Not sure what Phil did, but it seemed to appease the weather gods. The mizzle soon stopped, the cold wind dropped and by late afternoon we had wall to wall sunshine and it was very warm. We spent nearly all day on a grassy mound just behind the concrete panels of the blast wall and right next to the active taxi way. An ideal spot as we have height and the runway hold line is just in front of us and nearly a clear view, apart from the wind sock pole, of the main runway.
When not photographing aeroplanes, the mound was the centre of of deep and meaningful conversations. Like how long was 10 minutes, as in Phil would phone in saying ‘It’ll be here in 10 minutes’ and 30 minutes later we were still waiting. How many landing shots could we get with the parked C-40 in the background and ‘Is that a war bird Brian?’
Two things stood out for me during the day. First was the first arrival of the day in the steadily improving conditions. I had seen the Martin-Baker Meteor many times before, but always as a static display. As far as I’m aware, I’ve never seen it flying. Just before 11.30, it flew in with a run and break. With wheels down it approached the runway and close to touch down did a missed approach, twice, before landing and parking up.
We were expecting two of 32 Sqdn’s. 125’s to depart to do a bit of practice formation flying for their part in the Queens Birthday fly past the next day. A bit of a surprise when just before two thirty in the afternoon, all three moved. Having taken off, they did a tight banking turn to fly over where we were standing out on the airfield especially for us. On returning about ninety minutes later, all three did a very nice formation run and break before landing.
I’ll post some more on the arrivals and night shoot in this thread next week when I’ve been to the photo call on Sunday and recovered from my long weekend.
Brian
By: Pen Pusher - 16th June 2010 at 19:08
UPDATE 3
If it’s Sunday afternoon, then it must be the Charity Photo Call. For a static event, there were a lot of aircraft movements.
First up was the Dornier 228, which did a fly past once airborne. This was followed by the Dutch Gulfstream, which didn’t do a fly past. A rather nice looking SIAI-Marchetti trailed a bit of smoke when it took off but not on its fly past. The Hercules and Chipmunk fired up and the Chippie was first out. I don’t think anyone saw its fly past as they were all watching the MC-130H. A Martin-Baker King Air followed the Hercules out and held on the active runway when the MC-130H did a neat, steep climb out. It did a high circuit and then came back with its wheels down for two more passes.
Many thanks to Phil and Lee, and everyone else I met, for a tiring but thoroughly enjoyable weekend.
Brian
By: Pen Pusher - 15th June 2010 at 19:25
UPDATE 2
After the meal, we crossed over to the other side of the airfield and having parked up outside the Officers Mess we set about photographing the C-40B in the glorious early evening light. The original intention was to photograph the C-40B after the night shoot, but it wasn’t going to be lit up. The appointed time for the arrival of the Bronco and Jet Provost came and went and turned out they were now arriving on the Saturday. With no more movements, we could have access to the pan so it was back over the other side. The night shoot didn’t quite turn out as planned. The man who had the keys to turn the lights on had gone home. With the keys. So we had to make do with natural lighting.
Didn’t quite get the lit up night shots I wanted but quite happy with what I came away with. Many thanks to Lee for a lift to the hotel, and despite asking not to, I had a room over looking over South Ruislip Tube Station. Mmmm.
Back again on Sunday for the Charity Photo Shoot.
Brian
By: Pen Pusher - 14th June 2010 at 19:46
UPDATE 1
Between the departures of the Biz-Jets, the Boeing C-40B Clipper was moved from the dispersal to be parked on the active taxiway up by the Officers Mess for a departure on Saturday. The Alpha Jet crew kept the nose high for a neat bit of aerodynamic braking. The Chipmunk crew got into the World Cup spirit as they trundled past and the Dominie called in with a bird strike. Apparently they returned to Cranwell, got in another jet and finally made it to Northolt. The arrival of the Sky Van created a bit of amusement as when reverse thrust was selected, the nose wheel went into what looked like a very violent wobble as the aircraft slowed down.
By 18.30 there were still two arrivals due later on so we went off for a bit of food and would try to catch them from the other side of the airfield, with the sun behind us, when we went to photograph the C-40 and before the night shoot.
Brian
By: mike currill - 14th June 2010 at 07:19
Lovely. Believe it or not although I am old enough to remember the Meteor in service I’ve only just noticed that they have trailing link main undercarriage legs.
By: JP Vieira - 13th June 2010 at 21:49
Great shots of the Martin-Baker Meteor: thanks a lot
By: EGTC - 13th June 2010 at 17:26
Great stuff!
I wish Northolt allowed all this when I lived in London.
By: Giel - 13th June 2010 at 10:06
some very nice shots you have there!
By: steve rowell - 13th June 2010 at 05:04
Wonderful shots Brian
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June 12, 2010 at 8:55 pm