Vintage Aviation Photography Blog

Updates from June, 2011 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

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  John Slemp 2:59 am on June 8, 2011 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Allen Airways Flying Museum in El Cajon, California, isap conference, polished cessna, polished cessna 170   

  2011 ISAP Conference… 

  

  Hello Folks!
  Just returned from sunny San Diego, California, where I attended the annual International Society for Aviation Photography conference. Heard some good speakers, made some new friends, and even made a few nice snaps too.  ISAP members include such well-known aviation photographers as Jay Miller, Paul Bowen, Jessica Ambats, Mike Fizer, and Philip Makanna.  It is a true joy to see their images on the big screen, and to chat with them personally.  Canon and Nikon reps were present too, and really went out of their way to answer technical questions.

  We toured the historic San Diego Air & Space Museum, and had lunch with the Marines at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, where we saw the MV-22 Osprey in action.  Perhaps the highlight of the weekend was the visit to the Allen Airways Flying Museum in El Cajon.  Really a first-rate facility, with historic aircraft and memorabilia beautifully presented.  All in all a terrific weekend.

  Enjoy the images!

  John

  Charles Lindbergh’s Medal of Honor, bestowed upon him by President Calvin Coolidge after his historic trans-Atlantic flight.

  Marine mechanics work on an MV-22 Osprey at MCAS Miramar near San Diego, California.

  Photographers at the 2011 ISAP Conference make pictures at MCAS Miramar, near San Diego, California.

  A highly polished Cessna 170 taxis by at Gillespie Field, in El Cajon, California.

  Vintage aircraft on display at the Allen Airways Flying Museum in El Cajon, California.

  Bill Fortney of Nikon and Jay Miller engaged in conversation at the Allen Airways Flying Museum in El Cajon, California.

  Boeing Stearman, part of the Allen Airways Flying Museum collection.  El Cajon, California.

  Vintage sign at the Allen Airways Flying Museum in El Cajon, California.

  
   

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  Paula Williams 6:24 pm on November 15, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

  WWII Pilot Gets her Wings… 

  

  The Women Airforce Service Pilots that served during World War II are set to receive a Congressional Gold Medal. Former WASP, Bernice “Bee” Haydu talks about her experience and meets with Holly Hutchinson, a modern-day female pilot.  Please excuse the advertisement on the CBS video.

  John Slemp’s photo of the WASPS has been made into a Commemorative Print available through the Aerographs store. Order your copy today!

  

  

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  Paula Williams 4:58 pm on November 11, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

  Happy Veteran’s Day! 

  

  Many thanks to those who have served, are serving or are planning to serve.

  Where would we be without you?

  
   
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  Paula Williams 12:54 pm on July 26, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

  Item of the Week – Youth T-Shirts for Back To School 

  

  Send your young aviator back to school in style.  Here are four ideas, there are lots more on the Aerographs web site.

  

  

  

  
   
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  Paula Williams 11:21 pm on July 20, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

  Aerographs Product of the Week – Aviation Coasters! 

  

  These coasters are as handsome as they are functional.  4 inches square, they have a cork backing, and absorb liquids like crazy.  Each set comes with an oak holder for storage.

  Select from  DC-3s, Douglas Tri-Moters, Wright Brothers, Lockheed 12A, Modern Military, P-51 Mustang, Ryan ST, Space Shuttle, Stinson Voyager, WWII Fighters.  Where else can you get this much class (and history!) for $30?
  

  

  

  

  
   
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  John Slemp 1:55 pm on April 16, 2010 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: nazi pilot, nazi pilot wings, spanish pilot wing, spanish pilot wings, touching history, wwii nazi pilot wings   

  Touching History . . . 

  

  

  WWII Spanish Pilot Wings. © 2010 John Slemp

  As a fan of history, it is not often that one has the opportunity to “touch” history. And yet, I had the rare chance to do just that last week, when I photographed several WWII aviation artifacts in a private collection. They belong to my friend and P-51 Mustang fighter ace, Bob “Punchy” Powell. Having lived through the dark days of WWII, he has since amassed quite a collection of memorabilia, including several items I’d never seen before.

  

  WWII Nazi pilot wings. After the war, the swastika was removed, per regulation. © 2010 John Slemp

  One of the things that most struck me about the different items was how design “traits” of the various countries was evident in their military insignia. I found the German wings beautiful, but “showy” and a bit foreboding as well. I’m sure that was intentional…

  

  WWII Japanese Pilot Graduation Wings. © 2010 John Slemp

  I found the Japanese wings to be subtly beautiful, almost like a piece of jewelry. Apparently the training to become a Japanese pilot was very rigorous emotionally, physically, and militarily. The washout rate was high and if memory serves, it took over a year to complete the training, which did not work in their favor as losses escalated later in the war.

  

  "V Mail" letters that Punchy's mother kept. © 2010 John Slemp

  Punchy also introduced me to “V Mail”, which I had never heard of before. In an effort to keep the weight down, and therefore the logistical requirements to ship home letters from servicemen, V Mail was developed. Letters were written home on a standard sized sheet of paper, which was then reduced in size, using microfilm. Shipped back to the US, it went to prescribed locations near the recipient, and was then enlarged onto lightweight photo paper, 4.25 x 5 inches in size, for delivery to the recipient. The soldiers were urged to write legibly so that the reduced sized letters could still be read. As you can see, Punchy still has over 100 letters he wrote home to his parents…

  

  Aircraft recognition playing cards, and a silhouette model which hung from the ceiling. © 2010 John Slemp

  These playing cards help servicemen learn how to recognize friend and foe aircraft. The metal models were hung from the ceiling of break rooms, and bets were often made as to who could name the most aircraft.

  

  "Gun" camera from a P-51 Mustang. © 2010 John Slemp

  This 16mm camera was linked to the pilots firing button, and recorded the action for an additional 10 seconds after release. This was so subsequent hits, explosions, etc. could still be recorded. This was important for verifying shoot downs, and the film was often used to gather intelligence as well. The camera was in such good shape that it looked like it could work today, and had a #12 yellow filter on the lens to increase contrast.

  

  A "friend or foe" clicker issued to all airborne troops, just prior to their D-Day jumps. © 2010 John Slemp

  Lastly, Punchy shared with me a personal item issued to the airborne troops who jumped on 6 June, 1944. It was a small, metal “clicker” that we often played with as kids. I’m sure it drove my mother crazy, but they served a very important function on that day…

  Thanks! are in order to Punchy, not only for his generosity in allowing me to photograph these rare items from his collection, but for his service as a pilot in WWII as well…

  Blue Skies!

  John

  

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  John Slemp 1:54 pm on April 6, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

  ISAP in Vegas… 

  

  

  F-22 on the ramp at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada. © 2010 John Slemp

  At the end of February, I had the opportunity to attend my first ISAP conference in Las Vegas. ISAP is the the International Society for Aviation Photography, and is comprised of amateurs and professionals alike, including some of the best aviation photographers in the world. Besides the usual lectures and socializing, we spent a day at nearby Nellis Air Force Base, photographing the planes on the ramp as they took off to participate in Red Flag exercises.

  Although it was my first experience at photographing modern military jets as they went about their daily business, it proved to be a profitable day, visually speaking. All manner of aircraft were present, including F-22′s, F-18′s, F-16′s (including the Thunderbirds!), F-15′s, B-1 bombers, Navy Prowlers, and A-10 Warthogs. Although a great many of the resulting images are “record” shots, as opposed to images that I had lots of control over, I was nonetheless fascinated by the naked display of military muscle. In all, I was pretty pleased with the images, and even managed to make a few images that approach “art”.

  I’d be curious to hear what you think too, as I’m considering the addition of a new category of prints on the website…that being modern military jets. Your thoughts are most welcome…

  Blue Skies!

  John

  

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    KHURSHEED 9:52 pm on July 7, 2010 Permalink

    looks a great, A hawk eye in air.Good one John would like to see to more of the pictures coming through

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  John Slemp 11:02 pm on April 5, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

  WASP’s at Oshkosh 

  

  

  Last summer at Oshkosh, during the event known as “Airventure”, I was having a very casual conversation with Debby Rihn-Harvey, while making a few portraits of her for the Women in Aviation International organization. We were away from the main hubbub that is Oshkosh, in the Weeks Hangar. It is where all the aerobatic pilots keep their aircraft during the week of the show. It is large, secure, and close enough to maintenance help, should it be necessary. We were shooting in an area off the main floor, where we had set up an impromptu studio.

  At some point during the conversation, the subject of the WASP’s (Women Airforce Service Pilots) came up. I knew there were a few in attendance at Oshkosh, but knew little more than that. I was primarily there to photograph the female airshow pilots during the week, so the WASP’s weren’t on my schedule, and I had no more than a passing thought to photographing them. I remarked to Debby that it was a real shame that no pictures (of the “formal” type) were being made of the group. Immediately, and I mean immediately, she pulled out her cell phone and made one phone call.

  Ninety minutes later, six of the eight in attendance at the airshow were before my camera. I was thunderstruck, and yet didn’t have a lot of time to dwell on it. We (Debby helped!) immediately set about re-arranging the lights and the background, and began making individual portraits, and several group pictures.

  Although we probably only spent about 45 minutes together, it was magical. They were such a lively bunch, with wonderful stories to tell. It was quite obvious that they really had the “time of their lives” flying during World War II. P-51’s, B-17’s, B-24’s and B-26’s were just a few of the aircraft that these ladies had flown…and flown well. I felt very fortunate to have been offered this opportunity to make photographs of such significance.

  Fast forward to the spring of 2010, and the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony in Washington, D.C. A few weeks before they were to all be in D.C. for the ceremony, it was suggested that several large prints be made, so that they could all autograph them while there. This was done, and I’m happy to report that we also made enough extras for each of them to each take home an autographed copy as well.

  Three of these large prints have been donated to the EAA in Oshkosh, to be auctioned off at the Gathering of Eagles this summer. The proceeds will be used to further EAA’s youth education programs.

  My Thanks! to Debby for making it happen, and to the others who were instrumental in this process. I have a feeling that the prints are going to be highly sought after this summer. Bring your checkbook!

  

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  John Slemp 10:55 pm on October 8, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  B-17’s Over Atlanta! 

  

  

  The nose of Aluminum Overcast at dawn. ©2009 John Slemp

  It is not often that one has the opportunity to literally “step back into history”, but that chance occurred this last week when EAA’s B-17 Aluminum Overcast was in town on it’s fall tour stop. I got up early (twice!) to make photos as the first light of day broke over the horizon. Not only was it possible to take a “ground tour” of the aircraft, but it was also possible to take a half-hour ride.

  I was fortunate enough to go on their last flight during this tour stop, and I must say that it was almost surreal. Once airborne, it became quite apparent that the crew became highly dependent upon each other for survival. It’s just too large a plane to protect from one angle only, thus the thirteen .50 calibre machine guns. Doing some figuring in my head, my guesstimate is that the 10-man crew added about two thousand pounds to the load, with all their heavy cold-weather gear included. Some of the suits were even electrically heated! I must mention that the aircraft, while very solid, was nonetheless full of “holes” where cold air could easily whistle in. It was especially noticeable around the bomb bay doors, and the ball turret, which essentially hangs in space from the bottom of the aircraft. I’m told only the smallest of men could even fit, and after seeing it, I can understand why.

  I suppose the most sobering thing about our short flight was that we were not on a war-time mission. It’s one thing to take a joy ride, and quite another to get into a fully fueled bomber loaded with 8,000 pounds of bombs, and point it towards a very determined enemy, with only a thin slice of aluminum between you and an uncertain fate. The intestinal fortitude shown by these crews are a testament to their determination to see the war through to it’s conclusion. Once you’ve been shot at once or twice, it loses it’s “charm” real quick, and afterwards only becomes a journey back into barely controlled terror. That these men did it, willingly, for 25 or more missions is almost too much to believe. And yet they did. It also became quite apparent to me why so many didn’t make it out, once their aircraft were disabled. To say it was “tight” is an understatement, and the opportunity for fire, explosion, or just plain getting hung-up was always a distinct possibility.

  So if this aircraft, or one like it comes to a town near you, go see it, if only from afar. The physical reality will make you appreciate the fact that indeed, once, we were engaged in a world war and the fate of mankind hung in the balance.

  
   
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  John Slemp 10:46 pm on November 10, 2008 Permalink | Reply  

  Operation “Red Flag” 

  

  Recently a friend sent this link to an excellent video on what it’s like to be a modern day fighter pilot, training in the Nevada desert. Known as Operation “Red Flag”, it provides some of the most challenging training conditions possible for pilots and ground crews from allied countries across the world.
  Settle in (it’s about 48 minutes long) and get a glimpse of “the real thing”…Operation Red Flag.