Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

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DeanW
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Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by DeanW »

So this week I'm looking for five of your images from your best aviation day out. This can be an airshow, low level, a day at the fence, enthusiast event - whatever is cool as long as they were all taken on the same day. It's not just about the quality of the image here either, it might be the rarity of the types that you saw on one particular day that makes it so memorable. A bit of context on the day would be great too as I'll be selecting a whole post as a winner rather than one singular image.


I'll get the ball rolling and go with the Kecskemet arrivals day on 2nd August 2013. This was my first time doing a show in Eastern Europe and it ticked all the boxes - rare jets, glorious weather and all for a pretty reasonable cost. The arrivals day saw some static gems arriving including the Bulgarian Frogfoot and Serbian An-26 (both arriving while the sun was in its worst position - boo) as well as rehearsals from the likes of the Polish Fitter pair and Romanian MiG-21. Here's five from that epic day outside the fence..

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PeteFenwick
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by PeteFenwick »

This is super hard. However the Turkey Izmir 100th Anniversary Airshow was spectacular. Free arrivals and departures Spotters package, pretty well unrestricted access, fantastic weather with some hugely rare aircraft (and 8 national display teams!). To pick one day I choose the Monday departures and can only offer a small flavour of a great 4 days-

The F-16D had only 5 hours on the clock-

Image2011 Izmir Turkey F-16D Fighting Falcon by Peter Fenwick, on Flickr

The Turkish recce RF-4 phantom-

Image2011 Izmir Turkey 2McDonnell Douglas RF-4E Phantom by Peter Fenwick, on Flickr

Pakistan Midas dropped in-

Image2011 Izmir Pakistan Ilyushin Il-78MP Midas by Peter Fenwick, on Flickr

Bulgarian Mig=29 oh yes-

ImageBulgaria Mig29UB Fulcrum by Peter Fenwick, on Flickr

First time for me a An-32 and Croatian to boot-

ImageCroatia Antonov An-32B by Peter Fenwick, on Flickr

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capercaillie
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by capercaillie »

OK, I'll bite. It could have been Fairford IAT 1993 arrivals on the Thursday when the weatherman said don't go anywhere because of the rain, and it turned out blue skies with a Bear and Midas flying refuelling circuits, but I've done that one before.

So we'll jump forward a year to 1994, and the UK commemorations for the 50th anniversary of D-Day, most of the allied nations which took part sent something, with only the Polish making a late withdrawal from the flypasts over the Solent. A special photocall had been arranged at RNAS Yeovilton on the Saturday 4th June, and as traditional in England in the summertime it absolutely persistently rained down all day. Really really wet!

Luckily Sunday dawned a little better and on cue the aircraft taxied out. 56 fast jets for the flypast - 4 RAF Tornados, 4 RN Sea Harriers/Harriers, single RAAF RF-111, four BAF F-16s, eight CF CF-188s, CzAF two MiG23s and single MiG29, four FAF Mirage 2000s, four FN Super Etendards, four HAF F-4Es, four RNLAF F-16s, four RNorAF F-16s, four SlAF MiG29s, four USN F-14s and finally four USAF F-15s, stream take off.

We watched the take-offs from the field by Yeovilton church, stood on a plank of wood balanced across two deck chairs, then made a mad dash back to the approach for the recoveries, just making it back as the escort jet brought the Czech and then Slovak MiGs in ahead of the rest of the formations. A pretty special adrenalin rush and with little likelihood of being repeated. Crazy to think its 28 years ago.

ImageRF-111C A8-146 1 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force Amberley by Paul Downes, on Flickr

ImageMiG23ML 2406 41 Squadron Czech Air Force by Paul Downes, on Flickr

ImageMiG29A 7501 1 Squadron Slovak Air Force by Paul Downes, on Flickr

ImageCF-188A Hornet 188781 441 Squadron Canadian Forces by Paul Downes, on Flickr

ImageF-4E Phantom II 68-0515 338 Mira Hellenic Air Force by Paul Downes, on Flickr

A bonus as the Tomcats came back to play for the assembled crowds
ImageF-14B Tomcats VF-142 and VF-143 US Navy USS George Washington by Paul Downes, on Flickr
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Draken
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by Draken »

Back in Aug 2014 I was lucky enough to visit Miroslawiec AirBase - the homebase of Polish Fitters. It was an amazing day, we could freely roam between the runway, taxiways or stands - with very friendly pilots and ground crews around. Not much variety in case of aircraft types, but my oh my, there is nothing better than Fitter taking off with full afterburner 10m from you ;)

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Full album from that day:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tchrul/al ... 6741399246

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Slinger65
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by Slinger65 »

September 7th 2014 - having been an occasional Airshow visitor (Farnboro, RIAT, Abingdon '90 - memorable but not for good reasons!, Cosford etc) - with my 14 year old son in tow, we discovered Old Warden and the Shuttleworth collection. Thanks in no small measure to this forum.

Since that memorable day, with the Comet making it's first flight since restoration - and in utterly glorious golden autumnal evening light - we've visited pretty much every year until Covid put the brakes on things. Looking forward to being back in this "happy place" in 2022...even through the lad is now grown up a little and will have to make the tricky journey from Southampton to Shuttleworth...

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Very warm memories looking through these and other shots from that day...great topic to choose, thx!
Slinger65

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Spiny Norman
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by Spiny Norman »

Great idea for the comp. Had a few to choose from but plumped for the Friday at the 1992 RAF Leuchars airshow, the arrivals and practice day. The Russian Su-27s and Su-24 were something to see, so soon after the end of the Cold War, but the real star was the RAF Phantom.

Its display was the last at the base and they were retired soon after. We were out on the airfield when it carried out its practice display. Quite a sight and sound.

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This practice is on YouTube somewhere. The final pass was quite low and quite fast and I don't have any useable images!

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Seamus
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by Seamus »

Great idea for a topic, Dean. There have been a number of amazing days out in this hobby, but choosing my favourite day was still very straightforward. I spent a sunny Sunday back in May 2018 stood on top of a Dartmoor Tor with some mates shooting a pair of Merlins supporting the Ten Tors Challenge. The weekend is always right up there as one of my favourites of the year, but on this day in particular, everything came together perfectly to produce by far my best set of aviation images, with some amazing passes creating as close an opportunity as I'm likely to get to shoot air to air, and some delicious light on the evening to round things off perfectly. Not sure I'll ever better these images TBH...

ImageAgustaWestland Merlin HC3i ZJ119/C Royal Navy Okehampton Camp 13/05/18 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAgustaWestland Merlin HC3i ZJ118/B Royal Navy Okehampton Camp 13/05/18 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAgustaWestland Merlin HC3i ZJ119/C Royal Navy Okehampton Camp 13/05/18 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAgustaWestland Merlin HC3A | ZJ994/AC | Royal Navy | Okehampton Camp | 13/05/18 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAgustaWestland Merlin HC3A ZJ994/AC Royal Navy Okehampton Camp 13/05/18 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr
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buccs2b
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by buccs2b »

Like SpinyNorman, I'm going back to 1990's Scotland, this time September 1995 at RAF Lossiemouth. I had made the trip north for the Leuchars show and thanks to someone I'd met at Leuchars, a visit to Lossiemouth had been arranged. Unfortunately there had been heavy rain the day before and as we headed north from Tomintoul we encountered several flooded road. Fortunately we were able to make it to the designated meeting point at the 05 threshold where a pond had formed just inside the fence. After confirming the visit was still on, we proceeded onto the base. We were able to visit the 15(R) and 16(R) Squadron flight lines as jets were prepared for later sorties then over to the 12 and 617 Squadron areas to see their operations as well as the 202 Squadron ramp. It was a fantastic opportunity to see the everyday working of an RAF Station.

ImageLossie95_0010 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

ImageIMG_0006 copy by Tony Adams, on Flickr

ImageLossie95_0017 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

ImageLossie95_0019 by Tony Adams, on Flickr

ImageSeaKing199509 by Tony Adams, on Flickr
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Col. Chibani
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by Col. Chibani »

For me, I consider my best day out as the first edition of Melun-Villaroche Air Legend in 2018.
I enjoyed La Ferté for more than 25 years, but this airshow proved that something different was still possible.

A gorgeous weather, absolutely no crowd (there was still room in front of the fences after the flying display had begun), lovely display with rare and - for me - never seen before machines.
The ultimate act being not 1, but 2 flying Avengers:
ImageDSC_0671_exp by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr

One of my finest warbird shot:
ImageDSC_1009_exp by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr

Unique heritage display:
ImageDSC_1292_exp by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr

A rare sight:
ImageDSC_0861_exp by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr

The show was also on the ground:
ImageDSC_1269_exp by Colonel CHIBANI, sur Flickr

FarnboroJohn
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by FarnboroJohn »

I also think this is a great subject. My best day out spent quite a long time being a worry about whether it was going to happen, when I was already on site, as the weather was a little bit iffy. In fact there had already been a long wait for the announcement of the event, because when the Canadians brought their Lancaster over in 2014 I think many people from the off were waiting for the surely inevitable details of when the two Lancs would do Derwent... But they made us wait most of the summer for the answer.

Anyway, there I was, for once not on the hill above the dam but downstream of it, wanting a particular shot. An RAF Puma came and hovered down sun as camera ship - then suddenly wheeled away: oh Lord, have they scrubbed? No, the cameraman must have thought of a better spot. And on with the show!

Image2014_09_21 (29)_Lancasters by John Dixon, on Flickr

Image2014_09_21 (33)_Lancasters (Explore) by John Dixon, on Flickr

Image2014_09_21 (22)_Lancasters (Explore) by John Dixon, on Flickr

Image2014_09_21 (7)_Spitfire_IX by John Dixon, on Flickr

Image2014_09_21 (39)_Puma by John Dixon, on Flickr

Absolutely frozen. Totally worth it!

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Blackbird
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by Blackbird »

An excellent topic - thank you Dean.

After quite some thought, I was torn between two: ATI 1992 at Boscombe Down, and the day I had a flight in a B-17 at AirVenture 2018. In the end I went for the latter. It was both an awesome (in the true sense of the word) and humbling experience. It was also made me more conscious of what it must have been like for the aircrew to fly missions for hours over hostile enemy territory. A tremendous experience.

The EAA's "Aluminium Overcast" was the aircraft I flew in.
ImageBoeing B-17G Flying Fortress 42-102516 "Aluminium Overcast" by Andrew Shaw, on Flickr

Image564A2647 by Andrew Shaw, on Flickr

Overflying AirVenture
Image564A2665 by Andrew Shaw, on Flickr

Among the other aircraft flying that day:
ImageNorth American FJ-4B Fury 143575 / N400FS by Andrew Shaw, on Flickr

ImageHeritage Flight by Andrew Shaw, on Flickr

Lots more to see here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/148629640 ... 153970002/

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aviationanoraks
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by aviationanoraks »

Back in 2004 (in pre-aviationanoraks days!), I finally made it to an airshow that I had dreamed of attending for years - Warbirds Over Wanaka.
Seeing photos and reports in various magazines from this show in my younger days had only heightened my desire to one day visit New Zealand and this show, with its exotic line up of aircraft and amazing scenery for the backdrop. I never actually dreamt I would be able to get there, after all it was the other side of the world.
Come the end of 2003, and after some unexpected and serious changes to my life, I realised I was in a position to get there via an Ian Allen 'Grand Tour' of New Zealand in March/April 2004, so I booked, not really knowing what to expect as I had never flown long-haul before, or been on this type of tour.
The end of the tour was the airshow, and I remember standing there pinching myself, realising I had actually made it, and there before me were types that I had never seen before (and didn't expect to see again).
The show was amazing, PAC 750 crop sprayers performing an aerial ballet of sorts, the RNZAF 757 being flown like a fighter, and the Polikarpovs, the LA-9, the Breightling Fighters last display - I could go on!
The cherry on the cake was a flight in the Catalina after the show finished, with not one but two, water landings on Lake Wanaka (should have only been one but the pilot was not impressed with his own first landing, so we had the bonus of a second!).
A great day, that will stay with me forever.

I-153
ImageScan 26 by aviation anoraks, on Flickr

I-16
ImageScan 25 by aviation anoraks, on Flickr

Me-108
ImageScan 12 by aviation anoraks, on Flickr

Catalina
ImageScan 42 by aviation anoraks, on Flickr

Catalina, from the blister
ImageScan 3 by aviation anoraks, on Flickr

Please excuse the quality of the images, they are scans from my pre-digital days.

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jalfrezi
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by jalfrezi »

I've been lucky enough to have a few really memorable days - NATO Days, Luxeuil, Red Flag and Hyakuri spring to mind, but for me, my first trip to the MAKS Airshow on the 23rd July 2017 and the 'naughty field' was one of my biggest WOW moments. First time in Russia, first Russian military and first time right under the action!

ImageSukhoi Su-30SM - 74 Instagram by Nick Jennings, on Flickr

ImageSukhoi T-50 (Su-57) - 33 Instagram by Nick Jennings, on Flickr

ImageSukhoi Su-34 - 45 Instagram by Nick Jennings, on Flickr

ImageMil Mi-26T2 - 14 Instagram by Nick Jennings, on Flickr

ImageRussian Knights - 58 by Nick Jennings, on Flickr

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Tuckat
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by Tuckat »

One of my brothers joined the RAF in 1987, in the Physical Training branch. After a couple of years he transferred to the Parachute School at Brize, finally retiring in 2007 as a Wing Commander. During his career he had some interesting jobs, one of which involved jump training for Special Forces and Pathfinders. In 1993 I was lucky enough to be invited by him for a day at Keevil, and I spent most of the day in XV205. Once the jumps were despatched there followed a low level flight over the West Country, even more special as we overflew my home town. Arriving back at Keevil, the pilot performed the usual low level pass and steep climb out prior to landing. My favourite aviation day out. Ever. (He also arranged for me to undertake an AFF when he was at Weston on The Green in 1995, absolutely brilliant!)


ImageKE 93 01 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr

ImageKE 93 02 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr

ImageKE 93 04 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr

ImageKE 93 06 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr

Our arrival back at Keevil, taken by my Brother.

ImageKE 93 10 by Phil Roberts, on Flickr
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Bernard
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by Bernard »

On May 10, 1992, an open day was organized on the Russian air base of Finow-Eberswalde in the former GDR (about twenty km from Berlin).
In these pre-internet times, there was no way of knowing what would be presented. The result was beyond my expectations with operational aircraft exposed without barriers, a MiG-29 performing two demos during the day and a few helicopters flying. The atmosphere was very relaxed and the military tried to raise a few deutsche marks by selling souvenirs of all kinds.
An excellent memory!
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planenuts
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by planenuts »

Hi chaps, great topic and certainly brings about some great stories.

Well, I have ended up with 2 close contenders, which I've struggled to choose between.
The runner up was my first day at MAKS 1993, being the guest of the Myasischev Design Bureau on the south side at Zhukovsky. Seeing the flying display from on top of a brick tower, right under the flying display line, with the likes of Tu-22M3, Tu-95, Tu-160, Russian Knights, Ka-50s, Su-25s, Beriev Be-12/Be-42 combo, Li-2/Su-27 combo (really) etc. all going over our heads. Felt incredibly privileged at that early show. The only problems are that the photos were at best, fuzzy....and that most of them I don't have on Flickr anyway, which helped with the decision !!

So the winner is a day at Graf Ignatievo base in Bulgaria during August 2002. Part of a wonderfully sunny week going to all BAF bases, coincidentally timed for the first ever RAF exchange visit to Bulgaria, with 8 x Jaguars resident at Graf for the week from several squadrons. What made the Wednesday in the middle of the week even more special, was that it was a 30th birthday for both me and my best mate Des, my aircraft 'partner in crime'. On a beautiful hazy, sunny day, after walking round all the retired various Mig-21s stored in groups (I counted 44), and seeing other types on base (Mig-29, L-39, Mig-21), it was time for the main exercise. Jaguars and Mig-21s lined the main ramp, with Su-25s on another ramp nearby. The combination of these 3 classic types all taxying out in front of us for hours, taking off and returning, was a bit intoxicating. Sadly, all the landing shots are not available on Flickr to use, but with these shots, you will still get the picture(s).....Pun intended. Staying in the old communist 5 star hotel in Plovdiv, a great supper and a bottle of local red, added to a truly unforgettable 30th birthday. Three weeks later I proposed to my amazing wife on my favourite tor on Dartmoor, so it was a great period in life. Period.

Jaguar T4 and Mig-21UM on the main ramp
ImageIMG_7650 by Rupert Kelley, on Flickr

Our viewing position for the afternoon, Su-25 x 5 on other ramp. We tolerated it.....
ImageIMG_7668 by Rupert Kelley, on Flickr

A sight rare to see in Europe in the 21st century
ImageIMG_7669 by Rupert Kelley, on Flickr

The Mig-21UM on the ramp went tech, so this one suddenly appeared to replace it
ImageIMG_7730 by Rupert Kelley, on Flickr

The Mig-21s alone had 4 different camo schemes on display, this 'Bis' one was my favourite. Dribble cup please....
ImageIMG_7731 by Rupert Kelley, on Flickr

Love the other stories, they've got the personal touch.

Rupe :slight_smile:
Name someone who loves you enough to die for you. I can only think of 1.......there is only 1

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DerekF
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by DerekF »

Not a day out as such but one of the best aeroplane days I've had. In January 2002, after the RJX project had been cancelled the previous November, the flight test department at Woodford arranged a photo shoot involving the three RJX aircraft. It would be the last chance before all the aircraft were grounded for good. Sadly there was no time to organize a photo ship so there are no pictures of all three.

The view from the third crew seat on RJX-100 G-IRJX. Before take-off the three aircraft were lined up on runway 25 at Woodford for a photo. If I recall the company photographer sat on top of the fire truck.
Image2002402_08 by Derek N.Ferguson, on Flickr

Once airborne the three aircraft met up over Lincolnshire somewhere.

RJX-85 G-ORJX and the first production RJX-100 G-5-391. The RJX-85 is still at Prestwick in pieces. G-5-391 was broken up after only 4 flights soon after this.

Image2002402_28 by Derek N.Ferguson, on Flickr

Image2002402_29 by Derek N.Ferguson, on Flickr

Image2002402_25 by Derek N.Ferguson, on Flickr

Line astern with RJX-85.
Image2002402_31 by Derek N.Ferguson, on Flickr

Wbirdnut
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by Wbirdnut »

Great idea for a thread, became an aviation and especially a warbird nut
after being taken to see the Battle of Britain in the late 60s with my father.

Similar to Andrew above had seen pictures in magazines from afar of the
famous airfield Duxford. Its wartime history, current warbirds and of course
one of the locations where scenes from the Battle of Britain were filmed.

The wife had for many years wanted to visit a work mate who had a few
years earlier returned to her home in the UK from Australia. With a bit of
persuasion and planning gold passes for the 2018 Flying Legends where
purchased. So best day out 15/7/2018 Flying Legends at Duxford.

Such things when they occur are real punch me I’m dreaming events.
Blessed with great weather, all be it hot and a bonus the theme for the
show the anniversary of the filming of the Battle of Britain.
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Image

Those who were present will recall the segment with the film’s music and
aeroplanes that actually featured in the film, bucket list stuff for sure.
Image

Often the case at such shows a machine you least expect to impress is one
of the most impressive, the Red Bull DC6 was a highlight
Image

Managed to meet a couple of aviation photography legends as well, John
Dibbs and spent the day standing alongside kiwi Gavin Conroy.
Image

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shorsley
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by shorsley »

Saturday 15th August 2015. Beachy Head for the Eastbourne Airborne Show. Having attended the show in 2012 due to Vulcan XH558's appearance and ending up in the town due to not knowing how to get to Beachy Head, I wanted to put right the wrong of not being able to get the shots of 558 (and others) over the water I'd seen from everyone else. I also hadn't been able to attend the 2013 and 2014 shows due to working, but 2015 I used most of my holiday allowance to go to airshows most weekends. So taking a friend along this time, who is also into aviation photography but also doubled up as a handy navigator, we ended up in the correct spot by Beachy Head (although there were some moments on the way there when we wondered whether my 1.2 Corsa would make it up the steep Sussex hills). We found a patch of space amongst the other expectant photographers, slapped on the sunscreen and hats, fired up the cameras and had ourselves a great day out in the sunshine photographing aircraft.

Chinook exiting stage left following it's display:
ImageChinook by Sarah Horsley, on Flickr

PV202 after performing a short solo display. It and SM520 had earlier accompanied the Blenheim for the opening flypast celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, which would have taken place in those same blue skies 75 years earlier.
ImageSpitfire by Sarah Horsley, on Flickr

Proving that even the Tutor could make a half-decent photo if given the right background:
ImageTutor by Sarah Horsley, on Flickr

For most people there, the main event. The anticipation as the Vulcan's scheduled display time drew nearer, the updates from people who were tracking her as she came along the coast. And then the silence and sound of hundreds of shutters firing as she came into view, swooping around the corner and the famous lighthouse. She held for around five minutes off Beachy Head and didn't disappoint those who had turned up (I think there was even a round of applause as she ran in to commence her display). I came away knowing I'd never get better shots of her.
ImageVulcanBeachyHead_11 by Sarah Horsley, on Flickr

Also in its farewell display season, this Junglie also played for the cameras whilst in the hold during XH558's display:
Imagejunglie by Sarah Horsley, on Flickr

Overall the day produced some of my best aviation photographs, and it was hard just narrowing it down to five (which I've re-edited for this post as my original editing skills back then didn't do them justice). Made all the more bittersweet by the fact we drove home along the same piece of road that seven days later would see the airshow scene changed forever.
"I have a good pilot and a safe pilot."


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Niallxg
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by Niallxg »

Great topic, although I found it almost impossible to pick one day.

I've chosen US Navy's centennial show at NAS North Island back in February 2011. Having secured a much coveated media pass, I headed over to sunny California for the week. As I recall very little information was realised in advance of the show other than lots of US Navy special schemes would be in attendance. After eventually finding my way to Coronado Island - aka I was temporarily unsure of my location, no SatNav - I showed up for the morning arrivals. To say it was a somewhat unorganised would be an understatement - aircraft taxiing to parking spots between people - but it was brilliant. Sadly they only permitted US or British citizens on to the two carriers present. Ah well, strike 4 - three US and a Spanish! Maybe someday I'll get on a carrier. Afterwards it was off to the beach for the sights and some late arrivals. With rumours of a special area for the media, those present on the arrivals day were told to report at the same gate before the general public arrived for day two.

Day 2 - a quick run around the static to get some shots of stuff I'd missed the day before - still missed an F/A-18A+ from Fallon - and then off to find that "special area". Thankfully I met a few lads from England and they directed to where we where to go. The special area was the roof of an admin building, where we have a ringside, shoreside, view of the flypast. Still no one had a clue what was expected. And then the madness started, as various formations, a naval aircraft past and present commencing with the Angels and concluding with a flypast of a carrier wing swung by.

Below is a small sample of that second day... It still ranks as one of the best shows I've had the privilege of attending.

ImageSun's up by Niall Grant, on Flickr

ImageWolfpack warhorses by Niall Grant, on Flickr

ImageDevils & Cowboys by Niall Grant, on Flickr

ImageYuma boys by Niall Grant, on Flickr

ImageNew n Old by Niall Grant, on Flickr

Regards,

Niall

stuart n
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Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by stuart n »

Flying alongside MH434 in August 2016. The flight was a 40th birthday present and despite the looks it was really windy that day, my flight was due to take off at 11am but we didn't get up until after 14:00. Even then the wind was gusting close to the limit for the Rapide, certainly made for a bumpy flight and to play safe i kept the shutter speed higher than i would have liked. An amazing experience though, you could hear the sound of the Merlin as Brian Smith approached from behind and slight beneath us, everyone just started smiling.
We had a close up look at MH434 on the ground afterwards and Brian apologised for not being able to get any closer!
With the cost of living soaring now this may well be the only chance i get to do something like this, it will live long in the memory.

Image
Flying Legend (explored) by stu norris, on Flickr

Image
Spitfire IXb MH434 - The Old Flying Machine Company - Duxford by stu norris, on Flickr

Image
Wing to wing with Spitfire MH434 by stu norris, on Flickr

Image
Spitfire IXb MH434 G-ASJV - The Old Flying Machine Company Duxford by stu norris, on Flickr

Image
Ready to go by stu norris, on Flickr

DeanW
Posts: 3319
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 10:18 am

Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by DeanW »

Thanks all for your posts, it’s been great to see what has constituted a top day out for each of you.

It was tight and as much as I’d love a day out with Polish Fitters, topsiding US Navy jets or photogenic Merlins I have to pick Paul’s D-Day flypast post as the winners of this week. Over to you Paul!

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capercaillie
Posts: 9336
Joined: Mon 01 Sep 2008, 3:04 pm
Location: Leominster

Re: Topic of the week #12: Your best day out

Post by capercaillie »

Cheers Dean, I'll have a new topic up shortly. Must admit I'm rather envious of flying alongside a Spitfire though!
"The surrogate voice of st24"

My flickr photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/146673712@N06/

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