Capture military aircraft photos
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For three days every October, MCAS Miramar opens its doors to the public and allows close-up military aircraft photos to be taken. This huge San Diego military base plays host to one of the largest air shows in the world. It features large ground displays of both civilian and military jets, plus lots of military helicopters.
The United States Marine Corps marching band gets
ready to play at the 2008 Miramar Air Show.
There are a number of military jets on display at the air show
(both past and present). This is the FA18-D Hornet airplane.
Here are two more military fighter jets, the F5 Tiger (foreground)
and the F4 Phantom.
Many of these planes and helicopters are opened up for public inspection and photographing. The ground displays are spread out across the tarmac allowing ample room for visitors to freely roam among the aircraft - even as they watch ongoing events in the sky above. There are lots of food and souvenir booths set up as well making for a fair-like atmosphere.
This is the A4 Skyhawk airplane. It is a 1960's era military jet which was on display in one of the hangars. Getting close-up access to old and new planes alike can potentially make for great military aircraft photos.
A giant U.S. flag is draped over the side of a Miramar aircraft hangar.
There is always lots of action going on in the sky at an air show. This is a shot of a Russian MiG 17 military jet streaking low across the tarmac area.
There are lots of aerial shows taking place throughout the day including stunt pilots performing acrobatic maneuvers in the sky and parachutists circling and landing with precision skill. Past and current military jets streak across the sky creating many opportunities for great military aircraft photos. Of course, it helps a great deal if you have a powerful zoom lens on your camera and a tripod. Without these, it is difficult to frame and capture the fast moving jets (although newer image stabilized lenses can certainly help increase your chances of getting good hand-held photos).
A flight demonstration which features a large refueling airplane with jets trailing behind. To get really sharp in-flight military aircraft photos requires a powerful telephoto or zoom lens. But the speed of the lens is less important these days if you shoot with a digital camera due to the ability to increase the ISO on the spot.
Several military helicopters are shown including
the UH1Y Venom and the AH1Z Viper models.
Not all ground displays feature aircraft. This is a photograph of a M1 Abrams tank. Marines were present to answer any questions that guests might have about military equipment.
The Miramar Air Show received an award in 2007 naming it the best air show in the U.S. It is eagerly anticipated every October by a large number of southern Californians - even those who have no interest in taking
military aircraft photos.
And the price is definitely right ....... its free!
This is another World War Two era plane - the A1 Skyraider.
Many types of military helicopters are on display at
the air show. This is the CH-47F Chinook model.
This interesting military jet is known as the EA-6B Prowler.
A brightly painted San Diego County Sheriff helicopter is on display.
San Diego and Los Angeles Police also had displays at the air show.
The C130 transport airplane is a very large plane indeed.
More aircraft hangars are shown in the background.
Not all airplanes on display are fighter jets or transport planes.
But all have military purpose.
I want to say many thanks to my friend Brian for his help in labeling these military aircraft. Being a pilot himself, he has a wealth of knowledge regarding airplanes of all types.
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