Nuuumannn's quick trip to Reno!

Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules

For today, aircraft y'all should all be familiar with by now...

View attachment 741239_ADP6312

View attachment 741240_ADP6315

The lovely Swamp Fox. So, I spoke with an old hand at photographing at Reno about low shutter speeds and blur, which, he told me resulted in aircraft vibrating even when static. Parts of aircraft vibrate at different amounts to other parts of aircraft and this is often noticed when aircraft are sitting with their engines running. I had noticed this before but just thought it was something in the lens/user interface, but it makes perfect sense. It explains why some of my photos are slightly blurred and some are not. This one is a nice clear shot but it is ever so slightly blurred...

View attachment 741241_ADP6321

View attachment 741242_ADP6323

View attachment 741243_ADP6325

Unlimiteds taking off. A good clear view of the runway from this spot.

View attachment 741244_ADP6336

View attachment 741245_ADP6343

View attachment 741246_ADP6345

View attachment 741247_ADP6360

View attachment 741248_ADP6363

View attachment 741249_ADP6368

View attachment 741250_ADP6372

View attachment 741251_ADP6374

View attachment 741252_ADP6380

View attachment 741253_ADP6385

View attachment 741254_ADP6394

View attachment 741255_ADP6397

Next up, work! We highlight a nifty addition to the show...
This is First Class plane porn.
 
Now something a little different. I was there for work and part of my routine was to talk to people about why they were there. This aircraft grabbed my attention in the pre-arrival brief and I always intended to talk to the rep while I was there. This is the HondaJet Elite II, the latest incarnation of the original HondaJet. Developed by a team of Japanese engineers at Greensboro, North Carolina, the HondaJet has become something of an upstart in the crowded entry-level and Light Jet category of corporate transport.

53251715771_98b696d99f_k.jpg
_ADP5712

The most distinctive feature of the HondaJet is the location of its engine nacelles. This is for aerodynamic reasons as well as reducing vibration and noise in the cabin and is called the Over-The-Wing-Engine-Mount (OTWEM) by Honda.

53250830872_700b276513_k.jpg
_ADP5728 by

The HondaJet is powered by two 2,0509 lb thrust GE/Honda HF-20 engines.

53252073834_6142c30940_k.jpg
_ADP5726

In this vew we can see the subtle curvature of the pylons, which deflects airflow in the direction intended for aerodynamic efficiency. Note also the small fairings on the inside of each exhaust nozzle, designed to deflect exhaust away from the fuselage.

53251715721_a6bf752510_k.jpg
_ADP5724

The aircraft is fitted with a dual air brake in the tail cone. The aircraft is not fitted with an APU, the vent is an intake for the aircon pack.

53252005163_a053b229a5_k.jpg
_ADP5723

The HondaJet has what was described to me as a laminar flow fuselage, with the cockpit ceiling bulged to affect airflow around the rest of the fuselage. This is entirely constructed of composite materials, making it extraordinarily slippery.

53250830887_413f6e2634_k.jpg
_ADP5725

Inside, the cabin is not large but it is comfortable enough, with a fully encloseable toilet/washroom in the rear. The blue tape was to stop cabinets and doors flying open during its display routine, as it was flown each day.

53252211050_98b23cd154_k.jpg
_ADP5713

The uncluttered flight deck is crammed full of innovation, including a modified Garmin G-3000 Integrated Flight Deck for ergonomic efficiency. The aircraft is fitted with Autoloand, Autothrottle, automated spoilers, stabilised approach, automated anti-ice, lighting and pressurisation systems, electronic stability, what Honda calls Under-Speed Protection, essentially the same as the Boeing MCAS (but without the difficulties and lack of type rating of its first incarnation), Advanced Steering and Augmentation System... Also, the closest you'll get to a selfie from me, thank you very much!

53252073904_bfb1317363_b.jpg
_ADP5716

The central VDUs of the Garmin IFD are coupled with dual FMS for that total in-flight experience. (FMS, Flight Management System, the tops of the interface displays can be seen at the very bottom of the image)

53251715736_deb8f6a16c_b.jpg
_ADP5714

The HondaJet taxying for its display presents a peculiar sight.

53251634463_ea793023ab_b.jpg
_ADP6435

The HondaJet doesn't have short take-off and landing, but it is capable of getting airborne in a short space. I'm not sure if it is capable of operating from grass strips, like its competitor the Pilatus PC-24...

53252073844_be302a153b_b.jpg
_ADP6563

HondaJet is one of five types that dominate sales within the US entry level bizjet market.

53252073779_911184e170_b.jpg
_ADP6574

The others are the Embraer Phenom 300, Learjet 70, Pilatus PC-24, and the Citation family.

53250830822_2c11f87941_b.jpg
_ADP6582

The nifty wee jet has good performance: a maximum cruise speed of 422 knots (782 km/h) at a cruise altitude of 43,000 ft (13,106 m) across a maximum range of 1,547 nautical miles (2,865 km).

53252005063_5f6b14b4de_b.jpg
_ADP6585

The HondaJet's vitals: a span of just over 12 metres (39 feet) long and a fuselage length of almost thirteen metres (42 feet), with a maximum take-off weight of 11,100 lbs (5,035 kg).

53252005028_e58f8d8b37_b.jpg
_ADP6602

53251715626_64e842b4fa_b.jpg
_ADP6621

53252073714_5859b63c0d_b.jpg
_ADP6624

53252004993_08291ac815_b.jpg
_ADP6631

Air brakes deployed.

53250830752_e920cf7ec3_b.jpg
_ADP6638

That's all from Honda today. Next time, T-6 Class air racing.
 
Y'know how I said I wasn't gonna take any more pics of the air racing from the crowdline? Well, these were taken from the media stand! They illustrate the issues with heat haze real well, but since I spent the morning on the stand I thought I'd get some photos of the action since we had to leave the stand while the Unlimiteds were racing.

This guy was the T-6 chase plane, although the T-6 races, like the Unlimiteds had the T-33 Ace Maker as their pace. Back-seater getting some good footage of the site.

53251634478_4d0a646763_b.jpg
_ADP6426

I wanted to get some good shots of this kind of thing, but as you can see the heat haze has deteriorated the clarity. Note the pylon at bottom right. This was the pylon where media and assembled peeps could go to aboard the West Bus. Those guys gathered around the base are media peeps. Aircraft from left to right are The Other Woman, Miss Humbolt Hunny, Redneck Fury and Miss Ellaneous in the lead.

53251341471_1ab4a6a9f3_b.jpg
_ADP6443

The Other Woman, Redneck Fury, and Miss Humbolt Hunny rounding the start pylon.

53251837150_9c9e741412_b.jpg
_ADP6444

Vicarious and Miss Ellaneous duking it out...

53251341426_1985f17640_b.jpg
_ADP6470

53251341401_9b7bf2c538_b.jpg
_ADP6474

...Passing the start pylon. These two took the one-two in this heat.

53251837195_f219309e0c_b.jpg
_ADP6459

Redneck Fury and The Other Woman and the checquered flag.

53251634358_63f40739de_b.jpg
_ADP6480

Vicarious on approach.

53251341371_71fc398951_b.jpg
_ADP6486

53250457682_9aa6d53859_b.jpg
_ADP6489

53250457632_8485413002_b.jpg
_ADP6492

Miss Ellaneous...

53251700239_0946d31a9e_b.jpg
_ADP6497

53250457577_844d4a852f_b.jpg
_ADP6501

The Other Woman taking the high road...

53251341276_82ce8503fe_b.jpg
_ADP6510

53251341221_e93bb5b666_b.jpg
_ADP6514

Redneck Fury...

53251341241_d779ae895a_b.jpg
_ADP6527

53251700189_c8acab798a_b.jpg
_ADP6528

Miss Humbolt Hunny...

53251836850_7fe1210795_b.jpg
_ADP6535

53251341181_4f2e3b056c_b.jpg
_ADP6542

Next up, some heavy metal and heritage flights...
 

Attachments

  • 53251634478_5d1d05bccc_k.jpg
    53251634478_5d1d05bccc_k.jpg
    350.6 KB · Views: 17
  • 53251341471_2ddf40dc3c_k.jpg
    53251341471_2ddf40dc3c_k.jpg
    457.2 KB · Views: 17
  • 53251837150_520e51184f_k.jpg
    53251837150_520e51184f_k.jpg
    279.2 KB · Views: 16
  • 53251341401_dfcabd70cd_k.jpg
    53251341401_dfcabd70cd_k.jpg
    376.8 KB · Views: 17
  • 53251837195_dd39bbeb67_k.jpg
    53251837195_dd39bbeb67_k.jpg
    185.9 KB · Views: 16
  • 53251634358_b7684e1256_k.jpg
    53251634358_b7684e1256_k.jpg
    224.3 KB · Views: 17
Thanks again guys. Back for your daily dose of Reno. Today we watch the US Air Force display teams that performed at the races, so, eyes skyward, everyone. We've seen the aircraft already, but I was looking forward to seeing these commemorative schemes in the air. First up, F-15 Eagles of the 114th Fighter Squadron, 173rd Fighter Wing, Oregon ANG from Kingsley Field - Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport.

53265726442_8a530e349c_b.jpg
_ADP6649

53266900138_45d4d82ed2_b.jpg
_ADP6659

As I mentioned earlier, a bit of information about the F-15 in the Kingsley Scheme. 2nd Lt David Kingsley was a bombardier of a B-17 who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Ploesti Raid in June 1944, making the ultimate sacrifice. Here is some information on this courageous individual:


The brightly coloured jet. Note the Y-in-a-Triangle of the B-17's unit, the 341st Bombardment Sqn, 97th Heavy Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force on the tail fins.

53267088470_ac1a69d555_b.jpg
_ADP6665

53266968624_7c7b5aee6d_b.jpg
_ADP6670

53267088450_26d40a60b6_b.jpg
_ADP6696

Sharkmouth.

53266900123_c56a367f73_b.jpg
_ADP6714

53266968574_893118b1e9_b.jpg
_ADP6715

The Kingsley B-17 F-15 "Sandman" is quite possibly the most colourful F-15 commemorative scherme.

53266968599_6ffaaf060e_b.jpg
_ADP6723

53266900108_e54dfea3c8_b.jpg
_ADP6730

Rounding off the F-15 display...

53266968569_36f1821771_b.jpg
_ADP6739

Next, A-10 "Memphis Belle III" of the 357th Fighter Squadron, wearing a South East Asia scheme paying homage to F-105 "Memphis Belle II" of the 357th Tactical Fighter Sqn as it was back then, which achieved two air-to-air kills.

53265726387_54ac35e4fa_b.jpg
_ADP6856

53266900098_0d5aa22d73_b.jpg


53265726357_17cdd9030b_b.jpg
_ADP6868

53265726352_75172c531c_b.jpg
_ADP6875

53266968509_b94d097168_b.jpg
_ADP6889

53266968504_f92dd0fea6_b.jpg
_ADP6905

Now for the Heritage display segment. For this, the A-10 meets up with P-51D "Wee Willy II" of the Planes of Fame Museum, which we have seen pictures of already. Please excuse the shots as I forgot to lower the shutter speed and blur the P-51's props. Oh well, as they say, tough...

53265726312_dd372aaa2e_b.jpg
_ADP6915

53266968474_7435050bec_b.jpg
_ADP6917

53267088235_0ffd88ec36_b.jpg
_ADP6920

53266618016_9b2b90f6fb_b.jpg
_ADP6955

Next, the Navy's turn...
 
Before the military displays started, I got out on the flight line for a wee bit of poking around, which was fortunate as I was the only one out there at that time, but my time was limited because we weren't allowed out there during the displays. Usually, when we went out, we didn't get too close to the aircraft so we weren't getting in each other's photographs, but on this occasion, there was no one else around and I got right up close to this beauty. I really was looking forward to getting decent photos of this aircraft. The Planes of Fame Museum's F8F Bearcat. Forgive the heavy-handed photographic editing. I couldn't resist.

53267007179_d39106bcee_b.jpg
_ADP6749

53265766427_9f12864fcb_b.jpg
_ADP6751

53265766437_ed78a974de_b.jpg
_ADP6752

53266658001_5139fb8329_b.jpg
_ADP6753

53266939523_75e33135b4_b.jpg
_ADP6758

53266657996_933bb5917a_b.jpg
_ADP6757

53265766392_08248cbcca_b.jpg
_ADP6760 i

The Super Hornet display was a lot more dynamic than the Air Force displays, no surprise there, any opportunity for a bit of one-upmanship between the services, right? F/A-18F Superbug of VFA-122 "Flying Eagles" based at NAS Lemoore, CA, but possibly detached to NAS Fallon, NV.

53266939488_a0ca149f8f_b.jpg
_ADP6976

53267007104_f7cfe560ca_b.jpg
_ADP6982

53266657926_dfa2f8cb40_b.jpg
_ADP6983

53266939408_11b6b11bb5_b.jpg
_ADP6985

Slick high-speed pass. I was keen to get this as I missed the F-15s doing it...

53267127750_b91af49475_b.jpg
_ADP6995

53266657871_156779d057_b.jpg
_ADP6998

53266657866_8a77eeed6b_b.jpg
_ADP7007

The navy heritage display and that beautiful Bearcat. I dunno why but I only got these three shots of it. I was probably yakking. I was with a group of photographers, great bunch of guys and gals.

53267007059_6f8271626c_b.jpg
_ADP7017

53267007054_b856b7335a_b.jpg
_ADP7027

53267007044_6a1c0cc071_b.jpg
_ADP7029

Coming up, more from the ramp, T-6s and Unlimited movements, including some aircraft we haven't seen anything of yet...
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back