RAF Low level flying.... [56k unfriendly!]

^^Gord^^

^^Gord^^

^^Gord^^

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Joined
20 Oct 2002
Posts
1,968
Location
Nottingham
I've posted some of these in the past but my membership of a website had restricted me from posting low level photography on other forums. I respected this rule (as I respect OcUKs rules) but they have no lifted that restiction. So, here is the highlights of my last six visits....

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Very very nice. I would love to be able to have a chance to take some shots like that, keep them coming mate :)

On another note, does anyone actually use 56k still?
 
Fstop11 said:
I love your aviation stuff. Its top drawer!

I thought you did exceptionally well in your capture of number 6. With it being black all over and all.

Great set my friend.
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Cheers! :)

SteveOBHave said:
Awsome - equipment used?
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Thanks. They were all shot with a 30D and a 100-400 L IS, a lot of patience, some luck and some good company.

steveo said:
is the third one an american eagle ????
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Indeed it is. A F-15E Strike Eagle operating with the 494th FS from RAF Lakenheath (don't let the RAF part confuse you, that is a US airbase in the UK).

They use to be very rare at low level but are starting to use the low level areas more. The vast majority of pilots are only cleared to 500ft (the RAF fly down to 250ft) so getting an F15 with land in shot can be hard so I'm especially pleased with that one.

Justin said:
Very very nice. I would love to be able to have a chance to take some shots like that, keep them coming mate :)

On another note, does anyone actually use 56k still?
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Thanks! I did actually see someone complaining the other day about too many photos in a thread who was still on 56k.

Shoei said:
nice pics
Are these taken from the "mach loop"?(think thats what is called)
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Yes, it is the Mach Loop. It's not the only low level training area in the UK but it's the most known and usually the busiest due to the traffic from RAF Valley.
 
Great set of pics. Love the banking black one. I'm not as up on the names these days - is it a Hawk trainer? The same ones as the Red Arrows?

Why did this 'website' restrict you from posting the pics elsewhere?

Do you need permission to take pictures? Where is this Mach Loop? Not that I really stand any chance in getting there!! :D
 
gt_junkie said:
Simply awesome ^^Gord^^ :eek:

Well done mate!

No 6 is my favourite. :)

gt
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Thanks. Almost everyone who has seen my low level photos says that photo is my best. Personally I like it and went out of my way to get an angle where I could get the farm house in the background but I don't think it's my best. Strange how people see photos differently, maybe it's because I was there and no what was needed for each photo that I feel differently.

Mohain said:
Love no. 4. Looks a mean machine doesn't it?
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The lighting is spot on for that photo, couldn't have asked for more.

AndyBorzi said:
Great set of pics. Love the banking black one. I'm not as up on the names these days - is it a Hawk trainer? The same ones as the Red Arrows?

Why did this 'website' restrict you from posting the pics elsewhere?

Do you need permission to take pictures? Where is this Mach Loop? Not that I really stand any chance in getting there!! :D
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Thanks. Yes, it is a BAe Hawk T1 / T1A and it is the same model the 'Arrows use.

I don't really want to get into the details of why a restiction was placed on members but I will say there was reasoning behind and things have now changed so that reasoning doesn't apply anymore. Sorry to be so cryptic but there is politics involve in the whole subject that I prefer to stay out of.

The Mach Loop is the low level training area in Wales know as LFA7. It's full name is the Machynlleth loop. It's a flowed (directional) system which takes them south up the A4787 and back north up the A470 in the Dolgellau area.

You need permission to take photos but you need a lot of common sense. A lot of the area is farm land and you can only get access by the good grace of the owners so you need to respect the rules of the countryside.

More photos here (shameless pimping....)

http://www.g0rd.com/gallery2/v/Planes/
 
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Concorde Rules said:
If this is the same place I was with the school trip.. I didn't get permission :p

Awesome photos tho mate! Hope I can do something like that with my 70-300 :)
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I started shooting low level photography with a 70-300 IS so I can tell you for sure it would be fine. :)
 
Just out of curiosity, what sort of anal forum would stop you from posting your own photos? (which are good by the way!)

Ah, just noticed the post about the politics of the posting rule. To be honest I wouldn't want anything to do with a forum that stops me posting my work in other places. After all it was my money that bought the camera, the lenses, the tripods, the bags, etc. Unless that forum paid for my entrance into these events, they could kiss me bum :D
 
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I did check my site for some examples but I've removed them all now. My technique wasn't great when I started so the photos aren't great (when compared to my stuff now) so they all got the chop.
 
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