What’s Up Doc?
The World War II C-47 “What’s Up Doc?” from the Palm Springs Air Museum. Likely I have flown in this aircraft somewhere around a couple of hundred times or more. This when we were doing ride flights with Hangar 24 Brewery & Taproom at the Redlands Airport. Great fun! Thanks!
Flying In A B-25
Flying in the nose of a World War II B-25 Mitchell bomber over the Salton Sea. Today April 18th is the anniversary of the Doolittle Raid On Tokyo in 1942. Sixteen B-25’s flew off the deck of the USS Hornet as the first retaliation for the attack on Pearl Harbor. Of the 80 crew members, 77 survived the mission. Eight airmen were captured by the Japanese Army in China; three were later executed.
Video from a hat mounted GoPro as I shot video and photos with my iPhone and a Fujifilm X-Series camera.
We were headed for a Veterans Day flyover at the Glamis Sand Dunes with other World War II aircraft. I was texting our location and timing and also doing social media posts.
Also somewhat of a video self; you can see my reflection on the iPhone.
The B-25 “Executive Sweet” from the American Aeronautical Foundation. That day flying out of the Palm Springs Air Museum.
At 38,000 ft
Airliner overhead at 38,000 ft. Fujifilm X-H1 camera and XF100-400mm lens. Sheltering in place.
Take A Break And Fly
Let’s take a break for some flying. The Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang “Bunny” from start up to shut down around the pylons at the Reno Air Races 2019. I mounted a GoPro inside and there was some really great light making it seem like you are right in the cockpit.
That is me in the black t-shirt doing the start-up and sending it out. I was doing more than just photography at the Air Races and at Air Shows. Although you can see my camera hanging on my back. It is a Fujifilm X-T3 and 100-400mm lens. One of the reasons I avoid carrying a lot of gear, too much going on.
NAF El Centro Not This Year
Last year headed to the airshow at NAF El Centro with the Palm Springs Air Museum. I was flying alongside in either a T-28 Trojan or P-51 Mustang, I don’t recall which. I have flown in this C-47 hundreds of times. Anyway the airshow this year of course was cancelled. Sheltering at home.
With My Hasselblad
A photograph that has almost become iconic and used endlessly for the Palm Springs Air Museum. I do not think it would have happened had I not shot it with my Hasselblad.
Tomcat with Hasselblad X
The Palm Springs Air Museum F-14 Tomcat. A favorite because of the motion picture “Top Gun”. Photographed with the Hasselblad X1DII 50c camera and XCD 21mm lens. Processed in Hasselblad Phocus software. Phocus with Hasselblad files always produces just amazing results.
A-7 Corsair II Arrives
It might not look like much now, but by the end of the year, those restoration magicians at the Palm Springs Air Museum will have it looking like it is ready to fly off a carrier. A Vietnam War era Vought A-7A Corsair II. The A-7 flew from 1965 through the Gulf War. It arrived this morning.
For my photographer friends; Sometimes I still use my Fujifilm x30. Very convenient to have around. These are Velvia film simulation jpg’s.
Air Force One Arrival
Air Force One arriving in Palm Springs California at 10:30am this morning (Wednesday February 19, 2020). Fujifilm X-H1 camera and Fujifilm XF 50-140mm F2.8 lens.
Aviation Photography
I was just working through some new photo workflow ideas and tools. Happened to use a series I shot at the Hangar 24 AirFest in Lake Havasu in 2018. Thought this was a pretty cool photograph to share with you. An A-10 Thunderbolt flying by. Photographed with my Fujifilm X-H1 with the Fujifilm XF100-400 lens.
X-Pro3 Is Pro!
Getting some time shooting the new Fujifilm X-Pro3 Camera. Here with the XF23mmF2 R WR lens. It is a rangefinder camera with the rear screen hidden unless you fold it down. Just like shooting a film rangefinder. The photos here shot in Velvia simulation mode and jpg right out of the camera. The close up, just a crop of the other photo. This is a hugely impressive camera.
Happy New Year 2020!
My best to all of you in the New Year 2020! With a Happy New Year from the Palm Springs Air Museum with my photo of our P-51 Mustang.
Warbirds, Air Shows, Corporate Events
What can we bring to your airshow? We can also do something special for your corporate events? Warbird rides for your top execs or best clients perhaps? Send me a note or give me a call and we can talk.
Ian L. Sitren, Aviation Coordinator, Palm Springs Air Museum Ian@PalmSpringsAirMusuem.org 213-712-1929 cellphone & text
Video produced by ParkAir Vision
ICAS Next Week
Next week you will find me at the ICAS convention. At the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. The International Council of Airshows. I will be there as the Aviation Coordinator for the Palm Springs Air Museum. Why? Learning; and looking for opportunities and sharing ideas than can make us all successful. Will you be there too? My e-mail Ian@PalmSpringsAirMuseum.org and cellphone/text 213-712-1929. Thanks!
Quality Counts
Quality counts more and more. We went through a decade or longer being bombarded with bad photos and video in ads, features and social media. A few of the photographs I shoot for the Palm Springs Air Museum. Camera was my Fujifilm X-H1 with the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 lens. These are also used for print advertising. Thanks!
Are We Done With Mediocrity?
Buckling In Marilyn
Last night we taxi’d in with VIP’s for a corporate event at the Palm Springs Air Museum in the C-47. We even had Marilyn Monroe on board! I got to buckle her in too. We do a lot of corporate events.
Mojave Air And Space Port
Quick trip the other day to Mojave. Made even quicker in the Palm Springs Air Museum T-28 Trojan.
Journey To Royal Screening
Please join us at the Palm Springs Air Museum for an exciting Workprint Test Screening of the World War II docudrama, JOURNEY TO ROYAL followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, on Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 1:00pm to 3:30pm.
The film tells the extraordinary true story of Lt. Royal Stratton and the 4th Emergency Rescue Squadron who, over the seas on an embattled South Pacific, flew over 800 rescue missions to save the lives of 576 men.
Over the last decade, the filmmakers have traveled the world locating and interviewing the surviving members of the Squadron, as well as other WWII veterans, who share their firsthand accounts of some of the most pivotal and consequential events of that War. Their goal is to preserve the values of, and celebrate the contributions made by, the Greatest Generation.
Producer Mariana Tosca and writer-director Chris Johnson will be doing a Q&A after the screening for anyone interested in giving audience feedback or learning more about the making of the movie. Thank You!
Cobra Helicopter
Much fun this weekend with the Cobra attack helicopter flying riders at the Palm Springs Air Museum. From the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation. And yes I have flown in it too. An outstanding experience!
USAF Thunderbirds At Reno
Just over a week ago at the Reno Air Races. The United States Air Force Thunderbirds brought incredible excitement and aerial precision. Daily their lengthy demonstrations roared over the crowd demanding unwavering attention. Although I shot plenty of photographs, sometimes I would just watch in awe. It was simply breathtaking!
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