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”.
Always Exciting From The Cockpit
Always exciting from the cockpit! However no passengers going around the pylons at the Reno Air Races, so I have to do it with GoPro. This was a GoPro Hero6 Black. Here in the Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang “Bunny”.
As a favor to me, I am asking all of my friends to visit our crowdfunding page and help out. There are some fun perks and even some courtesy of Fujifilm. Thanks! https://igg.me/at/PSAMReno2019
Tuskegee Airman Harry Stewart
Opportunities to be present with such great people are always not to be missed. At the Palm Springs Air Museum yesterday to photograph and video Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Harry Stewart. By the way, he is 95 years old. Here is a very fun minute…
How do you solve one of the unforeseen problems of enduring a 6 1/2 hour mission in a fighter aircraft? You might never have thought of this! Explained by Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Harry Stewart.
Yesterday at the Palm Springs Air Museum for the West Coast World premier of the Colonel’s book “Soaring to Glory: A Tuskegee Airman’s Firsthand Account of WWII”, along with author Philip Handleman.
The Colonel flew forty-three combat missions as a Tuskegee Airman in World War II. For his flying prowess with the famed 332nd Fighter Group, known as the Red Tails, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
It was a standing room only event and his book was a sell out!
Flying For The 75th Anniversary Of D-Day
Flying for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day with the Palm Springs Air Museum on the C-47 “What’s Up Doc?”. With Marjorie Snell; her husband 101st Airborne Paratrooper Francis “Russell” Snell was there on D-Day at Normandy for the Allied Invasion of Europe, June 6, 1944.
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”.
3,000 Carnations In Flight
3,000 Carnations being dropped from a World War II B-25 bomber in honor of Memorial Day at the Palm Springs Air Museum. My photograph appearing for Palm Springs Life Magazine and other features.
Come on out for a repeat and much more flying this Memorial Day, Monday May 27th 2019. Thanks!
C-47 Back To Palm Springs
Last Sunday, me in the C-47 headed back to the Palm Springs Air Museum. Three days at the Hangar 24 AirFest in Redlands. That was a lot of fun! Thanks to Ben, Sue and Paul and especially to Mark! And Thanks to Jason for the departure video.
Palm Springs Photo Festival 2019
This past week was the Palm Springs Photo Festival. In it’s 14th year, it brings 1,000 photographers from around the world to participate in seminars and workshops and presentations with some of the most honored and respected photographers today.
For the second year I was host for one of those workshops at the Palm Springs Air Museum by the acclaimed Sandro Miller. At the Air Museum, I also hosted the walking around tour for photographers by Fujifilm. My own participation in the Palm Springs Photo Festival actually dates back to it’s very beginning.
Palm Springs Photo Festival
Hosting the Sandro Miller workshop for the Palm Springs Photo Festival at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Day 1…
Chino Air Show
At the Planes of Fame Airshow this past weekend with the Palm Springs Air Museum. Honored to have with us, 99 year old, Tuskegee Airman, Lt. Col. Robert Friend.
Takeoff T-33 Jet
I will admit that I get to do some awesome stuff. Taking off in the backseat of the T-33 “Shooting Star” jet with the Palm Springs Air Museum. The pilot is my good friend and respected warbird flyer, Michael Pfleger.
Been Busy Flying
Have not been updating my blog here much recently. Will get back to it soon. Been busy flying and photographing and doing lots of video with the Palm Springs Air Museum. Thanks!
Aircraft & Fujifilm Camera Gear
Really love video shot with the Fujifilm XF 100-400mm lens on the X-H1 body. This is pilot Michael Pfleger arriving in his World War II F4F Wildcat at the Palm Springs Air Museum. And then taking out the T-33 jet trainer for a taxi text run. Recently restored and getting it ready for it’s flying debut on Saturday November 10th for the Air Museum’s 22nd Anniversary and Veterans Day celebration.
T-33 Run Up
Simple videos are such great fun. Here with the Palm Springs Air Museum for the start up of a T-33 jet trainer. Come on out and see her fly November 10th.
Fujifilm X-H1 camera with he Fujifilm XF 50-140mm f/2.8 lens. On a tripod. My strap from Vulture Equipment Works still attached. Best camera strap ever.
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!
Crowdfunding Thank You
A huge Thank You to all of my friends who stepped up and helped out! The was the 2nd Indiegogo crowd funding campaign I managed for the Palm Springs Air Museum entering our aircraft in the prestigious National Championship Air Races in Reno. I am truly very grateful! It has become a great success!
Reno Race Start P-51
In the cockpit with GoPro in the Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang “Bunny” yesterday at the Reno Air Races. Mounted with mounts from Nflightcam.
Reno Air Races Team
So very cool, I was on the team racing these two historic aircraft at the 55th Annual National Championship Air Races in Reno. With the Palm Springs Air Museum.
Kingcobra From The Cockpit
In the cockpit with GoPro in the Palm Springs Air Museum P-63 Kingcobra at the Reno Air Races. Mounted with mounts from Nflightcam.
A Reno Air Race Birthday
So here we were at the 55th Annual National Championship Air Races Reno. The most prestigious race of the fastest motorsport in the world. Racing two aircraft with the Palm Springs Air Museum. And yes we find out that one of our team, Ryan Goss, is celebrating their birthday lol.
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!
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