

Well I survived another Axalp (my 5th) and with great company from Lozza and Gaz. We had a really good laugh. I'd forgotten what a b1tch of a place Axalp is to take photo's. What looked good on the rear screen looked pants on the computer!

Anyway this is my take on just the F/A-18 Hornets up at the range. This year they were flown by the Payerne based Fliegerstaffel-18. Nice bunch of blokes as we got to talk to them down at Meirengen after one of there flights. However, I have to say they flow a loit higher this year than any previous year I've been. It was very hard to get the mountains behind them. They also used all three sets of targets this year so less direct passes in front of the crowed with a lot more bullets flying over your head instead (The 20mm cannon sounds like a angry chainsaw).

The 2010 display Hornet was also there (serials J5023/J5024) and put on an excellent display in the valley. His exist had to be seen to be believe 30,000 feet stright up with a roll out.

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F5's, Helecopters and the base to follow!

[viper12]

the great picture very nice shooot

[docman]

Super set from a stunning location. I only made Wednesdays ascent but it was well worth the 4am start! The flares in the valley are well caught! How did you cope with the wait for the buses at Axalp village going down?

[LN Strike Eagle]

1 and 3 are out of this world!

[Stu]

Nice shooting

[danighi]

great photos.. my favourite is #24.. fantastic

[IanH]

A fine set and it seems you grabbed '025` nicely.

Regards, Ian

[T_J]

Very nice, Simon. 1, 3 and 4 are great with the flares.



TJ

[viper28]

Thanks a lot guys

How did you cope with the wait for the buses at Axalp village going down?

To be honest we did not use it. We actually got up to Axalp village at 04:10am on the Weds and then waited it out until 21:00 to come back down. We were going to use the bus on the Thursday but gave up and did the base instead given the horror stories of 2-hour waits for both the bus and chair-lift we heard + the extra walks to / from the bus stops.

[F-86]

Superb shots, well done.

[timuss]

Just amazing the flare shots are something else wicked set

[habu21]

If I thought for one minute I could make it up that hill I would be there like a shot.

Superb images.....

[Vixen1]

Thanks a lot guys

How did you cope with the wait for the buses at Axalp village going down?

To be honest we did not use it. We actually got up to Axalp village at 04:10am on the Weds and then waited it out until 21:00 to come back down. We were going to use the bus on the Thursday but gave up and did the base instead given the horror stories of 2-hour waits for both the bus and chair-lift we heard + the extra walks to / from the bus stops.

Got to admit I was sceptical that the buses would work without the queues and ensuing mayhem. You made the right call.

[spencer]

My God what amazing photos!!! Outstanding is an understatement. I hope to do Axalp for the first time next year. I suppose they'll be some posts on the board nearer the time?
Again, brilliant shots Simon!
Spence.