12-21-2008, Santa Paula Airport FUN!

[evangilder]

Today was a blast! I met up with some friends for some flying and shooting. I made some new friends as well and got to fly and photograph some neat stuff. I flew in a T-6 and a Stearman, 2 in the T-6, 1 in the Stearman (The white one). Below is a sample of today's flying.

 

[Micdrow]

Sweet pictures as always Eric, I would love to fly just once and have that those as wingmen.

 

[lesofprimus]

Frickin awesome day for shooting Eric.... Great stuff as always..

 

[Gnomey]

Great stuff Eric! You lucky bastard

 

[evangilder]

Thanks guys. We picked the right day, it's raining again today. The skies were perfect and the air was calm. The pilot of the white Stearman is a Navy Commander who was home on leave for a few days and wanted to get some Stearman time. It is his airplane, he has been away for about 6 months. He is off again this morning to Japan.

Okay guys, put on your research caps. The airplane below is a replica of a famous air racer. It's a one of a kind. See if anyone knows what it is.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Mr Mulligan - but those buiding it have given it a different name.

Great Shots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Wildcat]

Some absolutely beautiful pictures Eric, well done mate!

 

[Thorlifter]

Ok, my jealousy meter just hit a 10!!!! Great shots Eric.

 

[evangilder]

Damn Joe, that was really fast! Bruce Dickenson has put the P&W in the DGA to create Mr Mulligan. The amazing part is that it has the same engine as a T-6, but is considerably faster than a T-6. It looks bigger, but it's actually quite a bit lighter than the Texan. It's pretty cool, and a neat piece of aviation history.

 

[Lucky13]

Why you lucky (beep) and (beep)..! That's some breathtakingly beautiful photography Eric....just amazing, some of them could have been taken 60 years ago, instead for just recently!

 

[ccheese]

Great pic's, Eric. Looks like a good day for it too.

Charles

 

[ToughOmbre]

As always Eric..........OUTSTANDING shots!

TO

 

[evangilder]

Thanks guys. I gotta say that this journey into aviation photography has been amazing. I feel truly blessed to get to fly in these old airplanes and capture them in flight. There is some real history on these old birds. The white Stearman above was one that was used to train the Tuskegee Airmen! What an experience to sit in a plane that trained those guys.

Here are a few more shots of the day, including me "in the office". I know I have some dust spots to clean up for final edits, but this gives you an idea of the experience.

 

[Gnomey]

Really jealous of you Eric, excellent pics!

 

[Njaco]

I'm speechless!

 

[FLYBOYJ]

AND YOU GOT TO WEAR A LEATHER HELMET!!!!!!!!​

 

[evangilder]

Yeah, the full experience! It's really something, and I had a blast. It was a little chilly up there, but well worth it.

 

[evangilder]

One of the photos from this shoot just was awarded Photo of the Week on jetphotos.net!
JetPhotos.Net - The Friendly Way to Fly!

Look at the top left.