Sunday, April 1, 2012

Not for the faint of heart

Our third group of visitors returned home earlier this week - we thoroughly enjoyed their company. I and my shutter are taking a brief rest and then we'll prepare to meet our last set of visitors during this stay down south.

My son-in-law was as enthusiastic as I was to spend a day under a hot sun swiveling our heads to watch the action at an airshow last week. I had no idea that an airplane could be made to do the maneuvers that these daredevil pilots subjected them to. I tried to put together a sample of the different aircraft that we saw, but this doesn't begin to do it justice. For the first time (in a long time) I filled a memory card (well, 2 actually) at a photoshoot. The car in one of the photos consists of a jet engine with a frame and metal shell around it resembling a car - from a standing start it raced the green/purple airplane which had a head start flying above the runway - and beat it (the engine generates 12,000 HP) !

I hope to visit many of you over the next few days before I enjoy the company of our last set of visitors.
 
(all action photos made with a 70-200mm lens plus a 2x extender giving a 140-400mm focal length, at 1/1000 sec, ISO200)

B-29, Lockheed L-12






















Team RV - kit planes built in owners' garages

Matt Younkin in a Twin Beech 18






















Gary Ward in an MX-2 unlimited aerobatic aircraft
In the lower right is the jet engine car that from a standing start beat Gary's plane !

(top) Vought F4U Corsair; (bottom) Grumman F8F Bearcat






















F/A-18 Super Hornet, Mig-17






















F/A-18 Blue Angels


20 comments:

joyce said...

You couldn't pay me enough to ride in one of those!! Great shots though!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Seeing these pictures and especially the Blue Angels bring back so many memories.Jake loved aircraft and we have attended many a show.The Blue Angels are spectacular in flight.Thanks for the memories and a small tear.

Lúcia said...

Amazing reflections in the second shot! Cool series!
Have a good new week Rick! ;-)

Stephanie said...

Those were cool shots! We will be having the Snow Birds here in May for their practice run. Hope to get a photo or two of them this time round.

Michelle said...

Fantastic shots! My dad served in the Air Force while I was growing up and I have enjoyed many an air show. Always spectacular!

Pamela Gordon said...

Beautiful 'action' shots Rick! It looks like it was a great air show. Have a good week!

darlin said...

Rick I don't know if I posted a comment or not, this crazy new blogger... grrrr, I don't understand this, if it's not broken don't fix it!

I absolutely love your shots, it looks like a fantastic way to spend a day. The question I have for you is how many GB's were those memory cards? If they are 16 I can't even imagine processing all of those shots! lol

Have a great day, it's fantastic to hear from you again and I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your company. How much longer til you head north?

Cheers.

Lisa Gordon said...

Wow! You got some amazing shots Rick! Every once in awhile, the Thunderbirds will visit here, and their flights never cease to amaze and sometimes scare me. Imagine what it feel like to be in the cockpit!!! Yikes!
Wishing you a beautiful week ahead!

biebkriebels said...

Beautiful photos, those aviators are daredevils. Thanks for your comment on my blog.

Leslie said...

TERRIFIC shots! Makes me almost feel like I was there, myself!

PETRO50 said...

I like all aircraft. Nice shots. It had to be a great day. Sincerely, Peter.

Fábio Martins said...

Well registed. Good event too

Elizabeth Grimes said...

I used to always go to air shows with my dad! It is jaw dropping to see. You captured some really great shots. I enjoyed looking at them.

Saz said...

Wow Rick. I remember watching planes like that once a year at an airshow, I can't remember what it was actually called, but it was an event here in England. Was always so amazing watching them! Those are some fantastic shots you got of them!

Amelia said...

Hi Rick, thanks for the virtual ride.
Fantastic click, all very well taken. I admire your excellent skill in photography. :)

Have a nice day.

Scott Law said...

Wow, your trigger finger must have been sore. Great shots. I'd have loved to see the car that beat the plane. . . Can you say "whiplash"?

Teté M. Jorge said...

You know what just happened?
I lost the conment that I had done right now to you, because eventually the light tuned off and I don't have uninterruptible power supply.
Anyway, I'm tired to write all over again... I loved your post and seeing you again here.
Hugs and love with sweet beijos da teca.

magda said...

Shocking pictures Rick!
These stunts, it requires great skill!
I've seen on television. God was guarding them.
Best wishes

Dagmar said...

My cousin Joyce is just a big chicken. I'll even pay big bucks for a ride in one of those. ;-) My son Jesse wants to be a pilot in one of those. He'd love these pics.
Great great shots Rick. Youre shutter and you did well.
Dagmar

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Fantastic shots. My eldest son would love an opportunity like this.