Maple Flag 45

[etuo-09]

Hi folks,

only  5 months to go, MF 45 now officially will take place from the 28th of May until the 22nd of June 2012, with
an Open House on the 16th of June.

Attending nations on the annual planning conference were country like USA, UK, France, Netherlands,
Germany, Singapore, Brazil, New Zealand, MEXIKO, AUSTRIA and so on....

The USN wants to bring over an squadron of Super Hornets. Keep them coming boys  .

Lets keep fingers crossed it will happen finally in 2012...

[davechng]

Hi! thinking of attending this event, I heard there is limitation of what lens you can shoot ?? Also! how is the fencecheck are for shooting recovery and take off??
Any info other than the official website?

Thanks for any help!

DaveC

[NickPeterman]

Oh, Austrian Eurofighters sound nice  

Wasn't there some talk about India coming at some point?

[etuo-09]

Isnt there an talk about India every single year  ?!

Austria has 3 C 130 by the way-so dont focus too much on an Eurofighter ...

[NickPeterman]

  And just like that, you have to kill that mental image...

C-130s are great too 

Sounds like it will be an awesome Maple Flag

[davechng]

so far from etuo-09 and other fencecheckers, the viewing area would not allow lens bigger than 300mm..... 

Hmmm ! have 2 think about loaning a 300mm lens to go for this show ! kind of a strange setup.

DaveC

[M.M.]

Didn't somebody say last year that there's a new, taller base fence?  If so, shooting from the viewing area might be impossible....

-M.M.

[etuo-09]

Didn't somebody say last year that there's a new, taller base fence?  If so, shooting from the viewing area might be impossible....

All I am aware of is, that they rebuilt the fences at the end of the runways 2 years ago. Even though taking pics from taxiing
planes is impossible without an ladder anyway...

[davechng]

can we bring a ladder to shoot over the fence??


looks like all the restrictions and logistics!.. hmmm


daveC

[M.M.]

You're allowed a ladder, but you have to remain across the road from the fence.

And then there's the unpredictable weather, and the black flies....

Personally, I wouldn't go to Cold Lake just to shoot over the fence -- and I live a lot closer than Dave does.

-M.M.

[kstater94]

So, are there no media days associated with Maple Flag?  I've seen some great photos from there but having never gone I didn't know if there was a dedicated photographer area or do you just shoot from anywhere outside the fence that you can find?

Cheers

John

[davechng]

wow thanks for the info guys! looks like a lot of restrictions.... may have to look at other places since it is a long flight from Dallas to COld lake area! LOL!

the base could have make it easier but these rules ! hmm!
'
DaveC

[etuo-09]

Cold Lake do is an challenge Dave...but the beer after the photojob is done in the legends sports bar in town is pure joy though

[etuo-09]

report in the courier mentioning the following countries for MF 45:

EX MF 45 will be similar to what was seen in 2010. Nations who will be active participants will include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Singapore and the United States. Canada will play a significant role in terms of participation.

[Trevor]

After reading the Maple Flag post I don't know whether to be excited to try and attend or be discouraged.  I'm a bit confused on whether you can get good photos during this exercise and where the photographers will be located compared to the action. Is there a photocall of some sort or are people just lined up along a fenceline??

Then what is this about you can't have any lens larger than a 300 mm?

Can anyone who has been up to Cold Lake help me out or lead me in the right direction for some answers?

Thanks,

Trevor