Airplane
Gear Up
This is the “H2” variant of the Lockheed C-130H Hercules tactical airlift aircraft rising above the runway at Rosecrans Memorial Airport during the Speed of Sound Airshow in September of 2024. This is one of many aircraft of the 139th Airlift Wing (139 AW) of the Missouri Air National Guard at Rosecrans.
There is a phenomenon displayed in this image that I don’t believe I’ve photographed before. Notice the white spiral lines behind the propellers. They are tip vortices formed by the propeller. I found this description of what causes these lines on the web: “The pressure in the core of a vortex (such as that shed at the tip of an operating propeller, rotor, wing or extended flap) is reduced well below ambient pressure. The temperature is also lower than ambient because of the lowered pressure. If the temperature is lowered to the dew point, the water vapor will condense and become visible revealing the vortex core.”
I have seen the tip vortices trailing a jet’s wing tips, but I don’t recall seeing them from the propeller blade tips. I’ve learned it’s a fairly common occurrence. I didn’t notice them the day I was taking this photo, so I was surprised to see it when I viewed the photo on my computer screen.
By the way, I should have been using a slower shutter speed when capturing this image. A slower shutter speed would have given the propellers a bit of a blur, indicating movement. When the movement is frozen, as in this image, it seems odd to our brains and belies the incredible speed in which they rotate. I needed the faster shutter speed to better capture jets at this airshow, but should have had the presence of mind so reduce the shutter speed when shooting aircraft with propellers. (I guess I’ll have to keep my amateur status.)
You can get a better view of this image and the and the vortices by clicking on the photo to view a larger, more detailed version.
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Doc’s Nose
This is a close-up of Doc’s nose. Doc is the name painted on the side of this historic aircraft; a vintage Boeing B-29 Superfortress. If you look closely, you can just barely see a painting of Doc, the character the plane is named for from Disney’s animated movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
This is an HDR image (three bracketed shots) that helped bring out the darker, interior of the aircraft. I find the intricate glass on the nose and metal frame a very cool design. I also like the way you can see reflections of people and surroundings in the polished stainless steel body of the aircraft. The polished metal surface and unique design elements highlight the historical significance of the airplane.
You can read about the history of this plane and the story of its restoration here: The B-29 Doc Story.
You can see a larger, more detailed version of this image by clicking on the photo.
Directionally Challenged
This aerobatic pilot performed an amazing series of loops during one of the air shows at EAA’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Some images just make me smile. This is one. There is not much to it, but it conveys an interesting idea in a minimalist way.
You can view a larger, more detailed version of this image by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Flipping the Light Fantastic
Talk about a wild ride! This spectacular light painting was created by a pair of acrobatic airplanes flying huge loop-the-loops in the night sky while shooting fireworks off their wings. Though this long exposure image gives the impression of a colorful chaos, it is actually very graceful and beautiful to watch. This was part of the night airshow at the EAA’s AirVenture 2019.
Because this is a long exposure shot, the people on the ground have a ghostly/blurry quality to them caused by them moving during the 26-seconds the shutter was open. The airplane on the ground didn’t move, so it remains sharp.
The night, fireworks-enhanced air show has improved over the years. You can view some long exposure shots I took at AirVenture 2013 by visiting this earlier post – Pathway to Glory.
You can view a larger, more detailed version of this image by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.
The Flight Brothers
A beautiful historical display – these two venerated ,war birds flew together through the blue skies over Oshkosh, Wisconsin during an airshow at the EAA AirVenture 2019. The upper plane is “Quick Silver, a P-51D, Mustang. The lower plane is a Chance-Vought F4U-4 Corsair.
One of the aspects of AirVenture I appreciate most is their emphasis on honoring our veterans and the hardware our true heroes used to protect and serve. Both of these were used to protect and secure the freedom of others.
You can view a larger, more detailed version of this image by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.
Festival of Flights
Fireworks are a favorite, and fitting, way to end the evening air show at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture.
This is like a little slice of photographer heaven for me – combining fireworks, aircraft and long exposures. I almost didn’t get any fireworks shots on this trip because I forgot to bring my tripod with me. Thankfully, I was able to improvise a suitable camera platform by strapping my monopod to folding lawn chair. It was not a very sturdy/stable set up but, fortunately, there was no wind to speak of. Of course, I use a remote trigger when shooting long exposures to avoid even the slightest movement of the camera.
The blurring of people in this image was caused by their movement during the time the shutter was open; about 23 seconds.
As always, the best of this image can be experienced by viewing the larger, full-screen version. To do so, simply click on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.
Angel on Assignment
A United States Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter jet is seen climbing against the backdrop of a tumultuous summer sky.
This photo the combination of an airshow performance, a setting sun and a billowing thunderhead in the distance. As the jet was quite a distance away, likely banking to return to the delighted airshow fans. The storm front was miles away, causing no threat but providing majestic beauty. The setting sun colored the clouds in an orange-ish hue, making the scene more dramatic.
If you look real close, you can see the fire of the jet engines trailing the aircraft. I’d like to have a better view of the Jet, but the real star in this shot is the sky. To see a larger version (and get a little better view of the jet) just click on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.
Good Morning Oshkosh
The United States Air Force’s Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy, a transport plane that ranks as one of the world’s largest aircraft, greeted visitors at the EAA AirVenture 2019 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Shortly after this photo was taken, they allowed visitors to walk through the plane. The angle of this photo makes the plane seem much smaller than it is. This is a behemoth! The cargo compartment is 121 ft long, 19 ft wide and 13.5 ft high. It is capable of hauling nearly every type of military equipment. The nose and aft cargo-bay doors open the full width and height of the cargo bay to maximize efficient loading of over-sized equipment. Full-width ramps enable loading double rows of vehicles from either end of the cargo hold. Aside from the cargo hold, the plane also has an upper deck that can accommodate 75 pasengers.
The lens flare, created by the sun in the background, was an unexpected artifact in this shot. I’m not sure I like it. On one hand, it’s kind of cool. On the other, it’s kind of distracting.
You can view a larger, more detailed version of this image by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.
Dusting The Crop
A crop duster skillfully applied his trade to a blooming field of sunflowers in rural northeast Wisconsin.
I happened to be home mowing my lawn when I noticed a bright yellow plane buzzing my house. Well, it wasn’t really interested in my house. It was interested in the field of sunflowers across the road from our home. The sunflowers were just at the beginning of their bloom. It was fun to watch and difficult photograph. I could have done better if I had time to think and plan for this event. As it was, I just barely had time to run in the house and grab my camera and snap a few shots before the plane was off to another field.
You can view a larger, full-screen version of this image by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.
Queen Monoplane
They don’t make them like this anymore. This is the Queen Monoplane – a part of early aviation history. As you can see by it’s markings, it was used to deliver mail. It is part of the historic aviation displays at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The E.A.A. museum is a very cool place to learn about the history of aviation. You’ll find historic aircraft and information from the Wright Brother’s flyer to spacecraft. They have a great Warbirds exhibit.
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All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.