Started off on Tuesday as the forecast was decent, with the aim of some ground shots of the RC-135U and hopefully some sunset shots at Lakenheath. Ended up at Mildenhall much sooner than planned as the NATO E-3 was heading across the channel for two hours of pattern work.
Bit of a wait then for RC-135U to come back to base. It was touch and go with the light but it just about worked, as it landed back about five minutes before the sun dipped below the horizon. An Osprey also landed in the golden light.
Back again on Thursday to do it all over again, this time on Runway 10 in absolutely glorious weather.
Started off bright and early to catch the U-boat departing - had a choice of two locations and picked the wrong one. I opted for Folly Road hoping to catch it lifting off, but having never shot from there before, hadn't got my bearings right and from where I set up my ladder it hadn't cleared the fence by the time it trundled past. Would have been better off in John's field as it took the under run, which I'm kicking myself about.
I did get some nice Herc shots from Folly though, which is what I'd had in mind for the RC...
The return of NATO 40 for another two hours in the pattern prompted a change of ends.
RC-135V 'JAKE 17H' was back early from it's mission.
A Niagra Falls KC-135 was on a (very) short TDY and pleased the photographers by taking the underrun.
As did a couple of based jets, first up 'Miss Irish'...
...and secondly 'Squawkin Hawk'.
At this point I'd intended to try Folly Road for the U-boat that was also heading back early, but talking to a few people in the field they were casting doubt on it in terms of sun position and heat haze. Combined with an imminent C-17 arrival, I decided to stay and tick off the front 3/4 landing shot I also wanted, so Folly will have to wait for another day. We did get lucky at the landing end, as a go around gave us two bites of the cherry. Hopefully it will still be around in a fortnight when I'm next off.
There ended the fun. Had intended to at least get a feel for Folly Road to shoot the Niagra Falls machine when it came back, alas it also returned early and landed while I was at the golden arches.
