Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), Fairford

[James G]

It's 12 years since I last went to an airshow.
I was 'lucky' enough to get a ticket for the last of the three days.
Here are a few images quick selections. ( I reckon I've got about 6 months of processing ahead of me Happy Days!)

#1 Red Arrows


#2 P51-D Mustang "Miss Helen" with Lockheed F35A Lightning II


#3 Hurricane


#4 Battle Of Britain Flight, Spitfire & Hurricane


#5 Spitfire


#6 Red Arrows again


#7 Airbus A400M


#8 And 'Miss Helen' again


C&C welcome

[ccphoto]

I like the shots. I've always been fond of the Hurricanes and Spitfires and built a many a model of them as a lad. You're spot on in your exposure and detail with one exception, and this may not be the norm across the Atlantic but over here, we like to see the same detail with blurred props. It takes a bit to get the right pan down on exposures of 1/80 or lower but it can be done and for me, adds a bit more realism to the shot.

Did they perchance have the really big Remote Controlled helicopter at that show? Now, that's something to watch if you ever get the chance.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[James G]

It takes a bit to get the right pan down on exposures of 1/80 or lower but it can be done and for me, adds a bit more realism to the shot.

Chris, my bad I'm afraid. I wasn't thing of the props at all, I'd been having fun trying to get it right with the jets which were woving somewhat faster and keeping them in frame was interesting. Last time I tried an airshow I was still using film!

As regards the helicopter no, but they did have a Northrop Grumman X47-B Navy UCAS Drone on static display...

[ccphoto]

It's one of those things that you don't think of unless you've been chided, as I did to you...for not blurring. In fact, the first time I shot a show and I was a film guy before, I took great pains to freeze every prop I could. Ooops, but for practice, I panned seagulls for days on end until I had the timing down just right. It just takes practice, and like I noted, everything else is very nicely done.

At some point in time, I'd like to see the Red Arrows. I hear they are quite good.

Cheers

[rpcrowe]

Very nice series. Although I tend to try for prop blur (at or below 1/100 second), I really don't mind props that are not blurred.

[Ziggy]

Nice series James, enjoyed viewing.

[IzzieK]

Good series, James...next time try 1/250 for prop blur. When I was learning how to pan, I go to our airport and ask Bill to take out one of our (his) little airplanes. He enjoys flying and I enjoyed photography so that was when we merged our hobbies. Big mistake!

Anyway, as I have mentioned before, I've only seen the performance of the Red Arrows once. They are good. My best favourite here is your #2 shot. I like a mixture of the antique and the new. Nevermind the prop blur here -- the comparison is sharp enough and in the air too. They always have these kinds in any airshow, whether here or overseas. Good job on all of them actually. Exposures are excellent.

Tip: next time you intend to go to an airshow -- there are two kinds of airplanes, jets and propeller. Set your camera's SS to 1/250 maybe a tad higher for stunt shots. 1/6000 is an overkill. Lens appropriate for handholding is up to 300mm only. Anything larger you'd need a tripod and no freedom to pan much hence you'd missed most of the action shots. Just from experience...

[James G]

Thanks Izzie,
I'm probably a bit biased about the Red Arrows, (they are our National Display Team), They were the only display team flying Jet trainers, the others were all Turbo Prop. The Serbian display team flew the tightest close formations I have ever seen!

As regards the prop blur, I forgot all about it. The day started very dull, with rain and a cloud base under 1000 ft so the early displays had to be cancelled. It brightened steadily over the day but there was always a ridge of really dark cloud streaming through to the right of the display field, resulting in a large brightness change across the sky from right to left.
Panning through was interesting! I almost took my brother-in-law's head off at one point... he moved away after that.

Still, it was a good day, and a totally different type of photography from my norm. It's quite good fun getting out of my comfort zone.

[DigitalScape]

Nice series, James. Keep them coming.

[Wavelength]

very nice set of images

[bedantabd]

No.6: WOW...........

[IzzieK]

Thanks Izzie,
I'm probably a bit biased about the Red Arrows, (they are our National Display Team), They were the only display team flying Jet trainers, the others were all Turbo Prop. The Serbian display team flew the tightest close formations I have ever seen!

When it is a cloudy day, they have a different show that they can do under the cloud, not behind it. It is their backup performance. Always. But the big ol' birds cannot tackle that. I think though I am guessing, that maybe your equivalent of our Blue Angel's Fat Albert is the one in #7. I am not sure...I'll have to show Bill your post yet...he's more knowledgeable in airplanes as most of here knows...what do I know of airplanes, completely nothing...almost.

As regards the prop blur, I forgot all about it. The day started very dull, with rain and a cloud base under 1000 ft so the early displays had to be cancelled. It brightened steadily over the day but there was always a ridge of really dark cloud streaming through to the right of the display field, resulting in a large brightness change across the sky from right to left.
Panning through was interesting! I almost took my brother-in-law's head off at one point... he moved away after that.

This was the kind of weather that got me sick with bronchitis last May when the Canadian's Snow Birds and the our own Blue Angels has a show near our airport. Bill got sunburned just sleeping ... his days of racing small planes is now completely over I think...I hope...I wish. Maybe because he is not the star of the show anymore and no one remembers him now but the oldies like him who used to race too.

Still, it was a good day, and a totally different type of photography from my norm. It's quite good fun getting out of my comfort zone.

Yes...this airshow bug will get you...it did me for a good while. Now I am getting sick of it. It was the fun, the atmosphere, the side shows before the main enchilada.

Take care. I really enjoyed your shots here...different but in a good way. I was once guilty of freezing my props...

[James G]

maybe your equivalent of our Blue Angel's Fat Albert is the one in #7

This is the new Airbus being introduced into service here. It can carry 20 tons and was rather agile

I've processed a good few more, rather too many to post directly, but they can be seen via the link below. (Takes you to my Onedrive)

https://1drv.ms/f/s!AiuW3Dam93Qeg_F9IVrzuPWVmi5PEQ

[IzzieK]

Er....your Overdrive did not turn out any images...

[bnnrcn]

I don't know how I missed this thread A great and enjoyable set James

[James G]

Er....your Overdrive did not turn out any images...

Hi Izzie, Not sure why you can't see them. I got a couple of friends to go in as 'guests' and see if they could use the link. No probs !

It is possible your laptop/computer? doesn't allow direct linking.
Alternatives are to try .....
a) Hold down the Cntrl key when you click on the link

b) if the above doe not work, open your Internet Browser and then copy the link and paste it into the command line of the browser.

.....

Ah, my good neighbour Margaret has pointed out that my signature link was broken.... it should now be fixed!

[James G]

I don't know how I missed this thread A great and enjoyable set James

Ah, but you didn't...
I'm pleased you enjoyed the images. I'll be adding more over the next few days which will be available via the same link!