Reflections become Electra

I really love shooting pictures of highly-polished natural metal aircraft. The myriad images that get picked up and distorted by the reflections on their skin fascinate me with their abstract quality. When coupled with a classic airframe, like this pristine Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior, with its snazzy red cowlings and lightning bolt cheatline, you can almost feel yourself drawn back to a more romanticized era of aviation. Despite the Great Depression, or maybe because of it, this airplane, and the other glorious designs of the era, imbued a generation with a passion for flight. That decade was truly a golden age.

This image was shot in November 2007 at the Western Museum of Flight grand opening at its new facility at Torrance Airport, Zamperini Field, California.

Sea Fury

The Hawker Sea Fury is one of my favorite aircraft. Big, powerful and all-around cool-looking with its impressive five-blade prop, it was one of the last and best piston-engine fighters in the world. This shot was taken at the 2005 Hawthorne Air Faire at Jack Northrop Field, Hawthorne Municipal Airport. The show was over, but because I was shooting for the Western Museum of Flight I got to hang around after closing to record departures of the display aircraft. An onshore overcast was beginning to form and the Sea Fury taxied out and did its engine run-ups in shadows. As it started its take-off roll a break opened in the clouds and the big fighter emerged into the light. I was very happy with the result.