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KarlADrage
30th Jan 2008, 12:44
Afternoon all,

Don't know whether these are of interest or not, but I was out in Nevada last week for the Red Flag 08-2 Media Day.

Just a few for now. Plenty more available if you want to see them.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/8fa68834.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/e5ad4f11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/26500b5f.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/3e957b82.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/9e2917be.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/4a45d05b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/79a890a0.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/0f76b457.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/d8eca81f.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/6031dada.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/890bdd36.jpg

Then down to the Speedway for a couple of hours as the light faded.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/a7c58012.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/846d28e8.jpg

cornish-stormrider
30th Jan 2008, 13:22
Thats filth that is:E:E

Some lovely porn shots of really sexy machinery ( and one really ugly hog)

I think your pic of the lancer is beautiful. And no I am not a spotter (yet)

juliet
30th Jan 2008, 13:27
Awesome photos but where are the heavies!

Whats the deal with the big spine F-16? Is it an Israeli type jet still in US colours?

OCCWMF
30th Jan 2008, 14:27
Nice work KD!

L J R
30th Jan 2008, 14:35
Juliette,

Some F-16's from Singapore are based in the USA.

mr fish
30th Jan 2008, 14:48
love the prowler, bet the boat types still get a kick out out 'helping out' the AF ,RIP sparkvark. p.s. can't wait to see a growler in the flesh!!!

KarlADrage
30th Jan 2008, 15:04
As L J R says, the 'spined' F-16s were from the Singapore AF Training Unit at Luke AFB, AZ.

Re the heavies, *most* of them departed from the "wrong" runway from a photographic point of view (ie into the sun), so I've not processed too many of them yet. The package we got to see had two Bones, three Hercs (two Canadians and a Spec Ops), three KC-135s and the good old RAF E-3D. I may add some later. :ok:

GPMG
30th Jan 2008, 15:44
Karl, you seem to have one of those dream jobs, along the lines of Top Gear presenter and Club magazine photographer.

Terrific phots, thank you.

P.S please don't tell me that you freelance for either of the above as well.

El Grifo
30th Jan 2008, 15:47
What are you shooting on Karl ?

KarlADrage
30th Jan 2008, 17:36
GPMG - It's not even my job, it's just a hobby, albeit one I take pretty seriously! :ok:

El Grifo - I've got two Canon bodies - one 20D, and this was the first proper airing for the 40D. Lenses used here were the Canon 400mm f5.6 and the Sigma 120-300mm f2.8.

El Grifo
30th Jan 2008, 17:45
Excellent work KarlADrage.

The 20D is a fine little tool. I just had a 5D,30D and 20D plus some expensive glass, nicked out of my Peli case between Havana and Montego Bay a few weeks ago.

Bummer.:(

PS. Any more images ?

WhiteOvies
31st Jan 2008, 10:20
Mr Fish:
Not just US 'boat types'! Red Flag '03 had 800NAS SHARs playing the bad guys alonside the Aggressor F16s. Much fun had by all......;)

Winco
31st Jan 2008, 10:33
Karl,

I'm not a photographer, but those are fantastic shots Sir, Outstanding, well done.
As for posting more - yes please! Look forward to seeing them all.
Thank you
The Winco

KarlADrage
31st Jan 2008, 13:58
El Grifo - sorry to hear about that. Wherever possible I keep as much of my gear with me in the cabin as I can. Can't begin to imagine how gutted I'd be if I went overseas only to find my gear had been lifted...

I had a 30D until recently. I got the 40D and my son got my 30D! :E Never really got on with the 30. The 40 seems much more to my liking.

All - thanks for the positive comments. I've still not had the time to sort out any heavies from Flag (NAS Fallon plus the National Guard at Reno both got visits as well), but here are a few others for now:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/749a2c4c.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/4a31bcad.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/0bdeeade.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/ff9ea2e3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/5e905191.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/1f71caad.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/6f2a08e4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/5ff1e8de.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/08eabbd7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/43dcda9a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/08ccf646.jpg

South Bound
31st Jan 2008, 14:33
KD

really amazing pictures, so clear it looks like they have stopped and posed for you. As someone without a clue about how to take 'real' pictures, is there a book you would recommend for a beginner with a 400D who can't make it take pictures as good as those from his cheapy compact Lumix?

Sand4Gold
31st Jan 2008, 15:00
Stunning photos.

I suspect South Bound that KD is being modest about the lenses he used(L IS?); not to mention the cost.

Any insight to the technique(s) you used KD would be greatly appreciated - just bought a 40D myself - I suspect I'll need to go back to 'shop' and get a few extras.

AA

KarlADrage
31st Jan 2008, 15:37
South Bound - best advice I can give it to play around! I'm completely self taught and spent the best part of six months shooting in Manual mode in order to fully grasp what was going on.

Have a read of this http://www.cameraporn.net/2007/12/24/aperture-iso-and-shutter-speed-the-good-kind-of-threesome/ It's about the relationship between shutter speed, aperture and ISO and then go out and play around with the settings (it doesn't even have to be away from your own home) to see what effect changing each has. It'll also let you know your own, and your equipment's limitations. I'm fairly stable and smooth with my panning (tracking) of the aircraft, so I can usually get away with fairly slow shutter speeds (which allows you to get a better 'f' number, or use a lower ISO). You may or may not be able to, in which case you'll have to sacrifice a good 'f' number or the ISO.

As Ancient Aviator has eluded to, camera gear is generally one of those 'you get what you pay for' kind of things, but acceptable results are achievable with modest gear, and I'd certainly recommend learning the basics before you go out and spend any serious money. Plenty of people think that will be the answer to their problems, but then still fail to produce the results they expect.

Ancient - no IS or L-series on either of the lenses used here. The only L/IS I own is the Canon 24-105mm :ok:

PS all were shot on Tv mode with a shutter speed of either 1/640th or 1/800th. I wouldn't normally shoot that fast, but the proximity to the aircraft meant that in relative terms they were moving rather fast! ;)

South Bound
31st Jan 2008, 15:47
Price of lenses scares me, even for my entry level digi SLR, but just need to learn about basic photography first. It is all a mystery beyond the Auto setting!

KD - thanks very much, will give it a go!

Sand4Gold
31st Jan 2008, 16:12
KD, ditto on the thanks very much; it was your obvious proximity to the centre line that led me to think L/IS; you have a steady hand indeed.

Again, ta for the info/tips.

AA

ScufferEng
31st Jan 2008, 16:20
Top pictures Karl!! :D Of course Red Flag is not Red Flag without the Vickers Fun Bus!

brickhistory
31st Jan 2008, 16:59
By the way, USN Prowlers are full of USAF types both left front seaters and ECMOs. Price of retiring the Sparkvark.

Roadtrip
31st Jan 2008, 17:14
"Some lovely porn shots of really sexy machinery ( and one really ugly hog)

I think your pic of the lancer is beautiful. And no I am not a spotter (yet)"


While the "official" moniker of the B-1 is the "Lancer," no one associated with the airplane calls it that. In fact, the moniker "Lancer" is universally disdained and rejected by the aircrews and maintainers.

To anyone in-the-know, if you refer to the B-1 as the "Bone," you'll get nods of approval instead of snickers of ridicule.

Superb pictures!

TEEEJ
31st Jan 2008, 18:44
Karl,

Fantastic. All that superb light. Thanks for posting

:D:D:D

TJ

skippyscage
1st Feb 2008, 05:56
well Mr D fancy seeing you here!

Been around a good while but never had the b&lls to post any photos (don't want it turning into UKAR et al) :eek:

Anyway maybe I'll add a few of my own, and see you in a few months :ok:

(oh and he's being modest when he says "hobby" - getting paid by magazines in my book means pro or at least semi-pro)

oh and if PPRUNE towers thinks we should limit this to discussion I understand

skippyscage
1st Feb 2008, 06:31
here are a few of my offerings - a couple of backlit too (still go a load of editing to do though)

Skippy's Cage - Nellis AFB, NV - Red Flag 08-2.1 - 24 January 2008 (http://www.skippyscage.com/aviation/nv/rf08-2.1/index.html)

airwaverider
1st Feb 2008, 07:47
Karl and Paul,

Greats shots...Got anymore?

skippyscage
1st Feb 2008, 07:58
thanks airwaverider - I do for sure as I have not finished PP all my shots yet and I know Karl does.

I might just post a link to my site when I get them all done so we don't p%SS off Danny too much :)

Oggin Aviator
1st Feb 2008, 08:19
Karl - Great shots - any chance of a link to the Fallon shots ?? - hoping to see some of the jets I flew in during my exchange over there.

Paul - lovely shot of the Bluetail (VAW 121) E2!

KarlADrage
1st Feb 2008, 08:24
Cheers all.

Skip - you and I both know that whilst we may get a bit back sometimes, it's a country mile away from being a profitable game to play!! :)

Oggin Aviator - as per my Red Flag efforts, still got the vast majority to tidy up, but a small selection can be found here:
http://forums.airshows.co.uk/cgi-bin/ukarboard/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=9;t=43128

Any special requests? We got access to literally everything that was there that wasn't hangared.

snapper1
1st Feb 2008, 09:32
Great shots!

Are those F15s all 'E' variants? the 'A' s to 'D' are supposed to be grounded arn't they?

Fire 'n' Forget
1st Feb 2008, 13:09
I must be sad, looking at those photo's I was actually going down them and using the callsigns that they all had. :ugh:

The Ugly Fend Off
1st Feb 2008, 15:09
Interesting pod underneath the left intake of the last F-15 Aggressor.

MDPE
2nd Feb 2008, 04:15
Hi Karl.
I love your photos. I have a vested interest in a couple as I flew in those F15Es at that RF with the 389 FS from Mountain Home AFB, ID. I particularly like the shot of tail 209 on take-off.

Could we make contact off-line so I can discuss getting some high res versions from you for our squadron HQ.

Thanks again for the great shots.

Some background, in case you were interested. The F15Es, now wearing MO tails were the ex-90 FS "Dicemen" jets that moved from Elmendorf in Mar 2007. The 389FS "Thunderbolts", an old F16CJ squadron (F111s before that) has now been operating the Strike Eagle for about a year and this years Jan RedFlag represented the completion of the transition from AK.

Please let me know how to contact you if possible.

Thanks in advance.:ok:

Phil_R
2nd Feb 2008, 04:24
What's the red pod-lookin' thing on many of these aircraft? Frequently visible on F-16 wingtips. Some sort of data link for the sake of the exercise?

P

skippyscage
2nd Feb 2008, 04:38
snapper - the MO F-15s were Es - just got done doing some as we speak - half way home!

phil - I think that's what they use to register hits or kills in the ranges (I could of course be completely incorrect)

KarlADrage
2nd Feb 2008, 07:53
Snapper - as Skip says, the MO's were Es, but the grounding on the A-D's has been lifted provided they passed their structural checks. I think I read somewhere the other day that 161 are still not cleared to fly.

MDPE - thanks for the comments. You have a PM.

Cheers all.

crazydunc
2nd Feb 2008, 09:16
Awesome Pictures Karl, Very nice :)

TEEEJ
2nd Feb 2008, 12:16
Fantastic images, Paul. Great prop blur on the Hawkeye!

skippyscage
3rd Feb 2008, 06:50
Thanks TEEEJ

We also had in attendance NY and IA ANG F-16s which were nice to see (not connected to Red Flag) - NY transition to UAVs soon :rolleyes:

NY and IA F-16s (http://www.skippyscage.com/aviation/nv/nellisang0801/index.html)

HPPILOT
4th Feb 2008, 18:59
Wonderful photos, I remember the heat and the stunning light when I attended the 50th USAF airshow in 1997.

A number of photographers were shot at by an old girl who took exception to us standing near her shacks at the Vegas end of the runway. No one was hit but a few Germans damaged their large lenses trying to get away from the geriatric annie Oakley.

mr fish
5th Feb 2008, 12:19
wonder when typoon will get an invite?:E

El Grifo
11th Feb 2008, 12:43
I have to ask are you guys shooting raw, are you bracketing jpg's or are you just sorting things out with the raw's in post production.

Excellent stuff guys !!!

El G.

KarlADrage
11th Feb 2008, 13:07
El Grifo - I shoot RAW + L JPEG, but I can't remember the last time I processed a RAW file. Just adds too much time to the mix, and the difference in quality doesn't warrant it, IMHO.

A few more of mine - including a few heavies, as requested:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/IMG_1280.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/IMG_1337.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/IMG_1351.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/IMG_1433.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/IMG_1510.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/IMG_1693.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/IMG_1707.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/IMG_1711.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/IMG_1763.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/IMG_4499.jpg

If anyone's interested I've just made my report from the NV National Guard visit live on my site: http://www.karladrage.co.uk/reno080122.html

El Grifo
11th Feb 2008, 13:20
For sure Karl, no discernable difference in quality although the "heavyweights" would disagree.

The flexibility on the other hand can only be marvelled at.

Coming from the days of E6, I still bracket in thirds but the RAW can handle +/- 1 with no probs.

I resisted working in RAW at the beginning, now it is my new best friend.

I must check one of your great images in PS3.

Cheers
El G.

Capt.Gonzo
11th Feb 2008, 17:38
wow, fantastic pics :ok:

harrogate
11th Feb 2008, 19:37
Everything's so bloody clean!

Is that because they're always up at 30,000ft, as opposed to getting down 'n dirty in the daisies like our lot?

kmagyoyo
11th Feb 2008, 21:20
EXCELLENT work Karl some of the best shots I've seen.

You almost make this RF05-1.2 participant miss the Air Force...almost!

(highly recommend the Witchdoctor at Voodoo lounge BTW).

hugh_briss
12th Feb 2008, 11:15
Great photos Karl

Glad to see you got one of the E-3D. Any more of her flying?

HB

Fire 'n' Forget
12th Feb 2008, 12:01
highly recommend the Witchdoctor at Voodoo lounge BTW

Yeah I would too, $40 a pop these days, but 1 gets you started 2 and your gone :E

skippyscage
12th Feb 2008, 12:19
got a couple of the landing after the tight overhead break

skippyscage photography - Nellis AFB, NV - Red Flag 08-2.1 - 24 January 2008 (http://www.skippyscage.com/aviation/nv/rf08-2.1/)

I'm a RAW only 'cause I like the work :ugh:

Next Red Flag Thursday!

El Grifo
12th Feb 2008, 13:08
Posted this before on another thread but it is worth dropping it in here :-

I was on a shoot in Las Vegas last year which coincided with the Flag.
I went along for old times sake. The day I chose was quite a slow day by Flag standards but worth it nonetheless.

Boeing sponsored the making of an incredible I-MAX movie about Red Flag.

The website gives a taster, if you can get past the naff front end of the site, click on trailers/clips. you will get some idea.

I have seen it on HD TV and it is spectacular

It must be even more incredible on I-MAX

http://www.fighterpilotfilm.com/

CuNim1
12th Feb 2008, 15:03
What's the red pod-lookin' thing on many of these aircraft? Frequently visible on F-16 wingtips. Some sort of data link for the sake of the exercise?

I believe it's a GPS data recorder that can be played back post-flight. It you look you will see one on a pylon on the A-10 and on most of the others somewhere.

WhiteOvies
12th Feb 2008, 15:17
Known as a TACTS Pod I believe, it's a range telemetry system that allows a Topgun (film version) style debrief. I'm sure Google would provide a better answer. The UK uses a more sophisticated(?) sytem called RAIDS.

KarlADrage
12th Feb 2008, 15:37
Cheers all.

El Grifo - that's true enough. I started shooting RAW in June 2005, but gave up in April 2007 for reasons previously stated. I can get an almost identical quality of image from a JPEG with less than half the processing time. It's a no-brainer for me nowadays. :)

Hugh - not a massive amount due to them (you?) using 21L (into the sun). Aside from one very similar to Skippy's touchdown shot this is pretty much the sum total of my remaining E-3D shots:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/IMG_1288.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/IMG_1767.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/IMG_1783.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080124%20Nellis/IMG_1784.jpg

For anybody interested, I've just made the report from NAS Fallon live on my website. A few samples below then the link at the bottom:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080123%20Fallon/23ff606a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080123%20Fallon/a2a91eac.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/KarlADrage/080123%20Fallon/75dee9f5.jpg

http://www.karladrage.co.uk/fallon080123.html

hugh_briss
12th Feb 2008, 18:06
Karl and Skippy

Outstanding!

ATC insist on the heavies using 21 where possible for the IFR departure. Didn't know there was a photoshoot on - not that we could do anything about it!

Can you send me a pm and do some hard copies for hard cash?

The light and air quality up at Nellis is incredible, but your photos really nail it. Are you off to Anchorage in April?

HB

skippyscage
13th Feb 2008, 01:39
PM sent, and yes we are both in AK in April

L J R
13th Feb 2008, 04:35
Red flag is all about the flying - the take-off and landing are a means to an end. When will someone go to the Farms, Belted, Quartzite, or Worthington to see the low and fast stuff.......or is the pub in Rachel too boring to stay there.

skippyscage
13th Feb 2008, 04:37
going to try this Friday - but it is VERY hit and miss, even if you do get to see anything

skippyscage
26th Feb 2008, 02:48
instead of starting a new thread I'll tack on some stuff from the 2nd period - I didn't get a chance to go Rachael Way as the wx and wind was terrible for a few days.

Most of the players were F-15s - SJ, LN and Saudi Arabian

Skippy's Cage - Nellis AFB, NV - Red Flag 08-2.2 - 14-15 February 2008 (http://www.skippyscage.com/aviation/nv/rf08-2.2/)

as ever any requests etc PM or ask away.

zed3
26th Feb 2008, 03:31
L J R ... the Littlealainn in Rachel is rather basic . Just a carpark , the inn and a few trailer homes , or was when I was last there around four years ago . The only aerial activity I saw was very very high but one could hear a lot ! I presume that most of the flying was in Area 51 to the west behind the mountains . All tracks in that direction had warning signs about being shot ! Looked up Area51 and Rachel last week on Google whilst staying with friends in Vegas . The number trailer homes seemed to be fewer now .

Long Drop
27th Feb 2008, 19:04
Mr Fish:

Did you honestly say that "you can't wait to see a growler in the flesh"?

Lima Juliet
27th Feb 2008, 19:15
This picture made me chuckle...Are the aliens from Dreamland on approach behind this B-707? Or are they beaming up the pies from the Galley?? :E

http://www.skippyscage.com/aviation/pprune/klsv20080124-537.jpg

Mactlsm1
27th Feb 2008, 23:29
I really hate you guys that have posted these photographs. I have recently gotten into photography and I "kind of like" aircraft. These are amongst the best I've seen of the type (Take-off/Landing/Circuit(Pattern for US readers)/Taxy). They are all so sharp and the light appears to be almost perfect, well it is Nevada. Really impressed, and thanks for sharing. It's not often that you get a chance to photograph these from such a great vantage point, even if you are in "the company". I saw the RAF E-3 but did not see any other RAF aircraft. Were there any there? Normally we send at least a C130 or two, along with some others. If you have any RAF aircraft I would love to see them.

Mac

skippyscage
28th Feb 2008, 01:21
Thanks for the comments Mac (I think :))

The E-3 was the only RAF aircraft to participate this period - I think they are saving themselves for Alaskan Flag in April, where both myself and Karl are traveling to.

The RAF did bring Tonkas to the Feb Flag last year - check them out here if interested (http://www.skippyscage.com/aviation/nv/rf0702/)

Mactlsm1
28th Feb 2008, 03:07
Skippyscage,
Yes it was intended as a complement to you guys. Thanks for the link, again some cracking photos. I especiallly liked your shot of XV214 - C130K CMk3. Had a lot to do with how that ac now looks.:E

Mac

skippyscage
28th Feb 2008, 03:12
I know Mac - just messin' hence the :)

that C.3A has a lot going on for sure :suspect: (I won't ask)

Mactlsm1
28th Feb 2008, 03:31
Skippyscage,

Yep, caught your meaning:cool:

However, I don't think that I mentioned it was a C3A, did I????????:ooh:

Mac

skippyscage
28th Feb 2008, 03:40
the black choppers are outside my house now :eek:

:8