Lime Kiln Lighthouse

Lime Kiln Lighthouse on the west side of San Juan Island, Washington

Lime Kiln Lighthouse on the west side of San Juan Island, Washington

Lime Kiln Lighthouse on the west side of San Juan Island, Washington

Lime Kiln Lighthouse on the west side of San Juan Island, Washington

Lime Kiln Lighthouse on the west side of San Juan Island, Washington

Saturday, September 24, 2011

No. 14 "Final Mission" closing 2011's Fly Day Schedule

Saturday September 25th, 2011
Mukilteo, WA

The 2011 Schedule of Free Fly-Days at KPAE Paine Field in Mukilteo, WA came to a close this Saturday. There were over 24 weekends filled with sights and sounds of over 80 different types of flying machines both radial and jet aircraft, fixed wing and rotor wing.  Most areas of the country might see one or two local airshows or pancake fly-ins spread out over the summer but the Pacific Northwest boast almost 5 months of non stop vintage radial engine goodness. And these restored aircraft aren't just sitting pretty in a museum, they have soaked oil pans under their engines, they are part of a living museum collection. Many of the vintage aircraft are restored to flying condition.
I have been to probably over 50 aircraft museums across the USA and in Europe. Scene hundreds of vintage WWII on display, watch many hours of documentaries and movies featuring civilian and combat aircraft. But nothing beats the sights and sounds of radial engine cranking over on start up and then getting to her fly.
From now until spring 2012 there will be those impromptu days when the weather is just too nice not to fly, but those wont be listed publicly until the day or hour of.

For real time updates of events here are some local Social Media accounts for museums to follow

Historic Flight Foundation         Facebook  Twitter  Website

Flying Heritage Collection        Facebook    Website

Heritage Flight Museum           Facebook    Twitter  Website



"Final Mission" 2011



Heritage Flight Foundations B-25J is that of "number 810"

1943 B-25 Mitchel Bomber "Grumpy"

Heritage Flight Foundations B-25J is that of "number 810"

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1943 B-25D Mitchel Bomber "Grumpy"

1943 B-25 Mitchel Bomber "Grumpy"

Flying the "Final Mission" 2 B-25 WII era bombers bring the 2011 Fly Day Season to a close

Thursday, September 8, 2011

No. 13 Recap of Vinatge Aircraft Weekend 2011

Weather was hot & dry for the 2011 Vintage Aircraft Weekend. The sun came out early and kept brightly beating down on the Heritage Flight Foundation's Ramp. The problem with bright blue skies and flat areas is that there is harsh light and strong shadows. So its not the easiest venue for taking pictures of aircraft. Usually in this type of lighting situation I would ask the pilot to stage the aircraft just outside the hangar and use the buildings shadow to help balance the exposure and fill in light where needed. But this was an open area airshow event. I got there just before nine and there were about 30 people already in line. Plenty of volunteers and good crowed showed up. Lots of people decided to come by early as well since the sun and temperatures would be really harsh to deal with later in the day.
Other than getting most out of your visit before it gets seriously hot on the tarmac is that you will have less people in your shots. If your aiming for calendar style shots of vintage aircraft it might be best to contact the owner of the facility or plane and see if you can't get a private tour or join them for a maintenance run. Far less people and you will get better images.


See you there for 2012's Vintage Aircraft Weekend

On to the Pix:

Waiting for a Pilot

North American P-51D Mustang

DC-2 NC13711 Museum of Flight

Wampus Cat Grumman F8F Bearcat N7827C

Messerschmitt Me 262 Repo



Sunday, September 4, 2011

N0. 14 Marina Beach Sunset

The past few days have been warm and hot n the Seattle area. Its almost as if summer 2011 was delayed a few weeks and now September is feeling like August. Since it just to nice to be inside we went to Edmond's waterfront to have a picnic and take some shots of the sunset. Last Thursday a wild fire started over in the Olympic National Forest. Its tough to reach since it is in an isolated area where fire fighters have to hike in 5 miles to start cutting a fire line.

Sunset over Olympics with smoke layer from ongoing forest fire

Sunset over Olympics with smoke layer from ongoing forest fire

Sunset over Olympics with smoke layer from ongoing forest fire

Moon over Seattle

Friday, September 2, 2011

No. 13 Friday Arrivals - Preview of Vintage Aircraft Weekend 2011


Friday afternoon I spent an hour or so waiting for arrivals for the 2011 Vinatge Aircraft Weekend at Kilo 7, Paine Field. Since most of these aircraft are under their own navigation and VFR its hard to know when & who will be arriving. Its just sit and wait and hope your chose a good time to get setup. There were a good number already on the flightline at Kilo 7 when I got there, but I did get to see a few new tail numbers land this afternoon.

Please do not use my image son blogs or websites without my permission. Contact me if you would like to license an image. Thank you.

On to the pix:


VAW arrivals 1980 Stinson SM-8A N934M

VAW arrivals Stearman N245PT

VAW arrivals "Call Air" A-2 N2907V

VAW arrivals Ryan ST-A N17368



No. 12 B-17G image featured on Smithonian Air & Space Magazine

A few weeks ago I headed over to Paine Field to see Arizona wing of the Commemorative Air Force's flying restored B-17G "Sentimental Journey" while it was visiting for a few days on its west coast trip. Tagging your images definitely helps when you want to get your shots scene. I was contacted by the staff of Air & Space Magazine to have it my shot featured in their snapshot category.

Boeing B-17 "Sentimental Journey" featured in Air&Space Magazine



You can read other aviation news here
http://www.airspacemag.com/snapshot/129120108.html

or check out the orginal blog post here:
http://pugetexposure.blogspot.com/2011/08/b-17g-flying-fortress-visits-seattle.html

Thursday, September 1, 2011

No. 11 2011 Vintage Aircraft Weekend coming to Everett, WA

Where: Historic Flight Foundation Restoration Center
Located on the southwest corner of Paine Field
10719 Bernie Webber Drive
Mukilteo, Washington 98275
When: The fourth annual Vintage Aircraft Weekend will begin on Friday, September 2nd with aircraft arrivals throughout the day at Historic Flight Foundation's Restoration Hangar, Kilo 7, Paine Field
Speakers: Addison Pemberton and William E. Boeing, Jr. will address the importance of the Model 40B to the survival of the Boeing Company during the Great Depression. Dan Hagedorn will present “Hiding in Plane Site,” the story of operating Boeing Plant 2 in wartime camouflage. Mike Lavelle will share “Lessons Learned 100 Years Ago in the 1911 Transcontinental Flight of the Vin Fiz.” John Sessions will present two hundred shots taken in 2009 during the North Atlantic crossing of B-25D “Grumpy.”
Why: Educate and inspire visitors of all ages through an opportunity to experience history in action!
Tickets: Tickets for the Big Band Dinner Dance on the 2nd are $50 per person and include admission to the festival on the 3rd.
Discounted tickets for the festival on the 3rd may be purchased in advance for $10 at Historic Flight Foundation oronline. Tickets for the festival on the 3rd may also be purchased at the door on the day of the event: Adults – $12 | Senior/Military – $10 (65+) | Youth – $8 (6-15) | Child – Free (< 6) | Family – $25
Who: Hosted by Historic Flight Foundation along with many supporters including Cascade Warbirds, Castle & Cooke Aviation, Flying Heritage Collection, Future of Flight, Heritage Flight Museum, Museum of Flight, Paine Field, Port Townsend Aero Museum

Images From Past Vintage Weekends
(currently having issues with importing images, slide show will have to do for now)



North American P-51D Mustang  Flying Heritage Collection - Paine Field, WA

P-51 Mustang Fighter Day


P-51 Impatient Virgin

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Supermarine Spitfire WWII Cockpit