JWilsonphoto wrote:
Hi Mikko,

No bother at all! Sorry, I got distracted and never answered your question. That is a Firebolt, a derivative of the Steen Skybolt. I built it about 26 years ago.


No problem Jim

Aaah, it's a Firebolt. Very pretty! No wonder I mixed it up with Pitts as I had never seen a Firebolt before. Skybolt I've seen though, but still. There were some similarities to a Pitts in your photo, although there are also some differences as well, but I let myself think that the plane was modified a bit. The wings look practically identical, excluding the cabane struts, where the middle part goes closer to the rear part than it does on Pitts. Also the dual wires on topside of the horizontal stab are different from Pitts, which has only one wire on the top side. Rest of the differences I would have just explained with "perspective distortion"...

But all in all, very pretty plane indeed!

Mikko

Dear Marvin,

Don't you think about deleting your images. We enjoy everyone's work on this thread, that
s what makes it so special.

JW

Photography is nothing without the contrast between the light that plays on our subjects - no matter who is shooting them. I haven't seen a bad image yet in this thread - all need to stay!

It wasn't that long ago when we shot with B/W film using manual cameras and light meters were something only really good photographers had in their kit. The results today make nearly everything a keeper. I had an art teacher who often said - "never throw anything away" - of course the next day she (in her broken English) would say "banzia!!! - looks like colors book"!!! with equal enthusiasm - just before she would throw it on the floor and walk on it.

Marvin... Dont delete any pictures please. This forum is great. Read, ask questions and try new techniques then post more pictures as you learn more from the masters. It will be a pleasure to watch you grow as a photographer. As you've noticed here, you never stop learning... even the "World Famous Jim Wilson, renown photographer" (thats his Callsign in North Texas. ok, ok, thats too long, it's been shortened to Photo1) learns and tries new things. The great "shooters" are humble because they know that they dont know it all and remember their roots.

Hey Marvin i took a look at your pictures they look great man no need to delete them.
if you have more post them in this topic it's full of great people and great pictures

The made propblur i think is funny in the first pic the shutterspeed is to high maybe nexttime you try to take it down to 320/s or maybe less depending on gained experience.
Just keep on trying thats the Beauty of digital photography if its not good trow it away and make another one.
Good luck and show us the results.

Jan-Arie

Hey Mr. Wilson, are you teaching Gracie to fly the Firebolt? I hope she is a Harry Potter fan! BP

Hi BP,

No, the bipe is a little hot to handle. Gracie is learning in the 182 and the Cub, we'll see about the bipe much later.

JW

Hi JW,

No more goodies. Can we see some more ealier work.

Jude

HI Jude,

What would you like to see? I'm scrambling to complete a number of assignments before fall takes it's toll on the Texas landscape, so my posting will be sporadic.

JW

I found an image from GML - (actually several of the biplanes) that I had completely missed the first few times through the pile - this one was over exposed too much for anything useful but I played with it in ps2 and came up with the following image.

Then went to a Clay Blackmore info/seminar on photography Sunday evening and learned about a promotional product called myJones soda company. (www.myjones.com/) They put your photo and contact information onto their soda bottles (for a hefty fee) so you can use them as promotional/business cards. I had to give it a try - $29.00 for a case - but the image looks good on the bottle!

Here is what I used on the first batch of their Berry Lemonade. Its sorta like the ultimate vanity plate - but it shows that no image should be thrown away... unless its on an empty pop bottle!

I can see the lemon ade stand, in front of your house, now. Nice save, you are right, it was worth the work.
Tom

Hi JW,

I would like to see some old planes in action what is not posted here if you have any. Also do you have any photos of Blackbirds (SR 17)?

One other question since you have long glasses have you ever tried to capture moon images? I always wanted to do this but with my 70-300 consumer glass no chance.

Jude

Hi Jude,

I'll see what I can find for you.

JW

22.....

Wow that shiny silver metal bird is awesome JW. By the way congrats. Your thread has touched 2000 posts.

Jude

Good Morning Jude,

Thanks! It won't be long before we blow through 200,000 views!! Seems like we ought to celebrate somehow.

JW

Just curious... who among us would consider using their photos from this thread to make a coffee table book something like Paul Bowen's Air to Air series that could be sold and the profits would be donated to something like the Shawn Hannity Freedom Fund for the children of the fallen soldiers in Iraq?

I know it would be a major undertaking and not all of the images would or could be used - but it would put into our hands the images from this thread (something a lot of us would like) and possibly raise enough money through online sales and Amazon/B&N/Waldenbooks et all that a sizable contribution could be made.

Think it over and if there is enough interest - we ought to start figuring out how to get er done.

Hi JBear,

I'm in!

JW

Axis heading out in the morning mist