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F-22 Raptor Flight Demonstration

Colorado CJColorado CJ Registered Users Posts: 155 Major grins
edited August 27, 2012 in Other Cool Shots
I had a chance to watch an F-22 Raptor Flight Demonstration yesturday. This is the first time I've seen the F-22 in person, it is an AWESOME machine. From takeoff to landing I was breathless at the maneuverability of this aircraft. It hovered on its tail, did stationary flat spins and went from fast forward flight to nearly standing still in an instant. It looked like it defied the laws of physics. It was really something to see.

I took a few hundred photos of the flight, but narrowed it down to fourteen (I'm sure that's plenty for most people ;)). The only real problem was that they scheduled the flight demo for 3:30 p.m., and we were facing west, directly into the sun, so the photos aren't near as good/interesting as they could have been if the event was scheduled for earlier in the day.

I used two cameras and two lenses for photographing the flight, my Pentax K-x with the Tair 3 300mm F4.5 Preset in the photosniper mount, and my Pentax K20D with a Takumar 200mm F3.5 Preset. Both lenses were set to F5.6. The originals are at 1200 pix wide, so to see the full size, you'll probably have to visit my flickr page.

Hope you enjoy the photos.

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F-22-1 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

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F-22-2 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

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F-22-3 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

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F-22-4 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

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F-22-5 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

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F-22-6 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

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F-22-7 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

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F-22-8 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

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F-22-9 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

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F-22-10 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

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F-22-11 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

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F-22-12 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

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F-22-13 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

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F-22-14 by Colorado CJ, on Flickr

Comments

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    DaddyODaddyO Registered Users Posts: 4,466 Major grins
    edited August 26, 2012
    Nice work thumb.gif Unfortunate about the lighting, but you know how it goes somedays. Was thinking it would be nice to have numbers with the pics. Cool you dialed in some prop blur and still got your sharp.
    Image 1 is really sweet amongst your other very nice takes. Last shot I will assume is image 14. Nice you captured that one too. Bird in 13 is telling in what is a fine landing picture with excellent timing and composition. Nice to know what gear you used :D
    Michael
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    FlyNavyFlyNavy Registered Users Posts: 1,350 Major grins
    edited August 26, 2012
    Great stuff. Made me feel like I was right there next to him! Well done.
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    moose135moose135 Registered Users Posts: 1,417 Major grins
    edited August 27, 2012
    I think they deliberately orient shows so we photogs have to face the sun all day...

    I've seen the Raptor demo a couple of times now, and I'm always amazed. I say it's not really an airplane, because airplanes can't do what it does! Very nice work, especially given the conditions. You have to love a good vapor shot!
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    aj986saj986s Registered Users Posts: 1,100 Major grins
    edited August 27, 2012
    Nice set! My fav is #8. clap.gif
    Tony P.
    Canon 50D, 30D and Digital Rebel (plus some old friends - FTB and AE1)
    Long-time amateur.....wishing for more time to play
    Autocross and Track junkie
    tonyp.smugmug.com
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    NewsyNewsy Registered Users Posts: 605 Major grins
    edited August 27, 2012
    moose135 wrote: »
    I think they deliberately orient shows so we photogs have to face the sun all day...

    I wonder sometimes.... spectators face south on an East-West flight line at my home air show. I always get a bit of sun under my chin.

    You did very well with what you had OP!
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