Southend Air Show - the jets

[Hagar]

Weather's been rotten for the start of the air show season so far. I decided to venture to foreign parts - Southend-on-Sea -  for the free sea front air show yesterday. Never been to "Sarfend" before & didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. The weather wasn't bad at all (it didn't rain) & it was a very enjoyable day out.

Here's a selection of the jets. First the RAF Tornado.



This is about the best shot I got of the solo Hawk in its new display scheme.


The Typhoon struts its stuff. Very noisy.



No Red Arrows this year for some reason. I was a tad disappointed the Canberra & Hunter didn't show up but this made up for it. Probably my best photos of the whole day.

[F3Hadlow]

Very good

I'm glad to see the RAF actually using a F2 for the display instead of the T1. That's the first time this year despite saying all displays would be done in it. Just a shame they couldn't use a 3 Squadron machine

That Sea Vixen is an awesome beast, shame she hardly ever goes anywhere, I haven't seen her in 3 years!
I assume the Canberra you were expecting was WK163 from Air Atlantique?

[expat]

Super pictures. What camera and lens are you using?

Matt

[Hagar]

Very good

Thanks. I can't hope to compete with you.

That Sea Vixen is an awesome beast, shame she hardly ever goes anywhere, I haven't seen her in 3 years!
I assume the Canberra you were expecting was WK163 from Air Atlantique?

The Sea Vixen is based at Bournemouth. I get to see it at several local shows. From the photo on the programme I assume it was the Air Antique Canberra. Haven't seen that yet.

Super pictures. What camera and lens are you using?

Matt

Thanks Matt. It's a Canon 350D. I'm still getting used to it & have no idea what I'm doing. This the first time I've used my new Sigma 300 mm lens in anger.

[Tweek]

Great that you caught the Sea Vixen. Beautiful aircraft (in proper colours anyway!)

Thanks Matt. It's a Canon 350D. I'm still getting used to it & have no idea what I'm doing. This the first time I've used my new Sigma 300 mm lens in anger.

Decent setup there! Might I ask what shutter speed you were using for the jets? I fear that you might have been used to shooting GA props so much that you will have forgot to change the shutter speed! I'm not sure whether it's the problem, but it could account for those shots which are slightly blurred.

[Hagar]

Great that you caught the Sea Vixen. Beautiful aircraft (in proper colours anyway!)


Decent setup there! Might I ask what shutter speed you were using for the jets? I fear that you might have been used to shooting GA props so much that you will have forgot to change the shutter speed! I'm not sure whether it's the problem, but it could account for those shots which are slightly blurred.

Thanks Tweek. You're quite right about the settings. This is the first opportunity I've had with the faster stuff & I'm still experimenting. I remebered to change the shutter speed but to be honest I'm not sure which settings to use for this sort of thing. Fortunately I seem to have got it about right with that Sea Vixen. His display routine helps a lot. The other aircraft are much further away so I had to crop them.

[Tweek]

Thanks Tweek. You're quite right about the settings. This is the first opportunity I've had with the faster stuff & I'm still experimenting. I remebered to change the shutter speed but to be honest I'm not sure which settings to use for this sort of thing.

Not entirely sure on the best settings myself (as I don't know what that camera goes up to, shutter speed wise), but I'd say don't go any less that 1/640th if you're practicing, or not used to it. I myself have only photographed fast jets once, and I think the ones where I used 1/400th or 1/500th, they turned out a little blurred, due to the nature of their displays.

We'll get the hang of it though!

[Souichiro]

Love the Sea Vixen! seen her twice now these past two years. Lovely shots in both sets Doug!

[C]

Very good

I'm glad to see the RAF actually using a F2 for the display instead of the T1. That's the first time this year despite saying all displays would be done in it. Just a shame they couldn't use a 3 Squadron machine

And they never will, unless 3(F) suddenly becomes to OCU! Nice when they get an F2 in a display scheme a la 56 did with the F3 over the years...

Great that you caught the Sea Vixen. Beautiful aircraft (in proper colours anyway!)

Better flying in Red Bull colours than rusting in a museum in RN colours...

[flyboy 28]

Very nice Doug. Odd to see no 'oldies' here. I guess the Vixen is old, but not a Bleriot.

[ozzy72]

Those Vixen shots are wonderful! I wonder which member of my clan was flying the Hawk?

[C]

Those Vixen shots are wonderful! I wonder which member of my clan was flying the Hawk?

http://www.hawkdisplay.org/

Nice to see Simviation mentioned on the site too...

[beaky]

Holy cow, great shots of the Sea Vixen (which I happen to be crazy about)!
 Not bad for your first time wielding that bigger lens... obviously I have to upgrade now to hang around here...

[Hai Perso Coyone?]

Absolutely beautiful shots Doug

[Craig.]

Brilliant, just brilliant:)