KNFW-NAS JRB Fort Worth: 3/14/2013- Lightning Strikes Twice

[NickPeterman]

Hello All,

What an incredible day of spotting. I returned to Texas from a trip to Nellis AFB for Red Flag 13-3 this morning (and will get around to sharing those photos eventually-how can I hope to ever compete with Isaac's work in the other thread!?) Anyhow, we touched down in DFW at 0520, and I had already been up since 0500 the previous day and was stupid exhausted. Spirit lost my checked bag which cost us about an hour at the airport, and we got home just in time for me to recieve an offer from a friend to tag along on a trip to NAS JRB Fort Worth, the home of Lockheed Martin. Despite the fact that I was beyond fatigued, and going spotting would mean 40+ hours without sleep, I decided to caffeinate heavily and go out-Than heavens I did! In typical fashion, I will save the best for last, and trust me, it is worth the scroll :cool:

Flightaware prompted a massive rush to get from Alliance to the NAS when we saw this rare gal was inbound, the 737-400 Combi belonging to the National Nuclear Security Administration.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8248/8558907252_58a66d749d_b.jpg


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8240/8557800487_5f5902ecf0_b.jpg



You will notice that they do a good job of trying to make her discreet, look how similar she appears to a standard Navy C-40, like this one which landed minutes later

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8519/8557800477_828c587edf_b.jpg



We then relocated after lunch for more action, including the following locally-based assets

A C-130H recently taken on hand from the Alaska ANG

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8100/8557800465_4cecf5ae17_b.jpg



the 301st Operations Group Flagship F-16C

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8233/8557800449_45eebf276f_b.jpg



and a AGM-88 HARM-toting F/A-18C of the locally based "Cowboys"

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8392/8558907178_0a5fa21b47_b.jpg


Then came the news we wanted to hear on the scanner, Lockheed was preparing to launch a test flight! We darted to the other side of the field to shoot departures.

The locals continued to put on a good show...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8557800411_c4e35e00bd_b.jpg


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8248/8557800375_a9d2b75944_b.jpg



Then came the chase plane for the F-35, who stayed in burner for a lengthy while, and sadly ruined our photo by turning inside of us....

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8375/8557800349_d9b49ed991_b.jpg



And then, the real target, my first F-35B, belonging to VMFA-121

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8384/8558907086_c0476f2870_b.jpg



Rather unexpectedly, Lockheed's second F-16 chase plane went up, suggesting an additional test flight

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8248/8558907082_850c309db7_b.jpg


And indeed there was an additional test flight, which I will discuss more at the end...



We relocated once more to catch the returning F-35s and their escorts

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8239/8557800309_86674cbce1_b.jpg


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8379/8557800299_acac6bafba_b.jpg


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8530/8558907036_3921bd33c5_b.jpg


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8370/8558907022_0e04406825_b.jpg


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8367/8557800237_b072f65fc9_b.jpg



And lastly, for the highlight. The US Navy's F-35C has a significantly larger wing than her USMC and USAF sisters, which she put to good use in climbing too high to enable a good departure photo. However, she did return to NFW in splendid fashion with great afternoon light. This was my first F-35C, the first F-35C in the database on Airliners.net, and belongs to the first operational F-35C unit, VFA-101 "The Grim Reapers"

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8557809191_b65819ffa8_b.jpg




Anyhow, I hope you have enjoyed a snapshot of a rather frenetic, and tiring, day of photography here in Texas. Feedback and criticism is always invited.


Cheers!

Nick

[cancidas]

nice work, especially that rare 734!

[Greg_NY]

Wonderful captures Nick! Awesome job! You certainly made the right choice going back out even though you were tired...

Thanks for posting.

Isaac

[Landing Lights]

Awesome stuff, Nick! And beautiful weather to boot. Thanks for sharing.

[727C47]

the last time I was at that NAS,the Marines were still flying F4Ss !!!

[jerslice]

Nothing to criticize: solid set!

[Derf]

Nice set and all shots came out great!

[NickPeterman]

Thanks all, it was a really unique day of spotting. Eventually these F-35s will get boring, but for now, they are quite interesting. And boy do they climb fast!

[moose135]

Then came the chase plane for the F-35, who stayed in burner for a lengthy while, and sadly ruined our photo by turning inside of us....
Yeah, what a crappy shot, I'm amazed you didn't delete it and burn the card... :-)

Very nice set of photos, Nick! Great subjects, and really well done!

[MSN007]

Superb shots.

[Zee71]

Nick .... Sweet set with nice light.

[PhilDernerJr]

Amazing collection. My favorites in terms of photos are the 2nd and 3rd to last shots...great detail of the top of the birds. Congrats on the -C, I knew right away when I saw it (kinda proud of myself...not always up on the military stuff).

Good work man.

[BDLGUY]

Great photos!!!!! Thanks for sharing, Nick!!! :smile:

John

[NickPeterman]

Thanks Guys! I may spend more time at this base when away from school methinks...

[captmjk16]

Perfect light to compliment those beautiful birds Nick, way to go!

[CO777ER]

Nick, where were you spotting from? I have tried some cut-outs on the west side but everything is way to high up by the time it departs.