Heathrow
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: dodging CB clouds
Heathrow
Hi guys,
I was wondering if you can help me, im going to be in London for a week in about 4 weeks time and ive not done any photgraphy at Heathrow before. Where is the best place to take pics? Hatton Cross? Also what aircraft types/movements would be good to keep an eye out for? (stuff like Middle Eastern vintage 747s etc)
I was wondering if you can help me, im going to be in London for a week in about 4 weeks time and ive not done any photgraphy at Heathrow before. Where is the best place to take pics? Hatton Cross? Also what aircraft types/movements would be good to keep an eye out for? (stuff like Middle Eastern vintage 747s etc)
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: London (Babylon-on-Thames)
There are some excellent points along the perimeter for landers when on 27L / 27R. If you google Myrtle Avenue when on 27L, that's 5 minutes from Hatton Cross, or you can shoot landers from 27R from the road around the BA Maintenence Area. Both locations have options when the sun moves around in the summer to cross to the other side.
27L departures can be shot from the perimeter road that runs from T5 to Cargo, and has a handy petrol station to fill up on food and drink. LEave the car and go for a wander is the best bet. Most of the scheduled traffic is new with next to no vintage.
Good luck.
27L departures can be shot from the perimeter road that runs from T5 to Cargo, and has a handy petrol station to fill up on food and drink. LEave the car and go for a wander is the best bet. Most of the scheduled traffic is new with next to no vintage.
Good luck.
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Germany
Emirates: from 16th January EK 003/004 LHR-DXB 4 weekly A380 (x345), 3 weekly B777
Aer Lingus increases LHR-BFS from three to four times a day from 28th March
Gulf Air maintains thrice daily flights to Bahrain during summer
Aer Lingus increases LHR-BFS from three to four times a day from 28th March
Gulf Air maintains thrice daily flights to Bahrain during summer
Last edited by Seljuk22; 5th November 2009 at 12:43.
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Oslo, Norway
flying offficer kite, at both ends of the upper level car ramp (check in/departure level) it's possible to take photos of aircraft on short final with 09 operation. On the north end there is high fence (due to gate stands just below), but if you use a 100-400 mm lens, as I did, you can get pictures of aircaft further out without any obstructions. If the wind comes from the west, you can nice take off shots - and then you don't need to worry about the fence. Be aware, at both ramp ends there are special smoking area close by - for me it wasn't that bad since I'm a smoker 
Joined: Aug 1998
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From: London, UK
On the north end there is high fence (due to gate stands just below), but if you use a 100-400 mm lens, as I did, you can get pictures of aircaft further out without any obstructions.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: dodging CB clouds
My camera has a narrow lens and a good zoom, and usually it fits well between the fences of most airports, I assume the fence on top of the car park (if i brave the smokers and cant find anywhere else) would have gaps just big enough to do this?
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: London
I was with the missus at the Hounslow Space Waye recycling center on Saturday. Filty, mucky, and smelly - but she is good with the kids.
Actually been there many times but on that day they were landing on 27L - amazing sights.
If you make your way to the sort of Industrial park around that area there must be some good spots to get them landing or taking off, depending on the runway in use. Plus there is a cafe on the site.
Actually been there many times but on that day they were landing on 27L - amazing sights.
If you make your way to the sort of Industrial park around that area there must be some good spots to get them landing or taking off, depending on the runway in use. Plus there is a cafe on the site.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: dodging CB clouds
hi guys, thanks for that. My trip is next week. With the days shortening would it be fair to say i'll get good light upto about 4pm? Keeping my eyes open for a nice Iran Air 747-100/SP :P
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Oslo, Norway
TOWTEAMBASE, you're welcome to point out each and every security breach in this thread.
As long as you concentrate on taking pictures of aircraft in the air and avoid taking pictures of the buildings inside the restricked area you're home free. I will also recommend having the Anti-Terrorist hotline number 0800 789 321 on your mobile speed dial, and use the number if you ever should see any suspicious activity. There are a number conscious aviation enthusiasts, but there are also a pile unconscious ones. At some of the UK airports the local police has indicated that they need your help, here is an example from Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield (DSA).
As long as you concentrate on taking pictures of aircraft in the air and avoid taking pictures of the buildings inside the restricked area you're home free. I will also recommend having the Anti-Terrorist hotline number 0800 789 321 on your mobile speed dial, and use the number if you ever should see any suspicious activity. There are a number conscious aviation enthusiasts, but there are also a pile unconscious ones. At some of the UK airports the local police has indicated that they need your help, here is an example from Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield (DSA).
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: 1601
Thank you LN-KGL, my concern was the comment about going behind a barrier and being "clear of the security fence"!!! could be taken the wrong way in the wrong hands
cheers anyway for the donny poster, maybe they ALL do it
cheers anyway for the donny poster, maybe they ALL do it
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Oslo, Norway
You left out the important word 'crash' to the barrier TOWTEAMBASE. Groundloop is talking about the heavy concrete lumps/waist low steel fence along the pavement edge with the aim of preventing cars hiting the pedestrians (marked with a green line below).
The "clear of the security fence" that Groundloop writes is to avoid getting the 10 feet high security fence (marked with red above) in your lens line. To achieve this you either move further away from the fence so that you see the aircraft flying above the fence or you can move over to the western part of the ramp (beyond the green line) which is without any security fence.
The "clear of the security fence" that Groundloop writes is to avoid getting the 10 feet high security fence (marked with red above) in your lens line. To achieve this you either move further away from the fence so that you see the aircraft flying above the fence or you can move over to the western part of the ramp (beyond the green line) which is without any security fence.
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: London (Babylon-on-Thames)
Nice one....you have probably all just published a nice long list of potential security breaches.....you should all be proud
if i get any decent pics i can post a link onto here
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: 1601
skipness......come on.........you have to be "plane crazy" to think hed be airside, but wouldnt you be sus if you spotted someone behind a "crash"barrier at an international airport with a camera .....they didnt take too kindly in greece remember