North American OV-10 Bronco

[Scott Youmans]

Here's one before I fall asleep at the keyboard.  BuNo. 155502.  I shot this same OV-10 in 1973 at Sky Harbor!

[Scott Youmans]

One more...

[Joe Copalman]

UNBEATABLE

I too would like to thank Scott for indulging my decades-long affinity for the OV-10.

Framing and editing heavily influenced by Adrian Lang, whose high-contrast, close-crop, crooked-horizon shots have always intrigued me.

[Tower Guy]

WOW, gorgeous shots one and all, Jeff your shot and processing is outstanding, Scott both of your shots are outstanding, my favorite is the monochrome. Joe, what a beauty, I really like the angle, it adds a uniqueness that takes it to another level. These are the shots that make me want to do my best when I shoot. Thanks gentlemen, great job.

[Jeff D. Welker]

Your are too kind Harvey. I had the advantage of using a tripod and remote release in the low light conditions. Both Scott and Joe come from the "steady hands" tribe and worked without a net. The only anchor they had was their bellies in the concrete. As one who's nickname in school was "Uncle Wiggly", I'm amazed at the quality of their images under the very dark circumstances. Scott's terrific image with the gorgeous pink and orange hues gently bathing the clouds and mountains was taken when it was getting very close to total darkness. I don't know what shutter speed he used, but it had to be very low - amazing work!

Not to beat a dead horse (Bronco), but here is an angle on Cal Fire 340 when the sun finally popped under the overcast for a few moments before it disappeared behind the horizon.

HERE COMES THE SUN - And I say its all right!

[Tower Guy]

Jeff, you could not stage a shot like this one with the dark background, low angle warm light of sunset. This is really the fun and exciting part of photography and you guys took full advantage of what was given, great job!

[Scott Youmans]

Thanks Harvey! And thanks also to the cloud Gods who stepped aside at the last moment, for just a moment.  Made the 76 mile round trip well worth it!  Here's a shot of Calfire 505 (BuNo. 155502) that I took just about 41 years ago!  Was flying with VMO-8 at the time.

[Scott Youmans]

Another shot of 155502. Spring 1973.

[Scott Youmans]

Bergstrom AFB based OV-10A shot at Willie November 2, 1979. This aircraft went through the upgrade program at Marsh a few years ago and is now flying with the Colombian Air Force.

[Jeff D. Welker]

Very cool photo Scott. Even better with the Buff hiding in the background!

[Scott Youmans]

Thanks Jeff.  That shot was a challenge.  Either Kodachrome 25 or 64 and it was getting dark.  Shutter speeds and f-stop were marginal.

[Scott Youmans]

Another one from the archives.  August 1989 at Camp Pendleton.

[Joe Copalman]

So awesome.  I always love seeing old shots from Willie.  And that three-tone camo the Marines used was so great.  I don't think a single preserved example is displayed in those markings, which is unfortunate.

That's actually a remarkably clean example of it too. 

[Scott Youmans]

Thanks Joe!  Glad I had the presence of mind to shoot them when I had the chance.  Here's one from almost ten years ago.  Hard to believe.  One of the Marsh conversions for the FAC.  November 11, 2004.  EOS-20D w/ 70-200mm f/2.8L IS.  68-03808.  Same aircraft as the Bergstrom bird at Willie.

[Scott Youmans]

Variation on a theme...