


Fancy having a go at taking Images of old aeroplanes? Well I do, and will take any opportunity to do so. Some would think that after serving in the RAF for 38 years I would be fed up with the subject. I tend to go to the Imperial War Museum at the old RAF Duxford site. I may at first seem expensive to gain entrance to the site at £26.35 or £23.70 if over 65, but there is a way! If you become a member for £60 per year you get free access to the museum and the regular Flying Days. If you want to become a member with a friend the cost is £90 for joint membership. You still have to pay for major air displays but as a member you get a 10% discount for these days. You also get 10% discount in the museum shop. This year there have been a total of 5 Flying Days so if you were to attend all 5 that would equate to £12 per visit a saving of £71.75. If you go on joint membership the saving is £173.50 based on normal membership. Take a look at their web site https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford. This is Duxford’s 50th Anniversary and their last display this year is the Flying Finale on Sat 14th Oct 2023. This is a paid for event but again attracts a 10% discount for members.

Access to the aircraft at Duxford is unparalleled. Aircraft allocated to the flying display are parked just a few metres away from the viewing line, so close that you can feel the draft from their propellors as they start up for their display. So what do you need? Any digital Camera and a lens that is at least 300mm equivalent at 35mm used either hand held or with the assistance of a monopod. Like motor racing, if you want to achieve a sense of motion it is necessary to use a shutter speed that will not freeze the movement of the propellors. I find that around 1/200th to 1/250th suitable to give a subtle blur to the rotating propellor.

The best conditions I find are sunny days with a good splattering of cumulus clouds. If the wind is in the prevailing SW direction, aircraft take off towards the W and start their displays by coming in over the Aircraft Restoration Company hangar at the left-hand side of the display line. This gives great shots as the aircraft turn in towards the runway with the sun coming in from over your right-hand shoulder. From this position to the left of the display line you also get a good opportunity to catch aircraft as they come into land.
