Robert L Hite passed away on Sunday at the age of 95 in Nashville, TN. One of the 80 Doolittle Raiders, he was one of eight airman captured after the raid and 40 months later, released from a POW camp. A Thank You for your service just doesn’t seem to be enough. A true American hero!
Just out is our latest article that might be of interest to some of you. EAA Warbirds in their March issue is running my piece on Air-to-Air Photography (Jake is in there too, inside photos and back cover). It goes through the whole process of producing a photo mission featuring an air to air shoot we did with the Dixie Wing CAF. It might be a piece you want to check out. And if you want to experience what I feel is the most exciting photography on the planet, join us for a K&M Air Adventure.
“The lens’ AF is slow and won’t hold focus, how can I fix it?” “At times, the lens seems to be searching for the subject. What setting should I use?” These were the two most commonly asked questions this week sent in for my GearHead posts. I didn’t answer them there because, these aren’t gear problems, it’s what we politely call, pilot error. First, the lens contains the motor that moves the element(s) or element group that physically focuses the image. It’s the AF engine in the camera body that tells that motor how and when to move. So it’s not the lens not holding focus or searching, it’s the camera body signal, or rather lack there of, causing the issue. When working with photographers in the field and they are having these issues, 95% of the time the problem is their panning, not their gear (and oh my, how they howl with that answer. It CAN’T be them!).
This shot of a C-47 was shot with a D4s / 200-400VR2 handheld at 1/20, f/32, ISO100! At that shutter speed, to repeat, 1/20, if I had to manually focus, I’d still be in pain. We have to rely on that camera’s AF system which means we MUST do a couple of things, constantly, all the time. First is understand that the camera’s AF system, no matter the brand, needs three things to focus. It needs contrast, strong diagonal or vertical lines. And when shooting a moving subject, we must give our camera/lens rig a sturdy, stable and SMOOTH platform following that subject. So when I hear problems of “the lens not holding focus or searching,” I have only one answer. Practice, practice, practice … time to Pan!
The Stockton Field Aviation Museum is happy to announce BOMBER CAMP 2015!
Do you remember watching Twelve O’Clock High or Memphis Belle? Have your ever imagined what it would be like to train for – and fly – your own mission in the legendary B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine 0 Nine?” The Stockton Field Aviation Museum in conjunction with the Collings Foundation will be offering a very unique two-day program in which you do just that! No doubt, this is one of the most amazing living history programs you will ever experience! Space is limited.
TAX DEDUCTABLE!
When:
May 27th and 28th – STOCKTON, CA
Base Location:
Stockton Municipal Airport / Stockton Field Aviation Museum Hangar,Stockton California.
Target:
Top Secret Classified Information. Crew will be issued mission and target objectives on completion of crew training.
Cost:
$3,900 per person. Includes accommodations and food for two nights, materials, ammunition, and support supplies. Trainees must arrange travel to hotel. Transportation to and from training facilities will be arranged. Age restrictions: 16 yrs. and older. 16 yrs. to 18yrs. has to be accompanied by legal adult guardian .
Day One: Pre-Mission Training
* Basic outline of course and goals.
* WWII Heavy Bomber history, theatres of operation and primary missions.
* Identification of crew positions and duties.
* Crewmember orientation to essential equipment.
* Bombardier and turret training.
* Gunnery orientation.
* Target practice.
Day Two: Briefing and Mission Orders are Issued
* Refresher course / Q & A.
* Commanding Officer will brief the crew on the day’s mission.
* Suit up and drive to the aircraft in bomb crew truck.
* Pre flight and further briefing on flight, mission and crew position.
* Load aircraft ordinance and prepare equipment.
* Fly the mission. – Hit the target and get back to base alive!
* Mission de-briefing.
Some details:
The crew will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express, Manteca. Crew must be checked in the night of May 26th . The program starts early AM on May 27th. Each crewmember will receive training materials, flight suit, eye and ear protection etc. Live rounds will be used at gunnery range and blanks will be used during the mission. Each crewmember will be issued: 50 rounds / 50 cal. blank, 10 rounds / 50 cal. live, 15 shot gun rounds, shotgun and targets. Additional ammo will be available for purchase at location. Mission flight time will be approximately 1 hour. 250 lb. dummy bombs will be dropped on a target from the B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine 0 Nine” (manufactured to original specifications). Crew member performs a task in each position on an approximate 5-10 minute rotation.
Reservations and cancellations :
50% deposit is required on sign up. Deposit is non-refundable unless we have to cancel camp. (Reason for this: We have to purchase supplies and materials in advance). Space is limited. To make reservations for the B-17 Bomber Crew Training Camp or for more information Email;
Ken Terpstra
May 8th is the 70th Anniversary of the WWII VE Day and a huge celebration is happening in DC. Part of that is the massive aviation flyover. There’s more WWII aircraft flying than can be listed here. They have just announced this and the website is up for you to learn more. We’ll be there, hope you can be too!
The Ford Tri Motor ushered in commercial flight that today we take advantage of daily. Here’s a nostalgic look back at this glorious form of flight. The video was shot with a Nikon V2 (by Sharon) and the air to air with the D4s / 80-400.