KOPF - Opa Locka Airport - March 15

[lijk604]

Did a quick run around Opa Locka Airport on Friday the 15th. Was very happy with the results. All shots were taken from outside the fence.

Got there right at sunrise, and snagged this "young bird"
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/8563511254_f1e8e5cca4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnklos/8563511254/)

One of three AN-12's that were there all lined up. This was the only one shootable from where I was, one too close to the fence, the other had way too much clutter.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8382/8562403439_f5443fac3f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnklos/8562403439/)

Antonov 26
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8249/8562403589_3a68d8ff66_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnklos/8562403589/)

Douglas was represented around the field
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8097/8563511702_93d3fd901e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnklos/8563511702/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8094/8563511878_3a600ef3d7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnklos/8563511878/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8107/8562404009_743251d1db_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnklos/8562404009/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8098/8562404099_60959f20c4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnklos/8562404099/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8386/8563512292_d3b3f43a57_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnklos/8563512292/)

and a Convair as well
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8391/8562404193_9904d92b02_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnklos/8562404193/)


Finally, the one that I was hoping to see in a shootable spot...and she certainly was
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8085/8563511122_1c1564d514_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnklos/8563511122/)


I could have stayed longer looking for more angles, but, I cut and ran...I had other airports to hit in a limited time. Shots from those to be posted in the next few days as I get to processing them.

[Zee71]

John...fantastic set and looks like did well with your new setup. Being a 707 guy awesome catch on that bird!

[AA757]

Excellent Shots!

Rich B

[727C47]

were the Champion 727s still there or have they been parted out already?

[NIKV69]

88ZL is butter.

[lijk604]

were the Champion 727s still there or have they been parted out already?

I did not see any Champion 727's. And the Gulf Air 767 was so close to the fence and surrounded by a bunch of 737-300's I could not get anything decent.

I had to stitch this one together, it was the last Convair I shot there.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8525/8564288809_331dbe3f8e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnklos/8564288809/)

[moose135]

Very cool, John! I may need to take a trip down there one of these days.

[wunaladreamin]

So sweet John!

[Gerard]

Very cool, John! I may need to take a trip down there one of these days.

Yes indeed!! Back in the 90s we used to go to Florida (Margate) every Feb with the kids for Spring break and I used to pop down to Opa Locka as much as possible!! USCAG has an Air Station there and Miami-Dade PD
Air Unit was there!!

[Chris102]

Beautiful shots! Both the light and colors in your 88ZL shot are amazing!

Were you able to get any of the Lockheed Jetstar's that are based at OPF?

[lijk604]

I was not. There is some construction going on at different areas, which had some ramp areas obscured with that wonderful "green fencing".

[Derf]

Awesome set of shots... my fave is the DC-4 with the Pan Am cheat line and the spray modification

[megatop412]

Great job John, especially with that An-12

[MarkLawrence]

Awesome John!!!!

[lijk604]

Thanks everyone! I'm really glad I got there just at sunrise. Was able to shoot before too many people were at the airport. None gave me a hard time, but it was easier to shoot, being at peace with these wonderful birds. I think the only thing that would have made it better would be if I coud have shot inside the fence after sunset.

[captmjk16]

Very nice shots John, sad to know that many of them are as retired as a lot of the winter residents of Florida though.

[steve1840]

WOW!!!! Outstanding work from Opa Locka. Well done my friend