Aircraft.

Here I will be presenting various aircraft pictures that I have taken over time. They are not published in any particular order, so please do scroll through. I hope you enjoy.

I have added notes to most of the pictures, detailing any interesting facts etc. about the aircraft portrayed. Where appropriate, I have also included any additional photographic information, regarding the taking and post processing of the image, that is not already stated on the Home Page.

Here we have the BAe Harrier GR9, on Static display at Waddington International Airshow 2009.

The image is a composite of three different shots. Two of the Aircraft, stitched together and a new background. This was needed due to the close proximity of other displays.

BAe Harrier GR9

The Boeing ED3 AWAC, or 'Sentry' as they are known in the RAF are currently based at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire. Waddington is just south of Lincoln and is the place where I live.

This is a "straight" image, taken from the nearby A607 road. The Sentry was just taking off. Thankfully the sun was shining, which was a pleasant bonus, allowing separation of the aircraft from the rather hazy sky.

Boeing ED3 Sentry.

In complete contrast to the Sentry, below is pictured Fairey Swordfish W5856. As far as I am aware it is the oldest surviving example left anywhere in the world. It was built in 1941 by the Blackburn Aircraft Company.

This picture was taken at Waddington International Airshow some years back. It was caught on Fujichrome film stock and scanned into Photoshop where the Brightness and contrast levels were adjusted.

Fairey Swordfish W5856

Aah, something slightly faster and some would say better looking than the Swordfish.

Concorde. What can one say about this beautiful Aircraft? I don't think there has ever been a time when the human race took a step backwards in their evolution, as they surely did when these supersonic airliners were grounded for ever.

This particular lady was photographed at Humberside Airshow some years back. She was booked to land for refuelling only, but did a couple of 'bump and runs' for the spectators.

The image has been improved by the removal of an aerial mast that was in the centre of the picture. Captured on Fujichrome Velvia and scanned into Photoshop.

Concorde

The Red Arrows. I suppose I could fill a page or two with pictures of this amazing Aerobatic team. Maybe I will at some point. But for now here is a photograph taken at Waddington International Airshow 2009. They are in their 'Signature' pattern; Diamond Nine. From this initial shape in the sky, others are formed with names such as 'Apollo', 'Concorde', 'Wine Glass' and more. Each display season the library of shapes changes, with new ones added and others removed. There are two styles of display, the 'normal' one, where the weather is set fair and a 'flat' display for when cloud cover would prevent spectators seeing any high manoevers.

Red Arrows, Diamond Nine.

Another shot from the same Air Show. This one is the Finale to their dispaly, where the Red Arrows climb up into a loop before diving down into 'Vixen Break' over the crowd line. Luckily for me, I chose the right spot to view from, (for once!).

Red Arrows, Vixen Break.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) are a sure fire winner at any Airshow. The sound of the Merlin engines as the Aircraft perform majestically for the crowds. It is now hard to believe that these types were built as killing machines. Many also lost their lives whilst flying in them. So I think it is a fitting tribute to all the pilots and crew members of these magnificent works of art, for I think that is what they are.

The picture shows Avro Lancaster PA474, Supermarine Spitfire MK356 and Hawker Hurricane LF363 during a flypast at Waddington International Airshow 2009.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

For the 2009 display season the Lancaster was painted on the port side to represent Aircraft EE139 'Phantom of the Rhur'. This aircraft completed 121 sorties during WW2, the first being on 11th June, 1943 and the last was on the 21st November, 1944. That is approximately 1 sortie every 4 days.

Avro Lancaster. PA474