RNAS Yeovilton revisited

[Hagar]

Now the air display season is sadly almost over I've been going through all the shots I took last month. September was a fantastic month for air shows. Here's some from the Yeovilton Air Day I don't think I've posted before. The weather was very unkind & many of the promised aircraft didn't turn up. Well done to the Navy & the display pilots for putting on a good show despite the conditions.

The Belgian Air Force F-16 did his best but it really clagged in & he had to cut his display short.


Conditions were too bad for the heavy metal for a while. Considering the strong gusty wind I thought this chap in his Fox Moth was a hero.


This was what I really came to see. Unfortunately I messed up the aerial shots. The Hawker Sea Fury is one of my all-time favourite aircraft.


One of the best shots I took all day. A tiny Rollason Turbulent from the Tiger Club display team.


The mighty Grumman Avenger painted as a FAA Tarpon. This one is French owned & left for home early. Can't say I blamed him but I was disappointed he didn't do a fly-by. I missed him when he arrived.



The Harriers saved the day for me. This is the Sea Harrier FA.2.  


The odd-looking Harrier T.8 trainer. First time I've seen one. I don't know what's in the stinger.


PS. By pure coincidence I sorted these out at the same time as Craig posted his shots of the same event.

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Very nice Doug...very nice

The Grumman Avenger always brings back memories.
I had two very good rides in one as a passenger prior to the aircraft being sold to be refitted as a water bomber.

Behind the pilot is armour plating, there is a small hole which you can barely push a cup of coffee through to the pilot from the rear.  The only way into the cockpit is through the pilots opened canopy.  She is one heavy bird.
This particular day several years after I had my rides one ran off the runway onto the grass and flipped over.
The front of the aircraft up to the cockpit was buried under the wet grass...no way to get  the pilot out...the little airport had a jeep with several 5lb fire extinguishers for fires...when she started to smoke and flamed around the engine, the extinguishers were used but were ineffective...there was no crane and very little help available...the pilot told everyone to leave, to get away from the aircraft, she blew, unbeknown one of the men on the fire extinguisher was a brother to the pilot, he did not find out till later.  
I was also present when another Grumman product, "A Tracker" crashed near RCAF Station Downsview in the 60s, everyone was lost even though I understood they were given the order to bail out.
Given a chance if I could get checked out in an Avenger would I fly it...your dam right I would.

Thanks for posting that Doug and sorry to get so danged winded

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

[Craig.]

thanks doug, i missed the Moth completely

[C]

The odd-looking Harrier T.8 trainer. First time I've seen one. I don't know what's in the stinger.

I believe it may just be for ballnce purposes bacase of the longer nose, as the puffer jets need to be further rear as they are further forward in the nose.

Nice to see the Sea Fury in the air again...

Charlie

[HawkerTempest5]

Great stuff Hagar. That Sea Fury is amazing. I've only ever seen that French Avenger once before at Flying Legends and I was begining to think it had gone for good.

[Hagar]

Thanks for the comments chaps. These photos are not my best efforts by a long chalk. I enjoyed the show but had a disastrous day with the camera. If I'd known then what I've since discovered by experimenting with the brightness settings I would probably have done better. (Tempest please note.) This photography lark is all a matter of experience & knowing your equipment, not to mention a little good luck.

Let's hope it's fine for Duxford next weekend. According to the latest list the Bucker Jungmann, Jungmeister & ...... wait for it ...... the  Sea Hawk will be there.

I believe it may just be for ballnce purposes bacase of the longer nose, as the puffer jets need to be further rear as they are further forward in the nose.

Thanks Charlie, that makes sense.

Great stuff Hagar. That Sea Fury is amazing. I've only ever seen that French Avenger once before at Flying Legends and I was begining to think it had gone for good.

This was the first public appearance of the Sea Fury & Sea Hawk for several years. Both flew for the first time only 2 weeks before this display. It was the first time I'd seen that Avenger.

[C]

[quote]
Let's hope it's fine for Duxford next weekend. According to the latest list the Bucker Jungmann, Jungmeister & ...... wait for it ...... the

[HawkerTempest5]

[quote] If I'd known then what I've since discovered by experimenting with the brightness settings I would probably have done better. (Tempest please note.) This photography lark is all a matter of experience & knowing your equipment, not to mention a little good luck.

Let's hope it's fine for Duxford next weekend. According to the latest list the Bucker Jungmann, Jungmeister & ...... wait for it ...... the

[Hagar]

Mmm, Duxford I forgot about - maybe I might pop up there with my new digital camera thingy...

Charlie

The more the merrier. One of us might get a few decent photos. LOL

Duly noted Hagar old chap. I had a bit of trouble with light levels on some of the shots I took in France and playing with settings produced some good and some bad shots. Hope I get it right next weekend, weather permitting.

This is a tad basic & applies to the S5000. I've found the Auto setting is fine for perfect conditions. You need at least a little bit of sunlight on the subject. In dull weather I set the switch on P & add a couple of notches of Brightness. Not too much as if it's too bright you can't do anything about it. If it's too dull you can at least enhance the image afterwards. You don't need an expensive graphics editor. I use IrfanView for post-processing my shots where necessary. It's quick & convenient. I used it to brighten up a couple of the shots in this thread.

I so hope the Sea Hawk turns up. No Sea Fury though?

It's not listed but that doesn't mean much. Check it out for yourself.
http://duxford.iwm.org.uk/upload/pdf/20040930AutAircraft.pdf
The show is based on the Hurricane & Spitfire so that should keep Ozzy happy. Although I've seen plenty this season I haven't got one decent aerial shot of a Spitfire so far.

PS. Although conditions were perfect on my last visit to Duxford I had another disappointing day. This was partly due to me not being familiar with the place. I hope to do better next time but I'm none too confident. The display line is a long way from the crowd & the sun tends to be in the wrong place for the best angles. I got my best results so far at Old Warden which is perfect for this type of photography.

[Ben_M_K]

Ooo, I love #2! Cant get enogh of vintage planes.

[Hagar]

A man after my own heart. You will go far young padawan.

[ozzy72]

Doug I can't believe what an amazing season you've had with the airshows and photography. You must have been keeping the horseshoe in your camera bag every time you left the house

Mark