Close encounters of the LANC kind !

**Steve T** · 08-22-2010, 07:10 PM

Hey all

Well I wasn't expecting this at the start of the weekend.

Ibstock Country Fair was on and I had finished the gardening so suggested to my Mrs we take a trip down there, see what it's all about. I checked on the website and discovered that there was a FLY PAST BY A LANCASTER !!!! 'in the afternoon'.

We got there about 1pm and discovered the fly past was booked for 4.45pm.

The time arrived and I am there, ready, with my 300mm lens on my DSLR........shutter set to 'continuous' shot.

Eventually the Lanc came up over the horizon, turned left a smidge and flew right over my head.

The sound of 4 Merlin engines from only about 1000 foot away is just amazing. I went all goosebumps and said some very poignant words..... '*&c^ me !! What a ^*%$ing FANTASTIC aircraft !!'

It was brilliant. He only flew past twice but that was enough for me to get 134 pictures

Every 10 seconds or so I'd re-focus but apart from that had it on continuous shot

Enjoy these pictures of one of aviations truly majestic beasts.

I RECOMMEND you enlarge 9, 10 and 13.

Steve T

**AKbear** · 08-22-2010, 07:27 PM

Lovely!!!!! What amazing aircraft!!!! Nice pics and thanks for sharing

**NickD** · 08-22-2010, 07:57 PM

absolutely fantastic pictures what a great moment that must have been

**Steve T** · 08-22-2010, 08:00 PM

NickD it was indeed superb....the sound of those Merlin's.

I've never seen one so low to be honest. Must have been because it was a small 'private' do and not an airshow where they have more rules and regulations than the entire Judicial system.

Steve T

**NickD** · 08-22-2010, 08:04 PM

its giving me goose bumps just thinking about it

**tampalam** · 08-22-2010, 08:12 PM

She is gorgeous! I can almost feel the vibration of those Merlins in my chest.

**panzerjaeger44** · 08-22-2010, 09:01 PM

steve i miss the sounds of merlins since moving out of england and havent seen an airshow since thanks for the refresher and wonderful shots brings back memories of biggin hill and raf halton as a kid

**Paul D** · 08-22-2010, 10:19 PM

Fantastic shots Steve , imagine what the sound was like when a 1000 bomber raid was going overhead !!!

**Steve T** · 08-22-2010, 10:39 PM

It would have be good Paul...but not as good as one about 500 feet above your head !!!

(I have revised my height estimate given that the close shots were at 70mm....

)

Steve T