A PICTURE TO DROOL OVER

ianhind · Post by **ianhind** » 02 Dec 2006, 16:58

The source web site says:

"A special formation put together in September 1960 on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Hurricane II and Spitfire PR19 of BBMF, Meteor 8 of Fighter Command Communications Squadron, Hunter Mk 6 of 74 Squadron, Javelin Mk 9 of 23 Squadron and an early mark of Lightning from the Central Fighter Establishment.
(Image Â© Ministry of Defence)"

Post by **Garry Russell** » 02 Dec 2006, 16:59

The Lightning could be going a little faster and be snapped as it passed

I remember a story of a shoot many year ago with a something I can't remeber what now with a Spit.........and that's what they did, flew the faster one slowly past the formation. The problm with that was the camera ship was a Hastings and was being driven flat out, the Spit was just cruising

Just a thought

Garry

Hot_Charlie · Post by **Hot_Charlie** » 02 Dec 2006, 17:46

I've always considered that quite a famous photograph - I was somewhat surprised that many people here appear not to have seen it before.

Nice though!

steelsporran · Post by **steelsporran** » 03 Dec 2006, 01:02

ianhind wrote:What size is your original image?
I found this if it is any better? Or was this your source?
http://www.btinternet.com/~javelin/p06_ ... 24x768.htm

Indeed it was, and as you have informed the sceptics; genuine. I was a radar mech on 74 at the time and now kick myself for all the photos I threw away back then.
Here's one I didn't throw away from the RNZAF despite the grotty weather. As you can see everything is out in an effort to keep up with the Cessna!

Buggyman · Post by **Buggyman** » 03 Dec 2006, 14:17

For what its worth, at one of the RAF Leeming air shows ('94 I think) there was a flypast of a Spitfire and a Tornado F3. The F3 had to coast in to avoid having everything hanging out and the Spit was going full chat. Very impressive.

The aim was to get both aircraft in perfect formation at crowd centre line and they did it with only one (that I saw) practice.

ATB

Allan

speedbird591 · Post by **speedbird591** » 03 Dec 2006, 14:58

That's a great picture. I saw the USAF heritage flight at RIAT a couple of years ago. A P-51 and (I think) an F-14 in formation. Anyway, there are some lovely shots of old and new aircraft flying in formation on this website.

http://www.heritageflight.org/info_&_Ge ... flight.htm

Ian

Chris Trott · Post by **Chris Trott** » 03 Dec 2006, 15:23

USAF Heritage Flight would have been a P-51 and F-15 or F-16. The other common pair is a P-47 and a F-16 or an A-10. At RIAT the F-15 would have been from Lakenheath, the F-16 or A-10 would have been from Spangdahlem.

USN Heritage Flight is usually one of the Grumman Cats (Wildcat, Hellcat, or Bearcat) with a Tomcat or F/A-18. I've seen an Avenger an A-6 years ago, but it's not common anymore. The other pairing is a Corsair and a F/A-18.

steve p · Post by **steve p** » 03 Dec 2006, 15:46

Buggyman wrote:For what its worth, at one of the RAF Leeming air shows ('94 I think) there was a flypast of a Spitfire and a Tornado F3. The F3 had to coast in to avoid having everything hanging out and the Spit was going full chat. Very impressive.

They did the same at Leuchars that year, and were also featured in an Aeroplane Monthly centrespread.

Gloster did a similar thing by photographing a Gladiator, Meatbox, Javelin trio. AFAIK nobody has photographed a Swordfish/Sea Vixen formation yet. Now that would be something. :tonqe:

Best wishes
Steve P

DispatchDragon · Post by **DispatchDragon** » 03 Dec 2006, 16:43

Chris - the USAF heritage fly past at Nellis this year was a P51, F86, F16 F15 the first time and the second time they added a Raptor - nice looking at almost 70 years of avaition history flying in formation

Leif

Chris Trott · Post by **Chris Trott** » 03 Dec 2006, 17:13

Yeah, Nellis tends to have large numbers. The CAF AirSho at Midland the last couple of years has had full 4-ship formations for both the Navy and Air Force Heritage flights as well. Most other airshows will be a standard 2-ship.