NAF El Centro Photocall November 2009

[G_Plomitzer]

Great Video Bill!

And there were never in Superbugs while we were runway side.

Well, Bill clarified matter about the video, it was Thursday and not 'our' Wednesday, but on my CF-card I found some Super Hornets from Wednesday, as did Pablo:
http://www.fernicola.org/ElCentro/VMFA-121/index.htm
 

[realbigtaco]

Are you crazy RealBigTaco,

I was standing right next to where you were standing.   

OK, it was 24 hrs. later.     You are correct, in that this wasn't shot the day that you were there.  I was there the next day. 
I just thought the Fencecheck community might like to see some video of El Centro.  If the mods disapprove of the posting here, I'll move it to the video thread.

It was a great event, wasn't it?

Bill

Hey that works for me!  I was waiting the whole day for an F/A-18 to do a touch and go, and did not see it (Sounds funny, I get the experience of a life time and can still find a way to complain!).  Keep the video right where it is!  I like your comment about trying to convey (with the video) the raw power of standing right next to the runway.  And we talked about it early in this thread, but that is something that gets lost in photos.  I have a few where the hornets are taking off, but in the photo it looks like a static display almost.  Nice video again, and sorry for nit-picking!

[SBGrad]

Well, Bill clarified matter about the video, it was Thursday and not 'our' Wednesday, but on my CF-card I found some Super Hornets from Wednesday, as did Pablo:
http://www.fernicola.org/ElCentro/VMFA-121/index.htm
 

Gerhard,

Pablo does have some super Bugs on his page, but the link you provided was to legacy D-model Hornets.  Round engine inlet= A thru D legacy model, Squared off engine inlet = E thru G Super Hornet.

The Super Hornet I saw came from VFA-115

[realbigtaco]

Gerhard,

Pablo does have some super Bugs on his page, but the link you provided was to legacy D-model Hornets.  Round engine inlet= A thru D legacy model, Squared off engine inlet = E thru G Super Hornet.

The Super Hornet I saw came from VFA-115


]

Only Super bug I saw on Wednesday was a CAG bird from VFA-115 outside on the fence before we went in.

[Pablo Fernicola]

SBGrad and realbigtaco are both correct.

The only Super Hornet I captured that day landed a few minutes before the photocall started, the double nuts from VFA-115, and I shot it from outside the fence.



The photocall was my first outing with the Canon 7D, so I shot some HD video as well (and learned that it is good to use at least a monopod for video, which I did not  ).  The takes are really short, 1080i 60 fps, downsampled for posting online:



-Pablo

[G_Plomitzer]

Ok, guys, thanks for getting this right.
Sorry for providing the wrong link.
But at least I found another Super Hornet except the bossbird of VFA-115 taken on that day, but I admit, it was at lunch time just before the photocall:
166868 of VFA-115 Eagles

[Bill-Oz]

Congrats to all, there are some truly spectacular photos on this thread.

Here is one I shot of the camobird winking.

I have also posted the 2nd part of the video I shot.  Here is a link.
http://vimeo.com/8065241

One interesting thing to watch for is when the aircraft passes by, either in a takeoff or landing, watch under the left side wing.  You can see the visual effect created by the differing air density traveling along the wing from inboard to outboard, and then "spilling" over the wingtip.  The effect is similar to the heat you see coming out of the engine.   It's visible on most of the passes, particularly later in the day.  Sun angle may have a little to do with how well it shows up.

[Pablo Fernicola]

In addition to the planes, I took photos of patches inside the LSO shack.

I was wondering if anybody knows whether the patch with the cat belongs to a squadron or is just a prank (like the In'n'Out one).

-Pablo

[The Edge]

Some nice footage there.  You can recognize 334 on the approach.  Whoever was flying that aircraft had a steady hand on the approach.  No "pot-stirring" unlike the technique of some of the others.  Fun to watch.

The trailing vortices do show up well as the aircraft are rolling out.  Then seem to be drifting across the runway - was the wind in your face at all?

Cheers

Rob

[M.M.]

I was wondering if anybody knows whether the patch with the cat belongs to a squadron or is just a prank (like the In'n'Out one).

It's the "Duty Cat," an unoffical patch for VS-24 Scouts.

-M.M.

[sovietjet]

The trailing vortices do show up well as the aircraft are rolling out.  Then seem to be drifting across the runway -

This is because of the way the vortex works and not necessarily because of wind, although wind can be a cause too. As it gets close to the runway surface it moves away from the aircraft centerline(with no wind).