Photography by Bob Sharples: 2019

Tuesday, 26 November 2019

F-35B Lightning II and Hawker Hunter at RNAS Culdrose

RNAS Culdrose in the far South West of Cornwall does get the occasional visitor from other bases around the UK, in the skies above the base and sometimes overnight stops/visits. On this occasion in early September 2019 we were lucky to have a pair of the latest Royal Navy/RAF Lightning II F35B aircraft from RAF Marham. and a Hawker Hunter (From the Hawker Hunter Team based at RAF Scampton in the skies above the base. Also captured on the day a visiting Dutch NH90 helicopter.

F-35B Lightning II aircraft

F-35B Lightning II

Hawker Hunter

Dutch NH90

Thursday, 31 October 2019

F-15E Strike Eagles in Low Flying Area 7 (Mach Loop)

A quick day visit to LFA7 produced a 4 ship flight of F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath. A short ascent up CAD East and I found a position sheltered from the ice cold winds on the day. Had some superb passes from a four ship flight of F-!5E Strike Eagle aircraft. Some images and video link below:

Video Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP0NHRMY11g

Monday, 21 October 2019

Red Throated Diver at Penzance

A good start to the wildlife winter photography, a Red Throated Diver at Penzance, photographed at sea and then closer and my 2nd attempt in the inner harbour. Also had an Eider in company on the first day.

Sunday, 20 October 2019

Manchester Airport Visit

My first post for a while so apologies for this but I am now playing catch up, this post is from Manchester Airport on the 23rd May 2019. With Military aircraft in the low fly becoming scarce I have took the option to photograph some civilian airliners at Manchester airport. Different and there are some stunning aircraft, especialy the 747 and A380s. Also in a later visit to follow up, we see some stunning liveries and diffent aircraft due to the Tomas Cook Repatriation schedule so that will appear soon on the blog:

Thursday, 6 June 2019

Visit to LFA7 in May 2019

With an RAF ban on Typhoons and non UK based aircraft in The Mach Loop, it was going to be difficult to get a huge amount of low fly images. On the plus side the USAF were still using the Mach Loop and other areas of LFA7. Even manged to get a pair of F-16 Falcon aircraft down the A5 pass. So a producitive visit considering the dwindling use of the LFA7 at present.

Full Image Gallery Here: LFA7 Gallery May 2019

F-15E Strike Eagle A5 Pass

F-16C Fighting Falcon A5 Pass

USAF MC130J

RAF Texan

RAF Hawk T2

USAF F-15E Strike Eagle, Corris Corner

USAF CV-22 Osprey

Wednesday, 5 June 2019

Quick Visit to Tebay and Settle/Carlisle Line

A quick visit in Carlisle, took the opportunity to photograph a couple of Steam Locomotives at Tebay and on the Carlisle to Settle Line. Some more modern trains also photographed as they appeared in addition to the Steam trains.

Virgin Class 390 Pendolino at Tebay

70000 Brittania at Tebay

46590 Leander at Tebay

46590 Leander on the Settle to Carlisle at Armathwaite

Class 47 Diesel near Penrith

Class 390 Pendolino near Penrith

The Beluga XL at Hawarden Airport

My first visit to Hawarden Airport to witness the Airbus Beluga/XL aircraft. It is a very odd looking aircraft and yes it does really conjure up an image of a flying whale!!!! Manged to see two aircraft XL2 and number 5. From land on to launch there is a turn around time of about 60-90 minutes at Hawarden, to be loaded with Airbus wings and other parts which are flown from Broughton to France. Here are some of the images (heat haze may affect a couple)

Full Image Gallery Here: Hawarden Beluga Gallery

Saturday, 4 May 2019

Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre (at Newquay Airport)

Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre (CAHC) is located at Newquay Airport. There is a good selection of retired/demobbed airframes and other exhibits. Some of which you can tour others you can sit in the cockpit, so the aircraft are not just for viewing. A good cafe/shop is also on the site. All the staff are friendly and welcoming with a good knowledge of their aircraft. Some of the sircraft on site are still used by the RAF for salvage/lifting/recovery/exercise practice. In the hangar in addition to the exhibits there is a superb display of model aircraft that have been built by a variety of people. Well I will get on to the pictures so you can see what it is all about.