F-111 and F-18 Super Hornet flyover, Anzac Day 2010

[StephenM]

Hi all,

We are more or less directly on the line from Amberly Air Force Base and Brisbane city, and this year I remembered to have the camera ready at 9:58 am as the jets flew in for the Anzac Day Parade. These shots were captured with my 300mm telephoto on the K100D.

Interesting to see how much smoke comes out of the old F-111 compared to the brand new Super Hornet! This is the first time I've seen the Super Hornet, although I heard then a few weeks ago when they arrived in Aus.

Anyway, thanks for looking!

Cheers,
Stephen

[duncan]

Nice Pics. Awesome pieces of machinery.
Thanks for posting.
Cheers,
Duncan:thumbsup:

[StephenM]

Thanks Duncan. They certainly are impressive to see when flying low like that. It was good to get a close-up of the F-111 before the are retired.

Cheers,
Stephen

[Tilt]

Awesome. There is something scary about seeing these aircraft flying around, or hearing one - quite a distinct sound.

[peter_4059]

Great shots Stephen. Must have been fast exposures. You've also picked up some condensed vapour on the trailing edge of the F111 wing.

[DavidTrap]

Great shots!

I heard them flying overhead - I saw the F-111 flying south back home to Amberley, but didn't see the F-18.

Hadn't actually realised the F-18 had arrived. It will be a sad day when the F-111s retire.

The noise they make is incredible!

DT

[hotspur]

Great capture!,I know its very difficult to capture aircraft in fight.

The kids bought home a notice from school,that the hornet was to fly over

Blackbutt/Yarraman at around 10.45 am I went in a hour early,with the 400 L
And waited,and waited after a one and a half hours,it was time to call it a day.

Was a bit disappointing.But it was good to be at march and reflect on what the day was about.

Thanks for sharing photos. Chris

[Vanda]

That camera of yours certainly gets around Stephen! Nice shots. I believe the F111 has a bigger payload than the Hornet - possibly because its wings can move to a heavy lift position. F111 longer range for same reason? Opinions/facts anyone? Hornet may have the advantage as a fighter.

[astroron]

I notice the FA 18 is trailing an arrestor hook, must be trying to save on Parachutes at Amberley

[DavidTrap]

The F-111 has one too Ron - was originally designed with the intention of being a carrier-based aircraft too - bit too heavy for the naval role.

They used the arrestor hook when the wheel fell of an F-111 a couple of years ago.

DT

[StephenM]

Thanks for the comments, Michael, Peter, David, Chris, Ian and Ron! These shots were 1/3000th sec @ f/5.6 and 400 iso with the 300mm telephoto, panning as the jets went past.

Yes David, it will be a bit of a shame when the F-111s finally get retired. Riverfire won't be the same without the "dump and burn"!

Cheers,
Stephen

[astroron]

The FA 18 Super Hornet may be good aircraft, but as usual Australia buys 20 year old aircraft and then hopes they come good like the F111
These kind of purchases cost a lot more in the long run ,instead of waiting a few of years more for the new aircraft.

[hotspur]

Yes,David a very sad day when the F1-11 leaves our skies for good,Stephen has captured a fine profile,as he was side on in one of the photos.

It is quite a remarkable aircraft,it may be old,but it has capabilities many modern war planes do not have.But at close to 40 years old.fatigue of metal and all the materials,that make up the parts of the aircraft just get to old to keep air worthy.

The 'new' hornet,as Ron says is just a another left over from America.It is really a shame that the air force is not getting the F22 'Raptor',if you have seen this aircraft,it would be a worthy replacement for the F1-11,the aircraft that is suppose to replace it will not be here for a while.Apparently It is not highly thought off by anyone at all .and it appears we bought it because of politics etc.the 'new' hornet is just a 'stop gap measure'.and looking at it,a rather ugly one.

Stephen's picture of the F1-11,is well done,and a photo of flying history.Not sure but it may be the last fly over of Brisbane.I hope I am wrong,But the tide is almost gone for her.:(

[StephenM]

That hadn't occured to me Chris, but you may well be correct! At least the last "advertised" flight over Brisbane. If that is the case, I'm glad I managed to capture it!

Cheers,
Stephen

[DavidTrap]

The army flew their Iroquois around Brisbane before a retirement ceremony at Enoggera a couple of years ago. Hopefully the airforce will do something similar with the Pigs!

DT