[PappyB]

Originally Posted by Elmer

Thanks for the expert advice, Pappy. Now off to convince Mrs. E!

What camera do you have? (And if Mrs. E says no, the Sigma 300mm APO is a good substitute until you can get her to say yes )

Sigma - Lenses

[Elmer]

Originally Posted by PappyB

What camera do you have? (And if Mrs. E says no, the Sigma 300mm APO is a good substitute until you can get her to say yes )

Sigma - Lenses

Thanks for the link, Pappy. We have a Canon Rebel XTI. I currently have two lenses: an old 28-105mm Canon Ultrasonic (that I used with my old EOS Elan -- that was a sweet camera in its day), and the standard 18-55mm lens that came with the new digital Rebel. I have always wanted at least a 300mm capability lens, but have never gotten around to acquiring one. Mrs. E will tell me to stop buying models and save the money for the lens! But I am now dreaming of hot summer days laying under my favorite tree in the backyard, sipping lemonade, and zoning off to the sound of the neighboring birds, until a jet engine wakes me to my senses; I grab my new digital SLR with my awesome new 400mm lens which I acquired just for plane-spotting... sounds like fun!

[PappyB]

This weekend I took a small roadtrip up to my old stomping grounds in Sacramento to catch the Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom tour stop at McClellan AFB. Beautiful day, great warbirds, lots of fun. This is the first time the tour was joined by the Betty Jane P-51B -- which I think is the only dual-control P-51B in the world. (?) ($2,220 for a half hour ride in which you can have some stick time, no license required -- but hey, the second half hour is only $1,000! )

The bombers didn't fly much as the bookings were down significantly from years past. No surprise there, really. Saw several veterans come by and just stand and stare at the bombers, one for well over an hour just stood and stared at the 909 with tears in his eyes... I couldn't bring myself to disturb him to find out what his story might have been. The presence of the vets definitely makes the experience more powerful.

The bombers didn't fly much, but that meant we had ample time to tour them without many people around at our leisure -- always a good time.

Unfortunately, I had a major brain fart with my camera and somehow managed to shoot the entire day with my ISO cranked up -- high iso and bright sun is not a good combination. I blame.... well... I dunno. I'll go with sleep deprivation from being forced to troubleshoot a 'net drop at 2am the night before, until 4 am. But the Tour is coming down to my new home area in a week I think so I'll have another go at getting it right! But at least these don't look too bad at web sizes
If you want, you can see the full set of "keepers" here: Steve's Photo Site


The Betty Jane is a gorgeous, gorgeous airplane and if you can get out to ser her in action do it !

I think the B-25 and B-17 are overdue for repaints... but it's still great to see them every year. Looking at the 909 I do think FM's colors are closer to the reality than Corgi's...

[STARMAN 352ND]

Now that looks like alot of fun....Great pictures ...
Did you go for a ride on any of the planes ?
JP

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by STARMAN 352ND

Now that looks like alot of fun....Great pictures ...
Did you go for a ride on any of the planes ?
JP

Yeah, I took the P-51 up for a couple hours.......... I wish!

No rides for me... maybe when they come down to Santa Rosa... maybe---been thinking about treating myself for my upcoming BIG 4-0...

However, honestly, I've flown once on a B-25 and had absolute freedom on the flight to go to all the positions on the bird.... you don't get to do that on the Collings rides, I hear they are pretty restrictive. I think I'd rather take that $475 and put it towards an aviation art print I've wanted for years. (Trudgian's Gunfight Over Rabual). I've been trying to locate the old film shots from that B-25 ride to show you guys, so far no joy but they are around somewhere.

I just really enjoy being around the bombers and taking photos.

[STARMAN 352ND]

It's pricey for sure to be able to get a ride in one of them...I thought maybe they have gone up on the price this year.
JP

[Cruver Collecter]

Those were the same aircraft that were at a local museum in Tyler back in April.

[hworth18]

I have been wanting to go on a ride in the Fortress for a while now, but more expensive it gets, the less it is likely to happen.

Great pics btw, I wonder if the Mustang gives rides?

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by hworth18

I have been wanting to go on a ride in the Fortress for a while now, but more expensive it gets, the less it is likely to happen.

Great pics btw, I wonder if the Mustang gives rides?

They gave P-51 rides when they were at Tyler, a bit pricey though.

[Tundra04]

Great pictures Waltz! Especially the A-10...Not to hijack the thread, but what is the antenna behind the canopy? I've never seen this before.