View Full Version : PANC-Anchorage, Alaska, July/August, 2013 (Very Image Heavy)
NickPeterman
2013-08-09, 02:48 PM
Alrighty, here we go.
Some of you probably knew where this was going, but here is the crowning jewel of my Alaska aviation blitz, Anchorage International Airport. While the Spotter's Mecca for most has always been SXM, or LAX, or maybe LHR and AMS if you can swing it, ANC has always been a dream of mine, so I managed to secure a day to spot before heading for Denali. Well... a day quickly became 2 due to changing plans, and with as late as it stays outside, a 3rd night became possible. When our floatplane flight was cancelled our last day there, I just couldn't believe my luck, from 1 day at ANC to essentially 4. The airport is truly amazing, the evenings especially in the summer. I managed to bag literally everything I wanted to catch at ANC, a first for a spotting trip I have undertaken. There are going to be a ton of images here, but I will try to keep duplication to a minimum :wink:
So...how about day 1? More like afternoon one due to a cloudy morning, but some decent photos were still had.
These little DC-9s were one of the jets I thought would be harder to bag, and that was patently false actually. Granted they never flew when I wanted, when light and cloud were ideal, but they were still neat to see.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7412/9474707372_1c0936e192_b.jpg
Korean's 748s also tended to leave earlier than I'd have liked, but it was still a treat to see so many 748's doing their thing!
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3807/9474707276_2eba6753ea_b.jpg
I had actually never caught Condor before, so this was a nice surprise, as I do not believe that this was the usually scheduled flight based on the flight number.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7385/9474707166_bec3153448_b.jpg
And of course the jet I most wanted from day 1 had to leave during the harshest light, but, it still counts! My long-sought Eva MD-11F!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/9471920607_c3d001ffc7_b.jpg
Sometimes having a bigger lense helps
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2854/9474707096_0cdd9b2208_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3679/9471920467_60c9cca8a6_b.jpg
Another airline that sadly only came once in my presence, and was badly heat-hazed until she got really close.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2844/9471920403_dfb5fd4b8c_b.jpg
This jet follows me everywhere, I swear!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/9474706938_f559fe580c_b.jpg
I love these little Combi's, so unique compared to what we see stateside
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/9471921013_bf0857c975_b.jpg
My Air China 744...well sort of. Not sure if this counts or not...
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/9474707554_e2b2dd617d_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/9471921009_35f2a4e1d6_b.jpg
Day 1's real highlight, an Everts Air Cargo DC-6 taxiing back after arrival. I may or may not have been doing a happy dance when I heard this old gal rumbling down the taxiway :smile:
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3831/9474707070_8012d07ecd_b.jpg
Sadly I called it quits on day one at about 7PM, with about 3 hours of good daylight to go (fatigue was brutal from the trip). Day one became my titular "bad Day at Anchorage", crazy as that may seem. Day 2, however, was far more successful as you will see in my next post...
steve1840
2013-08-09, 03:00 PM
Great stuff. Can't wait to see the rest of your KANC pics.
Roush6NY
2013-08-09, 03:07 PM
Superb shots, Nick !
backlash
2013-08-09, 03:08 PM
Awesome Photos!!
NickPeterman
2013-08-09, 03:09 PM
Day 2 was supposed to be a quick run to the airport in the morning, followed by a drive to Denali. A hotel snafu pushed that back a day, and delivered me a full day at PANC. I got to try out a morning spotting location which worked out great, and got to spot well into the evening as you will see in a second.
PenAir Saab during engine run-ups
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5470/9472079997_f874d85087_b.jpg
No idea why, but a USAF KC-135T
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3763/9474867106_babc392fb1_b.jpg
The only time I have ever complained about how powerful the 777F is on takeoff, they were miles high every time they got to me it felt like
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/9474867184_ab1fa5057a_b.jpg
My first UPS 747, which was nice to bag at last
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2810/9472080353_270aee498c_b.jpg
The tanker had a friend too
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2892/9472080513_724d7b860b_b.jpg
Best light I ever had on an Everts DC-9, which was the reason we went out, admittedly
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/9474867876_95641d69e2_b.jpg
This airline also flies DC-3s, so imagine my sadness when the Metros would take-off my way, while the DC-3s would use the cross-runway. Oh well, its still my first Metroliner.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3711/9472080837_61610c29fb_b.jpg
Favorite livery anywhere, and on a 748, a winning pair for me
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7454/9472081017_c87617dbf7_b.jpg
Some of the longest takeoff rolls were from Alaska's flight to Hawaii. They rolled on forever and ever it felt like.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/9474865838_c359627cc0_b.jpg
Once again, sometimes zooming in can be fun
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3716/9474865746_23ba674245_b.jpg
Random visitor in between all the heavies
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/9472079091_8d6098523b_b.jpg
Finally! More MD-11s
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2814/9474865914_ed6c53a91d_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/9472079265_c6870d0815_b.jpg
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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7453/9474866586_9e896c2f67_b.jpg
Loved all the Beech 1900s flying out of PANC
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7288/9474866748_566cf9ab9d_b.jpg
Nice treat, if only he'd left about an hour later...
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/9474866846_448fbefbdb_b.jpg
Civilian C-130s, a major goal for me while on this trip, and Lynder kindly played ball
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5547/9474866956_d02f030989_b.jpg
As the day wound on, the light just kept getting unbelievably awesome
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/9474868296_92f8483103_b.jpg
Another one that was a long time coming, my first 737-200, and with a gravel kit too! These little fellas make the most glorious noise, can we have them back? I'll trade the A320s in exchange :tongue:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/9474868232_ecf282deb5_b.jpg
Another local
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3808/9474868188_51e0865dc9_b.jpg
Surprising number of 753 movements at PANC too
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/9472081037_161bba97bb_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/9472081047_7200ff3168_b.jpg
This scheme just pops in good light
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731/9474868076_eb8c2dffc2_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5478/9472080873_ee59df4f19_b.jpg
By now we are well into the late 9:00 hour, for reference
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5489/9474867872_72578bb756_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/9472080681_9d8e329154_b.jpg
And the award for the latest departure I have ever shot goes to Panalpina, at 10:35 local time for wheels up
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5321/9474867632_c4be7d2605_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/9474867452_da353bd990_b.jpg
All in all, not a bad day I'd say... However there was more goodness to come on days 3 & 4!
NickPeterman
2013-08-09, 03:21 PM
And, for the finale. Days 3 and 4. Tons of photos, this was one trip that just kept getting better, and better, and better...
The morning was fairly quiet
The Conoco Phillips 737
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3790/9474983306_c5a6030f62_b.jpg
My first UPS 763
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2806/9474982926_f8c4757133_b.jpg
And retirement for an Evergreen 747 pilot we guess
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7414/9474982732_0ed78c135d_b.jpg
Weather started becoming a factor that afternoon, which was unfortunate, however the sun still cooperated for the most part
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7298/9472192725_dbaf85c4b1_b.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2871/9472192633_f2d490a919_b.jpg
The local med-evac Learjet
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7369/9474980334_72c74ce08a_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5325/9472192451_acda0ee26c_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/9472192345_ef149a893e_b.jpg
And then they reversed the pattern for me, allowing for a whole new vantage point!
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/9472192267_4b474526a4_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/9474979936_a577a6f851_b.jpg
But sadly the clouds killed the sun fairly early that day
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5464/9474979746_742ed1544c_b.jpg
Day 4 more than made up for it however
NickPeterman
2013-08-09, 03:40 PM
The sun was out again that Friday morning, although not for long sadly
This guy was in and out a lot while we were there
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/9472196003_008e9dc2e6_b.jpg
I had given up on catching a DC-6 in flight, only to hear that familiar sound of a radial firing up to taxi. This lovely lady took off soon afterwards
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/9474979396_6638948560_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5452/9474979338_e9244187cf_b.jpg
Not often that one gets to be eye level with a 747
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3797/9474979540_a667b32e01_b.jpg
And the winner of the "Wow, what an ugly, ugly plane" and the "Pleasant surprise of the day" awards go to this...er...thing from Atlas. I'm only glad I put together what it was based on its origin and that we didn't leave before she taxied in
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2833/9472191607_edcf9ea1a9_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/9474979254_d548cd8b13_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/9472191341_46fe2015e3_b.jpg
They reversed the pattern again that afternoon, and it was open season on all the aircraft I had hoped to catch at PANC, rolled into one short period of time
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2874/9472195923_d159f6d3c9_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5512/9472195765_056b6e872a_b.jpg
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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7435/9474982446_7889dc0bc3_b.jpg
I had to do several double-takes when I saw this on approach, an Aviocar, in Alaska?. Quite nice
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5459/9474982360_77f21c80b3_b.jpg
More of my favorite little 737s
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/9474982258_5ba44e1e07_b.jpg
And their eventual replacement
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/9472194337_10490530d1_b.jpg
A better view of the CP Jet
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7377/9474982160_2b7aa9f996_b.jpg
Another double-take was needed for this little guy, hadn't seen once since SJU in 2011
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5511/9474981960_ebf68965d4_b.jpg
Sadly I only caught one of Era's special liveries
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2870/9474981678_93808c2162_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/9474981574_3aef81fa13_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3764/9472193751_8432d09780_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5326/9472193465_da7fe6b4b6_b.jpg
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http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/9472191219_2eb8747d52_b.jpg
NickPeterman
2013-08-09, 03:43 PM
And now, to conclude, with the 2 highlights of that final day of spotting
in second place, Eva's MD-11F returns, in better light too!
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2823/9474978804_449cd4edff_b.jpg
And the winner, Cathay Pacific's Hong Kong Trader. The sun came out literally as she appeared from behind the trees, making me one happy photographer.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/9472193619_7bd7eb3eb4_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/9472193499_39d1cf91c1_b.jpg
Well, that does it for me from Alaska. I hope you've enjoyed this little photographic soiree through the airports of our Last Frontier over these past few days.
Cheers!
Nick
NickPeterman
2013-08-09, 03:44 PM
Steve, Kaz, Backlash, thank you all! I hope this wasn't too many photos... :cool:
wunaladreamin
2013-08-09, 04:23 PM
Nick, that set is INSANE! Hell if I caught half of the stuff you got there, I'd be thrilled. Excellent work!
Kiffy
2013-08-09, 04:34 PM
Wow! Thats an awesome amount of great catches and with mostly very nice light. I especially love the 737-200 with the gears fully retracted shot.
ANC is definitely in my top three of airports I want to visit in the US. Now seeing all these birds in just a few days, it might be my top airport!
NickPeterman
2013-08-09, 05:33 PM
Thank you both.
Kiffy, that gear up 732 shots is definitely one of my favorite images from the trip, so much so that it graces the background of my tablet at the moment. I was just glad there wasn't any heat-haze that late in the day!
jerslice
2013-08-09, 06:44 PM
...damn.
I gotta get up there again soon. I love going, and the light is always unreal, but I've only ever gone on weekends and holidays when it's been a bit slow.
Gerard
2013-08-09, 07:16 PM
So correct me if I'm wrong but isnt Anchorage a big stop for cargo planes coming in from the East? Do they unload their cargo or refuel and continue west and south? And I think I read that on 9/11 Anchorage was bursting at the seams with planes grounded!!
GREAT pictures!!!!!!!!
NickPeterman
2013-08-09, 10:55 PM
Thanks Jeremy!
Gerard, you are absolutely right. The vast majority of the flights are fuel stops, some may also handle customs at PANC, I am not sure. But most flights were HKG/ICN/NRT/SIN/PEK/TPE to some point in the US, all via PANC.
heeshung
2013-08-09, 11:17 PM
Amazing set as always. Great light, variety, and...dat sharpness.
cowens727
2013-08-09, 11:50 PM
Holy crap, what an amazing set! You nailed every shot, thanks for sharing 'em!
ManilaSpotter
2013-08-10, 12:48 AM
Love it! Very sharp images! Two thumbs up!
Kris V
2013-08-10, 02:58 AM
Wow really awesome! I believe I was out of the morning of the 2 KC-135s.
NickPeterman
2013-08-10, 01:29 PM
Thanks guys!
Kris V, we may have met then. I introduced myself to a few of the locals, and there was another young-ish photographer up near Polar/Atlas the morning of the twin Tankers.
nssd70
2013-08-10, 02:20 PM
Wow,what an awesome set of photos! I'm ready to book my trip to Alaska.
Doug
megatop412
2013-08-10, 09:13 PM
Well Nick I was waiting for you to post your entire trip before making any comments, I have to say I like the floatplane set the best. That 2-bladed prop Beaver is the shiz. But, I guess the Everts DC-6 is kinda nice as well:wink:
Kris V
2013-08-10, 09:58 PM
Thanks guys!
Kris V, we may have met then. I introduced myself to a few of the locals, and there was another young-ish photographer up near Polar/Atlas the morning of the twin Tankers.
Yep that was me. Took a lot of convincing to get out for the two KC-135s and it was well worth it.
Did you happen to get a shot of Alaska's Salmon paint?
MSN007
2013-08-11, 09:08 AM
I was waiting for this report and it was worth the wait as expected, nice set.
lijk604
2013-08-11, 10:21 AM
Truly an awesome set. I would consider that a great 4 days!
727C47
2013-08-11, 02:37 PM
WOW !!!
Smoketrails
2013-08-11, 07:30 PM
WOOOOOOOW!!! ANC now officially on my bucket list. Smashing reports!!!
NickPeterman
2013-08-11, 09:46 PM
That you so much everybody, I really appreciate the kind words!
MarkLawrence
2013-08-12, 07:44 AM
Wow - thoase sets are just breathtaking!!!!
airaos
2013-08-12, 01:49 PM
Great photos there love the B732 and the DC6
skyteam18
2013-08-12, 07:21 PM
Wow Nick, all around an excellent set of photos. This quality of imagery is what I come to nycaviation to see. Hope to see many of them up on a.net soon.
Oh, and these are definitely my two favorite! Bitchin' pix! :cool:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/9474868232_ecf282deb5_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/9474979936_a577a6f851_b.jpg
Zee71
2013-08-12, 10:16 PM
Speechless......great stuff Nick!
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