NAF El Centro 2015 - My first US show

[nick197]

Hello everyone, The Beginning of this month my Uncles and I had a week long road trip in Nevada and California, We visited Nellis AFB for Red Flag 15-2, Rainbow Canyon in Death Valley for some low level action, Palm Springs air museum to see the B-29 FIFI and finally the NAF El Centro airshow.

Okay on to the show, The day started nice and cool ish and we were all soon through security and faced with a view of the static display. I thought the static was great full of types you rarely see in the UK like the Privateer, Aggressor F5s, AZ/Dutch F-16, MCAS Miramar Hornet and lots of nice warbirds. Most of the static aircraft were under shelters so the light could be a little harsh for photography if half the aircraft was in shade and half in bright sunshine. It was great to get so close to the aircraft with no green RIAT style cones in sight. You could walk right up to most of the aircraft except the F-16 and Hornet, We actually ended up in the bomb and undercarriage bay of the B-52. Of course this is great but makes it tricky getting shots of the aircraft without people posing by them, by midday people would actually be using them for shade as the temp hit 95 degrees.

The flying display was decent, Lets remember the show is completely free!. The stars of the show was for me anyway the Blue Angels, It was great to see a real Zero though. The flying display had some gaps in between performers and with only a Super Hornet, there wasn't much to make a lot of noise except of course the BA. The sun was perfect all day for photography, Although the heat haze was pretty intense and made it tricky to get sharp shots.
1. Apparently this B-52 blow an engine on the way to the show and would return to Barksdale AFB on 7 engines.
B-52H from Barksdale AFB by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
2. Always nice to see a MCAS Miramar Hornet, This F/A-18C is from VMFA 232 "Red Devils"
MCAS Miramar F/A-18C Hornet by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
3. It was great to see a Goshawk, This T-45C is from TW-2 - NAS Kingsville, TX
T-45C Goshawk by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
4.
T-45C Goshawk by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
5. F/A-18D Hornet one of two spare jets for the Blue angels.
F/A-18D Hornet of the Blue Angels by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
6. Nice Viper from Tuscon Arizona
F-16AM Fighting Falcon J-366 by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
7. Fat Albert resting before the show
C-130T Hercules "Fat Albert" by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
8. This Super Hornet was the same aircraft that display at RIAT and Farnborough in 2014, Thankfully the display was a little lower and closer to the crowd compared to last year in the UK.
F/A-18F Super Hornet at NAF El Centro airshow 2015 by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
9.
F/A-18F Super Hornet at NAF El Centro airshow 2015 by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
10.
F/A-18F Super Hornet at NAF El Centro airshow 2015 by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
11.
Rhino turn'n'burn by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
12.
Old and New by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
13.
North American SNJ-5 Texan by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
14. This Silver Star performed a very very low display.
Canadair CT-133 Silver Star 3 (CL-30) (Re-edited to correct green cast) by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
15.
Canadair CT-133 Silver Star 3 (CL-30) by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
16.
Canadair CT-133 Silver Star 3 (CL-30) by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
17. This was one of two Pitts Special displays.
Pitts S-2b Special casting a shadow by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
18. The Hellcat - Zero Demo was great to see with some nice topside passes
F6F Hellcat by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
19.
Mitsubishi A6M3 Reisen (Zero) by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
20.
Old Foes by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
21. This C2 Greyhound performed a very sporty pass after releasing some parachutists.
C2 Greyhound 162167 21 by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
22. Next up it's FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT Albert
C -130T Hercules "Fat Albert" by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
23.
C-130T Hercules "Fat Albert" by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
24.
C-130T Hercules "Fat Albert" by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
25. And Finally on to the main course, The Blue Angels were superb it was just a shame it was so hard to hear the commentary
Blue Angels El Centro 2015 by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
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Blue Angels El Centro 2015 by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
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Blue Angels El Centro 2015 by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
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Blue Angels El Centro 2015 by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
29.
Blue Angels El Centro 2015 by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
30.
F/A-18 Hornet by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
31.
Blus Angels at NAF El Centro 2015 by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
32.
Blus Angels at NAF El Centro 2015 by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
33.
Blus Angels at NAF El Centro 2015 by R.S. Photography, Thanks for 1 million+ views, on Flickr
Thanks for looking everyone

[Mark Owen]

Superb set the Pitts Special shot gets my vote.

Regards.

Mark.

[Jazz]

Awesome shots, Nick
You certainly nailed the flying shots. Perfect light as well.
And yeh, difficult to avoid folk spoiling your shots at US shows. Look at that numpty photobombing your Buff shot, him with the cap on in front of the car... Sorry

[nick197]

Thanks mates , Is that you then Saud?, It's a small world

[LTFT5]

Stunning set Nick.
Great light and as Saud has said you have nailed the flying shots.

All the best
Andy

[garyscott]

Fantastic selection, but have to say, that Pitts shot is beautiful. Id be certain the operator would love to see it - http://www.spencersuderman.com/

[nick197]

Thanks very much mates

[Jason Grant]

Great set Nick.

I will never get bored of seeing pictures of the Blue Angels, they are AWESOME!

[nick197]

Indeed they are mate, Thanks for your comment

[Zymurgy661]

As a big fan of the Pitts i just love that shot! Looks like a cracking show, thanks for posting

[nick197]

Thanks very much