Point Mugu Airshow (March 31st 2007) [Sitemap] - Digital Grin Photography Forum

Nikolai

Apr-01-2007, 12:45 AM

Few pictures from the show.

B-52

Tail

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140050321-L.jpg

Pano (CS3)

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140050070-L.jpg

Radar plane (Edit: E2C Hawkeye)

Nose view

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140050779-L.jpg

Propeller

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140050743-L.jpg

F-15

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140071875-L.jpg

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140072302-L.jpg

F-22

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140106653-L.jpg

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140106982-L.jpg

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140107425-L.jpg

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140107647-L.jpg

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140107881-L.jpg

F-117A Stealth

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140115190-L.jpg

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140114392-L.jpg

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140114942-L.jpg

It can fly very low:
http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140115104-L.jpg

The rest is here:
http://nik.smugmug.com/Events/302479

(A few more galleries are coming, including Thunderbirds and P-51, F-15 and F-22 trio)

Prezwoodz

Apr-01-2007, 01:40 AM

I think the Radar Plane is an E2C Hawkeye yes?

I got some M-16s flashed on me once when I was peeking in the window of one that had parked on our ramp at the airport....What? It was there!! heh

behr655

Apr-01-2007, 04:53 AM

Nice series Nik. I just want to know how this one stayed in the air after the batteries fell out.

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140106653-L.jpg

Bear

bsvirginian

Apr-01-2007, 05:00 AM

:scratch I've never seen an E2C with props like that. Is that just a west coast thing? bsvirginian

Nir

Apr-01-2007, 05:01 AM

Nice series Nik. I just want to know how this one stayed in the air after the batteries fell out.

Bear

i agree nik, great series! what i want to know is why couldn't they have cleaned the dust off before the show?

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140107425-S.jpg

ivar

Apr-01-2007, 07:14 AM

Cool shots :thumb a little moisture in the air, huhh?

This plane just looks like some skin fell off if you ask me :dunnohttp://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140106653-L.jpg

Nikolai

Apr-01-2007, 08:58 AM

I think the Radar Plane is an E2C Hawkeye yes?

I'm not sure :dunno .
I think I saw E2C earlier and it looked different, but I'm not that big on the plane IDs.
Let's see if Mike Lane or somebody else with the on-hand military aviation experience can tell us.

Nikolai

Apr-01-2007, 09:03 AM

Nice series Nik. I just want to know how this one stayed in the air after the batteries fell out.

Bear

Thanks!

Yeah, it does look very weird. I was wondering myself why didn't the close the chassis hatch right after the take-off... :dunno

Nikolai

Apr-01-2007, 09:04 AM

i agree nik, great series! what i want to know is why couldn't they have cleaned the dust off before the show?

:lol3

Thanks!

ivar

Apr-01-2007, 09:05 AM

I'm not sure :dunno .
I think I saw E2C earlier and it looked different, but I'm not that big on the plane IDs.
Let's see if Mike Lane or somebody else with the on-hand military aviation experience can tell us.looks like an E-2 hawkeye to me.

DJ-S1

Apr-01-2007, 09:21 AM

Great series Nik! looking forward to the rest - :thumb

Nikolai

Apr-01-2007, 09:24 AM

Cool shots :thumb a little moisture in the air, huhh?

This plane just looks like some skin fell off if you ask me :dunno

Thanks!

It's amazing, how sharply this thing can turn!
F-15 was flying in the same air (20 minutes difference maybe), but it got nowhere near as much "vapor blast" (I don't know what the technical term is).

ivar

Apr-01-2007, 09:31 AM

Thanks!

It's amazing, how sharply this thing can turn!
F-15 was flying in the same air (20 minutes difference maybe), but it got nowhere near as much "vapor blast" (I don't know what the technical term is).I'm sure there is a technical term for it, I just call it condensation (due to pressure change) :lol3 but I'm not one to be difficult about technical terms anyway. "Hey, we need to go right, you do that thing, I'll do this thing. Gimme that long checklist, k?" :D

Nikolai

Apr-01-2007, 09:33 AM

looks like an E-2 hawkeye to me.

You guys are correct, it *is* E2C Hawkeye, I found it in Wiki (with the Pt.Mugu as its home station (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:DN-SD-04-13416.jpg)! :clap )

Nikolai

Apr-01-2007, 09:43 AM

Great series Nik! looking forward to the rest - :thumb

Thanks!
It will take a bit (I filled both cards that day) and it's not gonna be as impressive as these ones (well, Thunderbirds are still cool:-), but I'll do my best :-)

Maestro

Apr-01-2007, 10:54 AM

Awesome series. You did a great job capturing the action of the planes in the air.

Awais Yaqub

Apr-01-2007, 01:42 PM

Great series i loved 1st a lot
How they sound ? :huh if compared to F16 more or less ?? i heard stealth has no sound

Nikolai

Apr-01-2007, 02:36 PM

Awesome series. You did a great job capturing the action of the planes in the air.
Thank you, appreciate it! :thumb

Nikolai

Apr-01-2007, 02:41 PM

Great series i loved 1st a lot
How they sound ? :huh if compared to F16 more or less ?? i heard stealth has no sound
Thanks, man! :thumb

They all (I mean all the Fs) can be both very loud and very quiet, depending on the amount of thrust they do. Sometimes it's deafening, sometimes you don't hear it until it's right on top of you....

When two or more of them were airborn, it was plain scary sometimes, since you had no idea which plain is coming from where. You just hear the roar...

F117 only made a few passes w/o any stunts, so I can't say about its all audio or maneuvering capabilities. I wouldn't call it very loud, though...

wxwax

Apr-01-2007, 03:50 PM

Wow, this is super, real sense of speed.

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140107881-S.jpg

And I like this one too. That Buff sure cleans up well, huh?

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140050321-S.jpg

Nikolai

Apr-01-2007, 04:08 PM

Wow, this is super, real sense of speed.

And I like this one too. That Buff sure cleans up well, huh?

Thanks! :thumb

I was hoping to get something stately at the show, since I was totally out of ideas, and that B-52 tail was the closest I could find. Still no cigar, though...:dunno

Skippy

Apr-01-2007, 05:06 PM

Few pictures from the show.

B-52
Tail
Pano (CS3)
Radar plane (Edit: E2C Hawkeye)
Nose view
Propeller
F-15
F-22
F-117A Stealth
It can fly very low:
The rest is here:
http://nik.smugmug.com/Events/302479

(A few more galleries are coming, including Thunderbirds and P-51, F-15 and F-22 trio)

Glad you got to go to the Airshow Nik, this lot look great :clap
They just had a big one here too, but our promised tickets didnt show up :cry .... ohhhh well :dunno

Thanks for sharing I love the ones that look like clouds surrounding the plane, they look awesome :thumb ..... Skippy
.

moose135

Apr-01-2007, 05:20 PM

Great shots, Nikolai! I'm planning on getting to a few airshows this year, and seeing your shots is certainly making me impatient!

:scratch I've never seen an E2C with props like that. Is that just a west coast thing? bsvirginian

I hadn't seen those either, but a little Googling found that they are an upgrade which started rolling out a couple of years ago. It's the NP2000 program - the 8 bladed props give increased performance and reduced maintenance. Eventually, all the E-2Cs will have them installed.

fmkjr

Apr-01-2007, 05:36 PM

Nikolai

Apr-01-2007, 05:38 PM

Glad you got to go to the Airshow Nik, this lot look great :clap
They just had a big one here too, but our promised tickets didnt show up :cry .... ohhhh well :dunno

Thanks for sharing I love the ones that look like clouds surrounding the plane, they look awesome :thumb ..... Skippy
.

Thanks! :thumb

Bummer about your lost tickets..:-( :cry

Yeah, this vapor/condensation/whatever does look awesome. This is first time I was ever able to catch it, so I'm very glad myself.. :wink

Cheers! :beer

Nikolai

Apr-01-2007, 05:42 PM

Great shots, Nikolai! I'm planning on getting to a few airshows this year, and seeing your shots is certainly making me impatient!

Thank you!

Yeah, those are great fun! Only... Each time I forget to bring the chair and the sunblock. Hence, each frigging time my feet hurt and my skin is patched red.
Oh, yeah, and each time I'm getting my eyes burnt from all that sky staring... despite of rather thick polarized sunglasses and a hat...

Seefutlung

Apr-01-2007, 05:47 PM

Really Good Stuff Nik.

Gary

Nikolai

Apr-01-2007, 05:50 PM

Great pictures!

You might have mentioned what lens you used and I overlooked it... but what lens did you use? I will be shooting an airshow in June (for my employer) and plan to rent an 80-400 or something similar.

frank

Thank you! :thumb

Most of the airshots are EF 100-400L IS USM f/4.0-5.6, most are at 400. Very few (like explosion ones) are EF 70-200L f/2.8 IS USM at 70.

"Display" pictures are mostly EF-S 10-22 (hardware) and 70-200 (softwa... I mean, a few candids :-) :wink

I also cranked ISO up to 400 and stepped 100-400 down to f/8 (ISO 160 f/4 for 70-200) to get somewhat sharper pictures. Noise is not really a big deal, but I wanted to make sure I get most of the action, since those things are faaaaaaast. :deal

BTW, IS is a *huge* help!

HTH

Nikolai

Apr-01-2007, 05:50 PM

Really Good Stuff Nik.
Gary

Thanks man! :thumb

ShepsMom

Apr-01-2007, 08:00 PM

Great shots Nik!!! I just came back from Blue Angels show, i took over 400 pictures :huh I also got horrible sunburn, but i had a blast!! I can't wait to edit all the pictures and see which 1 of all 400 i like :rofl

moose135

Apr-01-2007, 08:18 PM

Most of the airshots are EF 100-400L IS USM f/4.0-5.6, most are at 400. Very few (like explosion ones) are EF 70-200L f/2.8 IS USM at 70.

I also cranked ISO up to 400 and stepped 100-400 down to f/8 (ISO 160 f/4 for 70-200) to get somewhat sharper pictures. Noise is not really a big deal, but I wanted to make sure I get most of the action, since those things are faaaaaaast. :deal

BTW, IS is a *huge* help!

HTH
Those are a couple of good lenses - I've shot a ton of aviation shots with the 100-400L, with great results. I have the non-IS version of the 70-200 f/2.8, and that works really well also.

I don't know that you really need to bump up to ISO 400, especially if you have a nice bright day. I shoot a lot of airliners, and even when shooting military at airshows, I typically shoot in Av at f/7.1 or f/8 and ISO 100, and unless there's cloud cover, that usually gives me a shutter speed in the 1/500 range. That should be plenty fast enough, since you should be panning along to keep them in the frame before you shoot.

Here's an example from last summer, when the Tomcat was making it's farewell visit to Long Island. They're making a pass at about 300 + knots. I shot this at ISO 100, f/9.0 and 1/400.

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/85623665-L.jpg

Nikolai

Apr-01-2007, 10:06 PM

Nikolai

Apr-01-2007, 10:11 PM

I don't know that you really need to bump up to ISO 400, especially if you have a nice bright day. I shoot a lot of airliners, and even when shooting military at airshows, I typically shoot in Av at f/7.1 or f/8 and ISO 100, and unless there's cloud cover, that usually gives me a shutter speed in the 1/500 range. That should be plenty fast enough, since you should be panning along to keep them in the frame before you shoot.

Here's an example from last summer, when the Tomcat was making it's farewell visit to Long Island. They're making a pass at about 300 + knots. I shot this at ISO 100, f/9.0 and 1/400.

I'm still playing around with the settings. I decided to keep the shutter speed over 1/1000th to make sure I catch those military jet bastards no matter what they decide to bring. I wouldn't do it for the prop planes (even though P-51 is a one fast aircraft), but for the modern jets - I simply decided to play safe.
I agree, maybe I overdid it in this case. I will try something less agressive next time. :rolleyes
Thank you for the comments/sharing/advice! :thumb

Nikolai

Apr-03-2007, 10:36 PM

I put some extra galleries (including Thunderbirds (http://nik.smugmug.com/gallery/2649615) :deal ) to the Airshow group (http://nik.smugmug.com/Events/302479)
Also made a selected one (http://nik.smugmug.com/gallery/2665257) with a few pictures which I deem turned out the best...

Enjoy!

moose135

Apr-04-2007, 06:06 AM

Nikolai

Apr-04-2007, 09:41 AM

Nice galleries, Nikolai! Looks like you had some great weather for shooting, nice and clear, but just enough moisture in the air to get some good condensation shots. Your Thunderbird shots are great - those guys (and now gals) have always been my favorites. They will be here on Long Island soon, I'm really looking forward to seeing them again.

And the seagull photos - priceless :thumb

Thank you!

I guess this is the location of that airbase that makes it a great place for the airshows. It's right on the Pacific shore, so there is always enough moisture. And it also has some local microclimate, which makes the overcast (rather typical for this area) to go away, so it's almost always clear.

Bassett1976

Apr-04-2007, 07:20 PM

Few pictures from the show.

Nice shots, I was at the airshow also. I made my wife go out to see the Thunderbirds after church. I didn't get a chance to see anything earlier or get any more than a few pictures from the static aircraft but I did take about 700 pictures of the Thunderbirds during the show. :D

http://bassett1976.smugmug.com/photos/140447789-M-1.jpg

http://bassett1976.smugmug.com/photos/140503426-M-1.jpg

Nikolai

Apr-04-2007, 07:36 PM

Nice shots, I was at the airshow also. I made my wife go out to see the Thunderbirds after church. I didn't get a chance to see anything earlier or get any more than a few pictures from the static aircraft but I did take about 700 pictures of the Thunderbirds during the show. :D

You've nailed that last one.:thumb
Great angle! Where were you shooting from, the tower? :wink

Bassett1976

Apr-04-2007, 07:44 PM

You've nailed that last one.:thumb
Great angle! Where were you shooting from, the tower? :wink
Thank you, I thought it was a good one and got it just at the correct time. I found that the burst mode works really well at an airshow. I'm still new at all of this. I need to go back and delete many of my shots and try to crop some of them. I hate doing that part...

I wish I could be in the tower. I was in front of the Fed Ex plane.

Nikolai

Apr-04-2007, 07:53 PM

I found that the burst mode works really well at an airshow.

You don't say... Burst mode, AI Servo, multi-point AF...

Bassett1976

Apr-04-2007, 08:03 PM

You don't say... Burst mode, AI Servo, multi-point AF...

Are you going to any of the other airshows in the greater Southern CA area?

Nikolai

Apr-04-2007, 09:31 PM

Are you going to any of the other airshows in the greater Southern CA area?
Dunno... Are there any?

Bassett1976

Apr-04-2007, 09:35 PM

Dunno... Are there any?

The next one is the Chino Air Show on May 19-20th. I also know that the Miramar Air Show is coming up in September or October.

ShepsMom

Apr-04-2007, 09:37 PM

Here is a website that gives you show schedule

http://www.airshow.com/airshowschedule.htm

Nikolai

Apr-04-2007, 09:37 PM

The next one is the Chino Air Show on May 19-20th. I also know that the Miramar Air Show is coming up in September or October.
May 19-20 is an important weekend for me, LPS semifinals #1. :deal
I have some major plans to execute, so I doubt I'll go anywhere else.. :dunno

Nikolai

Apr-04-2007, 09:43 PM

Here is a website that gives you show schedule
http://www.airshow.com/airshowschedule.htm

Thanks, great link! :thumb

Basset,
I will probably go to this one:
8/18-19/2007 Camarillo Air Show

In fact I'm, gonna schedule it now in the Calendar..:deal :wink

Phil U.

Apr-05-2007, 09:21 AM

Great series Nik! Love the "moisture" shots - lots of drama.

Nikolai

Apr-05-2007, 09:40 AM

Great series Nik! Love the "moisture" shots - lots of drama.

Thanks! :thumb

Prezwoodz

Apr-08-2007, 01:40 AM

:scratch I've never seen an E2C with props like that. Is that just a west coast thing? bsvirginian

Ah ya it is slightly different. The one we had taxi in was able to move its props so they pointed straight up. It was neat!

Mike Lane

Apr-08-2007, 02:09 AM

Few pictures from the show.

B-52 (H model I think)

Tail

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140050321-S.jpg

Pano (CS3) This buff is from Mountain Home Idaho

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140050070-S.jpg

F-15 This is an F-15E from Seymour Johnson (the US Air Force Base with the best name ever!)

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140071875-S.jpg

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140072302-S.jpg
my edits are in red :thumb Great shots.

Nikolai

Apr-08-2007, 11:21 AM

my edits are in red :thumb Great shots.

Thank you for your comments and clarification!

I feel so inadequate compared to your guys' detailed knowledge. I was glad I was able to get the model number right.. :hide

PetersCreek

May-15-2007, 02:41 PM

I know I'm really late coming in on this thread but...

Originally Posted by Nikolai

F-15 This is an F-15E from Seymour Johnson (the US Air Force Base with the best name ever!)

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140071875-S.jpg

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/140072302-S.jpg

More specifically, this F-15E Strike Eagle is from the 333rd Fighter Squadron, judging by the red tail stripe and the red & white unit insignia on the left side (top photo). The blue & yellow insignia visible in the bottom photo is that of the 4th Fighter Wing, a patch I wore for 11 years of my career. The 333rd was inactive during my time at the "Shady J" but I was assigned to the 334th then 335th Aircraft Maintenance Units until I changed career paths.

The technical term for the vapor visible on top of the wings during high-g/high angle-of-attack maneuvers is lift-generated condensation...also known as lift clouds.

Outstanding photos!

Nikolai

May-15-2007, 03:11 PM

I know I'm really late coming in on this thread but...

More specifically, this F-15E Strike Eagle is from the 333rd Fighter Squadron, judging by the red tail stripe and the red & white unit insignia on the left side (top photo). The blue & yellow insignia visible in the bottom photo is that of the 4th Fighter Wing, a patch I wore for 11 years of my career. The 333rd was inactive during my time at the "Shady J" but I was assigned to the 334th then 335th Aircraft Maintenance Units until I changed career paths.

The technical term for the vapor visible on top of the wings during high-g/high angle-of-attack maneuvers is lift-generated condensation...also known as lift clouds.

Outstanding photos!

Peter,
Thank you for commenting, sharing and educating! I like the lift cloud term. :thumb