I see on IMDB that he flies a “classic bi-plane”. Any details?

I’ve always enjoyed him…however it’s taken some time to erase him playing Oscar Wilde from my memory:D .
Nothing homophobic in that, rather just strange to see him in that role after his comedy work.

Apart from constant repetition on multiple websites, I can’t find any more details, and until you mentioned it was unaware of this information. I don’t see any official confirmation anywhere.

It is possible, though, that as a result of his interest in aviation he knows of this forum. I doubt he would ever be tempted to post himself to confirm or deny the fact, and give more details. Maybe there is someone who knows though.

Although I did see that movie, I don’t see him as being stereotyped into that role. His output is simply too much and quite diverse.

I haven’t been there in a while, but the QI programme has it’s own website and forum [click]. That MIGHT be somewhere he, or someone closer to him, looks more frequently.

RAF Displays for 2007:

Reds, BBMF, Falcons, Typhoon solo, Tucano, Tutor, Hawk, Chinook, Sea King SAR Demos. (No Tornado GR4, Tornado F3, Harrier, Merlin, C130J solos).

The RAF is however staging “role demos” at selected venues – Abingdon; Biggin Hill; Cosford; Kemble; Waddington; RIAT; Kinross – which will see Tornado GR4s, Tornado F3s, Hawks, Merlins, Chinooks, C130J, E3D Sentry performing co-ordinated routines.

This article reveals all: http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/hangar/2007/430events/events.htm

Shame!!!

No HS125, Dominie again!!!!

An RAF Stalwart if ever there was one – well, long in the tooth anyway.

Regrettably my 100-300 lens is unserviceable, so the camera is unusuitable for aviation photography any longer, and I don’t intend spending any more money on it. I have two smaller lenses, so the camera will be fine for portraits and such.

Robbo – forget trying to draw me into some kind of punchbag conversation with you. It’s not going to happen. Clearly you believe you’re right, and I am well aware of the advantages of dSLRs vs Bridge/Prosumers, as I have acknowledged on more occasions than you care to credit me for.

At no time have I ever said that the opposite is true, merely encouraged those that want to discuss the subject, and try bridge/prosumer accordingly. There’s absolutely nothing wrong, or to be afraid of in that. They work, and work well, if you’re prepared to spend the time and effort to learn both their limitations and their strengths.

The 2CR5 batteries cost £13 or thereabouts at Jessops, although I’m sure you could get some cheaper elsewhere. Even so, I couldn’t find cheaper than old stock at £5.90. The charger & Li-ion 2CR5M cost approximately £18 including delivery.

Incidentally, I started taking photographs in about 1974 – with a Zorki 4K- click. I doubt you’ll find anything from that period that requires as much attention to take pictures, as that does. The Minolta could never surpass the quality of photographs I took with that – although one would have thought that the opposite was true.

Unfortunately, I have to live on incapacity benefit, and don’t have the luxury of being able to afford several hundreds of pounds on any kind of suitable body/lens combination. I have priorities that lie elsewhere – like food, clothing, a roof over my head.

With regard to digital noise – yes, I think there is a problem there – BUT, I try to process my photographs such that an image is best viewed at the size I set the image in – and if I want a larger image than, say, 1280×768 I’ll go back to the original and completely reprocess – rather than try to stretch an image. I don’t, these days, print many images. I don’t expect my pictures to be downloaded and stretched either, and certainly not printed.

I’ve now got a S6500fd, and I am very pleased with the improvement, so far, over the S5x range. It came direct from Fuji, as a reconditioned one, so I think it has had a bit more TLC than a factory item.

Feintly aviation related example @ 1280×768 – [click!] I’ve chosen this one, which was taken at near full zoom, because of the wide dynamic range within the extremes of contrast – I hope you like it!

Absolutely.

I remember visiting the fire section at RAF Chivenor, duirng summer camp as a cadet in (about) 1968/9.

A Hunter was taking off, when it’s engine spluttered died and within about 2 seconds started again. The rock apes didn’t half jump – but sat down again as the engine came back on.

Is this a regular occurence with Hunters, and what would the pilot have done to get it going again so quickly?

There was no other drama, it continued to takeoff and, to the best of my recollection, continued with it’s mission as if nothing had happened.

Agreed, that’s why I suggest running them through Neat Image first – but of course, if you can afford £1000 for a better quality camera and lens combination, then that’s what you should do.

Cheap/budget dSLRs don’t offer any really significant advantage in my experience. It’s a matter of diminishing returns on higher expenditure.

I have to say, though, that given the choice I would much prefer a dSLR with a 300mm lens. I’d rather like to have both, actually.