Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Photos of operational aircraft from bases, airports and "spotter" outings
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Stonefaction
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Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Post by Stonefaction »

Was lucky enough to get a base visit to RAF Leuchars in mid-December. Really enjoyed it, and managed to get a mixture of aircraft (Alpha Jet, Tucano, Hawk, KC-135, Tornado F.3 and Lightning). Was great to get the chance to shoot the F.3s close-up before they retire this year.
The light was rather variable - started glorious and golden, till the sun got a wee bit higher and hit cloud. Came back out briefly when the Tornado pair returned (thankfully).
Thanks again to my host for the visit. Much appreciated.:smile:
Here's a selection of what was around on the day....
EDIT :Larger size now posted

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1. Tornado F.3 awaiting the arrival of the crew.

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2. 111sqn gate guard Lightning in the HAS site.

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3. Another Tornado F.3 being readied for a flight.

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4. Juliet Uniform of 111sqn.

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5. One of the 'new' Grob Tutors.

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6. Hotel Foxtrot of 111sqn on finals.

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7. Tucano almost down.

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8. Golf Oscar a few inches from touchdown.

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9. Juliet Uniform in the golden light of a December morning sun.

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10. Tucano close-up.

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11. Another shot of Juliet Uniform sitting in the sun.

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12. French Alpha Jet making an approach.

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13. Golf Oscar taxies out.

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14. Hotel Yankee.

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15. Golf Oscar goes around.

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16. ZF172 seconds from landing.

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17. Golf Oscar being prepared for a flight.

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18. Thrust reversers engaged.

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19. Hawk touches down briefly before heading off again.

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20. Hotel Yankee bumps over the arrestor wire.

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21. KC-135 turns back into the extended circuit.

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22. Another Tucano on approach.

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23. Wide-angle 135.

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24. Hotel Foxtrot taxies back to the HAS site.

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25. Another shot of the 111sqn Lightning.

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26. A Tucano named Dorothy.

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27. Mildenhall KC-135 on finals.

and one that's a wee bit too big....

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27. Golf Oscar taxies out for a training flight.
Link to larger size...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2563/4249520730_5bb245e05c_b.jpg


Hope you like them

Baz
Last edited by Stonefaction on Tue 12 Jan 2010, 11:08 pm, edited 5 times in total.

ArabJazzie
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit.

Post by ArabJazzie »

About time! Been looking forward to seeing these and you have not disappointed!

But 1024 is allowed here now as long as its under 300k.
Arabest,
Geoff.
52 in a year! We must be certifiable!

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Macc
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit.

Post by Macc »

4 and 9. :clap:
Beautiful set Baz!

Chris

Stonefaction
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit.

Post by Stonefaction »

Thanks guys. Glad you like them.

EDIT : Added larger size now.

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Wes_Howes
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Post by Wes_Howes »

Wow they are excellent! shots 9 and 21 are the pick of the bunch in my opinion :clap:

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Sky Pirate
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Post by Sky Pirate »

Great light on those.. :clap: :clap:

Hugh.
Very low and Fast!!!

EMarsh
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Post by EMarsh »

9 and 11 are my cup of tea, just lovely. Good arrows that man. :clap:

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T_J
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Post by T_J »

Lovely light on some of the ground shots. The Lightnings images are great.

:clap: :clap:

TJ

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Hellfire
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Post by Hellfire »

Great set. Some nice touchdown shots there, but the static ground pictures are fantastic. Brilliant light and angles. :clap:

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fmansam
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Post by fmansam »

AWESOME :rock: :rock: :rock: :rock:

great shots, better than my efforts..........

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ulverstonfgr4
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Post by ulverstonfgr4 »

An excellent set :cool: :cool: :cool:

Spiny Norman
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Post by Spiny Norman »

Some grand stuff there, especially the Tornado wide angles, but the KC135 is beautifully atmospheric. Well done, sir!

John_E
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Post by John_E »

A really nice set but no.11 is absolutely stunning, very moody. :drool: :clap:

Unknown74
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Post by Unknown74 »

Now I do like that KC-135 wide angle shot of it over the verge area. By the way I don't like that new fence totally ruins a days spotting at my favourite Military Spotting Location.

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SilverWingPix
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Post by SilverWingPix »

This is one of those posts you see through again, and possibly again :grin: . I love variety and the variety here is fantastic; different angles, different light settings, processing (some true, some artistic) Wonderfull :clap:

Egon/CPH

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nigelblake
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Post by nigelblake »

A fine set of images, frame 3 steals the show for me though!

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Lumix
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Post by Lumix »

Very nice!.....a fine set of photos :clap: I do like the Lightning shots :clap:

Epic Formacion

Re: Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Post by Epic Formacion »

Great images, but 50% to much if you ask me.

Stonefaction
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Post by Stonefaction »

Thanks all. Glad you like them.

Unknown74.....I hate that fence too. It's a complete pain. :sad:
Nigel, I do like shot 3 too. I was taking shots of the F.3 when the tow tractor turned up, and the composition worked out quite nicely.
Epic Formacion...I like to show a bit of variety rather than just a load of side-on shots and I have slimmed down 400+ edited shots from the day to this little lot. I tried to get a mixture of aircraft types along with differing angles and lighting etc which was why I ended up posting as many as I did. Out of curiosity which ones would you have ditched?

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ythanpythan
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Re: Leuchars Base Visit (EDIT :Larger pics).

Post by ythanpythan »

Baz,

As a whole it's a cracking set of shots, it's clear that with most of them you have put quite some thought in to the composition. However I do agree that restricting the number of shots posted would have turned a good post into a great one.

That said some absolute belters in their my man.

Cheers

Ian

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