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This was the second time that Threshold Aero and the RAF Museum Cosford had come together to bring an evening of night time photography. The external aircraft, including the Bristol Britannia and Consolidated Catalina were lit-up to offer 200 photographers the chance to capture the museums exhibits in a different light. The big draw for the evening was the two unique test airframes that had been moved outside of their usual ‘Test-Flight’ hangar. Both the legendary BAC TSR2 and the British Aerospace EAP were strategically positioned in the fresh air to allow photographers to capture sometime a little special..
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Threshold Aero run a range of aviation-based events at various
locations in the UK. They specialise in night photography and are
well equipped with LED lights to offer an alternate, illuminated
view of the subjects. These events are always well-staffed with
Threshold Aero and Museum personnel, every one of them
enthusiastic and eager to help. Whether you need help with setting
up your camera or want to know more about the aircraft there was
always someone near-by to help. After the obligatory but jovial
Health & safety briefing the eager photographers were allowed to
wonder freely around the exhibits.
Although this was an
evening event, let us not forget that the RAF museum is free to
enter and open all day, every day. There are 4 hangars packed full
of aircraft to explore. The award winning National Cold War
exhibition is the only pace to see all three V-bombers, the
transport hangar offers the World’s First Jet airliner, the de
Havilland Comet. The War in the air hangar is currently preparing
to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with a
unique collection of Axis and Allied aircraft. Today, I spent a
little more time enjoying the Test Flight Hangar, the movement of
two larger exhibits exposed the Saunders-Roe SR53 and Fairey Delta
aircraft nicely for a little photography warm-up before the main
event.
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As the evening shoot began, I visited the Bristol Britannia;
nicely lit and conveniently located in a secluded spot. The
Britannia was designed for the British Overseas Airways
Corporation, it made its first flight in 1952. 85 Britannias were
built and the RAF used twenty-three as long-range troop and
freight transports. G-AOVF was built for BOAC and first flew on 18
December 1957. The highlight of its career was its use by HRH
Princess Margaret on a tour of the West Indies in 1958.
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The Vickers VC10 and Lockheed C-130 Hercules represent a more
recent chapter in RAF history. The natural banks on the museum car
park gave photographers chance to get a slightly elevated view of
the aeroplanes, further enhancing the photogenic nature of the two
aircraft. The Hercules is still one of the most widely used cargo
transports in the world, the Cosford example was the last RAF
C130K Mk.3 to be retired. The Hercules was artistically given some
Rembrandt lighting and today we were allowed to board the VC-10
and get some photographs of its well-persevered cockpit, also
well-lit by Threshold’s lightning.
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Just behind the visitor centre, there is a cluster of popular
aircraft. On the previous night-shoot, all were part of the event,
which created the minor issues of where to stand without being in
someone else’s photograph. This evening, only one was given the
Threshold-lighting treatment. The P-2H Neptune is a land based
maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft, more than 1100 were
built, no other post war maritime patrol aircraft was built in
such large numbers. Despite the RAF operating six examples, the
one on display in the museum is a Dutch Navy example, the markings
of which looked particularly pleasing lit-up in the evening
twilight
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The Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina was the last version of the ‘Cat’
to be developed and was a development of a pre-war design which
first took to the air in 1935. The PBY series were produced in
greater numbers than any other flying boat. This particular Cat
has had a long and varied career in both the US Navy and Royal
Danish Air Force, it is currently painted in the vibrant colours
of the later. The unmistakable airframe cuts an imposing figure
day or night at the entrance to the first of Cosford’s exhibition
Hangars.
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The undoubted stars of the show were the unique test aircraft
moved out exclusively for this event. The British Aerospace EAP
was part of the Agile Combat Aircraft programme, it reportedly
broke the sound barrier on its maiden flight in 1986. By the end
of its flying career in 1991 the EAP had significantly contributed
to the development of computerised flying controls which are now
standard in frontline jets such as its similar looking cousin, the
Eurofighter Typhoon.
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Much has been written about the BAC Tactical Strike and
Reconnaissance-2 better known as the TSR2. Ever-rising costs and
changes in political policy led to it being withdrawn during the
early stages of testing. As such aviation enthusiasts and
historians have given it a near mythical status, we will never
know if this could have been the greatest British aircraft ever
built, but when you see it’s surprising large streamline shape
lit-up outside in its anti-flash nuclear paint scheme, one cannot
help but speculate. |
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The aircraft night-shoot was a real success; well-attended by over
200 photographers and efficiently organised. The RAF museum is
free to enter and holds one of the largest collections of static
display aircraft and aviation artefacts anywhere in the World.
Split over two sights, one at Hendon, London and the other at RAF
Cosford, Shropshire. There are a number of upcoming events at the
Cosford site including the very popular open cockpits event on
June 27th and don’t forget you can celebrate VE day here on the
8th May. |
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Review by
Lee Chapman |
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