John,
Yes the planes and the flying are impressive.
Is the shimmer in the last picture thermal changes to the air from the plane?
You celebrated your new lens but didn't state what it was or the pice of slicon it was connected to?
I'm interested in the jets. Still, without going to a book to identify aircaraft, I'm lost! The two small wings on two planes, are they just for low level flight and then retract?
Asher
Hi Asher
Sorry for the lack of technical details Camera was my trusty EOS 1D MKIIN The lens was an EF 500mm F4L IS. All shots handheld.
The shimmer in the last picture is indeed the heat haze caused by the aircrafts engines in afterburner. You can just see that the top of the left wing is sharp and then the rest of the plane drifts off into this almost painting quality about it. It wasn't something i saw when i shot it but i do like the effect.
The plane itself is the Eurofighter which is known as the "Typhoon" here in the UK. Its the newest Air Superiority fighter that European nations have and is in service with various countries UK, Germany, Spain to name a few.
Its probably not in the same league of capabilities as the USA's newest fighter the F22 "Raptor" but it is however a step change better than the "Tornado" that it is replacing.
The small wings at the front of the plane are i believe known as "canards" and are not able to retract in flight. I am not an expert but i think their purpose is to help in making the nose of the airplane turn quicker so enabling it to bring guns or missiles to bear faster on to an opponent.
The "Raptor" uses vectored thrust from it engines to achieve the same effect, and because of its shape and materials has a much lower radar cross section than the Typhoon. (And is a hell of a lot more money per plane!!)
The other shots are as follows
No 1 1/3200 @ F4 ISO 400
The Swiss Airforce display team flying the Northrop F5 "Freedom Fighter" during their practice display, (and yes they really were that close together!!)
No 2 1/3200 @ F4.5 ISO 400
The Eurofighter Typhoon landing after its display
No 3 1/3200 @ F4.5 ISO 400
The Typhoon pulling a tight turn with engines in afterburner
No 4 1/3200 @ F4.5 ISO 400
Typhoon again, flying past its own heat haze generated by its engines.
Hope the above information helps, but if you or anyone else would like to know more i will try to answer as best i can
John
