Seen in the pattern yesterday.
cool shots <thumbsup>
yes, yes, cool shots. <thumbup> <thumbup> <tcat>
Interesting visitor on Wed
I believe that aircraft is a VMGR-352 C-130J Hercules from MCAS Miramar. It was parked in front off the squadron's hanger at this past monday when I was onboard MCAS Miramar.
A few minutes ago, shot from my front porch...
Quote from: akradecki on June 01, 2009, 02:25:22 PM
A few minutes ago, shot from my front porch...
Hah! I love it, that's practically real time stuff!
Man, I wish I lived out that way :D
Forgot to post this one, from about a week ago, in the PMD pattern, a BBJ...
It's been pretty quiet. Here are two from late this afternoon. :D
Cool shots, Jim. I like that C-130 shot.. <thumbup>
Thanks! As it worked out, I only had a chance to shoot the final pass of each, so I got lucky. :D
Quote from: Fernando Sedeno on June 12, 2009, 01:47:08 PM
Cool shots, Jim. I like that C-130 shot.. <thumbup>
Dito, that one is sweet ;)
Thanks!
It was a pretty good day today. Only thing I missed was a U-2 (saw it in my rear view mirror about 2 miles away :-\
RSAF F-15, still looks pretty cool with the feathers.
Not to mention the sniper pod. This is the very first of its kind. Rolled out Nov 3 last year. :)
Even cooler with the SN 05-0001.
(sorry Jim!) LOL >:D
Great catch, Brian! ;)
Those are some cool pics....but can i ask what kind of plane this is and what its used for?
That's the Airborne Laser 747 from Edwards. I caught it back in April doing a single touch n go at Plant 42.
There was another guy there at BJ's Corner who had a contact at the base, and every now and then he'd call over and check on where the aircraft was - it was allegedly going to do a tng at Victorville and then come to Palmdale, and then return to Edwards. We waited and waited, and his contact kept telling us it would appear later, and later. Finally the last time we heard from the contact, we decided that since we were apparently going to have more time to wait, we should head over to the east side of P42 for a better angle. The guy with the base contact took off - I started to as well, but then that Singapore F-15 showed up, so I stuck around to watch that, and then I began to head off to the eastside, but before I could make the southbound turn onto Sierra Hwy, you could see the ABL on final way off in the distance, so I had to stop where I was and jog a little bit south down sierra hwy to get a decent angle for pics. I hope the other guy managed to get to the other side in time, but I have a feeling he missed the aircraft entirely. I'm sure he was REALLY frustrated, because, like me, he'd never seen it before.
oh ok..thank you for the info i was wondering what type of aircraft it was
Speaking of BJ's corner, I pulled in there late Monday afternoon to kill some time while waiting to go to an appointment, and was a little surprised to see an LA County Sherriff's SUV parked there. I was afraid he was there to chase folks away, but I was there for about 15 minutes, and he never got out of his vehicle. Guess he just needed to kill time too and was looking for planes...
Quote from: akradecki on June 24, 2009, 09:12:11 AM
Speaking of BJ's corner, I pulled in there late Monday afternoon to kill some time while waiting to go to an appointment, and was a little surprised to see an LA County Sherriff's SUV parked there. I was afraid he was there to chase folks away, but I was there for about 15 minutes, and he never got out of his vehicle. Guess he just needed to kill time too and was looking for planes...
Probably a Sgt or higher. I had one of them (SUV) pull up on me in the Chevelle and said it was nice but to cool it on cleain the carb. We wer going about 45-55 in a 35 zone. I thought he was a SUV tailgate me. ;D
Most of the deputies who I've come across at BJs are pretty cool. Some will come up and ask what's flying, etc etc. Last guy I spoke to was asking about who was maintaining the flag. I told him I thought BJ still had a brother in the area who replaces it when it gets ratty, though every now and then there's a Navy Vet who comes by in an RV and does it as well.
The cop you want to watch out for is this one particular motorcycle deputy, who patrols the area, and is VERY aggressive about pulling people over near the corner. I see him pull so many people over I'd swear he's working on that stereotypical 'quota'.
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on June 24, 2009, 12:31:00 PM
Most of the deputies who I've come across at BJs are pretty cool. Some will come up and ask what's flying, etc etc. Last guy I spoke to was asking about who was maintaining the flag. I told him I thought BJ still had a brother in the area who replaces it when it gets ratty, though every now and then there's a Navy Vet who comes by in an RV and does it as well.
The cop you want to watch out for is this one particular motorcycle deputy, who patrols the area, and is VERY aggressive about pulling people over near the corner. I see him pull so many people over I'd swear he's working on that stereotypical 'quota'.
Good to know if any of us go up there to spot....
For those who don't know BJ's Corner and Palmdale, its at Sierra Hwy & W. Avenue N. at the end of Rwy 25.
.......And the other spot (eastside) is just west of the intersection of 50th Street East and Avenue N.
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on June 24, 2009, 02:52:57 PM
.......And the other spot (eastside) is just west of the intersection of 50th Street East and Avenue N.
Aka "The Notch". Tip: park on the side of the opposite side of the street from the fence, and you won't be as likely to be yelled at by Plant 42 security.
Currently in the pattern, shot from my front porch, are a pair of 130Js.
Quote from: akradecki on June 24, 2009, 03:15:05 PM
Currently in the pattern, shot from my front porch, are a pair of 130Js.
I need to move to Lancaster :P, great shots ;)
Though technically east of Plant 42, close enough for government work... ;)
Another Channel Islands ANG 130J in the PMD pattern, this time shot from 50th east.
Nice ones Alan!!
SCA 911 was in the pattern for quite a while this morning. Shot first from 50th East, then over to the notch where I ran into Jim (hope I don't duplicate your posts, Jim!) with his really long lens. The first few patterns were T&Gs, but they did a full stop, presumably to switch seats, so I was able to dash over to BJ's for the last few passes. Since we're coming up on the 4th, I thought one including the flag at BJ's to be appropriate.
Mixing it up in the pattern with the 747 were a C-12, an F-15 in a knife-edge after high-key, and a CH-46 (which some Marine grunt really needs to get out and clean the belly).
Nice catches Alan!
Quote from: phantomphan1974 on June 30, 2009, 01:31:37 PM
Nice catches Alan!
Thanks! When I heard the SCA come low over the house, I figured he'd be doing more than one approach and jumped in the car. Made for a fun morning.
Quote from: akradecki on June 30, 2009, 12:41:20 PM
Mixing it up in the pattern with the 747 were a C-12, an F-15 in a knife-edge after high-key, and a CH-46 (which some Marine grunt really needs to get out and clean the belly).
That belly of that CH-46 is testament to the fact that that helicopter is 44-45 years old!!! The fact that it still flys means the Marines are working their tails off keeping those Seaknights flyable after all those years. It maybe a while before west coast Marines at MIramar and Camp Pendleton see the Ospry.
I was way to far east by a couple of miles to catch that CH-46. Nice one!
Here's a bunch including a neat F-16 that I had to get from way the heck away so not the best of quality, but I did get it. ::)
Nice ones and nice variety!
Was courious why the NASA 747 was at Palmdale? is there a shuttle undergoing rework?
No shuttle. They need to run the aircraft every so often in order to keep the seals from drying out and keep up crew proficiency. ;)
Good, it looks like you got the bank shot you wanted!
Yup! ;)
Some different stuff today. :D
Great shots guys ;D
Nice ones Jim. Best one I like is the VX-30 P-3 at that angle.
Real quiet today. This approach turned into a pass. Then he just flew away. :'(
Saw either him or one similar late yesterday afternoon climbing out over Lancaster.
Yeah, went out around 3pm ;)
BTW - Northrop will be celebrating the 20th Anniv of the first B-2 flight on Fri July 17.
Will they fly one? Who knows.
Hey Jim - going to go for rolling film again?
Kevin
aero-engineer
I'll be there shooting stills for the paper. :)
Jim, That last P-3 shot is sweet! <thumbup>
The 20th B-2 first flight anniversary will be Fri Jul 17 from 10am-11am. Non-public and no fly-by mentioned in the release.
I'm on the list, see you there....... ;D
I'll be there too...
Since it is unclear whether there'll be a flyby (it may just be the static aircraft), here's the fly-by from back when the first delivery was made (sorry, forgot the date). I heard from a friend at the test squadron that the flyby was supposed to be much higher (Sen. Boxer was on stage at the time, too), and the pilot decided to come in MUCH lower, and later got in trouble for it. Note...this was shot with a 55mm lens on my old F2...no telephoto involved!
Great Pics, Alan <cheers> <rob> <thumbup>
Quote from: akradecki on July 06, 2009, 03:56:30 PM
Since it is unclear whether there'll be a flyby (it may just be the static aircraft), here's the fly-by from back when the first delivery was made (sorry, forgot the date). I heard from a friend at the test squadron that the flyby was supposed to be much higher (Sen. Boxer was on stage at the time, too), and the pilot decided to come in MUCH lower, and later got in trouble for it. Note...this was shot with a 55mm lens on my old F2...no telephoto involved!
Very nice ;)
Quote from: rander on July 06, 2009, 07:17:13 PM
Great Pics, Alan <cheers> <rob> <thumbup>
True ;)
Alan, was that the delivery for Spirit of California, or another aircraft? I seem to have it in my head that the delivery ceremony for "Calif" was in August of 1994.
Here are some shots from that 1994 event (open to public).
A few more...........
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on July 06, 2009, 10:50:41 PM
Alan, was that the delivery for Spirit of California, or another aircraft? I seem to have it in my head that the delivery ceremony for "Calif" was in August of 1994.
It might well have been...your ground shots look just like some of mine.
Couple from today. :)
Pretty cool shots, Jim. Real bright out there...
Thanks! Yup, wind blew any haze away. ;)
Jim, did you happen to catch the pair of F-16s, one with a large white pod on the centerline station, the other a chase TPS orange and white bird? They came over the house, and I didn't get a good look at what the pod was.
Nope, I didn't get out there till atfer 3pm today.
Quote from: akradecki on July 06, 2009, 03:56:30 PM
Since it is unclear whether there'll be a flyby (it may just be the static aircraft), here's the fly-by from back when the first delivery was made (sorry, forgot the date). I heard from a friend at the test squadron that the flyby was supposed to be much higher (Sen. Boxer was on stage at the time, too), and the pilot decided to come in MUCH lower, and later got in trouble for it. Note...this was shot with a 55mm lens on my old F2...no telephoto involved!
Famous flight.
The pilots were brought before an AF Safety Board, but nothing came of it.
Kevin
aero-engineer
Good to hear that there were no repercussions!
Finally got this one with morning light instead of PM backlight. ;)
C-2 in the pattern during the NG ceremony. Darned B-2 wing kept getting in the way of my shot!
Almost forgot...NASA 850 was also in the pattern at the beginning of the B-2 event
Niiiice! ;)
Overhead right now....
Awesome! I haven't seen an airborne B-52 in a LONG time.
Three from today. :)
Quote from: akradecki on July 17, 2009, 03:41:03 PM
Almost forgot...NASA 850 was also in the pattern at the beginning of the B-2 event
<thumbup>
The props on those Js are so badass. I'd love to get more opportunities to shoot those... or an E-2C with the newer props. I haven't been able to catch too many airborne Hawkeyes.
Nice shots Jim. 8)
Thanks!
The guys from Channel Islands spend a lot of time out here.
Quote from: gfydad on August 05, 2009, 07:30:22 AM
Thanks!
The guys from Channel Islands spend a lot of time out here.
I've mentioned it before, but I got to go fly with those guys back when I was in JROTC. It was an H Herc though. What a blast.
I didn't catch that... Way to go! <cheers>
Quote from: gfydad on August 04, 2009, 08:38:48 PM
Three from today. :)
Hey Jim, I've caught that Beechcraft over at LAX before. Any idea what model it is? I thought it was a modified King Air of some type. ???
Quote from: Dragonskiss on August 05, 2009, 11:38:30 PM
Hey Jim, I've caught that Beechcraft over at LAX before. Any idea what model it is? I thought it was a modified King Air of some type. ???
Hey Duy, thats a Beechcraft 1900D. ;)
Quote from: Fernando Sedeno on August 06, 2009, 01:14:36 AM
Hey Duy, thats a Beechcraft 1900D. ;)
Northrop-Grumman and I think based at Hawthorne.
Quote from: gfydad on August 05, 2009, 08:02:34 PM
I didn't catch that... Way to go! <cheers>
Thanks Jim... it was a lot of fun. 8) They showed us that the Herc was plenty capable of making people sick. I didn't get sick luckily, but they took us on a roller coaster ride with lots of pitching and yawing. :o ;D
Quote from: phantomphan1974 on August 06, 2009, 06:14:56 AM
Northrop-Grumman and I think based at Hawthorne.
Yeah, they're based out of Los Angeles, close enough. :) I haven't seen very many Beechcraft at LAX. Anywhow, I caught the same one Jim did about 2 months ago.
**Moderators, please feel free to move this post to the 'LAX' thread, I know these pictures are off topic, but relate to a post on this thread.**
Quote from: Dragonskiss on August 07, 2009, 11:17:52 AM
Yeah, they're based out of Los Angeles, close enough. :) I haven't seen very many Beechcraft at LAX. Anywhow, I caught the same one Jim did about 2 months ago.
Nice ;)
Here's a neat little guy with a flir on the bottom from today. :)
Quote from: gfydad on August 07, 2009, 05:48:34 PM
Here's a neat little guy with a flir on the bottom from today. :)
Nice catch! This might be the twotter flying at Empire Challenge 09...it was flying a surveillance package called "Angel Fire", which according to the media package, is "mounted on a Twin Otter, AngelFire is a wide-area persisten surveillance program begun at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. AngelFire contains a six-camera main array, a high-resolution wide-area imaging system, HIWAIS...." Article about the politics of the system is here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2007-10-02-angel-fire_N.htm (the other system in the article, Constant Hawk, was also fielded at EC09).
Quote from: gfydad on August 07, 2009, 05:48:34 PM
Here's a neat little guy with a flir on the bottom from today. :)
Oh, and you might consider submitting that to C4ISR Journal...email me if you need the editor's contact info.
Thanks! :)
Nice catch Jim! ;)
Thanks! :)
Couple from today. :D
Nice job catching the Eight! I ended up not getting to get back there at all.
Thanks for the heads up! :D
When I went back about 3:40pm, there was no sign of him, probably in the hangar.
I'm wondering if they're getting it ready for another science mission. I've got to drop Grey Creech a note, I'll ask him about it.
Quote from: akradecki on August 10, 2009, 07:30:23 PM
Nice job catching the Eight!
Ditto on that, man you guys have a great time out there :D
Thanks! It's either feast or famine, though. Had a nice visit with a captain from the security folks to pass the time. And I mean that sincerely, we shot the breeze for a bit in good humor. ;)
Quote from: gfydad on August 10, 2009, 09:11:50 PM
Thanks! It's either feast or famine, though. Had a nice visit with a captain from the security folks to pass the time. And I mean that sincerely, we shot the breeze for a bit in good humor. ;)
Lucky! Cool shots btw...
Good ole DC-8
Thanks! Here's a shot showing the flaps. I couldn't see the starboard side, but noticed that there were no obvious exterior sensors of the port side or the wings such as what they carried during the polar flights. :)
Yeah those planes sure are cool...
nice shot of that DC-8..i didnt think those things were flying anymore...when did you get that shot, is this one plane that comes to PMD often?
It's based at the new Dryden facility at PMD, along with the SOFIA 747SP
ED's C-17 and a T-39D from VX-31 over at China Lake were in the pattern today.
Alan those are some good shots.. <thumbsup>
And the B-1B after 4pm. But I had to help some folks at the office so only saw or heard them from there. ;)
Great shots! <thumbup>
Quote from: akradecki on August 10, 2009, 09:07:06 PM
I'm wondering if they're getting it ready for another science mission. I've got to drop Gray Creech a note, I'll ask him about it.
Jim, I heard back from Gray over at Dryden: "the DC-8 is flying some science instrument checkout flights in preparation for a deployment to South America in Oct. There are no media events planned at the moment."
Thanks! :)
:)
As well as the ED T-38. ;)
Hmmmm....with a flight test pitot! I had heard that NGC was doing some upgrade stuff...good catch!
Thanks! :)
Hi Jim,
That Twin Otter left PMD this evening...happened to be out shooting portraits of a friend's baby when it came overhead...
Baby's first word?... "airplane!" :D
Quote from: gfydad on August 12, 2009, 09:42:07 PM
Baby's first word?... "airplane!" :D
That actually was my oldest son's 3rd word (after dada and mama, in that order!)
Back again late this afternoon :)
One of those "Arggggh" moments...heard this come over the house a few minutes ago, grabbed the camera and ran, shot, then realized I'd left the ISO at 800 from a shoot last night...so, a very grainy B-2 and chase. :(
Do you ever catch those birds flying on the weenends Alan?
Quote from: akradecki on August 14, 2009, 09:32:10 AM
One of those "Arggggh" moments...heard this come over the house a few minutes ago, grabbed the camera and ran, shot, then realized I'd left the ISO at 800 from a shoot last night...so, a very grainy B-2 and chase. :(
Oh yeah, I hate that lol... well... at least you got something. ;)
Quote from: CHILIBEAN on August 14, 2009, 09:39:36 AM
Do you ever catch those birds flying on the weenends Alan?
Not really. But, if your free tomorrow, come up to Mojave for the fly-in!
What a day today!!!!!!!!!!! :o
Here are three... more to come...
The Danish JSF Support F-16
All White VFA125
Camo VFA125
Sweet! The 3 of them have a cool paint job! great catch Jim. ;)
Quote from: akradecki on August 14, 2009, 04:26:00 PM
Not really. But, if your free tomorrow, come up to Mojave for the fly-in!
Alan, can you give me the times for the fly in? im going to try and see if i can make it...also if its ok with you e-mail me with your contact info maybe i can meet up with you..
Alan & I had a very nice selection today.
Im jealous... <laughing> Thats cool you guys have all the military stuff out there. ;)
i know im gonna try and see if i can make it out there tomorrow
Quote from: gfydad on August 14, 2009, 04:31:28 PM
What a day today!!!!!!!!!!! :o
Here are three... more to come...
The Danish JSF Support F-16
All White VFA125
Camo VFA125
Wow, you guys sure do a get a great medley of military aircraft out there. I'd like to make my way out there for a weekend to meet up with you all and get some of those.
Quote from: CHILIBEAN on August 14, 2009, 04:38:14 PM
Alan, can you give me the times for the fly in? im going to try and see if i can make it...also if its ok with you e-mail me with your contact info maybe i can meet up with you..
10am to 2 pm - I'll be easy to find, as I'm slated to be driving the shuttle tram (we take you from the flightline to the T-hangar displays). Also, anyone at the museum table can point me out to you.
Redemption! I got the camera set back right in time for the B-2's return, although I didn't make it over to the notch where Jim was in time for his landing. Jim is right...it was an awesome day with some amazing variety. Anyone know the story on the white F-18?
This was the well-armed F-16 chase for the B-2, came right over me where I was on 50th east between M and N.
A lot of NG shuttles were in and out...we were wondering if it had anything to do with the fact that the crash trucks were surrounding the B-2 as it sat for a while on the taxiway after landing...maybe some "go" teams scrambling up here? Anyway, Jim and I were practicing our prop blurs. I managed to blur everything on the NASA bird.
Here are the two Navy F-18s...sequential numbers, even. What's the significance of the white scheme?
This Navy C-130 spent a lot of time in the pattern, and Jim and I were practicing our prop blur technique. I managed to blur everything else on most of my shots...this is about the best I came up with. I believe Jim did a lot better! I stood in the shade of a telephone pole most of the time so as not to sunburn my neck, but I forgot about the backs of my calves. Ouch!
Nice ones... ;)
The rest from today... :D
that C-40A 6693 is a VR-57 aircraft from North Island
Word of warnig...
on the weekends about the only thing you'll shoot at Plant 42 is the breeze! :-\
Sweet! great shots! <thumbsup>
Quote from: gfydad on August 14, 2009, 09:08:40 PM
Word of warnig...
on the weekends about the only thing you'll shoot at Plant 42 is the breeze! :-\
And Jim and I shot enough of that yesterday waiting for ABL as it was!
those are some good shots Jim <thumbsup>
Thanks!
Quote from: akradecki on August 14, 2009, 09:32:10 AM
One of those "Arggggh" moments...heard this come over the house a few minutes ago, grabbed the camera and ran, shot, then realized I'd left the ISO at 800 from a shoot last night...so, a very grainy B-2 and chase. :(
Nice catch ;) Yes the ISO or exposure comp gets us sometimes :(
Wow-some tasty stuff there! I must get my backside down there at some point once I'm situated...can't wait!!
Wonder if anybody heard something out of the ordinary on the Randolph T-43 today? :D
Nice Shots Jim
Thanks!
Sent the T-43 back to my dughter who's stationed at Randolph. Thought she'd get a kick out of it. :D
Quote from: gfydad on August 18, 2009, 02:51:02 PM
Wonder if anybody heard something out of the ordinary on the Randolph T-43 today? :D
Door handles, some times they break :P
Great catch ;)
Figure it's loaded with a bunch of Lts training to be Navs so attention wouldn't be on the "little" things. ;)
Quote from: Midnight Mover on August 18, 2009, 09:48:06 PM
Door handles, some times they break :P
Great catch ;)
Scary! :o
Pretty cool shots, Jim. ;)
Kind of "prop" blurry today. :D
Nice shots. ;)
Thanks! I've been working on improving my prop blur.
Nice shots Jim. Alan, Burgandy Mercy Air??
Yup :)
I know two other APSoCalers out today. This is about the only workable shot I got at 5:36am. ::)
Great to see Michael & Brian out there in the wee hours! :-\
ISO: 3200
1/60
EV: +5
Sweet and look forward to seeing Michael and Brian's shots.
Love that B-2...awesome!
Thanks! :)
Jim - wish you could have stuck around a little longer. Too bad those customers were no-shows. He arrived at about 10:20, did one ILS approach to touch-and-go on rwy 25, went out for a 2nd ILS approach, then just abeam where we had parked, he broke it off, banked steep right (giving me a great belly shot, though I would have preferred to be shooting the other side!), then set up for a really tight, low pattern to rwy 7. If anyone was at BJ's Corner, they got an awesome show, it looked like he turned really low over Sierra Hwy. For fellow Nikoners: As an experiment, I shot the first pass with Active D-Lighting on, then off for the second pass, though I don't normally use that feature. For the dark color of the B-2s belly, I think it helped bring out a bit of detail.
Jim, these are the two pics i was telling you about that I took years ago from BJ's with my film F-2...scanned from prints. Need to find the negs. The first one is the one that had the pole filter applied to it, as well.
^-^
<thumbup>
Quote from: phantomphan1974 on August 20, 2009, 09:44:17 AM
Sweet and look forward to seeing Michael and Brian's shots.
Sorry, mine did not come out. Just not enough light out at the time. Was still very cool to see.
Here's the rest of what I got today. What a day!
The night shot was the last C-130 as it left for home. Brian can attest to how dark it was! :D
I said it was a neat day! ;)
Those are some good shots Jim...Im gonna have to go hang out there one day and see what happens <thumbsup>
In the pattern right now, came over the house a couple of minutes ago. Unfortunately, I can't make it over there this morning.
Just curious, how easy is it to shoot there? Any problems with any type of law enforcement? Easy access to places to shoot from?
Very good to shoot from.
Simple rules...
When along side base property
NEVER park on base side of the street.
NEVER shoot into the plant proper. It's so easy to do so when following an aircraft, but that will get you unwanted attention.
ALWAYS and ONLY shoot aircraft with only sky in the background.
ALWAYS wave and smile to security.
When shooting from across Sierra Hwy
Same as above but if only runway and aircraft is in the shot, that's not bad.
NEVER shoot base infrastructure.
ALWAYS bring a friend, on slow days you even pray for birds and large flying insects to shoot. I've caught myself shooting cloud formations at times. ::)
ALWAYS, and I cannot stress this enough...
Don't go through bushes without extreme caution. We do have rattlesnakes!
Also
Be aware of ants. We have these HUGE black ants which love to work their way up your pant leg.
I know as last night one about two inches long with a half inch stinger got me on the back of my lap!
OK, maybe it was about 3/4 inches long, but it sure felt that big after four stings! :o
Thanks, man. I hope to go out there and shoot in the near future. I was going to wait until the Edwards show weekend but you guys get such great stuff from there that I can't wait. ;D
Quote from: GTagami on August 21, 2009, 03:17:57 PM
Thanks, man. I hope to go out there and shoot in the near future. I was going to wait until the Edwards show weekend but you guys get such great stuff from there that I can't wait. ;D
This might help. There are exits from the 14 Freeway for Ave P/Rancho Vista Blvd, Ave N and Ave M (go east after getting off freeway). Ave M also has LA County fire station 129 where a 412 or Firehawk is usually parked. Blackbird Airpark and the Palmdale Air Museum are open Fri/Sat/Sun on Ave P.
A couple other things besides what Jim said: Bring sunscreen and water - you'll need it!!
Quote from: CHILIBEAN on August 21, 2009, 08:32:48 AM
Those are some good shots Jim...Im gonna have to go hang out there one day and see what happens <thumbsup>
Yep, great shots Jim.
Thanks for that good info guys. ;)
I was out that way today.......found the old wreck yard Alan told me of (thanks Alan) ......the old man was super nice.
Saw a KC-135 doing go arounds......at Plant 42.
Bring water and drinks , and shade........
Quote from: GTagami on August 21, 2009, 03:17:57 PM
Thanks, man. I hope to go out there and shoot in the near future. I was going to wait until the Edwards show weekend but you guys get such great stuff from there that I can't wait. ;D
YEA IM WITH YOU ON THIS ONE GLEN....I NEED TO ALSO GET OUT THERE
Quote from: CHILIBEAN on August 21, 2009, 07:41:24 PM
YEA IM WITH YOU ON THIS ONE GLEN....I NEED TO ALSO GET OUT THERE
Me too :D
Quote from: Fernando Sedeno on August 21, 2009, 05:38:18 PM
Thanks for that good info guys. ;)
Ditto on that. The map helps very much and so do the rules, great info ;)
Quote from: robin990 on August 21, 2009, 07:15:51 PM
I was out that way today.......found the old wreck yard Alan told me of (thanks Alan) ......the old man was super nice.
Saw a KC-135 doing go arounds......at Plant 42.
Bring water and drinks , and shade........
Wow...you actually found someone there?? Of all the times I've been out there, there's never been anyone around! Did you get a story on the place?
Without clouds, we sometimes resort to shooting at each other. <rolf>
This is Michael at 1/20 hand held and Brian at 1/15 hand held. :D
Hey Jim and Brian-- finally found the thread!
The B-2 in the dark lift off I shot at 1/6th SEC/ F5.6 @ISO 1600 only got a couple shots off:
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That night the C-130 while we were shooting each other ;D
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Nice shots Mike!
Quote from: akradecki on August 12, 2009, 07:22:34 AM
Jim, I heard back from Gray over at Dryden: "the DC-8 is flying some science instrument checkout flights in preparation for a deployment to South America in Oct. There are no media events planned at the moment."
Calendar note: Heard that the NASA DC-8 will be departing Oct 12 from PMD on the science mission.
Thanx Brian !!
More fun at PMD today, starting with a KC-135 from McCord, and including an Ameriflight B99 doing a touch and go. As you can see from the last one, the patter was pretty full at times. Brian caught stuff I didn't....
More from today. Found that when the CANG C-130s make their tactical approach, crossing midfield, the ideal place to shoot as they are in their tight turn is on 50th East, about a half mile south of N. There's a Joshua tree on the right side, and ample parking. We were a bit surprised to see a United 747-400 come overhead...he stayed fairly high, looked like he might have been going into VCV.
Here are some of mine from this afternoon, starting with the B-2 stuff. I almost blew it on the B-2's first pass. I had the camera set up to try and catch the Marine C-130 at 1/125th of a second, but the pass was too far off, and by the time the B-2 arrived, I had (DOH!) not reset the shutter speed, BUT I managed to pretty much get away with it on the two best images of the series. This is Spirit of Oklahoma.
Note the Route 66 sign in the window......
Woah....wait a minute! I didn't notice this from my pics, but in yours, Brian, you can clearly see that from the NLG door that this is 31085, the Oklahoma...not the Louisiana that was static at the anniversary and that has been flying the FCFs recently. Didn't realize they had 2 in for depot maintenance.
The red/white F-16 came in with a gray one, but of course they weren't close enough to shoot both at once. The Marine C-130 was shot at 1/125th.
Quote from: akradecki on August 25, 2009, 05:47:15 PM
Woah....wait a minute! I didn't notice this from my pics, but in yours, Brian, you can clearly see that from the NLG door that this is 31085, the Oklahoma...not the Louisiana that was static at the anniversary and that has been flying the FCFs recently. Didn't realize they had 2 in for depot maintenance.
Yeah,
Oklahoma has been out at Edwards for some time now - I think it arrived shortly before
Missouri and
Louisiana, which showed up in January.
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on August 25, 2009, 05:52:31 PM
Yeah, Oklahoma has been out at Edwards for some time now - I think it arrived shortly before Missouri and Louisiana, which showed up in January.
Makes sense, if it is out at EDW, why it didn't come back after that last touch and go.
Great shots guys! <thumbup>
I had to watch (sans camera) from the office.
Yep, killer shots guys, as always! ;)
Quote from: akradecki on August 14, 2009, 05:41:14 PM
Here are the two Navy F-18s...sequential numbers, even. What's the significance of the white scheme?
Jim - Finally found out why the one F-18 from Lemoore was white - it was a recent transfer from Pax River TPS, and hadn't yet been repainted.
http://www.apsocal.com/index.php/topic,960.msg11694.html#msg11694
This is what it looked like this morning when the B-2 was scheduled to go out...
And it remained this way when it turned around and taxied back to the hangar. :-\
Quote from: gfydad on September 09, 2009, 05:18:55 PM
This is what it looked like this morning when the B-2 was scheduled to go out...
And it remained this way when it turned around and taxied back to the hangar. :-\
Here's what I managed to get. In the first, the B2 is the three bright white lights. Still it was a nice sunrise, and great company with Jim and Brian.
I was out at PMD for a few hours today. It was really slow this afternoon, but I did manage to catch this plane right after I drove up to "The Notch". Anyone know what it is used for?
Nice catch David.
Quote from: DaFalcon on September 18, 2009, 09:32:32 PM
I was out at PMD for a few hours today. It was really slow this afternoon, but I did manage to catch this plane right after I drove up to "The Notch". Anyone know what it is used for?
Looks like the door is set up for skydiving...
Quote from: Josh on September 19, 2009, 05:11:44 AM
Looks like the door is set up for skydiving...
I agree...hand-hold above the door, step below it, either training or a skydiving team.
I agree about that door. What about that black engine cowling?
This was the only other plane I saw arrive - owned by the Air Force and according to this guy (http://vectors.usc.edu/issues/4/trevorpaglen/page2.php?primaryId=2&secondaryId=3) it's sometimes used to fly into Groom Lake.
Quote from: DaFalcon on September 19, 2009, 10:01:10 AM
I agree about that door. What about that black engine cowling?
That's anti-reflective paint, keeps the belly strobes from reflecting into the cockpit at night.
Late this afternoon. BAC 1-11 401/AK. I think it may blong to Northrop.
Alan, thanks for the tip. Brian, next time I'll be the decoy and leave first. ::)
Quote from: DaFalcon on September 19, 2009, 10:36:44 AM
This was the only other plane I saw arrive - owned by the Air Force and according to this guy (http://vectors.usc.edu/issues/4/trevorpaglen/page2.php?primaryId=2&secondaryId=3) it's sometimes used to fly into Groom Lake.
He is correct, it's part of the Janet fleet and fly's to Groom from the Janet Terminal (Gold Coast) in Vegas operated by EG&G Special Projects Division. They also fly to other flight test ranges.
Went out to 42 to shoot a test flight of the NASA Dryden DC-8, and while I was waiting for it to come in, an E-2C from the USS Abraham Lincoln shot a couple of approaches.
Euro Hawk rollout today.
That's some wicked lighting there, Alan. Love the contrasting colors. Beautifully captured!
Absolutely stunning. I'm sorry, I just had to say it. :D
Quote from: Dragonskiss on October 08, 2009, 06:25:52 PM
That's some wicked lighting there, Alan. Love the contrasting colors. Beautifully captured!
I must agree too. <thumbsup> ;)
Ditto, great shot Alan ;)
Thanks! Michael Darcy was shooting this as well. We all got a bit frustrated, though, because very soon after this shot, they had some electrical glitches and the gorgeous lightshow crashed. They kept promising to re-set the lights, but I had leave before they ever did...Michael, did you get the shots you wanted?
Heads up:
"Boeing will move the flight test program for its delayed 747-8 aircraft to Moses Lake, Wash., and later to Palmdale, Calif., according to an Everett Herald report.
Typically, the company conducts flight tests out of Boeing Field, in Seattle.
The Herald said it obtained an email in which Boeing 747 and flight test program leaders announced the move of airworthiness tests on the first 747-8 Freighter to Moses Lake and additional testing on test planes two and three to Palmdale, Calif.
Tim Bader, Boeing's 747 spokesman, told the paper that, after announcing a delay of the plane's first flight from this year to early next year, Boeing had to move flight testing because of an overlap with the 787 Dreamliner flight test program."
Quote from: aim9xray on October 09, 2009, 02:02:19 PM
Heads up:
"Boeing will move the flight test program for its delayed 747-8 aircraft to Moses Lake, Wash., and later to Palmdale, Calif., according to an Everett Herald report.
WAY cool!
Hey Alan Nice stuff!! I Begged and stayed for the re-do Light show-- they were very nice to reset the stage!!
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Quote from: sr-aeronut on October 10, 2009, 07:55:18 AM
Hey Alan Nice stuff!! I Begged and stayed for the re-do Light show-- they were very nice to reset the stage!!
Great shots. The re-do light show paid off ;)
Thanx Robert
Quote from: sr-aeronut on October 10, 2009, 07:55:18 AM
Hey Alan Nice stuff!! I Begged and stayed for the re-do Light show-- they were very nice to reset the stage!!
Do they have one hanger dedicated to these rollout ceremonies?
I've only been to two and both times were a different place
Two from today :)
Some from today :)
Nice to see him in the air. Great shots ;)
Thanks! :)
So THAT'S what was making all the noise outside today! I hate not having windows in the office!
Been there (well not that but my office) done that! :D
Great pics, Jim!!! Nice to see all the details in the close up shots. The wavyness of the skin panels and all the external pods the USAF added to the aircraft over its service life. Shows this aircraft has seen a lot of service.
Thanks! :)
Today :)
See you on the other side for the final ap shot.........that oughta be a better angle than what I got for the takeoff. Too much belly.
Definately better angle/light for the landing! ;)
Quote from: gfydad on December 09, 2009, 05:52:01 PM
Definately better angle/light for the landing! ;)
:o Nice
Thanks guys on both counts! :D
Here's my batch from late this afternoon........
Hey Brian, here's one with the chase on the other side. :D
Also, caught this C-130 before you showed up.
A few more for tomorrow night or Friday, but this was a nice surprise right after the SOFIA! :)
SOFIA... Hmmm... strange "blister" there on the rear. Anyone know what the mission of that aircraft is?
Quote from: kick Z tail out on December 10, 2009, 05:51:54 AM
SOFIA... Hmmm... strange "blister" there on the rear. Anyone know what the mission of that aircraft is?
It's an infrared telescope. The idea is to get above the majority of the water in the earth's atmosphere where the best infrared stargazing can be had. There used to be a C-141 that had a similar mission.
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on December 09, 2009, 09:38:17 PM
Here's my batch from late this afternoon........
Great shots, guys! I turned around from videoing an engine run just in time to see the chase go by. Darn the luck!
Here's the Marine C-130 that came in after the T-38 :)
SOFIA was out again today...........also had a McChord C-17 show up as well.
Nive one Brian! <thumbup>
What a day it was! ;)
Wow, talk about a diverse collection of planes, you guys had a good day man. <rocker>
Quote from: Josh on December 15, 2009, 07:02:31 AM
Wow, talk about a diverse collection of planes, you guys had a good day man. <rocker>
Ditto, great shots.
Thanks! Because of my having to get back to the office, Brian almost had to shoot the C-17 and the Sofia by himself. It turned out that I made it back with 10 minutes to spare. ;)
Finally! The chase was on Sofia's starboard side today! ;D
Didn't get out to shoot until this afternoon but caught this ED T-38.
Look along the shadow line of the fuselage forward of the inlet and you'll see an interesting series of dents. ;)
Interesting...
Quote from: gfydad on December 18, 2009, 06:45:48 PM
Didn't get out to shoot until this afternoon but caught this ED T-38.
Look along the shadow line of the fuselage forward of the inlet and you'll see an interesting series of dents. ;)
Probably one of those birds that need a kick-start. ;) :P
Quote from: Josh on December 18, 2009, 11:38:27 PM
Probably one of those birds that need a kick-start. ;) :P
Probally not to far from the truth, May possibly been put there by a maintainer when he got pissed off at the plane when some maintenance he was doing was not going well. I know a couple of tomcats I personally did that to. The dents in the forward area of the pic are most likely on a rivited on piece of aircraft skin and is not removable at squadron level maintenance.
Quite a flurry of activity for a Monday......light was horrible, but here's a few that I caught. B-2 did *SIX* touch n go's! There were also two Channel Island C-130Js and a Travis C-17.
Today's catch. I didnt get there in time to shoot the USN E-6 Mercury that Jim caught, but DID get to see TWO Beale U-2s, and a C-130 with the tail marking "The Rock" (Littlerock, Ark I believe). Went for the prop circle on the Herc.......1/80th, 75-300mm lens.
Great catches brian! <thumbsup>
Here are the three I got before I had to leave for Burbank today...
E-6 Mercury
ED C-17
DY B-1B
Today's catches........the E-6 was back (Bu#162782, and from Tinker or Offut, fyi) and did about 10 touch n gos before leaving to the east. It came back later in the great late afternoon light, as did a B-52 that I saw circling Edwards earlier in the day. There was also a Maryland ANG C-130 out as well.
Wow, what a day Jim and I had at Palmdale today - here what was caught:
C-130, B-1 (No Antidote), C-17 (ED), USMC King Air(?), Sofia & NASA F-18 chase, Northrop Grumman Gulfstream, Northrop Grumman Beech, a VIP USAF transport (DC-8 or DC-9-like a/c), and not one, NOT TWO, BUT THREE U-2s!!! The Warner Robbins black bird, a bare metal aircraft, and a NASA ER-2 just after it got dark, came by and did around 10 touch n gos.
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on January 14, 2010, 07:54:47 PM
Wow, what a day Jim and I had at Palmdale today - here what was caught:
C-130, B-1 (No Antidote), C-17 (ED), USMC King Air(?), Sofia & NASA F-18 chase, Northrop Grumman Gulfstream, Northrop Grumman Beech, a VIP USAF transport (DC-8 or DC-9-like a/c), and not one, NOT TWO, BUT THREE U-2s!!! The Warner Robbins black bird, a bare metal aircraft, and a NASA ER-2 just after it got dark, came by and did around 10 touch n gos.
:oThats cool! that VC-9C /dc9 took off from LAX today, I guess heading up to Palmdale,Dragonskiss got a got shot of it today! 8)
Here are some of mine from today. All those planes came within about a 4.5 hr time frame, too. The Marine a/c turned out to be a UC-12B.
It was sure rockin' today! Glad you got that ER-2. Wayyyy too dark for me even at ISO/3200 to even get much done.
Got home later than I figure from work so will post mine up tomorrow.
Great shots Brian! <thumbsup>
OK, It's "tomorrow" so here's the first one...
<rocker>
Thanks! It was really a "target rich" environment.
nice B1-B shot Jim
Great shots guys ;)
Others from yesterday
As for this morning, a UAE Viper dropped by <cheers>
Wow, UAE from AZ.
Right after I lost the light, SOFIA came in. ::)
The notch area and Ave N viewpoints are not accessible right now - the city has put up 'road closed' signs.
Nice Shots Jim Im gonna have to go out there and hang for a day
This morning wasn't too bad... ;)
Some of mine..........(thanks for the tip, Jim!)
Nice Brian! <cheers>
Now if we could just get them to takeoff about ive to ten minutes later... :D
Awesome! On my list of airports to go spot at, Palmdale comes in at #1.
Nice early morning shots.
Quote from: rander on January 26, 2010, 06:40:07 PM
Nice early morning shots.
Indeed, great shots guys! ;)
Very Nice ;D
Here's the catch from this afternoon. Not only did I get an Aero Union P-3 (#17) out there, but..........an F-16 with blue aggressor colors AND an "ED" tailcode - unfortunately the angle was all belly, and I only got the one shot at it, so I couldn't see the topside, but still cool to see & wonder about. Saw a Calspan learjet, and a McChord C-17 as well.
Good catches Brian! <thumbup>
I've been so sick that I couldn't even look out the door when I heard all the air traffic today. <moron>
I think the Blue camo bird was in Combat Aircraft this month I think. Recent transfer.
Quote from: phantomphan1974 on January 27, 2010, 09:44:13 PM
I think the Blue camo bird was in Combat Aircraft this month I think. Recent transfer.
According to one of my contacts, its been with them for about 10 months now
Thanks for the info on that Viper, guys. Here's a few from today. Spirit of New York was out for a few passes, as well as the "Raiders" boss Herc from Miramar, a red/white Viper from Edwards, and I got a nice bank from the Channel Islands Herc...........
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on January 27, 2010, 08:25:39 PM
Here's the catch from this afternoon. Not only did I get an Aero Union P-3 (#17) out there, but..........an F-16 with blue aggressor colors AND an "ED" tailcode - unfortunately the angle was all belly, and I only got the one shot at it, so I couldn't see the topside, but still cool to see & wonder about. Saw a Calspan learjet, and a McChord C-17 as well.
Brian, Thatsa nice, on the C-17 shots "crisp"! <thumbup>
Hey Brian, have they opened up Ave N on the back side yet?
Great shots! <cheers>
Yeah, we're back in business, but the shoulders are both in pretty bad shape. I had to park pretty far down (east) from the sweet spot.
Could only stay out a limited time today...
Quote from: gfydad on January 29, 2010, 03:44:12 PM
Could only stay out a limited time today...
Some nice catches ;)
Thanks! :)
Some from yesterday...
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on January 28, 2010, 07:28:11 PM
Thanks for the info on that Viper, guys. Here's a few from today. Spirit of New York was out for a few passes, as well as the "Raiders" boss Herc from Miramar, a red/white Viper from Edwards, and I got a nice bank from the Channel Islands Herc...........
You know I've always wanted to know what those red panels are on the B-2? Are they for Radar purposes?
Yep, I think those are the warts.
I don't know for certain, but I'd bet they are camera portals so they can record the weapon releases.
Hung out until it started to rain today. :)
None... was out from 0930 until 1240.
Quote from: gfydad on February 09, 2010, 08:12:40 PM
Hung out until it started to rain today. :)
Jim love the C-130 pic. Never ceases to amaze me how steady you can keep your shots on the slow shutter speeds.
Wow, I haven't seen that T-38 in ages.........hey Jim, let's hope the airpark gets some substantial snow tonight!
Quote from: Realbigtaco on February 09, 2010, 09:51:38 PM
Jim love the C-130 pic. Never ceases to amaze me how steady you can keep your shots on the slow shutter speeds.
I've been the beneficiary of some great advice. But I've got a long way to go to even get close to Victor!
I didn't get out until late today, but here's a variety. But wait until you see what Brian got! <thumbsup>
Nope, just play by the rules by shooting from the opposite side of the road from the base, shoot only aircraft with sky and no infrastructure (or even point a lens at the base) and it's all good. :)
Yup, only thing to do on weekends is watch the sagebrush grow. :D
I use both the 200-400 most of the time and the 70-200 (usually for side views of the C-17 and other large aircraft).
Ok, here's what I got today........... >:D
Australian F-18F, B-2, Maryland ANG Herc, a B-2.........and, caught Sofia coming back with the telescope door open!
nice catch on the aussia super hornet. I wonder where its training out of
Well I know they've sent a number of them over for the next Red Flag, which begins on the 22nd, but I'm not sure why they'd be down here.
NAS Lemoore, ive heard a few Australian voices with the callsign XPERT.
Quote from: Ralph on February 13, 2010, 10:43:55 AM
NAS Lemoore, ive heard a few Australian voices with the callsign XPERT.
Good call... that would of course be VFA-122, which makes sense.
Interesting day today.
Leading off with Maj Gen Eichhorn's (Commander EAFB) F-16 (interesting that the name on the back cockpit rail reads "MRS BOBBI ZAPhA" :)
The MD ANG C-130 made a great, steep approach! :o
Caught the Warner-Robins U-2 coming back today. There was also a NASA ER-2 out, but did not return while I was out there.
Caught this Raptor the other day...
Great catch! I WILL get to Palmdale one day, and when I do........... >:D
Quote from: Ralph on February 19, 2010, 08:29:18 PM
I WILL get to Palmdale one day, and when I do........... >:D
Hahaha same here ;D
AK down here??
Probably didn't travel as far as it looks like he did. ;)
I've seen "OT" and "WA" tail codes come in from Nellis and they have had a couple of Alaska birds based there for a while. Wouldn't surprise me if this was one of those.
BUT! at Plant 42, you never know! :D
With Holloman Raptors participating in the next Red Flag, I'd bet this is one of theirs. Some of Holloman's birds still wear the AK tail code. We were told at Phancon that Holloman is basically getting 'hand-me-down' Raptors. Some a/c have not had the HO tailcode painted on due to its expense, but they will get painted w the new tailcode when they go in for depot maintenance.
Eclectic variety today, considering it was a very slow start and I had to go into the office about 1:30pm. :D
Clay Lacy's Learjet.
Kevin
aero-engineer
Thanks Kevin!
Don't know why I didn't put two and two together with the "CL" at the end of the N number. :D
T-43 was back today, and the blue ED F-16 showed up and did two passes....... :)
nice T-43 moon shot. These days theyre becoming a rarity.
OK Brian... the only way you got that Viper was because I left...
You owe me! :D
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on February 20, 2010, 05:21:09 PM
With Holloman Raptors participating in the next Red Flag, I'd bet this is one of theirs. Some of Holloman's birds still wear the AK tail code. We were told at Phancon that Holloman is basically getting 'hand-me-down' Raptors. Some a/c have not had the HO tailcode painted on due to its expense, but they will get painted w the new tailcode when they go in for depot maintenance.
LMAO That sounds funny, "hand me down Raptors". I'll take a hand me down Raptor any day....
FINALLY got my first airborne shots of a Global Hawk this morning....... :)
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on February 26, 2010, 10:26:09 AM
FINALLY got my first airborne shots of a Global Hawk this morning....... :)
<rocker>
<cheers>
Quote from: gfydad on February 16, 2010, 08:58:14 PM
Interesting day today.
Leading off with Maj Gen Eichhorn's (Commander EAFB) F-16 (interesting that the name on the back cockpit rail reads "MRS BOBBI ZAPhA" :)
Bobbi is one of the head AF contract aerial photogs at EDW.
Quote from: akradecki on February 28, 2010, 08:42:08 PM
Bobbi is one of the head AF contract aerial photogs at EDW.
I think I remember reading an article on here as well.
News story on first GH round-trip from PMD, w/ my pics...
http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=185478
Quote from: akradecki on March 02, 2010, 06:48:35 AM
News story on first GH round-trip from PMD, w/ my pics...
http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=185478
Nice ones Alan!!!
<thumbup> <cheers>
Three from a short visit today... ;)
Quote from: gfydad on March 03, 2010, 09:17:32 PM
Three from a short visit today... ;)
Cool! I was hoping someone would catch that P-3!! Saw it as I was driving between sites, was seriously wishing I was on the other side of the fence today!
Hey , what do you guys think will happen to the Shuttle 747s ? Scrap ? They must be ultra low time.
I would say more like mid-time...they are both ex-airliners. One proposal I have heard of would including sending one of them to a museum with a shuttle, so the two could be displayed together. Sorry, not at liberty to say which museum is proposing that.
I bet we can all guess which museum would want a Boeing 747 SCA and a Boeing (bought Rockwell) Space Shuttle.
;D
I've said it privately before, I'll say it publicly here: this is the perfect opportunity for the AFFTC Museum to have a strategic fundraising campaign to bring an SCA and Enterprise back home and build a new museum complex in the process outside the EAFB gates. It would take 100M probably, but it would be a reason to swing for the fences.
Oh well.
Kevin
aero-engineer
Quote from: aero-engineer on March 04, 2010, 10:16:31 PM
I bet we can all guess which museum would want a Boeing 747 SCA and a Boeing (bought Rockwell) Space Shuttle.
;D
I've said it privately before, I'll say it publicly here: this is the perfect opportunity for the AFFTC Museum to have a strategic fundraising campaign to bring an SCA and Enterprise back home and build a new museum complex in the process outside the EAFB gates. It would take 100M probably, but it would be a reason to swing for the fences.
Oh well.
Kevin
aero-engineer
;D
Some from this afternoon... :)
Quote from: gfydad on March 08, 2010, 06:55:37 PM
Some from this afternoon... :)
Hehe...the back seater in the T-38 looks like he's lookin' down at you!
I got that feeling too! :D
Here are three from this morning...
Two of the T-38 making the rounds this afternoon... :)
I was out test driving cars this evening and from a distance I thought I saw a B-52 take off from the Plant. Was I hallucinating from the new car smells?
Quote from: nmcbride on March 11, 2010, 10:27:09 PM
Was I hallucinating from the new car smells?
<rolf> maybe... I would. ;D
Here's an ED Raptor about five minutes before breaking the sound barrier. Shot Thur from Plant 42. :D
Quote from: gfydad on March 12, 2010, 12:27:41 AM
Here's an ED Raptor about five minutes before breaking the sound barrier. Shot Thur from Plant 42. :D
Great shot. So that's what my in-laws and I heard.. :D
Here's one of mine from my first time spotting yesterday.
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Beale U-2 #68-329 made one pass this afternoon.
What up with the bottom of the wings?
cold!
Quote from: Fernando Sedeno on March 16, 2010, 08:23:06 PM
Could it be ice? ???
I saw this a while back...
http://www.air-and-space.com/Lockheed-Martin%20X-35.htm
Mid page "Ice has formed on areas of the wing that are cooled by cold-soaked fuel remaining in the bottom of the tanks."
Quote from: nmcbride on March 16, 2010, 09:47:21 PM
I saw this a while back...
http://www.air-and-space.com/Lockheed-Martin%20X-35.htm
Mid page "Ice has formed on areas of the wing that are cooled by cold-soaked fuel remaining in the bottom of the tanks."
Thanks!
Grabbed a couple of quick shots this morning on my way home from a doctors visit...just missed a F16 as I was driving down 50th east. >:(
First two are yesterday. Looks like the fron-seater is getting graded. :D
Other three are from today...
Last is a different aircraft than the one you caught yesterday nmcbride. ;)
Jim did you catch the call sign on that F-4? OLDIE or CHEVY would be my guess. And did it sound any different from the other QF-4s?
Quote from: Ralph on March 19, 2010, 02:19:17 PM
Jim did you catch the call sign on that F-4? OLDIE or CHEVY would be my guess. And did it sound any different from the other QF-4s?
The Pilot that used Chevy in honor of Col. Olds no longer works there. Not sure if they kept it, BAE I mean.
It seemed a bit quieter and wasn't belching any smoke on its approach.
No camera with me this afternoon driving home from work.
Saw 4 F16's flying low (real low) in and over the hills between Palmdale and Acton from the West. Lost sight of them pretty quick so I'm not sure where they were headed.
It was a nice sighting for the boring drive up the 14, though.
Quote from: phantomphan1974 on March 19, 2010, 04:56:45 PM
The Pilot that used Chevy in honor of Col. Olds no longer works there. Not sure if they kept it, BAE I mean.
Thanks for the info Jim.
BTW, the pilot was Bob Kay right?
That was Bob Kay. You can still see him in re-runs of the History Channel's "Boneyard" special that covers Mojave Airport.
Yeah, K-Bob's a good guy, known him for the past 5 or so years with the Phantom Society...
MD ANG C-130 from today. Yesterday was slow so I caught this Jackrabbit with some attitude! <laughing>
Today was a more Easterbunny-like cottontail. ;)
Quote from: gfydad on March 24, 2010, 07:02:51 PM
I caught this Jackrabbit with some attitude! <laughing>
Today was a more Easterbunny-like cottontail. ;)
Very nice, the Jackrabbit with some attitude is killer <rocker>
Sofia was out n about today. Came back with the door WIDE open......... ;D Also sighted were: U-2 from Beale, two C-130s (Channel Islands and Maryland ANG); DC-10 FedEx; KC-135 from McConnell, and the NKC-135 from Edwards.
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on April 14, 2010, 05:15:31 PM
Sofia was out n about today. Came back with the door WIDE open......... ;D Also sighted were: U-2 from Beale, two C-130s (Channel Islands and Maryland ANG); DC-10 FedEx; KC-135 from McConnell, and the NKC-135 from Edwards.
Super great catch ;)
Some of the other visitors today while we were shooting... :)
U-2 with ice under wings
U-2 Bank
U-2 after ice melted
FedEx MD-10
MD ANG C-130J
McConnell KC-135
Quote from: gfydad on April 14, 2010, 09:40:25 PM
Some of the other visitors today while we were shooting... :)
U-2 with ice under wings
U-2 Bank
U-2 after ice melted
FedEx MD-10
MD ANG C-130J
McConnell KC-135
8)
Excited about today's catch.....I have no idea what this is, but it's very interesting. Has the Skunkworks logo on the tail, as well as "X-55A" on the side. I think the N# is N80ZLM, can't quite read all of it.
??? J's Is that's ugly but interesting
Yep, ugly indeed.......here's some more from today. Two C-17s were out - 1st the Edwards bird, then a McChord a/c later in the day. One of the shuttle carriers was also up.
Great catch!
Check it....
http://www.afmc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123173302
Thanks for the link! I've contacted A/C Illustrated to see if they might be interested in using one of the shots.
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on April 15, 2010, 04:42:37 PM
Excited about today's catch.....I have no idea what this is, but it's very interesting. Has the Skunkworks logo on the tail, as well as "X-55A" on the side. I think the N# is N80ZLM, can't quite read all of it.
www.airport-data.com
QuoteN807LM Fairchild Dornier DORNIER 328-300 C/N 3099
Close Link to aircraft N807LM profile (this page):
http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/N807LM.html
Manufacturer: Fairchild Dornier
Model: DORNIER 328-300 Search all Fairchild Dornier DORNIER 328-300
Year built: 0000
Construction Number (C/N): 3099
Number of Seats: 34
Number of Engines: 2
Link this airframe to another registry number
Owner
Registration Type: Corporation
Owner: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Corp
Address: Flight Operations
Palmdale, CA 93599
United States
Region: Western-Pacific
Status
Certification Issued: 2007-11-08
Air Worthiness Test: Unknown
Last Action Taken: 2007-11-08
Current Status: Valid
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on April 15, 2010, 04:42:37 PM
Excited about today's catch.....I have no idea what this is, but it's very interesting. Has the Skunkworks logo on the tail, as well as "X-55A" on the side. I think the N# is N80ZLM, can't quite read all of it.
I like it ;D
Today's catch.......
Spirit of New York made 3 passes today......
Look's like the 747-8's are making there move to PMD to finish flight testing...
http://boeingblogs.com/randy/archives/2010/04/in_the_desert.html (http://boeingblogs.com/randy/archives/2010/04/in_the_desert.html)
Mickey
Quote from: gfydad on April 22, 2010, 09:19:40 PM
Three that you don't see every day... :D
NASA ER-2 "809"
8)
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on April 19, 2010, 04:32:40 PM
Today's catch.......
Great catch!! What time of day did you shoot this at?? Do you think she'll be flying tomorrow? I'll be going through that area and try to beg my husband to pull over and let me shoot if she's up and about.
Quote from: SkyBaby on April 23, 2010, 05:00:23 PM
Great catch!! What time of day did you shoot this at?? Do you think she'll be flying tomorrow? I'll be going through that area and try to beg my husband to pull over and let me shoot if she's up and about.
Thanks, sorry I didn't see your msg earlier. If I remember right, I shot that in the early afternoon. Sofia seems to be flying a couple of times a week right now. Goes out for anywhere from 3 to 5 hours before coming back. Took off about 9am today, I went out there about 1 to try and catch it, but I never saw it return.
Three from today... :)
oh man..........a Raptor on a Friday? That ain't right, lol......(well at least it wasn't a PHANTOM)
Nice shot, Jim!
Do my eyes deceive me, or is the mystery node under the F-22 pink?
Hmmmm.
aero-engineer
:) QRF-4C <rocker> <thumbup>
747-8.
Ill be out there tomorrow at the notch if anybody else is ,feel free to join me ;D
Quote from: Code20photog on April 29, 2010, 11:03:08 PM
747-8.
Nice shot!! How did you get this without getting yelled at by base security?
Here's my 747-8 shot. I snapped this while my husband and I were driving down the road on our way to visit my folks. Sorry for the low quality.
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Quote from: SkyBaby on May 01, 2010, 03:14:08 PM
Nice shot!! How did you get this without getting yelled at by base security?
Big blue TV live van helps. Besides, it's visible from a public street, there's nothing they can say. (Well, technically you can't legally use anything over a 210mm lens to get that shot, but they don't know that.)
Quote from: Code20photog on May 05, 2010, 01:42:55 AM
Big blue TV live van helps. Besides, it's visible from a public street, there's nothing they can say. (Well, technically you can't legally use anything over a 210mm lens to get that shot, but they don't know that.)
My only lens is 135mm (the 28-135mm kit). I'll remember that. ;) Thanks :D How often does she fly?
GOT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D #71-0254, AF-368, FP-800
So THAT'S what was making all that racket! I hate not having a window in my office!
Quote from: akradecki on May 06, 2010, 04:38:57 PM
So THAT'S what was making all that racket! I hate not having a window in my office!
Time to upgrade ;)
NICE CATCH BRIAN!!
Beale U-2 #331 came in just minutes after Jim left the first time....... >:D
The 'Raiders' CDR Herc is always a nice sight.....
Great shots everyone!!
Has anyone seen the 747-8 flying lately? I've been watching flight aware, but haven't seen it on there at all.
Quote from: SkyBaby on May 17, 2010, 07:46:28 PM
Great shots everyone!!
Has anyone seen the 747-8 flying lately? I've been watching flight aware, but haven't seen it on there at all.
One of them was out doing takeoff aborts this morning.
Quote from: akradecki on May 17, 2010, 09:16:56 PM
One of them was out doing takeoff aborts this morning.
That's pretty cool.
Thanks for the info!
In order of appearance today...
E-2
Langley F-22 (Hat in the Ring Squadron)
747-8 (BLE501) coming in about 7:30pm
:)
Jim did the 747 do a reverse takeoff or did u go somewhere different to catch it ?
Quote from: gfydad on May 18, 2010, 11:30:37 PM
In order of appearance today...
E-2
Langley F-22 (Hat in the Ring Squadron)
747-8 (BLE501) coming in about 7:30pm
:)
Great pictures!! Were you at the nook or BJ's corner? I'll be going later today.
Quote from: gfydad on May 19, 2010, 10:49:50 AM
This angle can be had from 50th St East (east side of road) north of Ave N.
Shoulder is not in the greatest shape (narrow and soft in most places) and sometimes the northbound traffic can get dangerously close. Not advisable.
West shoulder is not an option as it is on the base side and will garner you unwanted attention.
I'll remember that. I'll try that spot next time. I was just there and saw lots of C130 TNGs but the 747s just sat parked. I was using my sis-in-law's phone to check flight aware periodically while waiting around at BJ's Corner and it went from saying 'delayed' to not even appearing on the scheduled departures list. Canceled no doubt. Just my luck.
In order of appearance:
This guy was doing TNGs. What is he?
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This and 2 or 3 others were doing TNGs after the one with the radar dome left.
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I shot those at two different times of the day. I think I prefer AM light. The C130 was so back-lit.
Some time after the C130s left, a F-18 did a TNG and left. I got some pictures of him too, but he was too far for any of the shots to be any good.
Quote from: gfydad on May 19, 2010, 10:49:50 AM
This angle can be had from 50th St East (east side of road) north of Ave N.
Shoulder is not in the greatest shape (narrow and soft in most places) and sometimes the northbound traffic can get dangerously close. Not advisable.
West shoulder is not an option as it is on the base side and will garner you unwanted attention.
Wow, even that far back?
I better be more careful. I have been back from the base on the North side of N, probably midway from the perimeter fence and 50th East next to the farming area. Nobody has hassled me, but I guess I have just been lucky.
I did get stared down from a distance by security when I was at BJs corner once. Not sure why, I was just watching and never had my camera out since nothing was flying.
Quote from: SkyBaby on May 19, 2010, 06:39:53 PM
This guy was doing TNGs. What is he?
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That's a Navy E-2C Hawkeye from the USS Nimitz & probably out of Pt Mugu. I think I counted 7 touch n gos before he left. Normally they'll do about 3 and head out. I caught him but haven't had time to work on the pics yet. Got something coming up tomorrow AM + the bike race to shoot as well, so am hoping to get my Hawkeye shots up tomorrow afternoon.
I briefly moved over to the Notch to catch the Channel Island C-130s do their dramatic mid-field break, and was stared down by security for whatever the reason. Not like they haven't seen me there before, lol
Here are some of my Hawkeye shots from Wed, and some from today - Aussie Super Bug, and Danish F-16 involved w the F-35 program.
Brian...thanks for posting those...didn't realize that the -18 was an Aussie bird. I take it you didn't catch the F-22 that was out and about today?
Whats the best time to catch arrivals ?
Quote from: akradecki on May 20, 2010, 08:41:41 PM
Brian...thanks for posting those...didn't realize that the -18 was an Aussie bird. I take it you didn't catch the F-22 that was out and about today?
No I apparently missed the Raptor.......:(
Here's the NASA S-3 Viking that went out this morning (thanks Jim & Keith). Unfortunately it lined up in the middle of the diagonal runway, and took off to the southwest - I was along Sierra Hwy south of BJs Corner. Once airborne it turned and began a slow u-turn but by they time it was in front of me, as you can see, it was right in the sun.
We had a visitor from VX-30 today......... :)
Finally bagged some 747-8 take off shots. I couldn't stay for the landing. I was quite happy I got to see her take off. These were shot from BJ's Corner. Anyone know this one's tail number?
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I caught the S-3 @ MUGU today :o
Now I gotta get the one with the yellow trim on the tail.......saw links to an article and photos of it on ASB. Time for a Mugu road trip!
Hey Brian I was on the other side!!
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Quote from: sr-aeronut on May 26, 2010, 09:11:37 PM
Hey Brian I was on the other side!!
Nice shots, Mike!
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on May 26, 2010, 08:18:41 PM
Now I gotta get the one with the yellow trim on the tail.......saw links to an article and photos of it on ASB. Time for a Mugu road trip!
Grounded with a wing crack. May never fly again.
Caught the X-47B transfer to EAFB
First shots with advantage of street lights
Last shot with no street lights.
Nice catch Jim.
Did they freak out when they saw a photographer?
Ah, so that was you out there, eh? One of the mgrs mentioned a Pacific Flyer photog. That was a fun trip! Didn't get any sleep last night at all....
Quote from: gfydad on May 27, 2010, 03:28:06 AM
Caught the X-47B transfer to EAFB
First shots with advantage of street lights
Last shot with no street lights.
Great catch Jim. 8)
A couple from yesterday, C-17 from McGuire and another Hawkeye (two in one week + an S-3, can't complain!).
Spirit of Arizona is in town............. :D
Buff coming by-- launched the X51 ??
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Shot from the sunroof of my car! The wife never understood why I really wanted that dam sunroof!!
Quote from: sr-aeronut on June 03, 2010, 11:34:35 PM
Buff coming by-- launched the X51 ??
Yeah, he came over the house yesterday low and loud a couple of times...wonderful stuff! It's why I love living under the downwind for Rwy 25!
Nice shots Mike <thumbsup>
There are some benefits to living out here !
Love this one the best!!!Quote from: sr-aeronut on June 03, 2010, 11:34:35 PM
Buff coming by-- launched the X51 ??
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Shot from the sunroof of my car! The wife never understood why I really wanted that dam sunroof!!
Anybody catch whatever came screaming over West Palmdale about 2:15 this afternoon?
Low and fast over my house and gone before icould grab the camera and get outside.
I'll be heading over to BJ's corner maybe around 9 or 10 this morning. My father in law gave me a radio scanner. I've been dying to test it out. :D I wonder, what are the best frequencies to tune into for Plant 42?
Good Luck-- My experience has been there is very little if any transmissions between the tower and aircraft. The Freq's are posted on the net and are public knowledge. I would pick a popular public airport and program the tower and ground traffic -- it can be fun!!
Caught Spirit of Arizona this morning (4 passes), a Tacamo bird right before that, and Beale U-2 68-0331 as well as the usual Channel Island Hercs and a VFA-125 Hornet.
I saw the B2 take off from about a mile away from the Barnes and Noble on 10th west. Just as I was getting to BJ's I saw the U2 take off. I was only there for a few minutes. Nice captures!
Thanks! A NASA ER-2, the white one w the weird black striping, went out in the early afternoon. Unfortunately I couldn't stay for its return. Hopefully SOMEBODY got it.
Nice captures!
Nice one Jim!
This may be the wrong thread and sorry for the quality, These were shot with a canon video camera and then shot with a camera phone from the TV.. I was out in Palmdale near Plant 42 on Saturday June 12th. I noticed these strange objects floating in the sky. When zoomed in and watching the video they look like they were rotating counterclockwise. Have any of you in the area seen these before. They seemed to be floating and then they would move quickly to hide behind the clouds. Here are some of the pictures.
Pic 1255 - About 8 hanging around the clouds. Some completely still. Others playing hide and seek!
Pic 1251 - One more coming in and out of clouds! These things are fast!
Pic 1305 - Zoom at 50% hiding near clouds and just floating!
Quote from: SDAztec25 on June 15, 2010, 09:20:24 AM
This may be the wrong thread and sorry for the quality, These were shot with a canon video camera and then shot with a camera phone from the TV.. I was out in Palmdale near Plant 42 on Saturday June 12th. I noticed these strange objects floating in the sky. When zoomed in and watching the video they look like they were rotating counterclockwise. Have any of you in the area seen these before. They seemed to be floating and then they would move quickly to hide behind the clouds. Here are some of the pictures.
Pic 1255 - About 8 hanging around the clouds. Some completely still. Others playing hide and seek!
Pic 1251 - One more coming in and out of clouds! These things are fast!
Pic 1305 - Zoom at 50% hiding near clouds and just floating!
UFO <alien>
Jim will know what they are ;)
Quote from: gfydad on June 16, 2010, 08:50:07 PM
ED F-16 with interesting logos in nose gear door. (Mon)
Is that a 76 Gasoline sticker? :D
Cool shots Jim, I was there over near the musem whilst the E-2C was hanging around having just got there for my first ever Palmdale visit-was bummed that the museum was closed (open fri-sun only!) so prob won't rush out that far agian! Do you-or anyone else have any I/D of the T-33 & F-117 on poles just inside the plant?
Cheers
Baz
Not sure about the T-33 but I remember hearing once that the Nighthawk is a "mutt" being made up of parts from many aircraft.
Quote from: snapperbaz on June 17, 2010, 06:36:24 AM
Cool shots Jim, I was there over near the musem whilst the E-2C was hanging around having just got there for my first ever Palmdale visit-was bummed that the museum was closed (open fri-sun only!) so prob won't rush out that far agian! Do you-or anyone else have any I/D of the T-33 & F-117 on poles just inside the plant?
Cheers
Baz
Barry, there also is an F-104 in there next to the guard gate/gift shop. Glad you got your APSC polo and have fun up north.
There's also an F-86 on a pole outside the AF HQ building.
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Just keep getting C-130's
Old shot out front
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Nice one Michael, interesting pedestal.
I was up at Palmdale mid day today.
Saw a U-2 take off, the VISTA F-16 do a couple of touch and gos, and a 12:00 JANET flight arriving.
Also, the BA 747-800 disapeared mid day as visible from the street.
Kevin
aero-engineer
Quote from: aero-engineer on June 18, 2010, 08:21:42 PM
I was up at Palmdale mid day today.
Saw a U-2 take off, the VISTA F-16 do a couple of touch and gos, and a 12:00 JANET flight arriving.
Also, the BA 747-800 disapeared mid day as visible from the street.
Kevin
aero-engineer
I didn't know Boeing's hanger was big enough for the 747. I know the other 747 is at VCV. I wonder if maybe it just flew there.
Quote from: SkyBaby on June 19, 2010, 08:12:02 AM
I didn't know Boeing's hanger was big enough for the 747. I know the other 747 is at VCV. I wonder if maybe it just flew there.
It wasn't in the hanger, but north of it.
Kevin
aero-engineer
Quote from: aero-engineer on June 19, 2010, 10:43:03 PM
It wasn't in the hanger, but north of it.
Kevin
aero-engineer
Ohh I wonder what they're doing with it. I haven't been down in a week or two.
Certification flight test program. It flew around for a couple of hours on Friday. The one at VCV will eventually come back, after they repair the "ooops" damage.
Quote from: akradecki on June 20, 2010, 09:43:00 PM
Certification flight test program. It flew around for a couple of hours on Friday. The one at VCV will eventually come back, after they repair the "ooops" damage.
haha oops damage? What happened?
Quote from: SkyBaby on June 21, 2010, 07:16:48 AM
haha oops damage? What happened?
Link: http://www.apsocal.com/index.php/topic,2073.msg22131.html#msg22131
Quote from: gfydad on June 17, 2010, 08:21:39 AM
Not sure about the T-33 but I remember hearing once that the Nighthawk is a "mutt" being made up of parts from many aircraft.
Here ya go.
Kevin
aero-engineer
Article Location Comments
778 Skunk Works (Palmdale) "Mutt" Gate Guardian
779 Skunk Works (Palmdale) "Mutt" Gate Guardian (Mid Fuselage and cockpit)
785 Skunk Works (Palmdale) "Mutt" Gate Guardian (Right Wing and Aft Fuselage)
82-0801 Skunk Works (Palmdale) "Mutt" Gate Guardian (Right Wing-90% rebuilt, now Left Wing)
Did anyone manage to get pics of SOFIA and the SCA in the pattern at the same time today? Way cool!
I just got off a couple shots-- this guy was moving!!
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Your the man Jim !!
Quote from: sr-aeronut on June 28, 2010, 09:59:39 PM
I just got off a couple shots-- this guy was moving!!
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Was he in a hurry because he sprung a leak? <laughing>
Kinda curious about that!
Quote from: sr-aeronut on June 29, 2010, 07:20:59 AM
Kinda curious about that!
Looks like a fuel vent to me.
Interesting.
Kevin
Quote from: aero-engineer on June 29, 2010, 10:18:39 PM
Looks like a fuel vent to me.
Interesting.
Kevin
Is there a fuel vent right there in the middle of the wing? Looks like a hole punched through the skin to me... ??? Doesn't look like a door or anything that's intended to be there...
if it's like in the F-16, it's the fuel overpress vent...
usually, no fuel comes out of it, now might have a internal vent press issue. ;)
Robert
Public released this morning as part of the news story on yesterday's first flight of Euro Hawk. Shot next to the "8" board on Rwy 7.
Wow ! it's wierd to see the iron cross flying around here
Thats a pretty close up shot there Alan, cool shot btw! ;)
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Nothing wrong with that!! Great shots!
NASA 817 with literally the last seconds of daylight. (Thanks to Duy for letting me borrow his camera.)
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Very Nice!!
Quote from: Code20photog on July 06, 2010, 10:43:37 PM
NASA 817 with literally the last seconds of daylight. (Thanks to Duy for letting me borrow his camera.)
<rocker>
Still don't know how you pulled it off with that measly 6 RAW buffer. Glad we stuck around.
Quote from: Dragonskiss on July 06, 2010, 10:58:47 PM
<rocker>
Still don't know how you pulled it off with that measly 6 RAW buffer. Glad we stuck around.
It's called coming from the days of film and tight budgets. Gotta know when to shoot, and when to hold off.
Ghost 1-9, F-16D AFFTC
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Miramar Base Flight UC-35.
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Quote from: Code20photog on July 06, 2010, 10:43:37 PM
NASA 817 with literally the last seconds of daylight.
Seriously, if this thing had came in a minute later, it would've been canned.
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Nice ones guys!
"Stargazer" was out today......... ;D Wyoming ANG Herc, too, but otherwise pretty quiet.
Some interesting U-2 shots today. The WR-coded Dragonlady came back this afternoon w the Senior Spur/Senior Span/ETP Pod on the spine.
Great stuff Brian!! Iwas out at 5 and just missed the NASA Bird coming home-- seems he likes trying to be back by 5 sharp!!
You know, when I was preparing for Paramedic school many years ago, I would ride out with my friend's squad in Bell. Busiest fire station west of the Mississippi. We once went 19 hours without a call. Curse of the ride-along.
Glad to see my luck with fire calls translates to my airplane watching as well. Duy and I were up there 8+ hours and saw 4 planes. The next day, the Orbital L-1011. The day after, the Seinor Span U2. Ugh.
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on July 08, 2010, 04:30:39 PM
Some interesting U-2 shots today. The WR-coded Dragonlady came back this afternoon w the Senior Spur/Senior Span/ETP Pod on the spine.
Great catch.
Kevin
aero-engineer
Quote from: Code20photog on July 08, 2010, 09:41:15 PM
You know, when I was preparing for Paramedic school many years ago, I would ride out with my friend's squad in Bell. Busiest fire station west of the Mississippi. We once went 19 hours without a call. Curse of the ride-along.
Glad to see my luck with fire calls translates to my airplane watching as well. Duy and I were up there 8+ hours and saw 4 planes. The next day, the Orbital L-1011. The day after, the Seinor Span U2. Ugh.
I seem to have the same luck. 5 miles away and I seem to miss everything but the C130s. :P
The problem I keep having like yesterday is that I want to leave but I know that if I do something will come by so I wait some more.... then more... then more-- sure enough the airplane gods know when I'm packed up and then they show up ! I think Jim has the best luck at 42 hands down ;D
I usually get to the usual spots just in time to see the visiting planes fly off into the distance...
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on July 07, 2010, 03:29:31 PM
"Stargazer" was out today......... ;D Wyoming ANG Herc, too, but otherwise pretty quiet.
<rocker>
Anyone know if the 747-8 is still there? I haven't been down in a month or so.
Braved the 110 degree heat for a couple of hours today, all I saw was one Herc doing its thing. Did see TWO of the 747-8s on the ground.
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on July 14, 2010, 10:20:24 PM
Braved the 110 degree heat for a couple of hours today, all I saw was one Herc doing its thing. Did see TWO of the 747-8s on the ground.
Yay! So I haven't missed them. It's bet it's darn hot out there. Where I am (Tehachapi), it's only about 80s. The hottest it's been so far this season is low-mid 90s. I grew up in the desert though, so I'm used to heat. Just give me some cold water and AC and I'm good. :D
Yeah its been 110 now for three days straight. Very little action at P-42 during the times I went this week.
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on July 16, 2010, 03:48:08 PM
Yeah its been 110 now for three days straight. Very little action at P-42 during the times I went this week.
The heat probably has something to do with it.
Looks like the Wyoming ANG bird is testing out of Edwards looking at the sensors on the pitot tube.
They've got the state license plate befoe the pilot's window.
This almost looks to be a Combat Spear but isn't sporting the usual air-to-air refueling stations the type normally carries on the outboard wing stations.
Did anyone catch the red/white P-3 Orion that was out today?? Saw it but didn't have the camera w me.
Today's catches. The WR-coded U-2 was out again today, shot it on video, but it did not have that big satellite data uplink pod on this time around. Actually caught an F-16 from Edwards I've never seen before, and seeing one of the Hercs w the orange firefighting markings here at P42, was also a first for me. Busy day today, nice change from the many hours of nothing the past couple of weeks. The E-2C is the Sunkings' CAG - went back thru my files and noticed I'd shot it four years ago coming out of Davis-Monthan AFB, and at that time it flew for VAW-87 and still had the older 4-blade props.
Quote from: f4_phantom_fan on July 21, 2010, 09:11:28 PM
Today's catches. The WR-coded U-2 was out again today, shot it on video, but it did not have that big satellite data uplink pod on this time around. Actually caught an F-16 from Edwards I've never seen before, and seeing one of the Hercs w the orange firefighting markings here at P42, was also a first for me. Busy day today, nice change from the many hours of nothing the past couple of weeks. The E-2C is the Sunkings' CAG - went back thru my files and noticed I'd shot it four years ago coming out of Davis-Monthan AFB, and at that time it flew for VAW-87 and still had the older 4-blade props.
8)
Nice stuff Brian! it was another hot one ---could not last, Clay Lacy was scouting around
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Great shots guys and the Channel Island guys getting better at the orange markings. Number looks better almost a stencil.
Quote from: sr-aeronut on July 21, 2010, 10:26:49 PM
Nice stuff Brian! it was another hot one ---could not last, Clay Lacy was scouting around
Beautiful captures!!! I love love love the second one. What lens/camera combo were you using?
I use the Canon 7D and the 50D with the Canon 100-400 for the bulk of what I shoot ... not sure what Brian is using these days.
Quote from: sr-aeronut on July 23, 2010, 05:56:35 AM
I use the Canon 7D and the 50D with the Canon 100-400 for the bulk of what I shoot ... not sure what Brian is using these days.
Thanks for letting me know. I'm just curious what lenses are being used most often, because I'm trying to decide what long lens to get for my 50D.
For Canon, the 100-400 L is the most popular and a pretty good lens!!
Quote from: SkyBaby on July 22, 2010, 06:25:12 PMBeautiful captures!!! I love love love the second one. What lens/camera combo were you using?
The E-2 bubbas are indeed using vinyl stencils since they got a cutter a few years back. It's a lot less work and hassle than dealing with paint for markings (especially since Ventura County is lumped in with LA for air pollution regulation purposes).
Quote from: aim9xray on July 23, 2010, 07:44:44 PM
The E-2 bubbas are indeed using vinyl stencils since they got a cutter a few years back. It's a lot less work and hassle than dealing with paint for markings (especially since Ventura. County is lumped in with LA for air pollution regulation purposes).
So they are stencils or vinyl decals?
Oops, sorry for the confusion! My understanding is vinyl decals that they cut on their machine for the numbers and smaller stuff.
From today........F-18 is an Aussie, A44-201.
Quote from: sr-aeronut on July 23, 2010, 05:56:35 AM
I use the Canon 7D and the 50D with the Canon 100-400 for the bulk of what I shoot ... not sure what Brian is using these days.
Canon 20D (on its last legs, lol), Canon 18-55 and 75-300, and Sigma 175-500mm. Had a Tokina 80-400mm - sharpest non-Canon lens I've ever used, and also a Tamron 200-400 but sold that one awhile back.
Lucky dog I've going there every day after work and getting nothing !!
Bummer. Sofia never came back then? NASA's hangar door was wide open and didn't look like it was inside. Thought you might catch at least that.
Quote from: sr-aeronut on August 04, 2010, 06:46:28 PM
Lucky dog I've going there every day after work and getting nothing !!
I get the occasional C130 after work and that's about it.
In the last month I have made it over there to see a B-1, KC-135, U-2 and B-2 flying off into the distance, never to return while I am sitting there.
Last week my wife called me at work to tell me the B-2 was flying around over Palmdale and Lancaster for well over an hour. :-\
Man I'm dyin to catch a B-1 or a B-52, esp at the eastside viewpoint. Haven't caught either one of those in ages..........
Janet #N365SR, a Global Hawk, and 747-8 were out today, as well as the Wyoming C-130, and the NASA DC-8, and a Marine Corps bird which I didn't recognize but looks similar to the Army's RC-12 without all the antennas.
Out shopping tonight, saw two C130's flying low in loose formation over Rancho Vista headed West. Don't remember seeing anything that low so far out (except when the hills were burning last week).
No camera with me, of course. :-[
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Got this thing doing tng's Hunter?
E-6B TACAMO.
Thanks Ken Just figured it out
"Looking Glass" mission.
"Take Charge and Move Out"
Kevin
aero-engineer
Had a tip about a possible RF-4C delivery to Mojave this week, with California ANG "Grizzlies" markings, so went out and waited from about 845 til just before 10am. Headed home and the damn thing showed up 3 mins after I left!! Gotta hope for another test flight before they paint it orange.
Caught another Global Hawk today, along with the Raiders' black tailed C-130, a Dyess AFB C-130, and the NKC-135 from Edwards.
Love the black tail Raiders bird. 8) Nice work Brian!
CARGOLUX 747-8F from Thurs.
Great shots Jim. Didn't realize that someone had the 747-8F in service? Or still in testing?
Quote from: phantomphan1974 on September 03, 2010, 07:53:48 AM
Great shots Jim. Didn't realize that someone had the 747-8F in service? Or still in testing?
That should be the first production 8F, and if I recall right, it's scheduled to be delivered early 2011.
Thanks Ken!
Quote from: Code20photog on September 03, 2010, 12:07:26 PM
That should be the first production 8F, and if I recall right, it's scheduled to be delivered early 2011.
Cargolux is actually scheduled to take delivery of the 747-8F late this year.
One from today...
Anyone out by Plant 42 today? A friend of mine called and said that there was this black round disc looking thing doing touch and go's today. All he had was a camera phone and nothing was visible in the picture. Just wondering if anyone else saw it and if anybody knows what it was?
Nothing that exotic, the B-2 was pretty busy today (even flying with a NASA Hornet as chase).
Quote from: gfydad on September 09, 2010, 09:18:53 PM
Nothing that exotic, the B-2 was pretty busy today (even flying with a NASA Hornet as chase).
I bet it was the B-2 they saw... Thanks for the Update...
From yesterday...
Quote from: gfydad on September 21, 2010, 05:18:53 AM
From yesterday...
That little guy, the Beechcraft 1900 (N27NG), is the Northrop Grumman shuttle aircraft that takes folks to work between Palmdale and San Diego. Me and the family go to dinner at a cool little Mexican restaurant next to Montgomery Field and see him come in all the time. He just taxis up to the terminal stops the port engine, and out they come (like a clown car), i think we counted 20 people. Then the pilot jumps back in and the taxis out and leave.
Quote from: Realbigtaco on September 22, 2010, 06:23:05 AM
That little guy, the Beechcraft 1900 (N27NG), is the Northrop Grumman shuttle aircraft that takes folks to work between Palmdale and San Diego. Me and the family go to dinner at a cool little Mexican restaurant next to Montgomery Field and see him come in all the time. He just taxis up to the terminal stops the port engine, and out they come (like a clown car), i think we counted 20 people. Then the pilot jumps back in and the taxis out and leave.
El Indio?
Kevin
aero-engineer
MA-CHETE!
Oh, wait....
Back in the old Rockwell days, they had a helo that would shuttle between some of their facilities. (They had one in Thousand Oaks oddly enough in a residential area in Lynn Ranch)
Plug this into google maps
34.197930, -118.905655
Anyways, my high school friend ended up getting a job there, and I got a chance to talk to the helo pilot. You'd think it was a cool job flying all over SoCal every day. He said it was excruciatingly boring.
The Northrop pilots must feel the same way.
Quote from: Code20photog on September 23, 2010, 01:16:37 AM
MA-CHETE!
Oh, wait....
Back in the old Rockwell days, they had a helo that would shuttle between some of their facilities. (They had one in Thousand Oaks oddly enough in a residential area in Lynn Ranch)
Plug this into google maps
34.197930, -118.905655
Anyways, my high school friend ended up getting a job there, and I got a chance to talk to the helo pilot. You'd think it was a cool job flying all over SoCal every day. He said it was excruciatingly boring.
The Northrop pilots must feel the same way.
My uncle used to ride that thing. <laughing> He was a manager of one of the teams in the Shuttle SME division of Rocketdyne. Went to all the launches at the Cape. He's now in charge of several teams and mentioned inviting me up to Vandenburg for a launch, which I hope to take him up on one of these days.
Quote from: kick Z tail out on September 23, 2010, 06:28:33 AM
My uncle used to ride that thing. <laughing> He was a manager of one of the teams in the Shuttle SME division of Rocketdyne. Went to all the launches at the Cape. He's now in charge of several teams and mentioned inviting me up to Vandenburg for a launch, which I hope to take him up on one of these days.
Definitely go! I got to cover a launch a few years ago, we were still 2 miles away, but it's something few people get to witness up close.
Quote from: Code20photog on September 23, 2010, 10:49:30 AM
Definitely go! I got to cover a launch a few years ago, we were still 2 miles away, but it's something few people get to witness up close.
I really hope to... whats awkward now is I haven't talked to him in over a year... I have to figure out how I'm going to call and say "Hey uncle, hows it going? How is everything? By the way, take me to a launch" <laughing>
;D Really won't be that hard, I've just been busy and he's been really busy, now has both a home in Denver and Mission Viejo since he's getting ready to retire in the next few years. So we haven't had the family BBQ at his place that we usually have. Haven't seen him since the last time we talked on the phone.
Sea Knight:
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By gosh Michael, that was worth the climb! <thumbsup>
Only thing besides the Edwards' Aero Club Cessna was a pair of the usual Northrop Grumman's 1900Ds. Not one other thing before I gave it up at 6pm. <moron>
I 'm pretty out of shape-- climbing to the top of that old MD-11-80 ?? structure was torture but I'm glad I did
Quote from: sr-aeronut on September 25, 2010, 12:20:12 PM
I 'm pretty out of shape-- climbing to the top of that old MD-11-80 ?? structure was torture but I'm glad I did
Yeah, I felt it the next day. Still haven't looked at the video.
Alan when you get a chance post it up!
Badass! Did you guys make special arraingments for this? (obviously)
Those are some awesome pictures!! How did you work this out?
It was a last minute talk to the pilots to let them know where we would be and they did the rest. BTW does anyone know where these guys are from or contact info -- I would like to forward these to them, Thanx
Quote from: sr-aeronut on September 29, 2010, 06:33:56 AM
It was a last minute talk to the pilots to let them know where we would be and they did the rest. BTW does anyone know where these guys are from or contact info -- I would like to forward these to them, Thanx
HMM-764 is based out of Edwards AFB, the website, which the link doesn't seem to work, is http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmaw/mag46/DetB/HMM764/Default.htm (http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmaw/mag46/DetB/HMM764/Default.htm)
Thanks Chris-- I'll try and get the shots over to them
I have a contact for you, I know one of the pilots in that squadron! I will send you a PM :)
That would be great Keith!
NICE 46 SHOTS......ALWAYS NICE TO GET A DIFFERENT ANGLE.
Thanks Skip!
First three since getting out of the hospital... <laughing>
Nice Jim, good to see you back!!! ;)
Thanks! Good to feel the fresh air again. ;)
You don`t waste any time........nice to see your out moving again.
But shouldnt you be shooting rotors ?
Quote from: gfydad on October 15, 2010, 10:17:30 PM
Thanks! Good to feel the fresh air again. ;)
LoL. Good to have you back, Jim! ;)
Quote from: Fernando Sedeno on October 16, 2010, 10:49:39 AM
LoL. Good to have you back, Jim! ;)
But remember to get some rest and taker easy... ;)
Quote from: phantomphan1974 on October 16, 2010, 11:20:16 AM
But remember to get some rest and taker easy... ;)
Yeah, forgot to add that.. :D
Nice variety today including the Nevada ANG C-130 :D
Good to have you back Jim take it slow
Not too bad of action for the day before Thanksgiving... :)
Caught this very nice EC-130Q as it made only one missed approach (with a tailwind) and then disappeared to the north. :D
Here's N5017Q with a peculiar pink coloration on the underside portions of both of the outer wing areas as well as the same on the horizontal stabs and the tail of the fuselage.
Quote from: gfydad on November 29, 2010, 08:17:23 PM
Here's N5017Q with a peculiar pink coloration on the underside portions of both of the outer wing areas as well as the same on the horizontal stabs and the tail of the fuselage.
Reminds me a fuel sensitive paint, but it is probably not that.
Anyone know where the fuel dumps are on this aircraft?
Kevin
aero-engineer
Looks like the water soluble paint they used in the water testing last month.
http://www.planenation.com/2010/10/11/boeing/video-boeings-747-8-water-test.htm
My shots from last Wednesday show a clean aircraft, so whatever they're testing, it's pretty recent.
Couldn't believe the light when the 747-8 came in just before the sun went down below the clouds. :D
Also got a great B-1-RD on a fly-bye. ;)
Quote from: gfydad on December 03, 2010, 08:47:40 PM
Couldn't believe the light when the 747-8 came in just before the sun went down below the clouds. :D
Also got a great B-1-RD on a fly-bye. ;)
That hawk was checking you out Jim <laughing>
And he wasn't smiling either! :D
Great shots! That hawk is really eyeing you lol.
I was only out for less than two hours today, but it was fruitful! :D
Jim great shots, I saw Sofia in the pattern earlier today
Nice set.
Thanks!
The light really was ''golden'' when this Raptor took off this morning. :)
Here's Sofia and one of the 747-8s :)
Great shot, Jim. I don't think I caught one like that this afternoon.
Thanks!...
So you were behind me on 40th East?
I should've dropped back to say hi. :-\
That was me. I didn't recognize you without the hat you had on at Mirimar. I'll make sure to stop by next time.
This rounds out what I was able to catch today.
I really like the sunset playing on the U-2. :D
No birds today Jim??? :( nice ones!!
No birds yesterday and karma caught up with me today... :D
Only high flyers: P-3, AN-124, C-130
Hi & Far flyers: B-2
Poor Light: Global Hawk
Best of the day was the ER-2 at about 3 miles ::)
Caught a couple passing by today.
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I saw her do two T&G from the 14, but couldn't pull over and shoot. I didn't have my camera with me and I wasn't driving. :( I was wondering why a FedEx MD-11 was doing T&G over a predominantly military airfield. Landing there to deliver something, I understand, but T&G? That's odd. Anyone know where she went afterward?
Love those DC-10 shots <thumbsup>
Long live the MD-11 & DC-10. <thumbup>
Quote from: SkyBaby on December 19, 2010, 08:53:10 AM
I was wondering why a FedEx MD-11 was doing T&G over a predominantly military airfield.
Maybe FEDERAL Express has more to do with the Federal side than we know?
Quote from: garphoto.com on December 19, 2010, 03:39:08 PM
Maybe FEDERAL Express has more to do with the Federal side than we know?
Lol maybe. jk It was probably just something more to do with the pilots logging hours or something.
Quote from: garphoto.com on December 19, 2010, 03:39:08 PM
Maybe FEDERAL Express has more to do with the Federal side than we know?
LoL good one.. <laughing>
Heck, I didn't know there was a limit on words on the shout out. LOL ::)
As I was saying, you can lump be right in there with Brian. Long before Brian had his close encounter yesterday, the Federal Security folks turned me in to the LA Co. Sheriff. When the black & white rolled up, the Federal Officers came out too. I also had to show my all my images and also all my ID and rental car info. Also, there was a light search of the car including glovebox, camera bag and trunk.
As with Brian, they were polite and professional. Heck, by the time we were done, I was laughing and visiting with them all. They left with smiles on their faces and I remained shooting aircraft and sky.
We've got to remember that these are not the same security folks who had been there for years. After the one little bump I had with the old group, we got along great. They'd even wave when they'd drive by.
No, this is a new group who really don't know us from Adam and they don't understand that those of us who shoot at Plant 42 as regulars know the rules of engagement. That said, I'd rather have them be a little too careful (as long as they are still polite about it) instead of having something bad happen that not only casues security troubles at the base but also kills off our photograhy there. ;)
PS
When I was checked out I was on the non-base side of the road.
How long ago was that, Jim?
They drove past me several times when we were out there earlier this month (12/7, iirc) and didn't even blink as they passed us on 40th.
No clue what the specifics were yesterday, but it is a bit distrubing if he was approached for shooting the planes at Blackbird and Palmdale Airparks.
It was a few weeks before the time you and I were both on 40th. I shoot with Brian out there a lot and I know he doesn't bend any rules of common sense out there. As he was shooting the aircraft in the airparks, I thought it was odd that they came out, but who knows what prompted them security to come out. We don't know if it was security themselves, the guard at the gate near the Blackbird Airpark or somebody driving by not knowing that photography was allowed at the airparks. I was right out where you saw me when I "met" them.
I figure it'd be fun to put some racy pictures of the female form on my card when I go out to shoot there so, if they want to check the images, they'd get a pleasant surprise! :D
lol.
I would love to see the looks on their faces.
I was told by a source who should know that the rules are changing at Plant 42.
Security is going to run it like a typical USAF base now. Apparently similar to EAFB.
I think BJs and the notch (if you're careful) should still be OK, but be forewarned - things are changing it sounds.
Kevin
aero-engineer
Quote from: aero-engineer on January 07, 2011, 09:47:38 PM
I was told by a source who should know that the rules are changing at Plant 42.
Security is going to run it like a typical USAF base now. Apparently similar to EAFB.
I think BJs and the notch (if you're careful) should still be OK, but be forewarned - things are changing it sounds.
Kevin
aero-engineer
Which makes me think they're going to run more of the UCAV programs out of there.
The top secret projects are seen by everyone in the Antelope Valley but u park on Sierra Highway and u r a terrorist is an absolute joke of a security policy. Go to Sams Club or Walmart on 10th St. West and u can see everything that goes out of there. This is another case of Aviation Photographers being labeld as bad guys. >:(
Quote from: Code20photog on January 07, 2011, 11:25:15 PM
Which makes me think they're going to run more of the UCAV programs out of there.
Probably not.
The Global Hawks just got the OK to do flight testing out of there, but Northrop Grumman had to send the X-47B to EAFB via truck.
If anything, maybe it has to do with those Red and White 737s that started showing up A LOT more frequently some time ago.
A nice afternoon offering a variety of airframes...
I caught the strobe on the first B-2 shot. :)
Nice shots jim, the T-38 shot, note the guy in back with the red old school Cold war era Helmet! Cool!
Thanks Keith,
That caught my attention too!
One thing I totally overlooked due to the "interetsing" nose on the top photo...
You may want to check the pod under the BAC 111.
According to the AF fact sheet, it's a "Precision geo-location and non-traditional intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance" ;)
More variety today...
747-8F
Altus KC-135
C-12
Ed Viper belly and side shots
Those white pods are interesting.
Is the 747 back or just passing through?
Spring has sprung and I haven't been out shooting more than once...guess I need to get out more. ;D
I had the same thoughts Damon.
The Dash 8 has been there at least since the beginning of the week. I didn't get out today to see anything though.
Quote from: phantomphan1974 on March 18, 2011, 05:08:50 AM
Those white pods are interesting.
Those are training pods. I would have to look up the designations.
I believe they are old rocket pods modded to drop little blue bombs.
I know the F-117As used to use those.
Kevin
aero-engineer
SUU-20 training pod. Purpose designed to carry small rockets and BDU "training" bomblets. It's been around since the late 1960s, at least. Also carried on F-4s (particularly at Luke), AT-38B, F-111 and occasionally F-16 as seen.
Thanks Craig and Kevin.
(https://apsocal.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm6.static.flickr.com%2F5149%2F5591317768_e7446153ae_b.jpg&hash=b8063aa1b35309b869d193c09a73873b21eaa6b7) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/normanmcbride/5591317768/)
Nice!
Wow great shot! Is the 747-8 Intercontinental coming out here for testing at some point? Or maybe down to KSBD?
where is good place to take pics at plant 42 and how or do you get there am going to be in palmdale tomorrow thnx
Check your private messages.
Thank you for the information
Four from today...
Nice ones Jim 8)
Thanks!
Here are five from yesterday. First time I've caught N747EX
Gorgeous shots!!
Thanks!
The storm moving around the area yesterday made for some nice clouds... :)
Caught N50217 out again today. Heard that she is winding up testing in California and heading back to Washington in a week or so.
(https://apsocal.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm6.static.flickr.com%2F5265%2F5608325303_10ae29336f_b.jpg&hash=5dc54e1f3da21d1e3ffabc6ce50f50db1a44dde0) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/normanmcbride/5608325303/)
Got a few of the 747 it was verry windy and dustynext time maybe
A nice variety of aircraft today and good company to help pass the time...
Nice hanging with you today Jim. Some goodies came by later in the afternoon when I went back out to catch the 747...
(https://apsocal.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm6.static.flickr.com%2F5145%2F5615680934_a3e9fc9e04_b.jpg&hash=922accea1cb22043cc59f1b1b88999663e73f630) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/normanmcbride/5615680934/)
(https://apsocal.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm6.static.flickr.com%2F5022%2F5615677394_eb2959f73a_b.jpg&hash=af3f76a9738b820163e33611ca54157faf5801cf) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/normanmcbride/5615677394/)
(https://apsocal.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm6.static.flickr.com%2F5261%2F5615090613_dffe90b680_b.jpg&hash=864f423eb607b94373e0083ac13187964ffb1ddd) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/normanmcbride/5615090613/)
(https://apsocal.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm6.static.flickr.com%2F5145%2F5615088617_f5d2a68aed_b.jpg&hash=42925ed03a7f9f79c438d3fcf4d25679992ed56d) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/normanmcbride/5615088617/)
(https://apsocal.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm6.static.flickr.com%2F5147%2F5615082413_6041515117_b.jpg&hash=e2e53fd32e9684f84d5386308726a9b3e392c825) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/normanmcbride/5615082413/)
(https://apsocal.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm6.static.flickr.com%2F5183%2F5615070889_89e2847703_b.jpg&hash=1298510ec333591dc3327c1d15f8a1b25ae4cf8f) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/normanmcbride/5615070889/)
(https://apsocal.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm6.static.flickr.com%2F5027%2F5615066911_744ebe96f0_b.jpg&hash=bbd334acc7eb890509298c3935e7d65e50b934e6) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/normanmcbride/5615066911/)
Glad you made it back out to catch the later stuff! <thumbup>
I was hoping to go back out but my leg was wasted.
A couple before the winds kicked up today...
Nice. Wish that Mercury had come through yesterday.
Thanks!
Would've been nice, but the clouds were actually better today for an all-white aircraft. But were not that wonderful for the C-130's bank today.
Three nice angles on NASA 809 from this morning including catching the strob in the first one. :)
Also Pt Mugu P-3 341
One for today...
Anyone gonna go catch the 747-8I coming in about a half hour? Time right now is 9:41 am. I freaked when I saw this and can't make it.. :( I'm gonna pray it's still there later today as I might be able to go then.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/BOE440
Dammit. One I have been waiting to see.
Wonder when it's leaving. ???
It's a different 747-8i than I have seen in pics elsewhere. Couldn't get a good view. They had it tucked in at the Boeing facility pretty well. The sun and glare were bad looking for it from 40th East, so no pics at all. :(
NASA's Sofia and DC8 were out late in the day as well.
I've been checking flight aware several times a day since she arrived and I have yet to see when she's leavin. That's a good sign for me. I'm hoping at some point today or tomorrow, I can get down there and see her. That's one I'm waiting to see, too. When I have pictures of that gorgeous new Boeing, I will have completed my goal of shooting all of Boeing's newest airliners. This is the first time I've every tracked the development and flight testing of a new airliner.
I think there is a red one and a blue one right?or is there another one?
I didn't think so.
Could be this guy...
A7-HHE Qatar Amiri Flight Boeing 747-8KB(BBJ) - cn 37544
(https://apsocal.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm4.static.flickr.com%2F3161%2F5709329810_1cfb45d416_b.jpg&hash=6be0d6516702bb7ccc9a99d993f1da7d9e6d420e) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/38619847@N05/5709329810/)
Here's registration info on the one in PMD. I recommend on bookmarking this site cuz it keeps detailed records of all of boeings test and delivery flights.
http://boeing-test-flights.blogspot.com/2011/07/n5020k-a6-pfa-b747-8z5-bbj-uae.html
I guessed the wrong Middle Eastern government...
Did not realize there were for -8i's flying already.
The 747-8I, presently stationed at PMD, is the fourth produced 747-8 intercontinental and the third active test aircraft for the 747-8I program.
The aircraft is added to the test program to speed up the test pace, is not testwired and used at PMD for high intensity radio frequency (HIRF) tests. So, probably not much flight testing.
Data : L/N 1440 - 747-8Z5 , RC003, serial number 37500, BBJ customer Abu Dhabi Amiri Flight (Presidential Flight Authority) , white livery, test registration N5020K, future registration A6-PFA, selcal code MR-DQ , will be delivered "green" to a modification center in 2011, F/F June 30, present location KPMD.
The third 747-8I/BBJ (L/N 1439 - 747-8KB , RC002, serial number 37544, BBJ customer Qatar Amiri Flight , registration A7-HHE, also in white livery, is stationed at the Paine Field (KPAE) flightline, without engines.
The other two 747-8I test aircraft are dedicated, fully test wired aircraft.
For more 747-8 background info :
http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/5115314/
Thanks for all that info. Pretty interesting stuff.
Wow pretty cool! Thanks for the info!! I was just able to drive by and get a look at her. Couldn't stop and shoot of course..
Nice variety today... ;)
Great pictures Jim.
It looks like it was a good day for plane watching at PMD. The last time I was there, I saw nothing but crows.
F-35 :o
Thanks! If you look at the belly shot, just forward of the nose gear bay, you can see an inverted "V" shaped clear enclosure probably for some type of sensors. It's not as obvious in the side view but still discernable. ;)
From today...
Cool! A Beale AFB T-38. Nice catch!
Thanks! Here are some from today...
Wow, great stuff.
As I posted earlier, the last time I was at PMD this past summer all I saw were crows :) and the airpark of course.
I saw the same type C-130 from Davis Monthan at Mugu last summer doing some pattern work.
Sometimes, there isn't much happening, but what you catch can certainly be interesting!
Two from today... :D
Beal Global Hawk
Bloodhounds' Centennial Painted Viking
Nice Halloween treats :D
Thanks! Plant 42 is eclectic when it comes to aircraft to say the least. <laughing>
Nice!
I've never seen a Global Hawk static much less flying.
"Eclectic" lol.
Last time I was out there, I saw the typical tumbleweeds and a couple of lizards sunning themselves.
Thanks, I've never seen a Global Hawk in operational markings so this was a first for me.
As far as the "quiet times" there, I remember times that I've taken to shooting pics of beatles! Michael can attest to that. :D
Will have some goodies from today to post later tonight. ;)
From today more variety... <laughing>
US Army Blackhawk
B-2 31085
ED F-22 AF 009
VAW 117 E-2C Hawkeye
Awesome!
Love that E-2 shot
Thanks! :)
Hey Jim the Beetles I can handle -- what about the Fire Ants!!-- Really nice stuff Jim!
Wallbangers E-2, nice!
Thanks!
Here's an assortment from today... :)
Nice!
What's the story on that Twin Otter?
Twin Otter looks OG!!!!
I guess it's a part of NVESD out of Ft. Belvoir.
It had me stumpted. No telling what you'll see here.
For example... today... (drum roll please) An Osprey!
Images coming soon... (sometime by Sunday night) :D
From today...
They should put a symbol of a Walther PPK on ED Raptor "007" <laughing>
Will have a couple more of the Osprey in different configurations probably tomorrow night.
Couldn't sleep last night so completed this trio... :)
Wow, it's been like an air show at PMD this week.
I wish I was there too!
More action from today... :D
The twin Otter in Army markings was back but landed on 22 so no shot without heat waves. It taxied over to NASA
Quote from: gfydad on November 07, 2011, 09:53:51 PM
More action from today... :D
Wow that is some awesome action you got Jim! Palmdale looks like a Gem most days.
Jim, you're making me want to take a vacation day from work and head up to PMD!
Is it that way most days, or is this unusual? I took two vacation days last summer and went to PMD, but I didn't see very much.
Thanks guys! The action and variety is pretty atypical to the days I have spent hoping for something, anything to fly. I'm surprised at what I've caught since the F-35 posting on this thread.
Stopped for a few minutes coming back from Palmdale and caught these today... :D
ED Viper 460 and a Marine CH-46 which came over from Edwards
329, the first U-2S came off the line in 1967... :)
She looks good for a 44 year old gal!
From today... :)
Didn't have a lot of time to spend but caught some... ;)
From today...
March KC-135
Edwards TPS T-38
Edwards 412th Ops Group F-16
Looks like another great day at PMD.
I have next Wednesday off, do you think it might be worth the drive up from LA? I can't imagine that the day before Thanksgiving would be very busy there though.
I wouldn't bet on it being busy. I thought today might have more action as folks might be wanting to get some flights in before Thanksgiving week, but, besides the three aircraft I posted, only a Janet came in today as well as a couple of Northrop/Grumman corporate turboprops.
Quote from: gfydad on November 19, 2011, 01:32:00 AM
I wouldn't bet on it being busy. I thought today might have more action as folks might be wanting to get some flights in before Thanksgiving week, but, besides the three aircraft I posted, only a Janet came in today as well as a couple of Northrop/Grumman corporate turboprops.
Right, probably not much activity next Wednesday. I think I'll try a day while I am off between Christmas and New Years.
couple from today... :)
Quote from: gfydad on November 16, 2011, 10:08:57 PM
Didn't have a lot of time to spend but caught some... ;)
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Friend of mine is probably flying this......
NASA DC-8-72 Airborne Laboratory.
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NASA 747-100SR Shuttle Carrier
Shuttle Carrier N911NA retired on February 8, 2012 after its final mission to the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility, and will be used as a source of parts for NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) and the remaining shuttle carrier aircraft, N905NA. from WIkipedia
(https://apsocal.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm8.staticflickr.com%2F7191%2F6783617016_2ba5b7cd70_b.jpg&hash=bd7ea8f79679805551b11a9b93cc2517b9341674) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/normanmcbride/6783617016/)
:)
:)
Really neat shots Jim-- never saw the dark painted f-16 before!