Nellis 5/5/2014

[luke28]

A few of you may remember about a month or two ago that I was asking for information regarding viewing positions etc for my first visit to Nellis, this post is the results of that visit

The conditions were very hard for photography and the heat meant I could only last for 3 hours but it was still one of the stand out experiences of my life and I hope you enjoy

DSC_0331.jpg by Luke James 1984, on Flickr

DSC_0509.jpg by Luke James 1984, on Flickr

DSC_1009.jpg by Luke James 1984, on Flickr

DSC_0297.jpg by Luke James 1984, on Flickr

DSC_0408.jpg by Luke James 1984, on Flickr

DSC_0439.jpg by Luke James 1984, on Flickr

DSC_0162.jpg by Luke James 1984, on Flickr

DSC_0170.jpg by Luke James 1984, on Flickr

DSC_0555.jpg by Luke James 1984, on Flickr

DSC_0600.jpg by Luke James 1984, on Flickr

DSC_0739.jpg by Luke James 1984, on Flickr

DSC_0640.jpg by Luke James 1984, on Flickr

DSC_0678.jpg by Luke James 1984, on Flickr

DSC_0561.jpg by Luke James 1984, on Flickr

DSC_0570.jpg by Luke James 1984, on Flickr

Thanks for looking

[kevos1]

Luke these are some cracking shots mate. love the warthogs, aggressors, actually all of them

awesome mate. Hope that you have a few more for us

Bet that your glad you're back in sunny England

Cheers

Kev

[Scorch998]

Lovely shots there Luke, been to Vegas before and can understand the problems with the heat.

Heading for Nellis with a few friends next year myself, love the blue F.15 but it's the A.10s I want to catch the most there.

You really have got some cracking shots there .... Ian

[mikee115]

Great set!!! It is one of the places to go. The heat is intense but its worth it in the end.

Looks like you had a great trip.
Mike

[lardyboy999]

Lovely stuff, happy memories of 2007.

Must go back, must go back......."darling, fancy going to the States for our 25th Anniversary?"

[Dan M]

Hi Luke

I've been lucky enough to visit twice while on family holidays, once in 94', and again in 03', long before the days of being an amateur togger. Would love to go back now with the camera, get hard copies of those fantastic memories, its an awesome place.

Love the aggressors and hogs,

All the best

Dan

[Doughnut]

Must be ten years since I was last at Nellis. Can you advise where you were located a for those shots, hear people using the 'Speedway' Is that best for am / pm, with twin runways is there any pattern to landing / takeoff , also what size lens ? Thanks in advance

[JONLITE06]

Great Pics Luke! Looking at pic #1......I'm sure they couldn't get anything else on to an F16, and get it to take off!!

[razor23uk]

Love the shots....
I was there last year for the BIG FIVE OH so took a trip out while the Mrs was hammering the plastic in the mall. Not a photographer myself, just wanted to see Nellis in action!
I had an hour or so in one of the entrances to the speedway, but they were taking off in that direction so were fairly high by the time they were over me so I moved to the other end of the runway in the industrial estate. A few other cars were parked there as well. Saw A10's,F15's,F16's, F22's, C17's and loads of helo's.......all in about 3 hours or so.

Had my birthday meal in the Stratosphere tower and had a rollicking of her indoors as I was glued to the window when the room revolved around to the direction of Nellis......watching afterburners from distant F22's was far more exciting than choosing wine!

[paddyboy]

Hi Luke

Love all the shots, but especially the 'Hogs

Cheers

Paddyboy

[luke28]

Thanks for the comments chaps, very much appreciated

Kev I'd post some more but theres only so many side on landing shots that people can put up with

Razor thats pretty much word for word what I did when going for a meal up the stratosphere

[luke28]

Must be ten years since I was last at Nellis. Can you advise where you were located a for those shots, hear people using the 'Speedway' Is that best for am / pm, with twin runways is there any pattern to landing / takeoff , also what size lens ? Thanks in advance

I was at the Speedway for the entire time, Everything took off towards Vegas (apart from the fully tooled up F-16's which took off in the opposite direction) and landed the Speedway end, they recover directly over your head before banking round again to land.. I had a 500mm lens and to be honest could have done with more reach as your quite away from the action. Hope this helps

[TeeJay]

Hi Luke
Lovely set there, well worth braving the heat for, some great shots
All the best
Trev

[Bragail]

Awesome shots mate - love the aggressors - both 15's and 16's. I've always thought they look great with those paints jobs. Cheers, B

[CookyBoy]

Luke,
Great to see you managed to get there!
Try to do it when Redflag is on.
Thats when Nellis afb becomes a very special place indeed. In fact i would say the best place for aviation viewing in the world!! Bar none! For me!!

Cheers Steve

[nick197]

Number 2 and the first Tbird shots are both superb

[david14]

Very good shots Luke - an excellent place to visit, as you say though you are quite a long way away from the action

[luke28]

Luke,
Great to see you managed to get there!
Try to do it when Redflag is on.
Thats when Nellis afb becomes a very special place indeed. In fact i would say the best place for aviation viewing in the world!! Bar none! For me!!

Cheers Steve

I can imagine how hectic it is during Red Flag mate, To be fair I went on a normal monday afternoon and it was pretty much non stop from the off, 51 movements in 3 hours

Thanks for the comments chaps

[LTFT5]

Hi Luke,

Looks like you had a great trip, good shots from what is harsh conditions.
The aggressors look fantastic and that first F16 shot how on earth did it get off the runway?

Andy

[Skywatcher]

Hi
Fantastic
My fav is the aggressor eagles ,I just love the different camo they have
Thanks for posting and sharing
All the very best as always
Max