Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ

[Scott Youmans]

Older is Better - Sometimes

[Joe Copalman]

Epic tale.  I ran into downpours like that twice during Angel Thunder, once up in Winslow and again out at Playas with Valinski.  Luckily we had some shelter at Playas, but with rain coming down during some of the more active portions of the scenario, I had no choice but to be out in it.  Definitely tricky shooting in the rain, especially with mud involved, but my gear held up awesomely. 

Looks like you guys had a great time down there in spite of the rain.

[Scott Youmans]

KB-50J - The Nikon body help up well. Rinsing it off under the faucet didn't bother it at all. Good to know although in the future I'll be a little more careful.

[Scott Youmans]

Jeff, Really like your Skytrain photo. I begs to be seen in a larger format. The composition is great and the use of a tripod and top notch glass appear to have paid off in very sharp details. The light and wet surfaces really work well together.

[Jeff D. Welker]

Jeff, Really like your Skytrain photo. I begs to be seen in a larger format. The composition is great and the use of a tripod and top notch glass appear to have paid off in very sharp details. The light and wet surfaces really work well together.

Thank you Scott. Getting some of those airframes wet from the rain really changes their "look" and (as you well know) added a whole new dimension to making photographs at PASM. We need to encourage John Bezosky and associates to add a "rain shoot" to our established "night shoot" photocall. It might not happen often, but when it did...   

I really like the unique angle and framing you used on the KB-50J. The perspective you choose creates an echelon feel to those monster props that contrasts wonderfully against that massive shaft of rain in the background. I also like how you've extended the pano crop to capture the 'cool' silhouette of the Catalina Mountains and monsoon clouds. The overall quiet/wet look adds a whole new dimension to this historic tanker.

[Jeff D. Welker]

OPEN WIDE

The venerable Takumar 50/1.4 at work again. I'm really enjoying this little gem of a lens.

[Joe Copalman]

Ooh la la.

I'm going to have to pick your brain on that lens.

[Scott Youmans]

Another Takumar 50mm f/1.4 shot. Thanks to Jeff for pointing me toward this novel little gem.  Of the old 50mm f/1.4 lenses it is definitely among the best.  I don't know that this photo necessarily used its particular characteristics to the max but it's what I had on the camera (Fuji X-T1) at the time.

[Jeff D. Welker]

Another Takumar 50mm f/1.4 shot. Thanks to Jeff for pointing me toward this novel little gem.  Of the old 50mm f/1.4 lenses it is definitely among the best.  I don't know that this photo necessarily used its particular characteristics to the max but it's what I had on the camera (Fuji X-T1) at the time.

Wonderful image-making Scott. Your framing of this shot creates a very unique and interesting perspective of this airframe. BTW, normally I regret infecting others with peculiar habits. However, I'm glad I was able to peak your interest with the Takumars. That little tank looks terrific on your Fuji.

[Scott Youmans]

Thank you Jeff. The Pentax infection has been fun and it really does suit the Fuji very well.

[Scott Youmans]

KB-50J - A few minutes before the storm hit.

[Jeff D. Welker]

ORGAN DONOR


A Boeing B-47 Stratojet airframe gets a "monsoon" respite from the summer heat.

[Scott Youmans]

Originally viewed this on my iPhone. Way more impressive and interesting on a large monitor. For some reason I always thought this hulk was another aircraft type but it sure is a B-47. Not a particularly common version I don't think. Maybe John can clue us in on what version it is. It always amazes me to see what was once a highly advanced front line aircraft just rotting away like this.  Fortunately there are a good number of B-47s preserved around the country including the very nice example at Pima.

[Jeff D. Welker]

Originally viewed this on my iPhone. Way more impressive and interesting on a large monitor. For some reason I always thought this hulk was another aircraft type but it sure is a B-47. Not a particularly common version I don't think. Maybe John can clue us in on what version it is. It always amazes me to see what was once a highly advanced front line aircraft just rotting away like this.  Fortunately there are a good number of B-47s preserved around the country including the very nice example at Pima.

Thanks Scott. While I'm the least qualified AzAP member regarding aircraft identification, I also thought this might be a unique airframe. As seen in my photo below, it has two "glass" panels on the side of the nose cone. It has these on both sides. When I "Google" images of the B-47, the only examples I could find with that trait was the XB-47 prototype and a B-47 at Edwards with a very pointed nose (designation unknown). Of course, I have no confidence in any of these findings, but I'm hoping they spur John and others to offer correction and/or clarification.

[Scott Youmans]

Looks like its the second of ten B-47As (49-1901).  Sitting next to it is the B-45 Tornado (47-0063) nose I was thinking of.