Duxford Spring Airshow

[dr_gn]

Is tomorrow. Anyone else going?

[Mutley]

Sadly not, which meams i'll miss the Eagle Squadron in formation with the Red Arrows

[aeropilot]

dr_gn said:

Is tomorrow. Anyone else going?

Will have a couple of hours spare tomorrow afternoon, so will probably have a quick run up there on the bike and park up for an hour and try and catch some of it, before having to get back to London. Will prob miss the Eagle Sqn though.

[danjama]

Yep. On my way soon!

[danjama]

Did anyone see a Police motorbike parked on the bridge above the M11 North just before the Dux exit? The officer seemed to be facing away from my direction of traffic, which indicates he was not gunning people. What was he doing?

[yellowjack]

danjama said:

Did anyone see a Police motorbike parked on the bridge above the M11 North just before the Dux exit? The officer seemed to be facing away from my direction of traffic, which indicates he was not gunning people. What was he doing?

Lots of Police bikes about on Airshow days. They are out and about enforcing no parking zones/road closures on certain roads in the area, and will assist crash crews getting to the scene if there is a crash. I witnessed their swift response in the aftermath of the Mustang/Skyraider collision in July 2011, with cordons in place and roads closed within minutes [ http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=126... ]. There's also a fair bit of opportunist car crime where folk will park and walk to a vantage point to get a free show. Ne'r do wells then target the cars, knowing that they'll be unattended all day. Motorbikes are essential for the Police when the roads are so choked up, it's the best way for them to move about effectively and maintain maximum visibility.

[dr_gn]

danjama said:

Did anyone see a Police motorbike parked on the bridge above the M11 North just before the Dux exit? The officer seemed to be facing away from my direction of traffic, which indicates he was not gunning people. What was he doing?

Just before we arrived (about 11) there was a police car going northbound on the M11 holding all the traffic back. No idea why.

Here are a few pics. It was another great day at Duxford. Not seen it much busier I don't think. I'm getting increasingly frustrated at not having an SLR - shutter lag is bad, plus when I have it on 'burst' the viewfinder goes black after the first shot. Anyway, enough of the excuses:

[danjama]

yellowjack said:

Lots of Police bikes about on Airshow days. They are out and about enforcing no parking zones/road closures on certain roads in the area, and will assist crash crews getting to the scene if there is a crash. I witnessed their swift response in the aftermath of the Mustang/Skyraider collision in July 2011, with cordons in place and roads closed within minutes [ http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=126... ]. There's also a fair bit of opportunist car crime where folk will park and walk to a vantage point to get a free show. Ne'r do wells then target the cars, knowing that they'll be unattended all day. Motorbikes are essential for the Police when the roads are so choked up, it's the best way for them to move about effectively and maintain maximum visibility.

Thanks for that, very informative. I thought he was simply enjoying the view!

[danjama]

I think your photos are very good gn. What camera were you using? I use a 600d and can recommend it if you're looking to get a bargain dslr. I just need some better glass Using a lowly 100-300usm at the moment which just doesn't perform. Saying that when all things align i get some cracking shots.

Will post some better ones when i've finished processing.


Spring Airshow 2013 by danjama, on Flickr


Spring Airshow 2013 by danjama, on Flickr


Spring Airshow 2013 by danjama, on Flickr

[dr_gn]

danjama said:

I think your photos are very good gn. What camera were you using? I use a 600d and can recommend it if you're looking to get a bargain dslr. I just need some better glass Using a lowly 100-300usm at the moment which just doesn't perform. Saying that when all things align i get some cracking shots.

Thanks, and thanks for posting yours too - great reminders of a great day.

Mines a Panasonic FZ50 bridge camera. Fine for 90% of the time, but for the 10% when it's not I feel like smashing it against the floor sometimes. And yes, the glass is the other thing. I can't justify the expense at the moment. No way.

[danjama]

Just a bump as I thought i would share a couple more pictures.

Also, you don't have to spend a fortune. A Canon 20d is a fantastic bargain of a dslr, match it with some basic glass and you've got a great starter kit for airshows. Say a 18-135mm for walking about and a 70-300mm for air shots. Not braking the bank and no more shutter lag frustration!

I miss my 20d


Spring Airshow 2013 by danjama, on Flickr


Spring Airshow 2013 by danjama, on Flickr


Spring Airshow 2013 by danjama, on Flickr


Spring Airshow 2013 by danjama, on Flickr

Still haven't processed them all. I think the more i take the lazier I am