Thanks Karlo,
The gyro is definitely the one I'd find most appealing to own myself, it's stability would make it a good platform for some aerial photography & I'm sure it would be easier to fly than the others. Given their many advantages I'm suprised they haven't been more popular in the past - the original idea does actually predate the helicopter!

Thanks George, The smoke adds a little bit of drama to the Fortress, which no doubt helped me

My attempts at Airfix aircraft kits never worked out too well. I tended to find teh ground vehicles worked better as I didn't have to get the joins as good...
Many of the beter ones got used as photography subjects with my trusty Pentax ME - must be about 30 years ago now.

Thanks Percy
The Flying Fortress & the autogyro were the easiest to get decent shots off, Possibly because the autogyro flies so much closer & the B17 is relatively big & slow moving.

I spent Thursday & Friday last week, trying to capture the Clacton Airshow. I didn’t quite manage anything to Mike-P’s standard but I’m reasonably pleased with some of the results. Here are my favorites:



IMGP5612small by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr


Autogyro 2015 by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr


IMGP5402small by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr


Tigers Parachute display team by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr

Flying Fortress - Sally B by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr


Red Arrows split by Mike Kanssen, on Flickr

I'm frustrated so say a decent picture of the Vulcan eluded me yet again, and I'm not likely to get another chance!

Sorry Danny
Felixstowe is just across the river from my work, so you wouldn't have been too far from me. Unfortunately I had a lot on over the weekend (our club had a exhibition).
Hope you had a good time!

Following up my interest in infra red photography, I've searched out spectra for camera hot mirrors. All of them are very effective at blocking UV. The k100d hot mirror (known to be a weak type for IR) is one of the most transparent to UV but even that reduces intensity significantly. Sensor design can also affect UV sensitivity, according to some sources I've read the maximum sensitivity is a function of the silicon thickness. Cameras for normal use are normally set for maximum sensitivity in the green region to mimic our eyes.
Even with a full spectrum converted camera I've found it remarkably difficult to capture UV images (I do have suitable filters).

Film is inherently sensitive to UV - UV being more energetic than visual light.

I can also assure you that modern lenses typically block significantly more UV than just the amount of glass wound suggest. I've measured the Transmission spectra of a range of my lenses using the research spectrometer at work. The older non coated lenses transmit much more than even quite small modern lenses.

Can you provide any data to back up your claim?

It's a long shot given the circumstances but have you tried cleaning the power contacts in the camera (where the battery connects) ?

No 22 is very nice & looks particularly familiar, is it Dave Newsham's grid girl? Somehow she keeps cropping up in my IR Grid shots over the last few years? Such as https://flic.kr/p/nhEZ9Z (warning Non pentax image).
I think its just that shes a natural model posing without any directing - just as well in my case as I'm not good at posed portraits. I normally only grab 3-4 shots of the girls when on the grid - like you I have a wife who see's my photos & wouldn't approve if there were too many scantily clad lasses.

Great shots George & it was nice to catch up with you both too!

I don't see why Peter should be particularly anxious in no 10. He's the series Cheif Technical officer, so his boys will always come first, second & third! He does look somewhat thoughtfull both in your shot & my similar ones though.

Any particular reason you've only included Checrolet grid girls? Didn't the other make the cut - I know Moffat's girl had rather excessivly dyed hair (would need to be B&W or IR to look OK) but most of the others seemed photogenic enough to me.

I was lucky enough to be unexpectedly free for the third grid so got some in visible light too, but not with my Pentax so like the IR ones they'll never make this forum. It high time I took a DSLR to the touring cars again!

I did think there was a chance of bumping into you again, glad to hear I was right.
Last year I spent too long taking photos at the boat lift before heading to the track & ended up in a huge jam.. only just arriving in time to start work. I'll try to get in a before the pit walk this time & remain visible as the crowds clear!