Seamus Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 (edited) Evening all, Managed a cheeky couple of days up at Fairford to catch the bombers flying in and out over the weekend and thought I'd share some images. Things didn't start well on Friday, with the B-2s deciding to exit the runway early, leaving those of us gathered at the 09 end highly frustrated. That bad luck was soon gratified with the arrival of the two B-1s, despite only one expected to return, although their early arrival nearly caught me out- had I returned from Brize 30 seconds later I'd have missed it. As it happens, I got the shot I've wanted ever since I picked up a camera... Catching the Commander's BUFF was a treat too, a very rare jet by all accounts. Rockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Rockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Boeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0002/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Rockwell B-1B Lancer 86-0139/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Rockwell B-1B Lancer 86-0139/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Boeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0002/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Boeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0002/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Rockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Rockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Boeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0002/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr On the subject of Brize, a quick jaunt over there after the B-2s arrived proved highly productive, with plenty of movements, including the arrival of the Italian special Tornado en route to Shawbury. Unrelated to SABER STRIKE I know, but though it worth adding in here rather than starting a new thread... Panavia Tornado IDS CSX 7041 Italian Air Force RAF Brize Norton 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Panavia Tornado IDS CSX 7041 Italian Air Force RAF Brize Norton 09/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Today, it was back up to Fairford bright and early to catch the morning departures, with the main aim being to see, hear and feel that B-1 in full burner for the first time in far too long. What an event! The arrival of BUFF 02 provided the real highlight of the day, returning in some cracking light- I doubt I'll shoot a BUFF as well this again Rockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Boeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0021/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Boeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0021/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Rockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Boeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0021/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Rockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Rockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Rockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Rockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Rockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0084/EL US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Boeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0002/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Boeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0021/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr Boeing B-52H Stratofortress 60-0021/LA US Air Force RAF Fairford 11/06/17 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr All in all, a very productive exercise, and I'm absolutely delighted to have finally had the long awaited chance shoot a B-1. Thanks for looking, comments welcomed Shaun Edited June 12, 2017 by Seamus 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latinbear Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Wowser! Those are superb images! I love the head on shots especially of the B1s and I see what you mean about the light on the Buffs. I've not been to Fairford on the outside and was wondering whereabouts you were positioned and was it crowded? (I guess that's a silly question). I'm guessing you were on a ladder and again was wondering what height you needed? When I went to Lakenheath recently my five foot ladder was a real struggle as the fence was so high (and I'm quite short). The Tornado shots are beauties too. It will be a brave soul who looks to replicate that colour scheme. Thanks for sharing these. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seamus Posted June 12, 2017 Author Share Posted June 12, 2017 Thanks very much. All of the arrival shots were taken from the fenceline at the Western end of the runway. The B-1 departing shots were taken from the northern crash gate next to Rhymes Farm, whilst the departing B-52 was shot from the road at the Eastern end of the airfield. All shot from a ladder as you suggest, I have a five step decorators ladders which is perfect to shoot between the top of the fence and the barbed wire, albeit a little precariously! The Eastern end can get very busy- there were hundreds of people gathered by the roadside for the B-2 arrivals on Friday- whilst the Western end is a quieter, more civilised affair, but has more limited space for parking. Hope that helps, thanks again 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberraman Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Terrific shots Seamus and in lovely weather. I hope to get down there this week if possible but I doubt I'll get anything close to the quality of your pix - thanks for posting. Mark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latinbear Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 On 6/12/2017 at 10:45 AM, Seamus said: Thanks very much. All of the arrival shots were taken from the fenceline at the Western end of the runway. The B-1 departing shots were taken from the northern crash gate next to Rhymes Farm, whilst the departing B-52 was shot from the road at the Eastern end of the airfield. All shot from a ladder as you suggest, I have a five step decorators ladders which is perfect to shoot between the top of the fence and the barbed wire, albeit a little precariously! The Eastern end can get very busy- there were hundreds of people gathered by the roadside for the B-2 arrivals on Friday- whilst the Western end is a quieter, more civilised affair, but has more limited space for parking. Hope that helps, thanks again That's very helpful indeed. Much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 It's great seeing these big old birds over here - lovely shots 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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