Low-Level images - Tal-y-Llyn Pass - Wales 9/10 Oct 07

[TEEEJ]

A few from my most recent visit to the low-level routes in Wales. If any of the aircrew involved recognise themselves/airframe, and would like high-res copies, then please feel free to get in contact - no charge. I've got a fair few images of Tornado ZA546 with different backgrounds as it approached the pass entrance. I didn't get any cockpit shots of ZA546 as I ran out of buffer just as it filled the frame!

Harrier GR.9 - ZG501 - 41(R) Squadron - Tal-y-Llyn Pass - 10 October 07

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0331GR9.jpg

Tornado GR.4 - ZA546 - 9 Squadron - Tal-y-Llyn Pass - 9 October 07

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0210GR4.jpg

Tucano T.1 - ZF144 - 1 FTS - Tal-y-Llyn Pass - 9 October 07

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0225TUCANO.jpg

Hawk T.1 - XX185 - 208(R) Squadron - Tal-y-Llyn Pass - 10 October 07

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0265HAWK.jpg

PC-9 (Named Percy) - ZG969 - BAE Systems - Tal-y-Llyn Pass - 10 October 07

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0305PC9.jpg

Hawk T.1 - XX171 - Royal Navy - Tal-y-Llyn Pass - 9 October 07

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0159RNHAWK.jpg

Harrier T.12 - ZH661 - 20(R) Squadron - Tal-y-Llyn Pass - 9 October 07

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0183T12.jpg

A few other shots of Harriers ZG501,ZH661 and Tornado ZA546

ZG501

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0334GR9.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0335HARRIER.jpg

ZH661

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0188T12.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0191T12.jpg

ZA546

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0201GR4.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0209GR4.jpg

[brain fade]

These are brilliant pix.

What camera/lens did these, please?:ok:

[Al R]

As usual TJ, great stuff. :D

[TEEEJ]

Thanks for the comments!

What camera/lens did these, please?

Those were taken with a Nikon D2X fitted with a Nikon Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 lens. I receive quite a few e-mails asking about the set-up. The camera/lens is heavy so I mount it on an old tripod head that I fitted with a grip. It allows me to obtain more control rather than just hand-holding the lens.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/CAMERAMOUNT.jpg

[Diedtrying]

Well done TJ, great pix as usual and that is a bloody big bit of glass. :ok:

[Ali Barber]

Why is the Hawk "Royal Navy"?

[Black 'n Yellar]

Either out of RN Fixed Wing Standards at Yeovilton or FRADU at Culdrose.

[F'Wx]

Fantastic images :ok:

[Arclite01]

Every time I see these pics I'm amazed.

What is the PC9 used for ? - and why only one roundel on the upper surfaces ?

Arc

[L J R]

Percy used to train / refresh those off to the land of sand.....

Look up Al Yamamah..

[8-15fromOdium]

As always great pictures...

... but will the front seater of the PC-9 be posting his?

[forget]

Brilliant stuff. As with most things - timing is everything!

Great shot of your Nikon D2X. What camera did you use. ;)

[TEEEJ]

Thanks for the comments!

Ref the RN Hawk

Why is the Hawk "Royal Navy"?

http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server.php?show=nav.3276

http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.3275

http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.3277

XX171 flew with the Black Seahawks Display Team. A cracking display at RAF Fairford this year!

http://www.militaryaircraft.de/pictures/military/aircraft/Hawk-T1_Falcon-20/Hawk-T1_Falcon-20.html

Ref the one roundel on the PC-9.

..and why only one roundel on the upper surfaces ?

The Harriers in those images also only carry one roundel on the top surfaces as well as the Tornado. If it carries one on the top surface then there should only be one roundel on the undersides. I suppose the reason behind it is that it meets the minimum legal requirements for military markings without going overboard.

See images

http://valleyaviationsociety.net/Coppermine/displayimage.php?pos=-9311

http://valleyaviationsociety.net/Coppermine/displayimage.php?pos=-9351

http://valleyaviationsociety.net/Coppermine/displayimage.php?pos=-9273

Videos of various aircraft through the Tal-y-Llyn Pass where I took the photos

Tornado F.3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwsZbDDBsM8

Harrier GR.9s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-AgSDkoFMw

Jaguar T.2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7jUa3uBbH0

Tornados

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll7iNcMCQk8

C-130

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgGfQG-pdHE&NR=1

Typhoons, Tornados and Hawks from the eastern side. Not very good for photography as they normally bank to starboard to enter the pass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jI7zh_fhgU

A great video of a trip in a 19 Squadron Hawk with some footage at low-level

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UISjEEQfuLs

Thanks to the aircrew for the great flying in Tornado F.3. ZH556 from Boscombe Down on the 5th October. The sound of the air ripping after flying through the pass entrance was amazing!

Caption competition?

Blackadder

[Melchett unfurls the map the wrong way.]

Melchett: "Please everybody, now where's my map? ... God it's a barren, featureless desert out there, isn't it?"
Darling: "Other side sir."

Image of ZH556 taken on 5th October.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0084F3COCKPIT.jpg

I was lucky to be underneath one of the display Hawks (XX307) as it came through the pass on the 10th October. I ramped up the shutter speed and managed to get ...

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0250HAWK.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0251HAWK.jpg

[mustflywillfly]

You sir are a LEGEND!

Your phots cheer up my otherwise very dull days in HMNB Portsmouth. Ships Yawn!!

MFWF

:ok:

[ChasetheAce]

:ok:Absolutely cracking photos. I envy you being able to take such pictures, because being stuck in manchester you dont get many fly pasts lol. Keep up the good work

[MrBernoulli]

Good snaps!

[27mm]

Cracking piccies - nice to see the back-seat Harrier mate working on his ISS papers - real multi-tasking!

[TEEEJ]

Thanks for the very kind comments. Much appreciated.

Cheers

TJ

[LowObservable]

GIB: I say, Margaret, George Monbiot's got some good points about how air travel is killing the planet.
GIF: Actually I'm thinking of trading the TVR for a Prius. While you're there, is Vagina Monologues still on at Kings Lynn Rep?

[betty swallox]

TJ
Tell me that you do get some financial remuneration from this. Your photos are stunning! Put simply!
And do you get fit walking up the hill all the time?!

[Al R]

Low Ob,

Ref Prius: you are joking, right?? :eek:

[TEEEJ]

TJ
Tell me that you do get some financial remuneration from this. Your photos are stunning! Put simply!
And do you get fit walking up the hill all the time?!

Hi,
Thanks for the comments. I just do it as one of my hobbies since I've retired from the RAF. I always wanted to try low-level photography but never found the time when I was serving. Just think how busy the low-level routes must have been during the Cold War years and into the early 90s? Imagine having quality digitial camera technology back then to capture those aircraft?

Oh trust me you'll find a lot better low-level snappers than me on the following websites.

http://www.warplane.co.uk/

http://www.lowfly.net/

Yes it does keep me fit! I carry quite a lot of gear up with me so that I can sit out any bad weather. A nice little work out!

[mechelec]

TJ Fantastic set of pics. :D:ok::D

Any chance of giving the grid ref or location?

[TEEEJ]

Any chance of giving the grid ref or location?

Thanks. You'll find all the info you'll need on here.

http://www.warplane.co.uk/Wales.htm

Scroll down for

'Machynlleth Loop - Tal-y-Llyn pass west side (Cad West)'

and you'll find a grid and link to map

Link from

http://www.warplane.co.uk/

http://www.warplane.co.uk/location%20guide.htm

Another link with details/maps etc

http://www.lowfly.net/18.html

Link from

http://www.lowfly.net/

A great link from Dutch aviation enthusiasts

http://franknoort.nl/wales/index.html

Just click on the 'select a page' on the right for great info aswell as fantastic pics.