More Battle of Britain stuff [Archive]

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grumpybadger

01-06-2007, 22:24

A bit late now, but about a month ago I went to the "kick-off" event for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at Duxford. Sky was overcast so pictures generally look a bit bleak but there is something special about a Lancaster with a 7 fighter escort.

I'm not plane photography expert but thought some may be interested. Any tips from experts appreciated.

Lining up for take-off:

http://www.beastall.com/2007_duxford/bin/images/medium/nr7v8663.jpg

Hurricanes and Spitfires:

http://www.beastall.com/2007_duxford/bin/images/medium/nr7v8187.jpg

2 Spitfires and a Hurricane:

http://www.beastall.com/2007_duxford/bin/images/medium/nr7v8799.jpg

Oldest flying Spitfire and Typhoon (Eurofighter):

http://www.beastall.com/2007_duxford/bin/images/medium/nr7v8333.jpg

Typhoon on afterburners:

http://www.beastall.com/2007_duxford/bin/images/medium/nr7v8479.jpg

Typhoon pulling water vapour out the air on tight turn:

http://www.beastall.com/2007_duxford/bin/images/medium/nr7v8482.jpg

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight overflying the Central Band of the RAf:

http://www.beastall.com/2007_duxford/bin/images/medium/img_4054.jpg

Lancaster and fighter escorts:

http://www.beastall.com/2007_duxford/bin/images/medium/img_4004.jpg

There's more HERE (http://www.beastall.com/2007_duxford/) if anyone is interested.

Paul

Dark Star

01-06-2007, 22:37

Very nice Paul! My Dad was an engineer on Lancasters and Spitfires so I like seeing these in the sky and you've done them justice imo!

The Typhoon looks pretty impressive too! Pity we can't hear them!

Susane

01-06-2007, 22:43

Lump in throat time whenever I see photo's of that Lancaster, my Uncle flew it when he was in the RAF.
He flew it to an air display once and came over my parents house while I was in the garden. He dipped her wings for me. :D

Witch

02-06-2007, 08:55

Wow! Seeing whole whole flight assembled like that must've been quite something! Every time I go anywhere they are scheduled to perform something goes wrong with one of the planes or the weather turns pants!!

Love those!

JPS

02-06-2007, 10:09

Very good. I've managed to see the BBMF twice so far this year, but not the complete line up like your photos show.

antonroland

02-06-2007, 19:51

namllihs

02-06-2007, 19:56

Good stuff Paul, I particularly like #1, #3 & #4. Lovely.

grumpybadger

02-06-2007, 22:15

Can't see your exif, but personally I would recommend a slightly lower (longer)shutter speed for prop aircraft in the air.

I am guessing your shutter was around 1/250 or 1/500 and freezing the propellor blades as you did in your last shot gives a bit of a static feel -IMHO

Couldn't agree more on the shutter speed. It's a long time since I did prop planes and I couldn't remember what settings worked best so I tried a few. Looks like 1/100 works well.

Sadly, the full formation only made one pass and I was that keen not to miss it that I forgot to tweak shutter speed. I was actually working in Av mode (as I normally do for wildlife) and so as the day brightened up, the shutter speed shortened. Remember for next time why the camera has a Tv mode too! Simple beginner's mistake I shouldn't have made...

antonroland

02-06-2007, 23:28

Happens to all of us,

Bound to happen to me too as soon as I have enough experience.:D

Dino f

03-06-2007, 18:39

Lovely shots Grumps!!!!
The full line up of the BBMF is a truly stunning sight, you did v well to capture them, as using a wide lens usually means either completely blowing out the sky, or leaving the planes looking like black blobs.
Thanks for posting.
Dean:)

grumpybadger

03-06-2007, 21:48

Thanks Dean. To be honest, it was such a "lump in the throat" moment I think I did well to press the shutter!

11 Merlins and Griffons flying past. I wish I had a sound recording, it was awesome. Not all the smaller planes are part of BBMF, Duxford had pulled together a small squadron to welcome the 3 planes from the memorial flight...