[Fight2FlyPhoto]

Another first for me this last Saturday over at the Flying Heritage Collection! This time I was able to see a Hawker Hurricane in flight for my first time! In addition was the always-amazing Upupa Epops P-51D Mustang. The weather was incredible with warm sunshine and a cool breeze. The pilot side of me loved the clear sky, but the photographer part of me was (dare I say it?) not so happy at the solid blue background. I've been enjoying the previous days when we had the scattered clouds off in the distance. They provide softer shadows for the near vertical sun at this time of day and also make for more interesting backgrounds. However, I will never really be upset when we have flying-weather! I'm not that picky!

I was quite excited to see this Hawker Hurricane fly for a couple of reasons. The first of which is simply because of the aircraft that it is...a Hurricane! I love seeing these rare WWII aircraft. The other reason I wanted to see this airplane fly is because the last Hawker aircraft I saw (Hunter) I watched crash at an airshow! It's always nice to replace bad memories with good ones! haha

Also, it was my first time meeting a fellow AAA'er, as Doodle came and introduced himself to my girlfriend and I. We were able to watch a rather spectacular startup for the Mustang with it spitting some flames out the exhaust prior to finally starting up. It's always fun to see that!

So, here is the Hurricane and Mustang!


Taxiing out to the runway


The Mustang taxiing out


Opening formation pass. After seeing the previous weeks demonstration of the P-40 and I-16, this last Saturday wasn't quite as impressive. However, it's still an AMAZING sight to see these birds flying at all!


The Hurricane zooming by again!


The underside of the Hurricane


Managed to capture a rather interesting side profile shot of the Hurricane. This day my shooting wasn't quite on, so there are fewer pics to enjoy. lol Better luck next time, I guess.


Final formation pass witht he Hurricane just beginning its brake to land


Hawker Hurricane on a very short final, just inches above the runway!


Something you don't get to see everyday... a Boeing 737 with two WWII aircraft taxiing behind it!


Mustang meets Hurricane


I just can't let a head-shot of a Mustang be left alone...


And the Hawker Hurricane all parked and quite until the next flyday.


Oh, and Doodle, I found out why there was such a long time gap between when the planes took of and when they returned for their passes... there was a small field up near where I live that was hosting the Northwest Super Cub Fly-In and they managed to get the FHC to do some LOW, HIGH SPEED passes for their fly-in! Lucky ducks!! That Trojan also did some awesome passes up there as well.

I had some friends attending that fly-in and headed up there right after the flying was done at Paine and had a great time photographing the flour-bombing competition. I'll post some of those shots later.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this installment of photographs! The next event for me is the Arlington Fly-In and Airshow which will last several days, ending on July 18th. Sources tell me there will be a spectacular showing of local warbirds to photograph and drool over! I'm quite excited, as several of the aircraft are ones I've never seen in the air before!

Untill then, blue skies and happy landings!