The Royal Australian Air Force F-111 is a supersonic long-range strike aircraft. (Had to google to make sure the F-111 wasn't a new camera. *g*).
You had to get up bright and early to catch this flying machine. Incredible. Was it by chance (camera always at the ready!) or do they have scheduled departure times? ;-)
I've been up in one of them there things - in 1984! A dual trainer jet, when I was stationed with No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit in Williamtown. RAAF memories! I threw up before we even pulled any G's. Sigh.
Just got back from Tokyo. Am jetlagged to buggery. And I had to deliver the first part of a Dinosaur kids book to my publisher yesterday. Dang.
Gotta go check the rest of your blog to find out what's happening. :-D
Actually it was late afternoon. I was at the Avalon Air Show. We were on our way back to the station en route to Melbourne when I heard the roar, wrenched my camera out of the bag and shot two frames.
They were taken from INSIDE a tourist bus, shooting through the windows and between the seats.
Thank you for that great praise. If one image can give a person goosebumps half a world away, then I am surely doing something right as an instinctive photographer.
See my reply above to Merisi for the story behind the shot!
From what the AIRFORCE NEWS paper online says, the RAAF will be retiring the F-111s really soon. Can't remember what they'll be replaced with, though. The F-111s were classy, but the Mirages were a bit ungainly. The F/A-18s were zippy little buggers and our squadron got the first two test ones from the USA in 1984. Our pilots were like kids with new toys! :-D
On the dino book: been with the publisher as an advisor this last two months before I agreed to write the bloody thing. Somehow talked myself into a $1000 pay raise. Not bad. Just waiting to hear from my editor with changes.
I love the raw power of jets and have developed a great respect for aviation photographers. I have had some successes (mostly those on the ground) and have a long way to go in this field. We have our local air show on 28 October - the day has already been set aside for my indulgence. Sue and I are like two children - we love it.
RAAF F-111. Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON
20 comments:
The Royal Australian Air Force F-111 is a supersonic long-range strike aircraft.
(Had to google to make sure the F-111 wasn't a new camera. *g*).
You had to get up bright and early to catch this flying machine. Incredible. Was it by chance (camera always at the ready!) or do they have scheduled departure times? ;-)
What a FANTASTIC shot, David. Amazing!
Hey, David,
I've been up in one of them there things - in 1984! A dual trainer jet, when I was stationed with No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit in Williamtown. RAAF memories! I threw up before we even pulled any G's. Sigh.
Just got back from Tokyo. Am jetlagged to buggery. And I had to deliver the first part of a Dinosaur kids book to my publisher yesterday. Dang.
Gotta go check the rest of your blog to find out what's happening. :-D
Cheers
Marianne
Oh - NICE - shot ... gave me goosebumps! Didn't realize that the RAAF flew F-111s as well.
Wow, tht's cool as hell. Love it.
So what happened to it David...that isn't normal!
wow!! nice capture!
Hi Merisi,
It'd be the world's highest-flying camera!
Actually it was late afternoon. I was at the Avalon Air Show. We were on our way back to the station en route to Melbourne when I heard the roar, wrenched my camera out of the bag and shot two frames.
They were taken from INSIDE a tourist bus, shooting through the windows and between the seats.
Luckily I've got a 125mm lens.
Keep smiling
David
Hi Carol,
Thank you for that wonderful comment. See my reply above to Merisi for the story behind the shot!
Keep smiling
David
G'day FQ,
Many thanks. That's great.
David
Hi Marianne,
How very wonderful to hear from you again. I am delighted to hear about your book.
Do keep me informed about it, every step of the way.
I'd be more than happy to give it a plug here - but you know that.
Thank you for sharing that wonderful story. I think I would have chucked as well!
See my reply above to Merisi for the story behind the shot!
Keep smiling
David
Hi Lin,
Thank you for that great praise. If one image can give a person goosebumps half a world away, then I am surely doing something right as an instinctive photographer.
See my reply above to Merisi for the story behind the shot!
Keep smiling
David
G'day FHB,
Lucky shot - as you can see by my reply to Merisi.
Keep smiling
David
Hi Mushy and Lin,
Lin, forgot to mention that the RAAF not only operate F-111s with updated avionics, they also have FA-18/A Hornets as well.
So there's a few US-badged aircraft here on Aussie soil.
Mushy, it's doing a ``dump and burn'' manoeuvre. Plenty of info on Google. It's a spectacular party piece - reserved for the big occasions.
See my reply above to Merisi for the story behind the shot!
Keep smiling
David
Hi Prashanth,
Thank you. I was very lucky, given the circumstances!
I've never had to take a shot like that before, in those circumstances (see my answer to Merisi).
Keep smiling
David
Hi David,
From what the AIRFORCE NEWS paper online says, the RAAF will be retiring the F-111s really soon. Can't remember what they'll be replaced with, though. The F-111s were classy, but the Mirages were a bit ungainly. The F/A-18s were zippy little buggers and our squadron got the first two test ones from the USA in 1984. Our pilots were like kids with new toys! :-D
On the dino book: been with the publisher as an advisor this last two months before I agreed to write the bloody thing. Somehow talked myself into a $1000 pay raise. Not bad. Just waiting to hear from my editor with changes.
Oops. Gotta run. More later.
Marianne
THAT is INCREDIBLE! You've got GAME!
Forgive me, but the photo reminds me of a joke:
Grandpa was much too fond of hot sauce. On his birthday, we went to a Mexican restaurant, and...
I love the raw power of jets and have developed a great respect for aviation photographers. I have had some successes (mostly those on the ground) and have a long way to go in this field. We have our local air show on 28 October - the day has already been set aside for my indulgence. Sue and I are like two children - we love it.
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