Thanks Andrew and Stuart for taking the time to comment. New Brighton isn't exactly at the top of anyone's wish list of places to visit but I was pleasantly surprised at how much there was from a photographic point of view to keep one interested. Also, although I never had time to spend there, some of the side streets full of old terraced houses, many sloping down towards the Mersey in the background looked full of potential. If i'm in the area again i'll definitely go back armed with camera to spend a bit of time.

regards

Karlo

Definitely the B-17 for me, nice prop blur as well.

The French trio of Rutan VariEzes in formation is relatively novel...haven't seen them for years...just a shame that the skies weren't doing you any favours on the day.

Regarding the gyrocopter...its a German designed and built machine called a Calidus...its a two seater (tandem) with a cruising speed of about 100mph and a range of between 350-400 miles. They also do a side by side version...the Cavalon with a slightly wider cockpit but slightly reduced speed as a result. Very exciting aircraft starting to sell really well all round the world and in my view the future of light aviation for the next 10-20 years. Price is about the same as a top of the range BMW or Audi sports saloon but hopefully will drop with mass production...i'd love one.

I too prefer the top 'film' version..the colour of the shed looks more 'natural' as does the colour of the water.

I wonder whether there is a difference in perception between generations. I grew up with 35mm film images as did many here on PU I suspect. What of today's teenagers though...If you showed them the two images side by side and asked them to pick their favourite would they go 'film' or 'digital' given that they have grown up with images originated using digital equipment.

Just a thought.

Karlo

Had about three hours to wait on saturday in the area, so took my camera and captured a few images along the front in and around Fort Perch, a Napoleonic era Fort which was built to guard the Mouth of the River Mersey.

The 'Fort' is now a collection of small museums and displays housed in the original rooms and outside within the confines of the fort walls. There is a room dedicated to 610 (Chester) Squadron , RAF which saw action during WW2, a couple of joined rooms housing an aviation archeology museum displaying bits and pieces from crashed aircraft, a general wartime and naval themed room, a reconstruction of the wireless operators room on the Titanic, a room stuffed full of old maritime radio and navigation equipment and a room dedicated to famous Liverpool music acts although this was closed due to refurbishment. All in all though a very enjoyable couple of hours.

Used my K-50 with either the DAL 18-55WR or Tamron 70-300LD.

1. Lighthouse and Docks (across the Mersey).



2. 'It's Too Cold'



3. 'Fetch'



4. "Defiant II" Amphibious rescue vehicle.



5. Fort Perch main gate.



6. Three Likely Lads



7. Within Budget



8. Baywatch



9. 610 Squadron Board



10. Titanic Radio Operators Room reconstruction



11. Lighthouse From Fort Perch



12. Radio Console



13. Tri-Service Rivalry



14. Aviation Museum



That's it, hope you found one or two you liked.

Karlo

They are not at all bad Greg, Nice and sharp images so if you haven't cropped them already then you could easily do so to make the aircraft a bit bigger in the frame, you've used a good speed to capture prop blur as well. My faves are the biplanes in No.2 and the Dakota (last one) but they are all good.

cheers

Karlo

Yes, I like those John. Looks a really robust 'here to stay' sort of place. The stonework is very attractive too in a practical sense.

Have never actually heard of the place...when I saw the name I assumed you must have been on holiday to Turkey!

cheers

Karlo

Thanks Nigel, most of these were taken on the 'Museum' preset...first time I had used it and was interested to see how it performed...I was very impressed
and the camera and lens combination had no problem with the light levels.

Peter, you're right. Most of the volume of these huge vertical rockets is filled with propellant with just a small habitable capsule on top. The latest proposal is to build a 'Space Elevator' 12 miles high and launch the spacecraft from the top of these towers using only a fraction of energy that it takes from sea level. The rockets then land horizontally like a normal plane. There is even a suggestion that there might be a tourist hotel at the top of some of these towers!


Karlo

RobL...it sounds like one of those words thats useful in Scrabble from time to time. Mechanically they are very impressive in action especially when you consider how old some of the earlier designs were.

The sixties inspired 'room' brought a few knowing smiles as well. Those wallpaper designers must have been 'on' something.

Glad you liked the shots, and yes, i'd say it does make a great day out.

regards

Karlo

Thanks smc.

You've hit the 'nail on the head'. After spending most of the day there my over-riding feeling was how cramped, uncomfortable and inherently dangerous the whole thing was. It has improved a lot nowadays...they had a full scale walk through mockup of a module from the International Space Station which was fascinating...banks of pullout freezer draws and experiments behind heavy duty protective glass right next to personal 'living spaces' that were a big improvement on what went before but still reminiscent of a WW2 submarine. Still some way to go until we get the Starship Enterprise standard of living space!

regards

Karlo

Nice set of images Gareth. Particularly like "Having A Drag", "Gaming gets more ..." , "Multi tasking" and "Buttons!" in that order.

cheers

Karlo