Some photos from an RAF Cosford Photocall

Warning: these are technically-undemanding photos of aircraft on the ground, and have no artistic merit!

Their characteristic is that all were taken with a K-1ii using Live View, over about 3 hours. Most made significant use of the K-1-series 4-legged versatile LCD to get unusual, and sometimes otherwise very difficult, angles.

I particularly like to take photos of static aircraft from just inches from the ground. For example, I took some that I'm very pleased with about 2 years ago:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/58050283

This Photocall was last Saturday, the day before the RAF Cosford Airshow. (There were no re-enactors!) It was arranged (for Airshow ticket-holders only) by:
Threshold.aero (they are also on Twitter ).

(We all had to wear high-viz vests, and surrender our passport or photo-driving-license for the duration. There was a lot of assistance from military personnel who were involved in the Airshow the following day).

All the photos below were processed in Lightroom and exported from there. I have not used Photoshop for them; I would do that if they were being judged, at least to blur and/or desaturate the backgrounds.

First, some ground level photos:

I took some photos with the K-1ii held high over my head. For example:

And some at eye-level:

Nice Barry - you didn't need to lie on your bellie.

ozdean wrote:

Nice Barry - you didn't need to lie on your bellie.

Precisely! I can get down there, but my 71-year-old knees don't want to get up again.

Most of the other photographers stood, or squatted in classic one-knee-on-the-ground stance, throughout. A few did some shooting with their head pretty-well on the ground. None appeared to use a highly-articulated LCD, although I assume that some of their cameras had them.

But this only matters if the ground-level position is better. Just because I have a hammer, it doesn't mean everything is a nail!

I often tried both levels. Here are a couple of examples for comparison. I prefer the ground-level shots in both cases, because it makes these pieces of military equipment more impressive. But it also reveals more clutter under the aircraft. (Including other photographers in the high-viz jackets we all had to wear).

Dear Barry, nice shots, I like.

Thanks & regards, Valeriu

krambjorn wrote:

Barry Pearson wrote:

What is that thing? A Hawker Hurricane with AA guns behind the cockpit?

Boulton Paul Defiant

Not very successful during WW2.

Great shots, thanks for sharing.

/Krambjörn

MightyMike wrote:

Barry Pearson wrote:

krambjorn wrote:

Barry Pearson wrote:

What is that thing? A Hawker Hurricane with AA guns behind the cockpit?

Boulton Paul Defiant

Not very successful during WW2.

Great shots, thanks for sharing.

/Krambjörn

IIRC one of the biggest complaints were that it had not front facing guns and therefore easily attached front on

I believe you are right.

I would like to see one fly, but if I ever do, I don't think it will be this one.

Barry Pearson wrote:

MightyMike wrote:

Barry Pearson wrote:

krambjorn wrote:

Barry Pearson wrote:

What is that thing? A Hawker Hurricane with AA guns behind the cockpit?

Boulton Paul Defiant

Not very successful during WW2.

Great shots, thanks for sharing.

/Krambjörn

IIRC one of the biggest complaints were that it had not front facing guns and therefore easily attached front on

I believe you are right.

I wonder would would have happened if it were developed.  Add forward guns in the wings, there is room.  Upgrade 1080hp merlin engine to later 1400-1600hp versions...  It did serve good use as a night fighter though.

The Defiant looked like a Hurricane from a distance, and when attacked from the rear the gunner had a good shot at the attacker.  However once the Germans realised what they were dealing with, it proved easy to shoot down - slow, not manoeuvrable, no forward firing guns, it suffered heavy losses and was withdrawn from day combat.  They did serve as ground controlled night fighters, but with the introduction of airborne radar they were replaced by types such as the Beaufighter.

Thanks for posting!