Jeff Welker Report post Posted March 5, 2012 I had the great privilege to be invited join a small group photographing a Blue Angel practice session and naval aviation action at NAF El Centro. Unfortunately, it was a rainy day and the photography was challenging. Nevertheless, we had a great time and got a few keepers. Here are some photos from the days activities. Early morning practice begins with four ship launch. Opposing solo #6 launching for morning practice. Storm approaching while the opposing solos climb for the sky. VFA-122 Flying Eagles Super Hornet launching for afternoon practice on the range. CoNA Legacy Hornet practicing carrier landings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted March 5, 2012 WOW! those pics are awesome!! Thanks for sharing them. Must have been a cool event! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted March 5, 2012 Jeff, you have some way cool aviation photos on your website. Thumbs up. The B&W are great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted March 6, 2012 Wow. Those are fantastic. What I wouldn't give for a ride in one of those bad boy's! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff Welker Report post Posted March 6, 2012 Thanks everyone for the kind comments. It is a tremendous experience to be so close to these aircraft during flight operations. On more than one occasion, I had an F/18 Super Hornet launch with full afterburner within 20 yards of me. The pressure change and AB blast was so significant that it was often difficult to maintain a solid position from which to photograph. These planes are unbelievable. I'd hate to be a bad guy and have one of these headed my way. Here are a couple of my black & white conversions and some other aircraft. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Report post Posted March 6, 2012 Jeff, Those are phenomenal! Thanks for sharing with us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector Report post Posted March 6, 2012 What amazing photos. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted March 6, 2012 Those are some of the coolest photos I have ever seen!! And I am not even into planes that much, but those are just GREAT images. Congratulations on your talent Jeff!! that black and white Navy plane looks like it should be a recruitment poster! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azslim Report post Posted March 6, 2012 Great photo's. As a kid I lived in Indian Springs Nv, the T-Birds were stationed there and we got to watch them practice all the time. This was in the late 60's, the planes were a lot different from the ones they have now. Used to pick up parts from crashes, spent dummy rounds, all sorts of stuff we should have left alone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
