I Flew In The Cobra!
This was a first for me. At the “Wings Over Camarillo” airshow earlier this month I had the opportunity to fly in the front seat of this Vietnam War era Cobra Gunship. Wow I must say! Things that surprised me… much smoother than I expected, really comfortable seating with lots of room, and great air-conditioning! And yes I got some flying time too!
This was the Cobra as it landed at Camarillo after I arrived in the C-47 “What’s Up Doc?” from the Palm Springs Air Museum. Just grabbed my iPhone just in time.
You can also fly in the Cobra. It will be at the Palm Springs Air Museum on September 28th & 29th (2019). Check it out on the Air Museum Facebook Events page or call the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation directly for more information and to make a reservation. This will book up really fast for sure. So do it now! Have Fun! I will be there too. Thanks! Call 480-217-1635.
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.
GoPro Goes
GoPro goes when I can’t go. Two reasons for that here… the P-63 is a one seat airplane, and passengers are not allowed in the races.
This is a rare sight indeed! The Palm Springs Air Museum P-63 Kingcobra “Pretty Polly” flying the pylons at the Reno Air Races 2018. Turn on your sound! When our P-63 is in the air you can be sure it is likely the only P-63 in the air in the world.
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.
T-33 Beauty In Flight
There is beauty in flight. The Palm Springs Air Museum Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star. A truly wonderful video production by ParkAir Vision. Pilot Michael Pfleger, myself in the backseat. July 4, 2019.
Honoring Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Bob Friend (February 29, 1920 – June 21, 2019), our T-33 will appear at the upcoming Reno Air Races. Please join with us in honoring the Colonel and there are some fun perks for helping us out. We do need you! Thanks and click here… https://igg.me/at/PSAMReno2019
Shooting from the backseat of the T-33. I was using my Fujifilm X-H1 and 50-140 lens. Mounted on the left and right canopy rail, I had a GoPro Hero6 Black.
That Is Me
That is me. I get to do some really cool stuff. Here with the Palm Springs Air Museum to take off for a multi-aircraft video and photo shoot. My cameras of choice here; Fujifilm X-T3 with a Fujifilm 50-140 2.8 lens. It is on the strongest camera strap made and made for aviation, from Vulture Equipment Works. And a GoPro mounted inside on the left and right canopy rail. (Thanks to fellow photographer Ian Glover for the photo).
The Salute
Honoring a great man, Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Robert “Bob” J. Friend. And I am very honored as well to have stood next to him when I shot this photograph of him saluting during the National Anthem at the Reno Air Races 2017.
This graphic was displayed on the 18x10ft high definition screen over the Memorial Services for the Colonel at the Palm Springs Air Museum. The beautiful painting of the Red Tail P-51 Mustang by aviation artist Stan Stokes.
Some behind the scenes info… I was going to be right next to the Colonel while he was introduced to the huge crowd in the grandstands at the beginning of the race finals. I wanted to be inconspicuous so I had put my Fujifilm X-T1 camera on my shoulder with the Fujifilm 16-55 f2.8 lens. It also made for a smaller and lighter package than the other cameras I had brought along for the races.
The National Anthem started playing and the Colonel raised his hand in salute. Only a couple of feet away from him, I brought the camera up, looked through the viewfinder and fired maybe two or three frames and brought the camera down. I saw the photo through the viewfinder and knew I had shot, for me anyway, a photo of a lifetime. For the Memorial Service, his daughter Karen specifically asked for that photo to be displayed. Afterwards she said “This is how I want to remember him”.
