Fox Field Tanker Ops

[f4_phantom_fan]

I have several primary spots I shoot from: the two obvious places are the terminal building area and the area in front of the tanker base. My favorite spot is 60th West at Ave G (a bit north of the intersection on 60th - this is the spot where Alan's photo shows us - it's been VERY popular this weekend, I've never seen so many spectators out there before); a new one I tried today - the big burm next to the Armory by the tanker base - that worked out great since I didn't have to deal with the power lines when the Cobra came back; there is a dirt road that leads south from Ave F and goes along the NE perimeter of the airport fence towards the NE corner of Apollo Park - this is great for getting REAL close to the landings!; and sometimes I shoot along 30th if I feel like trying for banked final ap shots, I found another new spot in the desert east of 30th, but the a/c were either not banking where I hoped they would, or they were turning short. Plenty of options out here.

here's a couple of night shots of the parked Neptunes.........

[gfydad]

Here are some of mine from Sunday...

[gfydad]

Here's the reason for all the action.

First is just an old tree I thought looked neat with the smoke as a background. This was from 30th St West near Fox.

The next two are from Santiago Road in Acton. While shooting these, I saw one fire copter working during the dark of the night. Those guys have courage!

The last shot is from the raod leading up to Littlerock Dam. As the car gates were closed, I hiked back a little to get the angle I wanted. As soon as I took the shot, the Sheriffs and fire personnel came through to evacuate everybody.  
That's the moon shining through the smoke.

[NikonGuy]

WoooooW!!! Guys, very very very impressive shots!   

[phantomphan1974]

That N214JL, looks like it has a big engine!  Look at the exhaust!  Think this is the one that Skip mentioned.  LIke the other one he shot with the Chinook engine.

[akradecki]

That N214JL, looks like it has a big engine!  Look at the exhaust!  Think this is the one that Skip mentioned.  LIke the other one he shot with the Chinook engine.

It is a big engine...that's a Bell 214.

[f4_phantom_fan]

Here are the Cobra afternoon RTB shots I was telling you about...........     Part one.

[f4_phantom_fan]

part two.........

[Dragonskiss]

Great angle on the first two shots of part two.

[f4_phantom_fan]

Thanks! Here's a few more from Saturday......

[NikonGuy]

Here are the Cobra afternoon RTB shots I was telling you about...........     Part one.

Pretty cool shots there, Brian.

What do they use the Cobra for?   

[akradecki]

ROAD CLOSURE ALERT (JUST NOTIFIED BY JIM MUMAW) - The City of Lancaster has decided to close off 60th Street West between Ave G and Ave F to all parking. So looks like we'll need to park elsewhere and hike into the desert to get those head on shots. Update: Now Jim's saying that the city's telling him that only the east side of the road (where all the parking is) where the planes go right overhead is the only spot that's supposed to be closed off, not nec the entire section  between G and F.

Just came from there. Both sides of 60th have "no stopping" signs, but its only in the couple hundred yards that are most popular. People, myself included, are parking at each end of where the signs are and walking in. Not a bad walk.

[akradecki]

Love the yellow of this Minden P-2...nice to see something different!

[f4_phantom_fan]

Just came from there. Both sides of 60th have "no stopping" signs, but its only in the couple hundred yards that are most popular. People, myself included, are parking at each end of where the signs are and walking in. Not a bad walk.

I went out there for a bit this afternoon, and must say 'pls excuse my overly dramatic' note above. I should've went out there and taken a look before posting that, lol.

What a joke - all they did was put out a few sparsely spaced sawhorses with those 'no stopping' signs. None of which were located in the 'sweet spot' as Jim calls it. LOL - do they really think that's gonna stop anyone? It sure didnt when I was there. There were six people parked INSIDE the signs and were there for about the first 20 mins I was on 60th........why did they even bother?  

[f4_phantom_fan]

Pretty cool shots there, Brian.

What do they use the Cobra for?   

I'm pretty sure it's a spotter aircraft.