Pacific Airshow Project with the Aviation PhotoCrew
Story and photos by David Campion
In October 2023, I decided to tick off a bucket list item and sign up for an air-to-air project with the Aviation Photo Crew after the chance to photograph aerial refueling during Pitch Black ‘22
I opted for the Pacific Airshow project due to its ease of travel, aircraft selection, and the opportunity to spend time along the Sidewinder Low level before the project.
The project ran from October 2nd to October 5th. The first three days were based at the Clay Lacy Ramp of the John Wayne Airport, and the final day was with the So Cal Commemorative Airforce.
Despite the weather’s best attempts to make planning difficult due to a stubborn marine layer of fog rolling each evening and persisting into the early afternoon, Eric and his team delivered excellent photo opportunities.
The highlight of the four days was the Edwards B1-B from the 419th FLTS, the photo mission planned as part of the chief test pilot’s final flight. A year of planning coming together brilliantly, seeing the BONE approaching the Sky Van with unswept wings on the horizon is not something I will soon forget. The crew convinced us all it was a photo flight with an Airbus…
Other join-ups included the Airforce Heritage Flight (F-22 Raptor and P-51), T-6 Texan, T-33 Acemaker III, HU-16 Albatross, Microjet (JSX-2), Business Jets (Cessna 750 and 560), West Coast Rhino Demo Team’s F-18F Super hornet, Two Ship F-35C Demo team from VFA-125. Perhaps one of the most interesting formations during the project was the T-6 Texan in formation with the two business jets. The “Rough Raiders” two-ship provided excellent sunset photo opportunities.
The Camarillo day provided photo missions with SNJ-4 Texan, PBJ-1 Mitchell, A6M3 Zero, Navion, and Jason Somes’ MIG-17. Unfortunately, the weather played havoc again, and the scheduled sunset flight with B-29 DOC (a bonus to the program) was postponed to the following day. Unfortunately, rescheduling clashed with my return flights to Australia. The program concluded with a relaxed gathering for dinner and a well-earned beer. A big thank you to Jason Somes for hosting us in his hangar.
If you are looking to take your aviation photography to the next level, an air-to-air project is for you. It provides unique photos of aircraft in flight and a surreal experience as you watch the aircraft float in the air from the ramp of the Sky Van. At times, you look into the live viewfinder and need to pinch yourself.
Eric and his crew run an excellent program. You will leave with your “boots full” and a smile on your face. The primary issue will be deciding which photos to print to hang at home.
