Warbirdskies

Took the decision to trade in my ten year old Nikon D70 and two lenses for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 µ4/3 digital camera.
I went for the OM-D kit but the dealer had run out of stock, so came away with the body and a 'loaner' lens until they got a restock of the 24-50mm lenses.

I was finding that I was not using the Nikon due to the size of the whole system. On trips and general shots I'd been using the Panasonic DMC-TZ7 'point+shoot' but was getting frustrated with the lack of a viewfinder.

So with a reasonable offer made on the Nikon I took the leap to a whole new system! I'd lusted after the original OM1 and OM2 back in the 70's but owned a Praktica LTL3 then Canon AE1. It's a bit like handling the AE1 in size - the OM-D is a bit smaller and more 'pocketable'.

I've taken advantage of the free HLD-6 battery grip offer (worth £200) which might assist handling in colder weather.

I hope to be able to get a Zuiko 75-300mm super telephoto lens at some point - that should be more than enough zoom for me.

Finding my way around the Olympus OM-D E-M5 - only got a 14-42mm lens on it at the moment until the store gets the kit lens in stock.
F-86 took off for a fly around somewhere and on its return put on a spirited display...

Elsewhere a familiar pair were on display...

Not shot with 'tilt shift' - it is just a model ;o)

Shot using the 'tilt shift' filter - the toy box look!

Just for a change - The Grace Spitfire was giving 'jollies' to some lucky sods today....

Maybe I should rename this blog "Focus On Frankie" as it seems to feature a fair bit!!!

Today sat out just prior to tearing around the Duxford sky....

For good reasons the blog is called "Warbirdskies"....

This afternoon has been quite busy overhead and in the surrounding area. The sound of a Merlin had me scrambling out into the garden with a pair of binos to see a P-51 circling just to the north. From the yellow nose I figured it may be Ferocious Frankie out for some air tests.
He's been back a couple of times since though managing to catch me unprepared camera wise!!!
So here is a photo from last August...

Duxford - 25/8/2012

The resident Duxford "Snaparazzi" have reported that "FF" has indeed taken to the air several times today - so kind they should head to my location to fly about...

From the OFMC website FAQs -

How much will a display cost?

"A local display will be a minimum of £1,500"....

Maybe I should paint over the big white "DX" that's on my roof?....

Happened to check out the website for the "Secret Garden Party", which is on this weekend, and the background audio is of an interesting theme...

http://www.secretgardenparty.com/#!/home/

(if you wonder what the track is - "Spitfire" by Public Service Broadcasting)

...flying around just to the south of me the other day - shot on my point and shoot hence the poor quality...

Red Bull B-25 Mitchell N6123C

Gloster Gladiator

Spent 4 hours on the Saturday, cooking out on the flightline, as I tried to keep out of the viewfinder of the many people taking advantage of the "Flightline Walk". Watched over the Gladiators...

First time two Gladiators had been in the same place at the same time since WWII?...

Not forgetting they then both flew together!

Sunday was spent as a spectator - took a few shots of the hardware on the ground which I'll post up later.

Something must be happening this weekend. Lots of aircraft arriving and lots of people and tents on site....

Met up with Gary W for a natter at lunchtime - not sure if we put the world to rights but we had a damn good try!

Anyway, spotted these three doing some sort of new dance out on the airfield...

Bit of a new view of the Beaufighter now that the southside of H2 has been emptied out a bit...

If you're one of my regular readers I will be working at Flying Legends this Saturday - probably somewhere out on the flightline, so if you're out and about stop by and throw a wet towel over me!!!...

Now that the Clooney/Pitt Circus has moved on Duxford has returned to it's normal 'sleepy' state.
Some from my post lunch perambulations - lack of anything yellow in the sky was the inspiration...

Modern fixtures such as visitor info boards have been removed and the bases disguised by oil drums and ammo boxes...

Wing Co Joe's is ready for the next air raid...

Set dressing is in place to hide modern additions to older buildings.

As Duxford is taken over by the film industry, some areas are being taken back in time. Barriers have been set out to isolate the area between H2 and H4 for filming, though at this time visitors still have access throughout the site.

Let's hope filming doesn't include "blowing up" any more hangars!!!!!!

Amongst the highlights of the first airshow of the season was the formation flypast of the Red Arrows and the P-47G Thunderbolt Snafu, P-51C Mustang Princess Elizabeth, Spitfire 1A AR213/P3708 and a Hurricane Mk X AE977/P3886 of "Eagle Squadron"...

Earlier in the day, opening the show, the "Eagle Squadron" put on a fourship display...


Later they escorted B-17 "Sally B"...

As I was deployed on the Jet Pan for the duration of the Flightline Walk, I was unable to take any photos of the static aircraft. Apologies if I added a splash of hi-viz yellow to your photos while you were trying to snap the "Eagle Squadron" aircraft on the ground!!

Managed to catch Princess Elizabeth between crate and hangar today as I drove in...

As well as the Amiot Toucan, the Sea Venom is being dismantled by the Poles also...

Hope these aren't packed up also!!!

P9374

AR213/P7308

The sun is shining!!!

Last week Team Lotus were tearing up and down the runway...

This went flying...


Today (1/5/13) some US metal was warming itself.

Force India F1 team were out and about today.

AR213 - repainted for the Eagle Squadron anniversary

A big brown shipping container is parked outside H2 - speculation is, it contains a princess...

Meanwhile, at about 3.20pm this pootled around over the north side...

Shoved out into the cold for a few days -

Word is the Horsemen will be in the UK twice in 2013!

May 26-27
Imperial War Museum Spring Air Show
Duxford, England

July 11-14
Flying Legends
Duxford, England