Temora Aviation Museum - Sabre 1st flight

[biggerry]

Its been awhile since i have had to get up at 5am on a saturday morning We flew down to Temora for the day to see the first public display flight of the newly restored Sabre warbird.

I have never seen so many long lens in one place - i felt alittle inadequate Nontheless the morning did produce some nice displays and decent light on the aircraft, the sky came to the party also with some glimpses of blue sky. Unfortunately, as expected the Sabre was at the end of the day with the hornet, the time of day when the light was very nasty, basically I had to shoot into the sun for most shots, additionaly we were busting to be first in line to fly outta there so we cut the camera action short...

however here are a few picks from the day - I can really recommend Temora Aviation Museum, awesome place and so very very organised and professional. This would be the place to have a serious minimeet

I have slipped in 5 images here, they are all typically less than 100kb so hopefully this does not inconvience anyone too much!







thoughts, comments - anyone else there? any suggestions for shooting planes with the sun on the opposite side?

[aim54x]

Some great work there Gerry, that Meteor is magic! I also like the B&W trainer. I am guessing these have come out of the 100-300.

Great stuff I am sure you are pretty happy with these. BTW 5 images was worth it

[gstark]

I have never seen so many long lens in one place - i felt alittle inadequate

But you're tall, so you're closer to the planes while they're flying. That should certainly compensate.

The second of these is great: a different angle, sharp image, with the motion blur in the propeller, good B&W conversion, difficult exposure well managed.

[Big V]

When outside at an event you can only ever work with what you conditions you have, In this case you have done very well in exposing for difficult conditions. These photos capture the essence of what they are doing here. Great series.

[CraigVTR]

Gerry Great shots, I agree with Gary about #2 it is very good. I heard an interview on the abc radio around 5.00am yesterday regarding this event and the history of the Sabre, thanks for putting some images up as it has allowed me to see what was being spoken about. Like every redblooded male I like planes but unfortunately know little about them.

[marcotrov]

A well taken set of images, regardless of the length of....um your lens
I too like the feel of the B&W image.
cheers
marco

[surenj]

Gerry,

Love the second! as already commented, the whole image really comes together.

Were you using manual focus for these???

[Greg B]

These are great shots Gerry, congratulations. I concur about the second shot.
the B&W conversion is excellent.

[glamy]

Gerry,
Your pictures are more than "adequate". I like them all

[Wink]

All very nice shots.
The B&W photo is my favourite.

[chrisk]

yeah #2 is a fantastic shot. love the nostaglic look of it.

[BBJ]

Gerry, I love #2 the B&W suits the shot of the Harvard and well nothing like the sounds of them radials, but all great shots and done well like Big V said sometimes conditions are not always in our favor so have to make the best of it and you have acheived this well.

Well done.
Cheers
BBJ

[colin_12]

I would have to agree with the everyone else so far Gerry.


I would be interested in being flown down for a mini meet when you are next going.

[aim54x]

I would be interested in being flown down for a mini meet when you are next going.

+1!!

[biggerry]

I am guessing these have come out of the 100-300

yep, it did not even come off at all during teh displays!

But you're tall, so you're closer to the planes while they're flying. That should certainly compensate.

at the very least i can see over the crowds, but boy, do i get some dirty looks when standing on the fence
It was very interesting to to see the scope of cameras and gear that people were using, varying from point and shoots thru to things longer than my golf driver club

When outside at an event you can only ever work with what you conditions you have

very, very true, I should be thankfully it was not raining, but gee, did they not think of the photogs when building this airport

Were you using manual focus for these???

manual all the way, tyically f5.6 or f8 at 1/750 or 1/1000 and iso from 100-400. That said, f8 is fairly forgiving from a focus point. I have had quite a bit of practice in the backyard on the flying buses that lumber out of mascot.

Like every redblooded male I like planes but unfortunately know little about them.

the only two things ya need to know are power and weight very much like bikes! lots of one and as little as possible on the other.

and well nothing like the sounds of them radials,

tell me about, these are like music to your ears, that and spitfire were enough to have half the blokes there in an absolute mess.

Thanks all for the comments and taking the time to have a look/comment, I am surprised about the BW image, whilst the conversion was quite nice i felt it was not 'composition wise' that special, nonetheless i think i will pay a bit more attention to it and some of the other ground shots of these two bad boys.

[biggerry]

being flown down for a mini meet when you are next going.

sweet, no problems, i'll take the jet next time so we can fit ya in


seriously though, I will go up there again in the not too distant future and if a few people are keen to fly up and share the costs then we could make it happen. Whilst its not cheaper than driving, its certianly a damn sight quicker, even in the Cessna 172 (1959 model) that we 'putted' along in.

[aim54x]

That would be something that I would be interested it. Let me know next time!

[gstark]

That would be something that I would be interested it. Let me know next time!

But a 5am start on a Saturday? Oh dear!

and well nothing like the sounds of them radials,

John, is there any truth in the rumour that you'll be fitting one to your bike?

Or to your truck?

Gerry,

I'd imagine the 172 would be fairly inexpensive, but only holds 3 pax; out of curiosity, what would the cost of the hire of the jet be? Do you have a license for that sort of craft?

[biggerry]

I'd imagine the 172 would be fairly inexpensive, but only holds 3 pax

realistically, two male pax + pilot, this with full fuel and a bit of luggage makes the runway look awfully short, however this is free for me. The only issue is trying to make sure its serviceable for day when you need it

If you did it seriously you would take a piper Seminole or similar which you could get a few more people in and cruise a good 30% faster, these are typically 300-400 per hr.

out of curiosity, what would the cost of the hire of the jet be

as the saying goes, if you need to ask then its too much! The hawker 400A (pictured) is classified as a small to mid sized bizjet and i would expect anywhere from USD4K to 6k per hour, and that don't include landings

Do you have a license for that sort of craft?

I would not be shooting with a $50 secondhand 100-300mm manual lens if I could be a bus driver in one of those I am but a lowly student and have been for sometime.

[!~DeViNe~DaRkNeSs~!]

Sweet pix!
Flying into an airshow is the best thing......driving sucks!

[Matt. K]

Nice work Gerry. I love looking at aircraft images.

[Alpha_7]

Awesome photos. I haven't been to an airshow since I was a kid. But used to love it (back when I lived in Nowra and it was just down the road). My favourite how of a top bunch is the 2nd, as its just an unusual but very interesting composition, angle etc. Presenting something familar, in an unfamilar way. Well spotted.

[colin_12]

What would our flight time return to Temora likely be Gerry?

[biggerry]

What would our flight time return to Temora likely be Gerry?

this is the gps plot from saturday, basically 2hr 50 on the trip out and 1hr 50mins back. there was a nice breeze on the way back there is typically a good 20 mins on the first flight doing run-ups and checks. This was in the very slow 172.
the 172 has a top airspeed of about 90-95 knots (100 knots when going downhill ) a decent twin should get that up to the 130 knots which makes for better times!

and if your talking about the Hawker 400a... you will spend more time on the ground then in the air


GPS plot
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=345742

[chasem]

Love the last shot. it show the difference in design and technology