Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 16

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

  1. #1
    Senior Member NickPeterman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Richmond, VA/Roanoke, TX
    Posts
    654

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

    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

    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.








    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





    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





    the 301st Operations Group Flagship F-16C





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




    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...








    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....





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





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




    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

















    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"






    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
    Last edited by NickPeterman; 2013-03-14 at 10:08 PM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member cancidas's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    traffic two o'clock two miles southbound flight of four C-130s
    Posts
    6,088
    nice work, especially that rare 734!
    it is mathematically impossible for either hummingbirds, or helicopters to fly. fortunately, neither are aware of this.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Long Island, NY
    Posts
    574
    Wonderful captures Nick! Awesome job! You certainly made the right choice going back out even though you were tired...

    Thanks for posting.

    Isaac

  4. #4
    Administrator Landing Lights's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Wappingers Falls, New York, United States
    Posts
    515
    Awesome stuff, Nick! And beautiful weather to boot. Thanks for sharing.
    Ben Granucci, Wappingers Falls, NY
    NYCAviation Senior Editor & Director
    On Twitter @blgranucci
    More photos on Flickr
    [email protected]

  5. #5
    Senior Member 727C47's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    DTW,YIP,JFK,EWR,SMQ,
    Posts
    808
    the last time I was at that NAS,the Marines were still flying F4Ss !!!
    The beehive hummm of the JT9D and GE CF680C2,the thunder of the JT8D-17,the rumble of the PW1830 and the high ,thin whine of the PW 545A are all music to my ears!

  6. #6
    Program Coordinator
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Washington
    Posts
    2,077
    Nothing to criticize: solid set!

  7. #7
    Senior Member Derf's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Miller Place N.Y.
    Posts
    4,534
    Nice set and all shots came out great!
    The three most common expressions in aviation are, "Why is it doing that?", "Where are we?" and "Oh Crap".

  8. #8
    Senior Member NickPeterman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Richmond, VA/Roanoke, TX
    Posts
    654
    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!

  9. #9
    Senior Member moose135's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Long Island, NY
    Posts
    8,067
    Quote Originally Posted by NickPeterman View Post
    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!

  10. #10

  11. #11
    Senior Member Zee71's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Queens, NY
    Posts
    4,361
    Nick .... Sweet set with nice light.
    Mark
    Queens, NY

    My website: http://mbsphotography.smugmug.com
    My photos at: JetPhotos and ANet

  12. #12
    Administrator PhilDernerJr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Queens, NY
    Posts
    12,470
    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.
    Email me anytime at [email protected].

  13. #13
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    BDL
    Posts
    124
    Great photos!!!!! Thanks for sharing, Nick!!!

    John

  14. #14
    Senior Member NickPeterman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Richmond, VA/Roanoke, TX
    Posts
    654
    Thanks Guys! I may spend more time at this base when away from school methinks...

  15. #15
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    830
    Perfect light to compliment those beautiful birds Nick, way to go!

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •