An afternoon up close with the HAC Spit

[rjlaker]

Hi all,

I was fortunate enough to get a ground viewing with the HAC Spitfire last weekend at a tiny farm airstrip. It was nice to meet Charlie too - a great guy. Here are a few shots:

The view that met us as we arrived could easily have been straight from 1940:

_DSC3719BWlr by rjlaker, on Flickr


_DSC3724lr by rjlaker, on Flickr


_DSC3736lr by rjlaker, on Flickr


_DSC3729lr by rjlaker, on Flickr


_DSC3768lr by rjlaker, on Flickr


_DSC3828lr by rjlaker, on Flickr


_DSC3817lr by rjlaker, on Flickr


_DSC3754lr by rjlaker, on Flickr


_DSC3760lr by rjlaker, on Flickr


_DSC3771lr by rjlaker, on Flickr


_DSC3812lr by rjlaker, on Flickr


_DSC3800lr by rjlaker, on Flickr

Charlie then got the Spit ready for a departure

_DSC3912lr by rjlaker, on Flickr


_DSC3957lr by rjlaker, on Flickr


_DSC3984lr by rjlaker, on Flickr


_DSC3988lr by rjlaker, on Flickr

...but he returned with a brilliant low level pass

_DSC4010 by rjlaker, on Flickr


_DSC4028lr by rjlaker, on Flickr


_DSC4041lr by rjlaker, on Flickr

Cheers for looking! Higher resolution versions are on my website:
http://rjlakerphotography.weebly.com/aviation---2011-page-1.html

Rob

[Gareth Horne]

Brilliant set of photos there Rob, love the details, its amazing how different these early spits are to the later ones when you look up close isn't it?

[Stu]

Great set love that last shot of Charlie

[LN Strike Eagle]

Some excellent shots. What a beautiful photo #3 is with that backdrop.

Did you know it was there, or get lucky? Would be awesome to see a Spitfire in a setting like that.

Brilliant set of photos there Rob, love the details, its amazing how different these early spits are to the later ones when you look up close isn't it?

Early marks are far more beautiful IMO. I really like the BBMF's MkIIa in it's current scheme.

[jimbob1194]

Fantastic set! What a beautiful setting!

James

[Domvickery]

Stunning set of images! How lucky you were with A. the location & B. the weather

[Jonesy]

Do you have any connection to Action Stations by any chance?

[Robin]

Hi Rob.

Very nice set of pictures, it certainly was a perfect location. I was working at the Battle of Britain Memorial over the weekend with the Action Stations crew, and on Friday evening we were invited over to the farm strip for a party, I was able to have a long chat with Charlie before he took off to give a short but very spirited display for those present. The weather was perfect for the flying and we had an excellent weekend. Our next flying session at the Memorial will be on 15/16 September for Battle of Britain Day, and there is also talk of having a Hurricane present to fly with the Spitfire.

Robin.

[DeanW]

A really great set Rob, but the compositions of the 3rd and the 8th images make them stand out for me.

[Bjorn]

What the others said. Just brilliant!
Especially like the second take-off shot and the portraits.

[FOTO4]

Great set of quite unique pictures Rob, the last shot of Charlie is particularly good.

[F-86]

Very nice set.

[colper]

Quality set Rob in a lovely location,totally agree regards Charlie Brown,a true gentleman and always willing to chat.Hope you are both well.

Colin

[gra]

Great images and great weather too. Also whilst I'm typing 'great' a lot, I'll add you've got a great website too

[Corsair]

Great set Colin, and what a lovely place, good shot of Charlie too
Guy

[colper]

Great set Colin, and what a lovely place, good shot of Charlie too
Guy

I would gladly put my name to these Guy,but these excellent shots belong to Rob

Colin

[RRconway]

Very nice set, I especially like the b+w ones

Cheers,
Jeff.