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Nellis AFB Aviation Nation Airshow 2019


Paul Bradley

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I've not felt like modelling for a couple of weeks now, but I did get to enjoy the Nellis AFB Aviation nation airshow last weekend in Las Vegas. I obtained a commission from Model Aircraft magazine for a photo report, and that will appear in a few months. I attended the media day on the Friday and also went to the public days on Saturday and Sunday; I took over 9,000 photos.......! Lighting at Nellis is not ideal - the sun faces you virtually all day, and Friday was particularly bad as there was a heavy haze to wash everything out. Added to that was the performers' smoke, which lingered forever in the unusually still conditions - there were times when you could barely see the Thunderbirds through their smoke! Still, I managed to get some keepers! 

 

I am saving the best for the magazine, but here's a small selection of the best of the rest:


F-22 Raptor

 

49115715313_151d58cbf5_b.jpgf22-06 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 


Where'd he go?! A-10

 

49115716398_0b6da7443d_b.jpgA10-05 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr


Geronimo! C-130 at 3,000ft disgorges Special Ops parachutists:

 

49115713453_bc8f537c41_b.jpgc-130-01 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 

 

 

A-10 close support of an HH-60 rescue helo:

 

49116219176_33c071b05e_b.jpgcad01 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 

 

F-15E Strike Eagle:

 

49115715968_3a1262aa9a_b.jpgf15e-16 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 


Smile! F-16 close-up:

 

 

49115715783_098bc54b82_b.jpgf16-01 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 


Wraith! The first airshow appearance of this specially-marked Aggressor F-16:

 

49115715663_c7b32a5709_b.jpgf16-13 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 


Lizard! Another Aggressor F-16:

 

49116406882_658c2d1f68_b.jpgf16-14 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 


Smile! II - F-35A close-up:

 

49116406382_7998b3cfdc_b.jpgf35-01 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 


F-35A - Looking into the inferno:

 

49115714913_677c0d520b_b.jpgf35-03 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 

 

F-35A turning and burning:

 

49094361928_b57a8c5d50_b.jpgf35-13 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 

 


Smile! III - EA-18G Growler close-up:

 

49115714813_b9b1ea3e3b_b.jpgfa18-03 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 


Another Growler view:

 

49116217481_212f4b6383_b.jpgfa18-07 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 


A-10/HH-60 Ballet:

 

49116406012_672ab636f0_b.jpgh60-01 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 


USAF Heritage Flight - F-86 and F-35A:

 

49116405857_ca64967625_b.jpgheritage04 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 


P-51 Mustang:

 

49116405572_8057664590_b.jpgp51-04 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 


Thunderbird 5 - MAJ Michelle Curran, USAF:

 

49116216601_3c68a9123e_b.jpgtbirds05 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 


Thunderbird formation loop:

 

49116216386_c3d698bc7a_b.jpgtbirds12 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 


How many aircraft in this photo?!:

 

49116215956_70c82c6945_b.jpgtbirds17 by Paul Bradley, on Flickr

 


I'll sort out some more to post over the weekend as I process more. Enjoy!

Edited by Paul Bradley
Baad Speeeeling.....
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Thanks, everyone! It was an interesting weekend, full of firsts and lasts. It didn't match Nellis shows of years past, but was a good show when taken in isolation. There won't be a show next year, and rumour is possibly not in 2021 either - the decision has apparently yet to be made. 

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Some stunning shots here Paul I can almost feel the sunshine despite the -1 temperature here right now,I have a Revell Thunderbird's

F16 in the stash that just might get started tomorrow now!

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Nice set of photos Paul, although your description of the conditions for photographing is a little concerning.  A mate and I have been formulating plans to get over there, or Yuma.  I think Yuma's place on the list has just been elevated!!

 

Bruce

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Cheers, guys! 

 

Bruce - Yuma would be a good choice, with the added advantage that their show is annual. Also, the Luke or Davis Monthan AFB shows (alternate years) are usually around the same time of year, so its possible to combine for a better 'bang for buck' experience. Give me a shout when your plans firm up. 

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1 hour ago, Paul Bradley said:

Cheers, guys! 

 

Bruce - Yuma would be a good choice, with the added advantage that their show is annual. Also, the Luke or Davis Monthan AFB shows (alternate years) are usually around the same time of year, so its possible to combine for a better 'bang for buck' experience. Give me a shout when your plans firm up. 

Bruce still needs to get a heap more points up with his better half before he can even think of going. 🤣🤣

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18 hours ago, Calum said:

Bruce still needs to get a heap more points up with his better half before he can even think of going. 🤣🤣

He's right you know. I think you've mentioned combining Yuma with the Luke show before Calum

 

19 hours ago, Paul Bradley said:

Cheers, guys! 

 

Bruce - Yuma would be a good choice, with the added advantage that their show is annual. Also, the Luke or Davis Monthan AFB shows (alternate years) are usually around the same time of year, so its possible to combine for a better 'bang for buck' experience. Give me a shout when your plans firm up. 

Thanks @Paul Bradley looking like 21/22 at this stage. I'm really keen to get to Yuma before the harriers retire. Is Yuma better than Nellis for photography? I also like the Miramar show, but again, sun is in your face

 Calum and I hit AZ a couple of years ago and took in Pima and DM Boneyard.  Love that part of the US. Absolutely, we'll give you a yell

Regards

Bruce

Edited by pacificmustang
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Yuma is certainly better for photography, as the sun is behind you for part of the day - although it starts to get awkward towards mid-afternoon, the show ends quite early anyway given that sunset is around 6:30 at that time of year. 

 

If the rotation holds 2020 and 2022 will be Luke, 2021 will be Davis Monthan. 

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