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PostPosted: Wed May 20, 2009 8:34 pm
by Gavin Conroy
Have just added a folder of photos to my website from the flight with the Red Checkers.
Flying the actual airshow display over my home patch at Classic Fighters 2009 was great.
The flying amazed me and flying inverted during the mirror was quite an experience.
Not sure how Macka made the flight possible but I will be forever grateful.
Check out Av News and Air Force News for more photos and Air Force News have used a vertical portrait for there back cover.
















PostPosted: Wed May 20, 2009 8:39 pm
by victor_alpha_charlie
Fantastic! These would have to be some of my favourite shots of yours yet! Awesome work Gavin!

PostPosted: Wed May 20, 2009 9:38 pm
by Naki
Fantastic photos as usual - read your article in Aviation News - very interesting.

I wonder how their routine has changed from the days when they operated 210hp Aitrainers? I guess it makes it easier now, with 300hp under the hood.

PostPosted: Wed May 20, 2009 9:41 pm
by leow5263
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

awesome shots, would be so awesome to fly with the red checkers!

do you have any shots of the croud at classic fighters?

PostPosted: Wed May 20, 2009 9:43 pm
by Nzeddy
gavin.gif WOW! Awesome pics Gavin! gavin.gif

PostPosted: Thu May 21, 2009 5:36 pm
by FlyingKiwi
Definitely an occasion for the gavin.gif emoticon I think. winkyy.gif

PostPosted: Thu May 21, 2009 8:58 pm
by Gavin Conroy
The routine has changed a bit with the CT4E but for those of us old enough to remember seeing those flights using the B model, I think the biggest change is the teams ability to keep up enough energy to keep the display close to the crowd at all times.
There is hardly a break between moves now and it makes a big difference.
The power is right up through most of the display so I think a tighter display has been the pay off as the pilots on the outside of the moves would have a bit more power up there sleeves and that makes all the difference.

Here are a few more photos.
Sorry about some of the reflections but its pretty hard to avoid in the CT4E glass house but pretty happy with the results as are the RNZAF so thats great.
















PostPosted: Thu May 21, 2009 9:15 pm
by ardypilot
Pure Awesomeness thumbup1.gif

PostPosted: Thu May 21, 2009 9:29 pm
by leow5263

PostPosted: Thu May 21, 2009 11:04 pm
by Ian Warren
Nije got a lot of respect over the wider world with his CT4 , Ill search the thread and post a link , Im sure many many more would love to view these photos thumbup1.gif

PostPosted: Fri May 22, 2009 12:46 am
by deeknow
Fantastic stuff Gavin, some of those pics actually made me feel a bit squeemish, they're so intense with the aircraft proximity like that huh?
I'll clearly never make it as a aerobatics pilot ohmy.gif

PostPosted: Fri May 22, 2009 3:14 pm
by dienamics
Great Photos,

Was great to see the Checkers up here on Tuesday (whangarei) its very rare for us to get a visit from any RNZAF aircraft let alone the checkers.

PostPosted: Fri May 22, 2009 7:42 pm
by Gavin Conroy
deeknow wrote:
QUOTE (deeknow @ May 26 2009, 12:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Fantastic stuff Gavin, some of those pics actually made me feel a bit squeemish, they're so intense with the aircraft proximity like that huh?
I'll clearly never make it as a aerobatics pilot ohmy.gif


I tried to make the photos as close to reality as possible is regards to aircraft seperation to give the viewer an idea as to how close these guys fly during the actual displays and there were times that I put the camera down to watch and at the top of the loops when the speed was back I remember saying F*** me a few times, was simply incredible to watch and I had nothing but fun due the the skill and respect for the pilots I flew with.
Only took the 17-40L lens lens along as I new that very little zoom would be needed.

Have flown several of hours of aerobatcis and spent a lot of time in formation but boy that flight was something else.

Was difficult to put into words in for the Av News story but tried my best.

PostPosted: Fri May 22, 2009 7:45 pm
by Njbb1995
I read it in the Air Force News, Very nice Gavin