Jubilant Sunday at Duxford

[Screechy]

What a way to get the airshow season off and running. Great weather and some great performances although some of the RAF turns seemed to be a little lacklustre.

1. Jubilee scheme Tuccy

2. The Typhoon who certainly played second fiddle to the excellent Belgian F-16

3. Sally B looking fine

4.

5.

6. The photogenic Harvard pair

7. Frankie

8. Lancaster and a topside! We were blessed.

9. Hawker Nimrod Pair

10. Lynx

11. Hurricane

12. Gloster Meteor

13.

14.

15. Red Bull Duo

16. Belgian F-16

17.

18.

19.

20.

21. Spits


Sorry if there's a few too many there but I got over excited

A great day and looking forward to the next already.

[Hasboman]

Fantastic pictures! I absolutely love the shots of the Belgium F16 and Meteor

[lrv890]

Great shots Steve I think you was further down towards the runway than us

[FATBOYJARVIS]

Stunning set of photos there

[RJC1878]

Superb!

[boff180]

I do like the Meteor take-off shot.

Quite a strong set, perhaps a little too much contrast but that is no way meant as a criticism!

Andy

[Screechy]

I do like the Meteor take-off shot.

Quite a strong set, perhaps a little too much contrast but that is no way meant as a criticism!

Andy

Cheers, know what you mean though. It was great to see and feel the sun for once but it was a challenge to deal with it at times.

[b25]

Given that you were happy to free load, parisisitise on an event that cost money to present and insure for people to appreciate I am sure your photograghs will be appreciated in the future as the slow but sure demise of air displays.

There are no excuses for exploiting a work of art (an air display which has a massive budget and would not occur if it was not for those who paid to enter the gate - fact).

[Screechy]

Given that you were happy to free load, parisisitise on an event that cost money to present and insure for people to appreciate I am sure your photograghs will be appreciated in the future as the slow but sure demise of air displays.

There are no excuses for exploiting a work of art (an air display which has a massive budget and would not occur if it was not for those who paid to enter the gate - fact).

I would happily pay a premium to gain access to an area that consistently delivers better shots. If the sun was behind the display line inside then I would be inside. I'll be inside at Legends because of the flightline walk etc. My choice.

[b25]

Think you are , like others missing a fairly major and straightforward and simple point meself - it isn't about the sun but money - but there you go, short term gain for you, long term loss for others....

[blackcat]

Great set of shots.
Lets drop all this naughty field stuff.
People will go where they want to go.
I have never been to the field but have heard from many people that you get better shots from there so if photos are you bag then thats the place to go.
Looking at these photos i can see why you would go there.
Thanks for posting.
Mark.

[Agg]

Great set, Im really looking forward to seeing the Belgian F-16 in Bodø.

[b25]

Lets drop all this naughty field stuff.

ok you guys are really missing the point big time, I sometimes wonder how difficult it is to explain this stuff. I have these discussions with a 15 yr old son, I assume you guys have moved on from that mentality but may be not. Anyway I have made my point, your choice...........................

[UKTopgun]

here here b25 i was astonished by the numbers in the field today... it is an argument that has been going round in circles on here for years but my view is all who see/enjoy/photograph the show should pay for the priviledge... it is not rocket science

[matty82]

Very nice! I especially like the F16 shots and the meteor too!! Good stuff.

[LN Strike Eagle]

i was astonished by the numbers in the field today

Which was a fraction of the number of people camped outside Fairford during the show, or the thousands who used to sit in the park/green and watch outside at Biggin Hill.

Nice set of shots Steve. These from up on the mound?

[boff180]

As someone who freeloads at Waddo.

To be honest, if the shows were struggling for attendance then yes, freeloaders should be frowned upon. However, where shows are attracting capacity or near capacity crowds such as Duxford (all advance tickets sold out) and Waddo (had to turn people away for the past 2 years), any claim that they putting the future of that Airshow in doubt due to lack of punters don't hold water.

That said, should there be an incident and a freeloader injured, who then claims damages then they are a massive "Windscreen Washer Fluid" in my opinion. If you go live side, you must accept that risk and live with it.

Andy

(ruddy censorship, by windscreen washer fluid I mean, someone who pleasures themselves)

[UKTopgun]

i was astonished by the numbers in the field today

Which was a fraction of the number of people camped outside Fairford during the show, or the thousands who used to sit in the park/green and watch outside at Biggin Hill.

Nice set of shots Steve. These from up on the mound?

So what? Does that make the people at biggin or fairford right? I don't buy the old rubbish that freeloading is ok as long as the shows are sell outs- what a laughable justification.

[DaveBlu]

What a great set of pictures, I went along to Southend Airshow on Saturday, ran off over 100 shots and kept none, the sunshine being a major factor, also not knowing what I was doing another!, would love to know what settings/equipment you've used, as I've outlaid a fair sum of money for all the upcoming air shows, Dawlish/Cosford/Yeovilton/Waddington/RIAT in that order, I'd be over the moon to get anything close to your pictures.

[FOTO4]

Good selection

[Screechy]

Nice set of shots Steve. These from up on the mound?

Cheers. No I wasn't on the mound, but I wasn't a million miles away. I had a more roving position dependent on what was in the air. The Lanc shot was from a lot further back for instance than the Meteor.

[GeorgeL]

Surely this discussion about freeloaders, actually highlights a golden opportunity for all airshow organisers, it appears that there are two types of attendees at shows, those that want to look and enjoy the sights and sounds and those whose pleasure is is additionally taking photograph for there own pleasure or sharing with others.
This may be naive but would it not pay for organisers to capitalise on this and set up photography areas that take advantage of the sun's position etc so that both can be accommodated, this will serve two purposes, one to gain revenue, two make it safer and controlled so no more need for naughty fields so to speak.

[Screechy]

Surely this discussion about freeloaders, actually highlights a golden opportunity for all airshow organisers, it appears that there are two types of attendees at shows, those that want to look and enjoy the sights and sounds and those whose pleasure is is additionally taking photograph for there own pleasure or sharing with others.
This may be naive but would it not pay for organisers to capitalise on this and set up photography areas that take advantage of the sun's position etc so that both can be accommodated, this will serve two purposes, one to gain revenue, two make it safer and controlled so no more need for naughty fields so to speak.

Yeah well as I said it's not a money thing for me it's a light quality thing. I would pay to achieve a better position if it were possible. The same happens at Waddo because of the sun position. 'Freeloader' and 'Parasite' comments are just blinkered comments made by people who go to airshows for different reasons than my own. I love airshows, i love going to airshows but for me the photography aspect is king and if an airshow doesn't cater for my tastes and another option becomes available then i'm surely going to look at that. If i couldn't take photos then I wouldn't attend nearly as many airshows as I do... it is not a money related issue.

[UKTopgun]

For sure these shots are very good and I can appreciate someone who is good at their art. However, I am not sure how people who take a dim view of freeloading can be labelled as 'blinkered, going to airshows for different reasons than their own'. Surely we all get from a show what we want to get - photos, serials, air band conversations or just the thrill of the spectacle. If we all chose not to pay, as some here, there would be nothing to photograph. End of. Why is this so hard to comprehend? If it is not about money, and with many I am sure that is true, how about everyone in the field yesterday sends a £25 donation to IWM or Sally B or something. At least then everyone has earned the priviledge of photographing some fantastic, world class display flying, and everyone is happy.

[Screechy]

Well personally I DO put quite a bit of money into aircraft restoration etc as it is, i'm also a F.O.D member and a F.R.I.A.T member etc so the theory of being a freeloader seems a bit of a generalization. I was a little disturbed to see people pitching tents over in the field yesterday but it's their call.