Mustangs In The Air
Flying back from the Reno Air Races a couple of years ago. Mark Moodie flying “Lady Alice” and Michael Pfleger flying “Lady B”. I was in the Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang “Bunny”. It would have been great to have been in another aircraft to photograph all three.
My Bunny Mask
I like my mask better than your mask! Just had a couple made for myself. From one of my photographs of “Bunny”, the Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang dedicated to Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Bob Friend.
Frontline Flyover And 100 Megapixels
“Bunny” the Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang headed out for a Frontline Friday Flyover. Joining up with the Air Museum’s World War II C-47 “What’s Up Doc?” and the P-63 Kingcobra “Pretty Polly” saluting the people on the frontlines fighting the pandemic.
Photographed with the Fujifilm GFX100 medium format camera system. A 100 megapixel camera capable of shooting five frames per second with continuous autofocus. I have found it fast handling, extremely versatile and producing incredible image quality.
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.
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.
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.
Lots Of Props
The Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang “Bunny” taxi’s out at the Palm Springs Airport. Shot with a Fujifilm X-T3 and Fujifilm 55-200 lens.
Mustang Around The Pylons At Reno
Some more from the Reno Air Races just over a week ago. The Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang “Bunny” from start up to shut down around the pylons. GoPro video with some really great light makes it seem like you are right in the cockpit. That is me int he black t-shirt doing the start-up and sending it out. I do more than just photography although you can see my camera having 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.
I Was At The Reno Air Races
I have been absent here while I was at the Reno Air Races, doing most of my blogging on some of my own social media but mostly for the Palm Springs Air Museum, where I am also social media manager and photographer. I also work in flight operations and do get to fly in some very special aircraft.
So backing up some and working my way forward, I departed to the Reno Air Races on September 6th in a World War II P-51 Mustang “Lady Alice” as a flight of two with another P-51 “Wee Willy”. No question this was a pretty exciting way of getting places. Arrived in Reno 90 minutes later.
The National Championship Air Races in Reno is the most prestigious race in the fastest motorsport in the world. And this is the 3rd year I have been a crew member and photographer with the Palm Springs Air Museum race team.
Keep coming back for more posts from Reno. Thanks!
Bunny Looking Good
Shooting this morning for the Palm Springs Air Museum. A flight of ” Bunny” the P-51 Mustang dedicated to the “Red Tails” of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. The actual “Bunny” was flown by Lt. Col. Robert J “Bob” Friend (February 29, 1920 – June 21, 2019).
Photographed with my FujiFilm X-T3 and XF100-400 lens. Pilot Tom Nightingale.
My Watch Raced At Reno
Looking a little beat up now. But it has the distinction of flying the finals of the Reno Air Races 2017, Unlimited Class, in the Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang “Bunny”. Back on my wrist it has done a lot of flying ever since. But for that race it was on the wrist of pilot Tom Nightingale who borrowed it from me.
Memorial Day 2019
Just some of what I did (shoot some video) on Memorial Day at the Palm Springs Air Museum…
Aircraft start up for the flyover and flower drop, Memorial Day 2019 at the Palm Springs Air Museum. A World War II Mitchell B-25 bomber, F4U Corsair, P-63 Kingcobra “Pretty Polly”, Red Tail P-51 Mustang “Bunny”, PB4Y-2 Privateer and T-33 jet “Shooting Star”.
Kingman AirFest & Fly-In
Next week, Saturday Oct 6th find me at the Kingman AirFest and Fly-In with the Palm Springs Air Museum. If you are in the area stop by, it’s free admission. And for my photographer friends, looks like many a great photo op too. Thanks!
So much fun! Come join us at the Kingman AirFest and Fly-In October 6th! This is your opportunity to fly too! Our Red Tail P-51 Mustang “Bunny”, just back from the Reno Air Races, and our C-47 D-Day “What’s Up Doc?” are ready to take you on an incredible flight experience of history!
There will be all kinds of aircraft on display and flying in. Outstanding cars coming around, lots of food and lots to see. Warbird and glider demonstrations, aircraft from the unique Red Star Pilots and the Mohave County Military Vehicle Group.
Give us a call to book your own flight and for more info at 760-778-6262. These will book up fast so please call.
Our C-47 flights are only $225.00 per person. Great for a fun group experience too. P-51 Mustang flights are $1895.00 and this is truly an experience of a lifetime. A flight int he most iconic of all fighter aircraft. Give us a call for more info at 760-778-6262. Thanks!
Reno Air Races Recap
Again I am honored to be part of the Palm Springs Air Museum. Here as photographer, content creator, social media manager and even in flight operations at the 55th National Championship Air Races in Reno for 2018. Thanks!
The Palm Springs Air Museum again became the standout at the 55th National Championship Air Races in Reno this September. The most prestigious race in the fastest motorsport in the world saw our Red Tail P-51 Mustang “Bunny” and our P-63 Kingcobra “Pretty Polly” fly around the pylons in front of crowds estimated to be 150,000+. “Bunny” flown by pilot Mark Moodie took a Third Place “on the podium” win in the Silver Unlimited Race with a speed of 333.562, less than one mile per hour away from first place! “Pretty Polly” flown by pilot Jim “JD” Dale made for a crowd favorite in 7th Place in the Silver Unlimited Race with a speed of 307.781. We finished with both aircraft “in the money”!
We were most honored for the second year in a row to be joined by a man who is indeed a very special friend to the Air Museum, 98 year old Tuskegee Airman, Lt. Col. Bob Friend. With us everyday at the Races to meet people and sign autographs, we were most proud to have him start our airplanes and watch as they taxi’d out for the Finals. The honor even extended further as the Colonel joined us on stage for the Awards Dinner to accept our trophies as he was given an extended standing ovation by a hangar filled with 1,000 racers and crew and family and friends. A moment in time that brought many to tears as cameras and cellphones saved the moment for history.
Certainly “Bunny” stole the show in so very many ways. A Red Tail dedicated to the famed Tuskegee Airmen of World War II and specifically to the aircraft flown by Lt. Col. Bob Friend, many would say she is the most beautiful of all P-51 Mustangs. But we had another very special girl with us, “Pretty Polly”. One of perhaps only four P-63 Kingcobras still flying, it has been forty years since a Kingcobra raced at Reno. Race fans, aviation fans, aviation photographers all greeted the news of “Pretty Polly” at Reno and her arrival and racing with huge enthusiasm and appreciation. Our Race Pit was continually visited by Kingcobra fans who specifically came to see her. Even a fan from Japan came by wearing one of our Air Museum ‘Pretty Polly” shirts! Pilot Jim “JD” Dale was on hand to talk with so very many and they were in luck because “JD” is a tremendously knowledgeable Kingcobra historian and of course one of the very few Kingcobra pilots.
The National Championship Air Races Reno gives the Palm Springs Air Museum the opportunity to bring our message of living history to expanding audiences around the world. Millions of people online will share in our adventure being there. We have endless numbers of people to Thank in getting us to Reno. Mechanics, pilots, the people who loaded the trailers, and so very many volunteers. And of course the individuals and sponsors who donated to funding our being able to make it happen. Everyone has their own reasons for being part of Reno with us. But to a person, it is unselfish and giving, whether through their money or labor. To everyone a huge and heartfelt Thank You! And an excited; see you in Reno for 2019!
Back From The Reno Air Races
Back from the Reno Air Races Monday morning September 17th, flying back with Tom Nightingale in the Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang to Palm Springs. Then jumped in this superb T-6 with Tom to make the flight back to Chino Airport to pick up our cars.
From Windy Point to Chino Tom put the airplane on “auto pilot”… translated that means he let me fly. Very Cool! Thanks Tom and Thanks Mark Moodie (it is Mark’s airplane).
Arriving At Reno For The Races
Arriving the morning of September 8th for the Reno Air Races with the Palm Springs Air Museum. In a P-51 Mustang!
Flying By With the Sigma 150-600mm Lens
Some more photos working with the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S lens. On my Canon 1DMkIV. The flying photos were shot at 600mm and only 1/200th shutter speed. It was mounted on an Induro monopod and a Foba ball head.
The slower shutter speed is to capture the prop blur. It is indeed a beast of lens and mounted to a I series Canon body makes for a big heavy package. Panning with this at 600mm will take some more practice. Also I will try it handheld. Right now I am thinking this has some real possibilities. Love the color fidelity and reach of this lens. At 600mm on that body it is the equivalent of 780mm.
The aircraft at the Palm Springs Air Museum; a Red Tail P-51 Mustang “Bunny” dedicated to the famed Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. And the C-47 “What’s Up Doc?”.
Sigma 150-600mm Lens
I have been trying out the the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S lens. On my Canon 1DMkIV. And a no fail serious camera strap from Vulture Equipment Works.
Just worked with it for the 2nd time. Yes it is sharp and the color fidelity is beautiful! You might look at the lettering on the prop and say it is blurry. Actually that is exactly how it is on the prop. This was at 150mm. The aircraft is at the Palm Springs Air Museum; a Red Tail P-51 Mustang “Bunny” dedicated to the famed Tuskegee Airmen of World War II.
The Fastest Motorsport In The World
Hey everyone! This is for me… Off to the Reno Air Races very soon with the Palm Springs Air Museum. We are racing our “Red Tail” P-51 Mustang “Bunny” dedicated to the famed and heroic Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. And… the very rare P-63 Kingcobra “Pretty Polly”, one of only four flying in the entire world!
This is the big one, the Indy 500 of air racing, the fastest motorsport in the world. And this is the last few days of my crowdfunding for it. Yes I am asking you for money. This has been really successful so far and I am very grateful. To be honest, it makes me look good too! But I am asking your help to make this finish with a big bang.
Thanks to so many of you who have jumped in so far. If you add on in, that would be wonderful too. For those of you who have been just watching, come on in! Join with me! There are great perks from team T-Shirts to actually flying!
We have group and business sponsorships too. Don’t see something that exactly fits what you might like for your company; just send me a note and we can chat. Ian@PalmSpringsAirMuseum.org
Anyway this is the last few days, so please jump on in. We are preserving a great part of history and it is fun! Or if anything else, do it for me! Thanks! Here is the link, check it out… https://igg.me/at/RedTailsReno2018
Kingcobra And Bunny
Hey everyone! I am part of the team with the Palm Springs Air Museum going to the National Championship Air Races in Reno in September. We will be racing two significant and historic aircraft.
First is our P-63 Kingcobra right here in my photo. “Pretty Polly” will be the first Kingcobra to race at Reno in decades! Alongside will be our iconic Red Tail P-51 Mustang “Bunny” dedicated to the famed Tuskegee Airmen of World War II.
We are on our way but still need you to join our Red Tails Kingcobra Race Team. There are great perks and rewards from our team Shirts to actually flying. Our sponsorship levels gives you significant signage too in front of a huge audience in the most prestigious Air Race of the fastest motorsport in the world!
So please check it out. It will be great fun and excitement. Thanks and click right here… https://igg.me/at/RedTailsReno2018
Air To Air
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!
You Can Too!
It was a beautiful day for flying in “Bunny” the Palm Springs Air Museum Red Tail P-51 Mustang. You can too, Memorial Day Monday. Give a call for more information and to reserve your flight at 760-778-6262. $1895, It is a flight experience of history in the Red Tail Mustang dedicated to the famed Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. Thanks!
