May 1, 2013 | AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, Aviation, Aviation Portfolio, B-25 Mitchell, Black & White, Military Aircraft, Nikon D3x
The B-25 Champaign Gal, along with another B-25, was taxiing for takeoff at Grimes Field in Urbana, OH while giving rides before attending the 70th Reunion of the Doolittle Raiders at the Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH. Twenty B-25 aircraft attended the reunion the next day on 17 Apr 2013. For a first hand account of B-25 activities at the 70th Doolittle Raider reunion: B-25s at the 70th Doolittle Raiders Reunion.
On 18 Apr 1942, sixteen brave flight crews took off from the USS Hornet aircraft carrier in B-25 bombers to strike the Japanese mainland in a daring mission early in WWII. Of the 80 men on the mission, five still remain with us to celebrate the 70th anniversary of their successful mission. This reunion remembers them and all the brave WWII air crews who fought and sometimes died to keep us a free nation. And, it was refreshing to see the current generation of pilots, air crews, and ground crews that keep these B-25s flying.
Luckily, I was able to get a media pass so I could get out to the end of the runway for possibly a better shot. Champaign Gal is based at Grimes Field as part of the Champaign Air Museum. She has the home field advantage, but doesn’t seem to need it. Similar images could have easily been taken at numerous airfields around the world in 1942.
May 1, 2013 | AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, Aviation, Aviation Portfolio, B-25 Mitchell, Military Aircraft, Nikon D300
The crew of Miss Mitchell checked out the B-25 after a heavy rain shower. Miss Mitchell had come to Grimes Field in Urbana, OH while preparing to attend the 70th Reunion of the Doolittle Raiders at the Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH. Twenty B-25 aircraft attended the reunion the next day on 17 Apr 2013. For a first hand account of B-25 activities at the 70th Doolittle Raider reunion: B-25s at the 70th Doolittle Raiders Reunion.
On 18 Apr 1942, 16 brave flight crews took off from the USS Hornet aircraft carrier in B-25 bombers to strike the Japanese mainland in a daring mission early in WWII. Of the 80 men on the mission, five still remain with us to celebrate the 70th anniversary of their successful mission. This reunion remembers them and all the brave WWII air crews who fought and sometimes died to keep us a free nation. And, it was refreshing to see the current generation of pilots, air crews, and ground crews that keep these B-25s flying.
During the rain shower, I was in the Champaign Aviation Museum hangar chatting with a WWII B-25 pilot with 65 combat missions in Europe and the Distinguished Flying Cross. And, he still flies with his son in a Beech Bonanza. Anyway, I just happened to walk pasted the hangar door just after the shower ended. Then, just a simple click; didn’t even get wet.
May 1, 2013 | AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR, Aviation, Aviation Portfolio, Black & White, Nikon D300
A Great Day OshKosh tends to be many things to many people. It’s great planes, great people. It’s a long hot walk. It’s busy; so much to do, so little time. It’s antiques, homebuilts, ultra lights, warbirds, airlines, etc. At the end of one of those long days at OshKosh while walking back to get some grub, click!
May 1, 2013 | AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, AF-S TC 2.0 E III Tele-converter, Aviation, Aviation Portfolio, F/A-18 Hornet, Nikon D300
The Blue Angels: F-A 18 Hornets: need I say more? This image was captured at the Friday practice session for the Chicago Air & Water Show in 2012. Along the lake front, you can walk out along the beach breakwater and get some really good angles. It makes you a bit closer as well.
May 1, 2013 | AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR, Aviation, Aviation Portfolio, Black & White, F-16 Fighting Falcon, Military Aircraft, Nikon D200
The F-16 Fighting Falcon Demo Team put on a spectacular show for us at the 2007 Rockford Air Fest. After they completed their flight and just before capturing this image, the wall of fire bombing reenactment happen leaving the nice smoke background. One of my most difficult challenges at air shows seems to be getting a decent background for my images.
May 1, 2013 | AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR, Aviation, Aviation Portfolio, Douglas DC-3, Nikon D300
OshKosh just offers so many opportunities to photograph beautiful airplanes like the Douglas DC-3. On this particular day, the weather was not cooperating with mostly grey skies. Occasionally, there was a break to get a few images with clouds. American Airlines, like many other airlines and air cargo carriers, used DC-3s for many years. It was the first really popular and economical airliner. In fact, DC-3s are still in service today used mostly for cargo.
