Ex SABER STRIKE/BALTOPS 2017

Photos of operational aircraft from bases, airports and "spotter" outings
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Seamus
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Ex SABER STRIKE/BALTOPS 2017

Post by Seamus »

Evening all,

Managed a cheeky couple of days up at Fairford to catch the bombers flying in and out over the weekend. Things didn't start well on Friday, with the B-2s deciding to exit the runway early, leaving those of us gathered at the 09 end highly frustrated. That bad luck was soon gratified with the arrival of the two B-1s, despite only one expected to return, although their early arrival nearly caught me out- had I returned from Brize 30 seconds later I'd have missed it. As it happens, I got the shot I've wanted ever since I picked up a camera... Catching the Commander's BUFF was a treat too, a very rare jet by all accounts.

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0002/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer 86-0139/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer 86-0139/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0002/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0002/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0002/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

On the subject of Brize, a quick jaunt over there after the B-2s arrived proved highly productive, with plenty of movements, including the arrival of the Italian special Tornado en route to Shawbury. Unrelated to SABER STRIKE I know, but though it worth adding in here rather than starting a new thread...

ImagePanavia Tornado IDS CSX 7041 Italian Air Force RAF Brize Norton 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImagePanavia Tornado IDS CSX 7041 Italian Air Force RAF Brize Norton 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Today, it was back up to Fairford bright and early to catch the morning departures, with the main aim being to see, hear and feel that B-1 in full burner for the first time in far too long. What an event! The arrival of BUFF 02 provided the real highlight of the day, returning in some cracking light- I doubt I'll shoot a BUFF as well this again :love:

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0021/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0021/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0021/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0002/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0021/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0021/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

All in all, a very productive exercise, and I'm absolutely delighted to have finally had the chance shoot a B-1.

Thanks for looking, comments welcomed

Shaun
Last edited by Seamus on Sun 11 Jun 2017, 10:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
My shots on Flickr and Airliners

Downes0106
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Re: Ex SABER STRIKE/BALTOPS 2017

Post by Downes0106 »

Lovely set of shots - so wish I could have found the time to get down there to see these. Looking forward to seeing the Italian Tornado at RIAT.
Scott

Canon EOS7D, with 30D Back-up
Canon 100-400MM IS, 70-200MM plus some wide-angle/macro stuff

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Russ
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Re: Ex SABER STRIKE/BALTOPS 2017

Post by Russ »

Brilliant set! :clap: :cool:

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lynothehammer
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Re: Ex SABER STRIKE/BALTOPS 2017

Post by lynothehammer »

Very nice selection there...

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PeteM
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Re: Ex SABER STRIKE/BALTOPS 2017

Post by PeteM »

A productive couple of days.
Very nice!

SPLAT
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Re: Ex SABER STRIKE/BALTOPS 2017

Post by SPLAT »

Great set of shots , is it just me or is they having trouble refuelling , seems to be a lot of damage in recent shots?

Georgeconna
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Re: Ex SABER STRIKE/BALTOPS 2017

Post by Georgeconna »

You got some beautys there Seamus, Cracking time to be spotting and photting in the UK this month!

lucky beggars.
Cheers

George

Zero shows for 2018 Giving in a Rest.

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Seamus
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Re: Ex SABER STRIKE/BALTOPS 2017

Post by Seamus »

Thanks for the kind feedback chaps, much appreciated :clap:
My shots on Flickr and Airliners

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