From a magazine feature series I produced and photographed for Iron Man Magazine. It was about fitness in the military. This was a training day with the firefighters at March Air Reserve Base. That is their training aircraft fuselage burning with aviation fuel. Me right behind them shooting photographs.
Just some thoughts on air to air photography. Flying with the Palm Springs Air Museum, we were doing July 4th celebration flyovers. Alongside the T-28 Trojan, I was in the backseat of the Red Tail P-51 Mustang “Bunny”. The Mustang is at best, somewhat short on room in the back. There is also a curvature to the canopy that lends itself to a lot of distortion. My choice of gear here made it all work out easier.
I was shooting the latest Fujifilm mirrorless camera, the X-H1 and the Fujifilm XF50-140 lens. The 5-axis in-body stabilization works in conjunction with the lens stabilization, perfect for this kind of shooting. It is also physically smaller and lighter than a full size DSLR which in tight quarters or pulling a couple of g’s makes a huge difference.
This time out I also especially appreciated my camera strap choice. From Vulture Equipment Works especially made for aviation use. A tougher strap does not exist. It is designed with carabiners connecting the strap to the camera. The ability to easily disconnect them helped in easily getting the strap out of the way of my headset cable. When you are getting in, you are buckling up your parachute, shoulder harness and seat belt, camera and headset, so wanting to change how you set things up from when you got in does happen.
At the same time, I was also running two GoPro’s. Each mounted inside to my left and right, pointed 45 degrees front. Got some great video I will show you later.
Anyway just thought I would share. It was great fun! Thanks!
Getting Ready To Go To Reno! For the National Championship Air Races for 2018! Join with us as part of our Red Tails Kingcobra Race Team as our P-51 Mustang “Bunny” again roars around the pylons. And this year along with our P-63 Kingcobra “Pretty Polly”. The first time in decades for a Kingcobra at the Reno Air Races!
We are reaching out to all of you, we are committed, but need your help. We have great perks for as little as $25 on up to our Platinum Sponsor Level. You can even fly in “Bunny” too. So please check it out and help us out! We promise you great fun as you are a Red Tails Kingcobra Team Member! Thanks! Click right here for our Indiegogo https://igg.me/at/RedTailsReno2018
Mick Dawson talking about the Spitfire. Mick was a young man in England working at an airbase during World War II. One of the very very interesting people I get to meet shooting photographs and video and managing the social media for the Palm Springs Air Museum.
Climb in the cockpit of the Supermarine Spitfire yourself! This is an incredible opportunity! The British fighter aircraft that is a hero of the Battle of Dunkirk and the exciting motion picture “Dunkirk”!
Open Cockpit Saturday June 30th from 10:30am – 12:30pm at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Check it out!
Have you been watching all of my aviation photography and video work with the Palm Springs Air Museum. Here is the USS Missouri in Long Beach from the mid 1980’s when most of my flying was in a Cessna 172.
I really enjoy the purpose when my videos and photos get to share both excitement and history. Here with the Palm Springs Air Museum.
The Berlin Airlift 70 years ago started on June 24, 1948. From our Palm Springs Air Museum friend, Brooks Wachtel, Emmy Award Winner and Co-Creator of the epic History Channel series “DogFights”. More below…
“The Soviet Union began the Berlin Blockade. It was an attempt to gain control over the allied sections of the city by preventing food from reaching the inhabitants.
The allies answered with the largest airlift in history, flying in supplies on the gamble that the Soviets would not launch an overt and provocative attack on these aircraft.
By April, 1949, they were flying in more supplies than had previously been delivered by rail. In May the humiliated Soviets gave up and opened the land routes.”
In total, the USAF delivered 1,783,573 tons and the RAF 541,937 tons, nearly two-thirds of which was coal, on 278,228 flights to Berlin. The Royal Australian Air Force delivered 7,968 tons of freight and 6,964 passengers during 2,062 sorties. The C-47s and C-54s together flew over 92 million miles in the process, almost the distance from Earth to the Sun. At the height of the Airlift, one plane reached West Berlin every thirty seconds. Pilots came from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa.
The C-47 “What’s Up Doc?” is a veteran of the Berlin Airlift. And right now in the air-conditioned hangars of the Palm Springs Air Museum where you can watch “Doc” undergoing it’s routine annual inpsection. That is something you will not see everyday. Check it out!
I am also the Social Media Manager for the Palm Springs Air Museum. And it is with great pride that I have the opportunity to share not only my own photographs and video created for the Air Museum, but also stories like this from very important times in history…
05:34 Japanese ships detected by a United States Navy Catalina PBY from Midway Island June 4, 1942, 76 years ago. And so began the most decisive naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II. You will soon be able to join with us in our ongoing restoration to flying of our own PBY Catalina. But for now…
The Battle Of Midway described by our Palm Springs Air Museum friend, Emmy Award Winner, Brooks Wachtel, co-creator of the iconic History Channel series “DogFights”…
The Battle of Midway began. It was the first major victory for America over Japan during World War II. The battle ended on June 6 and blunted Japanese expansion in the Pacific. The Japanese navy never recovered from the loss of 4 fleet carriers and their highly trained aviators. Walter Lord called it, “the incredible victory.â€
For the Japanese, losing the carriers and their irreplaceable pilots and aircrews was symbolic of the insurmountable problem that would doom them to defeat. The Japanese economy was less than 4% of the world’s industrial output while the United States was near 30%. It was estimated that the United States had 10 times the war making potential of Japan.
A war of attrition would be fatal to Japan.
Their only hope was a quick victory. Admiral Yamamoto, who had been to America, told his superiors that the Japanese Navy could run riot for six months and then he could promise nothing. Midway was six months to the day after Pearl Harbor.
Before Pearl Harbor the chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Stark – with great prophesy – warned the Japanese Ambassador, “If you attack us we will break your empire before we are through with you. While you may have initial success due to timing and surprise, the time will come when you too will have losses but there will be this great difference. You not only will be unable to make up your losses but you will grow weaker as time goes on; while on the other hand we not only will make up our losses but will grow stronger as time goes on. It’s inevitable that we shall crush you before we are through with you.â€
It was a blueprint of what happened in the course of the war.
Some of the fun I get to have with the Palm Springs Air Museum. Worried about it being too hot in Palm Springs for the Summer? Almost 100,000 sq ft of four hangars all fully air-conditioned. You really have to come visit.
For many years you have seen my photography featured in much of the fitness industry from magazines to online resources. My photography features, competition coverage and advertising have been a mainstay in such well known places as Iron Man Magazine, Planet Muscle Magazine and Bodybuilding.com.
My advertising work has been seen everywhere from the magazines to major newspapers, wrapping city buses and billboards. All around the world in many languages. Creative paths and opportunities have also sent me in many directions including motion picture still photography. That afforded me one of the highlights of my life, working with Hollywood luminaries Gena Rowlands and Rita Moreno on the motion picture ?Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks?. The Director of Photography was the very respected and esteemed Vilmos Zsigmond, said to be the greatest Cinematographer who has ever lived. Not yet done with directions…
I am the photographer for the Palm Springs Air Museum. CNN lists it as one of the best Air Museums in the world. It is also a rarity because it is a flying museum. As a little boy I used to build military aircraft models and hang them from the ceiling in my room. Now my photography hast taken me full circle again. I also manage the Air Museum social media so I have great latitude in creating content, photos and video.
Even more diverse is my work in fashion and lifestyle photography. Published from Rome to Los Angeles. Thanks!
So very outstanding to share Memorial Day with so very many thousands of people at the Palm Springs Air Museum. The day was filled with great fun and also honored those who have gone before us. Thank You!
One of the fun things I get to do at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Taking people up in our C-47…
You could be saying, we went flying at the Palm Springs Air Museum! Today Sunday and tomorrow Monday come join us on board our World War II C-47 “What’s Up Doc?”. Only $195 per person for a real Memorial Day experience like none other. Call us at 760-778-6262 for more info.
Lots of excitement coming up on Monday, Memorial Day! Tour the inside of the only flying PB4Y-2 Privateer in the World! The US Navy version of the B-24 designed as a long range patrol bomber in World War II. Later serving in the Korean War and then as a typhoon/hurricane hunter. So come on out Monday morning until 12:00 noon and share a true part of history.
Also on Monday, Memorial Day, flight demonstrations with our P-51 Mustang “Bunny”, P-63 Kingcobra, T-28 Trojan, C-47 “What’s Up Doc?”, T-6 flyovers, and the B-25 bomber “Pacific Princess”. Afternoon Missing Man Formation too with “Pacific Princess” dropping thousands and thousands of flowers right on our ramp.
Meet Tuskegee Airmen Lt. Col. Bob Friend and Captain Rusty Burns; WWII B-17 top turret gunner, 102 year old Mike Kovich, and 106 year old Kamikaze Survivor US Navy Veteran Marvin Cohn.
Fights also available in our P-51 “Red Tail” Mustang “Bunny”. A truly historical flight experience $1895. Call us at 760-778-6262 for more information and to reserve your flight today, Sunday and for Monday.
More on Memorial Day Monday, lots of music, lots of food including IN-N-OUT Burger, and lots of kids fun. Do not miss all this. Thanks!
Yes I photographed the world’s only PB4Y-2 Privateer. And will be inside it too, coming up. And you can too at the Palm Springs Air Museum with me.
Lots of excitement on Monday, Memorial Day! Tour the inside of the only flying PB4Y-2 Privateer in the World!
The US Navy version of the B-24 designed as a long range patrol bomber in World War II. Later serving in the Korean War and then as a typhoon/hurricane hunter. So come on out Monday morning until 12:00 noon and share a true part of history.
Also on Monday, Memorial Day, flight demonstrations with our P-51 Mustang “Bunny”, P-63 Kingcobra, T-28 Trojan, C-47 “What’s Up Doc?”, T-6 flyovers, and the B-25 bomber “Pacific Princess”. Afternoon Missing Man Formation too with “Pacific Princess” dropping thousands and thousands of flowers right on our ramp.
Meet Tuskegee Airmen Lt. Col. Bob Friend and Captain Rusty Burns; WWII B-17 top turret gunner, 102 year old Mike Kovich, and 106 year old Kamikaze Survivor US Navy Veteran Marvin Cohn.
Fights for you available on our C-47 Paratrooper “What’s Up Doc?” and in our P-51 “Red Tail” Mustang “Bunny”. Only $195 (C-47) and $1895 (P-51). Call us at 760-778-6262 for more information and to reserve your flight today Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
More on Memorial Day Monday, lots of music, lots of food including IN-N-OUT Burger, and lots of kids fun. Do not miss all this. Thanks!
This was me in the back seat and it could be you in the Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang “Bunny” this coming Memorial Day weekend, Saturday through Monday!
A flight experience in one of the most iconic aircraft of all time. The fighter that changed the course of the air campaign in World War II. Hear the roar of that distinctive Merlin engine as it pulls you into the skies!
Dedicated to the famed “Red Tails” Tuskegee Airmen, on Monday you can personally meet 98 year old Lt. Col Bob Friend, the man who flew this aircraft dedicated to the one he flew over Europe during the War. Also meet Tuskegee Airmen Captain Rusty Burns!
Call 760-778-6262 to reserve your time. Your flight experience of history $1895.00. A flight you will not forget!. Thanks!
Hey everyone! Come join me for Memorial Day weekend on the Palm Springs Air Museum C-47. Friday through Monday. Not only am I the photographer, but I am your stewardess too lol 🙂
Lots of exciting flying at the Hangar 24 AirFest in Redlands this past weekend. I was there with the Palm Springs Air Museum shooting some photos and video. Here are some to give you a look!
A GoPro view of the Palm Springs Air Museum T-28 Trojan flying by the crowd at the Hangar 24 AirFest in Redlands CA this past weekend. Lots of flying, lots of excitement, food, beer, music and fun! Thanks!
I just thought this was fun. I had left the GoPro’s running yesterday after a flight. Back up camera, on the Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang “Bunny”.
So much fun last Saturday at Hangar 24 Brewery in Redlands with the Palm Springs Air Museum! I really enjoy watching people having fun watching, getting people in the Air Museum P-51 Mustang and being a part of taking them up in the C-47. (me in the red cap) Outstanding!
That was a lot; 3 days at the Planes Of Fame Air Show in Chino, 5 days with the Palm Springs Photo Festival and hosting the Sandro Miller workshop at the Palm Springs Air Museum. This morning flying in the Air Museum C-47 “What’s Up Doc?”. Then on to Hangar 24 Brewery in Redlands with the Air Museum C-47 again and the P-51 Mustang “Bunny” for ride flights. Fun to fly and then the Brewery patio with a great beer!
Flying in to the Redlands Airport to taxi up to the Hangar 24 Brewery. In the Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang “Bunny”. Doing some promotional photographs with “Bunny” and Hangar 24 Beer in front of the brewery for our upcoming flight experiences at Redlands. Great Craft Beer and Warbird Flights!
I never could understand using a typical consumer camera strap on a professional camera especially for aviation photography. A camera strap failure on the ground and you just drop your camera. In the air it is an entirely different discussion. Very happy I found this strap by Vulture Equipment Works.
🙂
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