Douglas, I love the A10 shots! About 17 years ago, I worked on the new maintenance facility at Blair Lakes Bombing Range near Eielson AFB out of Fairbanks Alaska. The A10’s would come in on straffing runs. It was impressive. The controller said it took most of the kids 6 months to get consistant. The poles holding up the target were always needing replacement.
MBrewington wrote:
Douglas, I love the A10 shots! About 17 years ago, I worked on the new maintenance facility at Blair Lakes Bombing Range near Eielson AFB out of Fairbanks Alaska. The A10’s would come in on straffing runs. It was impressive. The controller said it took most of the kids 6 months to get consistant. The poles holding up the target were always needing replacement.
Thank you! Here are two more A-10 shots for you. The Maryland National Guard sent out four A-10s to show off for their home state folks. I don't think I had seen four in a show.
Douglas L wrote:
Thank you! Here are two more A-10 shots for you. The Maryland National Guard sent out four A-10s to show off for their home state folks. I don't think I had seen four in a show.
Beautiful images Douglas!!! The Maryland NG used to have an A10 detachment near Dundalk, Martin Marietta Airport, outside of Balto City.
They are an awesome piece of aircraft!
Fine images!!!
Dan
JWilsonphoto wrote:
Wonderful as usual Douglas! Glad the weather cooperated!
Thank you Jim! The weather got much better this afternoon and the TB put up a fantastic show with 6 jets, they have some new maneuvers this year and the formation seemed as tight as the Blue Angels' now. The narrator said the closest wing tip to wing tip distance is 18", never heard the TB made that claim before. I shot 5843 pictures today and will probably keep 20. I should have gone easy with the shutter at 30 FPS in silent mode, I just didn't realize how many shots this thing banged out in a few seconds. This brings spay and pray to a new meaning. Will post some pictures in a day or two when I get around to delete 99.9% and process the rest.
Douglas L wrote:
The narrator said the closest wing tip to wing tip distance is 18", never heard the TB made that claim before.
I flew in the back seat of an F-4 when we were evacuating our fleet to north Texas ahead of hurricane Alicia (1983). When we reached Sheppard AFB there were clouds. I was in the lead F-4 in a two ship formation. All the way north from Houston to Wichita Falls the wing flew probably 100' separation on our right. When we got clearance to drop through the clouds, I heard my pilot tell the wing to tighten up. I was amazed when the wing flew his nose (radome) within 10-12 feet of our right wingtip. My eyes were glued to the wing the entire way down. After we broke through the clouds the wing fell back in a trail formation. It was impressive watching the wing fly that close with both aircraft bobbing up and down in the clouds. Great flying skills for sure!
RustyBug wrote:
IIUC ... TB's go 36" vs. BA at 18"
I was surprised to hear the TB narrator say the closest wingtip to wingtip distance was 18". I know the BA does that but had never heard the TB make that claim. The formation I saw yesterday did seem tighter. I will post some pictures tonight or tomorrow when I get around to edit them. IMHO, the F-15 is a more photogenic jet than the F-16, it would be more visually striking and menacing (in a good way) for us photographers.
I found this 18" wingtip to wingtip info from the FAA's "Thunderbirds Maneuvers Package-2":
Col. John D. Caldwell
Commander/Leader
Col. John D. Caldwell is the Commander and Leader for the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. He is responsible for a 130-person squadron that plans and presents precision aerial maneuvers to exhibit the capabilities of the F-16 and the high degree of professional skill required to operate those aircraft. As Thunderbird 1, Caldwell leads the Thunderbirds signature flying formations with as many as seven other pilots flying at speeds topping 500 miles per hour and with wing tips less than 18 inches apart from each other.
AND this is from the TB's own website about the new maneuvers this year:
“The best action is going to be right there on the show line,” he said. “The crowd will feel the thunder in their chest by hearing the jets roar, seeing the speed, seeing the motion, and seeing the precision of our team while flying 18 inches apart and project the power, pride, and professionalism of the U.S. Air Force to the American public.”
I'm having a little trouble with this 70-200 for sale. Any advice on why it isn't getting sold and what I should change? Just reduced the price (from $1390 to $1340) today, and added new/better images to show its condition, plus noted that the lens foot is RRS and included. But normally I sell things quite quickly and this one has been on B&S for weeks.
Maybe I didn't research my pricing carefully enough, and it's just unreasonably expensive? Or can anyone spot a mistake on my part that's making people shy away from it? Any suggestions or advice welcome...
Ray Swindle wrote:
I flew in the back seat of an F-4 when we were evacuating our fleet to north Texas ahead of hurricane Alicia (1983). When we reached Sheppard AFB there were clouds. I was in the lead F-4 in a two ship formation. All the way north from Houston to Wichita Falls the wing flew probably 100' separation on our right. When we got clearance to drop through the clouds, I heard my pilot tell the wing to tighten up. I was amazed when the wing flew his nose (radome) within 10-12 feet of our right wingtip. My eyes were glued to the wing the entire way down. After we broke through the clouds the wing fell back in a trail formation. It was impressive watching the wing fly that close with both aircraft bobbing up and down in the clouds. Great flying skills for sure!...Show more →
Must have been a great experience for you Ray!
Some shots from yesterday's show in Ocean City, Maryland. The next time I will see them will be in Aug. in Atlantic City. Thanks for looking!
I particularly love the last one and the seventh (first non-Thunderbirds image) looking at the F-22 from the rear through jelly air.
Thank you Rodolfo! With regard to your question about the price on the Nikon 70-200, I am no expert, particularly on the Nikon gear prices since I have not shot Nikon for several years. A quick search showed the last several transactions were all below $1000, perhaps not in as nice condition as yours. With people moving to the Z system, the F mount lenses are losing value steadily, I think. The RRS lens foot is nice but I would think most buyers don't place much value on such items, especially if they are OK with the OEM foot.
I know, photography is money losing hobby, but it keeps me happy. Good luck with your sales!
I'm having a little trouble with this 70-200 for sale. Any advice on why it isn't getting sold and what I should change? Just reduced the price (from $1390 to $1340) today, and added new/better images to show its condition, plus noted that the lens foot is RRS and included. But normally I sell things quite quickly and this one has been on B&S for weeks.
Maybe I didn't research my pricing carefully enough, and it's just unreasonably expensive? Or can anyone spot a mistake on my part that's making people shy away from it? Any suggestions or advice welcome... ...Show more →
I just took a look at KEH to see what they have on offer. Excellent + grade with case, caps and hood are on offer for $1,159.50. I presume that's with the stock foot. I personally have RRS on all my lenses but not everyone would care. So you may be asking a bit over market value.
. The Maryland National Guard sent out four A-10s to show off for their home state folks. I don't think I had seen four in a show.
