KevinJacksonUK wrote:
Stunning shots as always, so were there 2 B-2s in the flypast?
Thank you Kevin! Yes, there were 2 B-2s in the flyover, the first one was accompanied by 2 F-35s, the second one by 2 F-22s. Some of the crew who participated in "Midnight Hammer" were invited to a picnic at the Whitehouse in the afternoon. I hope we will get to see the B-21 in airshow circuit in 5 or 6 years!
KevinJacksonUK wrote:
The Warthog is my favourite aircraft to shoot and I'd be all over the remaining units whilst there's still time if I could. Had some great photo ops over the years and great memories of them based in England in the 80s.
Kevin might I inquire how you got these beauties?
Darn fine photography!
Dan
Douglas L wrote:
Really nice set of the A-10s, Kevin!
Dan, Before I headed over the Arlington yesterday, I watched a clip of Trump talking to reporter at Andrews, he did mention the flyover around 5:00PM. I learned yesterday afternoon the flyover would be coming from north to south over the Whitehouse. I kept debating whether I should move to the Arlington Memorial Bridge for the flyover and come back to the Netherlands Carrilon for the fireworks, at the end I decided to stay put at the Netherlands Carrilon vicinity. The flyover was pretty far away from there but the elevation and light were better. Had I gone to the bridge, I would have gotten closer view but shooting up. The flyovers shots are heavily cropped.
Dan, Before I headed over the Arlington yesterday, I watched a clip of Trump talking to reporter at Andrews, he did mention the flyover around 5:00PM. I learned yesterday afternoon the flyover would be coming from north to south over the Whitehouse. I kept debating whether I should move to the Arlington Memorial Bridge for the flyover and come back to the Netherlands Carrilon for the fireworks, at the end I decided to stay put at the Netherlands Carrilon vicinity. The flyover was pretty far away from there but the elevation and light were better. Had I gone to the bridge, I would have gotten closer view but shooting up. The flyovers shots are heavily cropped.
Enjoy the weekend!
Great shots as always Doug. I was looking forward to seeing some nice close up of that b2 but it looks like you were little farther from the action.
Dan I am OK. In the last two days we have accumulated less than 1" of rain. It appears to be a tropical system that came up from Mexico and is pulling in additional moisture from the Gulf of America to Central Texas and the Hill Country. While the outer bands are over us now, the heavier rains are south near San Antonio.
I have seen videos of the Guadalupe River flash flooding into Canyon Lake. It really happens quickly. You see the 1 to 2 foot wall, then the following waters rise quickly without warning.
We are praying for the families. That area is full of camping venues along the Guadalupe River. And in that area there is the North Fork Guadalupe and South Fork Guadalupe rivers before it flows into the Guadalupe. It will take a long time to determine who is missing from small camping areas and RV camps.
Ray Swindle wrote:
Great shots Douglas. The film I saw on TV and several YouTube videos were mostly backlit, and looking up from the bottom. Yours are great.
Thank you Ray! Most of the TV stations were probably shooting from the ground on the National Mall, they were a lot closer to the flight path but definitely were shooting up the bellies. The Netherlands Carrilon bordering the north side of the Arlington Cemetery is at higher elevation with better light direction. I am happy I stayed there instead of walking 2 miles with all the gear.
To have an idea how far I was from the flyover, here is an uncropped shot at 600mm.
I just caught up with the flood news in Texas, unimaginable how fast the river's water level rose. I can't wrap my head around this. My heart goes out to the families who lost their young ones.
Thank you Dan! I am happy with what I got even though heavy cropping was required. For me, this time around it was more about documenting the flyover on 4th of July soon after "Midmight Hammer" than getting nice and clear shots. It was really comfortable after the sunset. Some axxhole flew a drone above the crowds where I was, not sure if the police got him.
---------------------------------------------
Great shots as always Doug. I was looking forward to seeing some nice close up of that b2 but it looks like you were little farther from the action.
Thank you! Yes, it was far away even for 600mm. I thought about bringing the 400-800 lens but ended up taking the 300+2XTC for the flyover and the 100-400 for the fireworks.
Danpbphoto wrote:
Kevin might I inquire how you got these beauties?
Darn fine photography!
Dan
I started off by going to Hawgsmoke 2004 at the former England AFB in Alexandria, hosted by the 47th FS from Barksdale, the aerial shot shows all the participants parked up at the end of day one, I rented a Cessna 172 for that. I got to know both the PA and unit members and had an article published in Combat Aircraft magazine which led to more opportunities. Also a friend of mine was producing a book on the A-10 and my friend at the 47th, who had moved to Whiteman by then was a huge help with contacts. We spent a month in the US in Feb 2011 visiting as many A-10 units as possible for his book project and I helped out by setting up 4 tanker flights during the trip. Having a magazine or book project backing you is the key. Also having supportive friends in the squadrons who will vouch for you is gold.
It all started with Barksdale and the best Reserve Wing PA shop I've ever dealt with. Luckily they had a joint B-52 squadron so I got to fly in a BUFF as well in 2008!
KevinJacksonUK wrote:
I started off by going to Hawgsmoke 2004 at the former England AFB in Alexandria, hosted by the 47th FS from Barksdale, the aerial shot shows all the participants parked up at the end of day one, I rented a Cessna 172 for that. I got to know both the PA and unit members and had an article published in Combat Aircraft magazine which led to more opportunities. Also a friend of mine was producing a book on the A-10 and my friend at the 47th, who had moved to Whiteman by then was a huge help with contacts. We spent a month in the US in Feb 2011 visiting as many A-10 units as possible for his book project and I helped out by setting up 4 tanker flights during the trip. Having a magazine or book project backing you is the key. Also having supportive friends in the squadrons who will vouch for you is gold.
It all started with Barksdale and the best Reserve Wing PA shop I've ever dealt with. Luckily they had a joint B-52 squadron so I got to fly in a BUFF as well in 2008!
...Show more →
Thanks for the dialogue mate! Another pilot eh? That is great!! The AOPA Hq is here in Frederick. I am on the flight path for all air traffic into Dulles and BWI.
I was on the military flight path for all helo flights to "Site Six" and Cam David but since the tragedy over the Potomac last Winter, I see very little.
We did have a NOTAM Alert(PRES-DNI) for "FDR" for "Operation Midnight Hammer" as they flew overhead but other than "tower light outages" we don't see much!
Would love to read the book on the A10. Let me know when and where it is available please!
Douglas L wrote:
Thank you Ray! Most of the TV stations were probably shooting from the ground on the National Mall, they were a lot closer to the flight path but definitely were shooting up the bellies. The Netherlands Carrilon bordering the north side of the Arlington Cemetery is at higher elevation with better light direction. I am happy I stayed there instead of walking 2 miles with all the gear.
To have an idea how far I was from the flyover, here is an uncropped shot at 600mm.
I just caught up with the flood news in Texas, unimaginable how fast the river's water level rose. I can't wrap my head around this. My heart goes out to the families who lost their young ones. ...Show more →
Never underestimate your photography Douglas! It is top shelf under any circumstances!
You NEVER take a "bad" image IMHO!
Dan
Danpbphoto wrote:
Hard to relinquish memories mate! Your images, and those of all posters here on MA2A, allow us to immortalize these memories.
Thanks Kevin!
Anybody interested in the A-10, The History(Military History Channel) channel had a great documentary on the A10. Great true story of a "Bright Light mission" in Serbia.
Dan
Two things about A-10's. I used to work for Korean Air, we were in Busan, Korea, at a KE Maintenance Facility. They (KE) were working on A-10's at this facility and we got to see one, up close. That thing is nothing but a flying Gatlin gun. It was pretty amazing.
Second thing, I watched this special on the A-10 a few years ago on the History Channel. I know a former A-10 pilot, his name is Chad Hennings, and he used to also play football for The Dallas Cowboys, when they were good. I asked him one time, how the HECK did he fit in the A-10. He told me back then, during the First Gulf War, they Air Force modified two of them, so he could fly in them. He said they no longer do that. He is a BIG man.
JayDavis wrote:
Two things about A-10's. I used to work for Korean Air, we were in Busan, Korea, at a KE Maintenance Facility. They (KE) were working on A-10's at this facility and we got to see one, up close. That thing is nothing but a flying Gatlin gun. It was pretty amazing.
Second thing, I watched this special on the A-10 a few years ago on the History Channel. I know a former A-10 pilot, his name is Chad Hennings, and he used to also play football for The Dallas Cowboys, when they were good. I asked him one time, how the HECK did he fit in the A-10. He told me back then, during the First Gulf War, they Air Force modified two of them, so he could fly in them. He said they no longer do that. He is a BIG man.
The Vietnam era "Cobra" gunship was very similiar in "body space. The "weapons control officer" had to be inserted with a can opener! I sat in a few and I was very "lean and mean" back then but even I had trouble fitting in the seat. The pilot, (backseater) ,had a tad more room.
Sometimes the World appears a bit smaller with encounters like yours!
Thanks!
Dan
Photo by Bill Gass-
Sorry for the bad quality of this image..2 Corba gunships at a "hot LZ"
JWilsonphoto wrote:
Had some fun today, the RF200-800 was the perfect tool for the job............
Darn Jim I believe I saw these guys while at the Capital!
Dan
