DAY 7  THURSDAY 3rd MAY

Today's plan… another, quick look around Peachtree, then on to the two museums at ATL, before checking in at the Renaissance. So, a couple of nice aircraft photographed at Peachtree this morning included Air Falcon PC-12 N94FE in a nice scheme with ‘Falcon’ titles, Beechjet 400A N500TH (the 500th built) with what looks like the Renaissance Hotel ‘R’ logo on the fin, all black classic Learjet 25D N125JW, and another classic, Westwind 1124 N942WC. I’d noticed this on flightaware, and caught the take off for Jacksonville.

From Peachtree, heading back to the ATL area, next call was to the NMCA (National Museum of Commercial Aviation). This is a rapidly growing museum, with a temporary facility/unit close to the South East perimeter at ATL (located just off I75). The NMCA has big, long-term plans to set up a permanent site, including restored vintage airliners, which is even closer, just across from ATL (also just off the 75). At the moment, the future site, where their first two aircraft are already located, can only be accessed with prior arrangement at the current museum. This is worth a visit anyway, with in addition to a couple of simulators, many airline artefacts and a gift shop, there is also the cockpit section of Martin 404 N9234C (c/n 143). This was originally delivered to Eastern as N452A in 1952, and was later the private aircraft of Ray Charles in the 60’s, before ending its days derelict in bare metal at Sheridan, Wyoming. Last year, the museum acquired the cockpit section (with the rest of the airframe to be scrapped), which will be restored into the original Eastern livery.

Onto the future site of the museum, which was previously a large car park (and is surrounded by a fence), this currently has two aircraft donated by Federal Express. After being WFU at ATL for several years, B727-100F N113FE was towed the short distance here by road on 8^th May 2011. This joined F-27-500F N718FE, previously operated by Mountain Air Cargo as a FedEx Feeder. Both aircraft remain partly dis-assembled, with the F-27 having the outer wings and tail fin off, and the 727 in a similar state, but with all the engines off as well.

Future plans for the aircraft, are for the 727 to be restored with one side painted back into the original United colours, as when delivered new in 1968. Also, at the time of my visit, plans were being discussed for a DC-9-10 being offered to the museum. This was said to be an ex Air Tran aircraft, currently located at an Engineering school somewhere in Georgia. However, as far as I know, Air Tran never operated the -10 series, so either its somebody else’s (maybe ex Airborne Express?) or it could be a -30 series. We’ll see, and good luck to them, a very friendly group.

From here, it was then the short drive to the Delta Heritage Museum, located in the historic hangars 1 & 2, within the Delta World Headquaters at ATL. Visits here also have to be prior arranged, with identification needed to enter through the security check point. Aircraft present, in this very impressive set up are, the forward fuselage section of L-1011 prototype N1011 (c/n 1001). Shamefully, this was broken up at Ardmore in 1986, but at least this section was saved, and is now used here as the museum gift shop, painted in Delta colours with a restored (not original) cockpit. The biggest aircraft in the museum is B767-200 N102DA ‘The Spirit of Delta’. This was bought by employees, retirees and donations in 1982, and was retired here in March 2006, after a farewell tour, and re-painted into the ‘widget’ scheme. The interior now contains two exhibitions, and is open to visitors on Wednesdays & Thursdays. A real classic, also in mint condition, is DC-3 NC28341 ‘Ship 41’, which was Delta’s first Dak, delivered in January 1941. I guess this is grounded now, after last flying in 2004, and is open to visitors on the second Tuesday of each month. Finally, three real old-timers here are 1931 Curtis-Wright CW-6B Travel Air NC8878 of Delta Air Service (the first aircraft to carry Delta passengers), 1928 Waco 125 NC4576 of Northwest Airways (used for flight demonstrations and charters), and 1936 Stinson SR-8E Reliant NC16181 of Northeast Airlines (which was used as an instrument trainer). A great little museum, with a nice little themed café.

Following this last visit, I had planned on returning the rental car, as no longer needed, and to save having to do so the following day when flying out. After doing so, I then caught the free shuttle bus to the Renaissance Concourse, for the last night in Atlanta, and Georgia.

As mentioned earlier, this hotel has fantastic views, from rooms facing the airport, with outside balconies enabling great photography. Other so called ‘spotter’ hotels that don’t have balconies, or even windows that open, may be fine for ‘SBS spotters’, but not for photographers, who take their shots seriously. So, as well as aircraft landing on runway 26R, and rotating on ’26L, some of the North side parking ramps are very close to the hotel, with great views looking down onto the Delta ramp to the right, and the charter/executive ramp to the left, with the ramps used by Omni International, FedEx, UPS and World etc further to the left. These latter ramps are mostly out of sight ‘around the corner’, but aircraft taxiing in/out can be seen very well. The best rooms to try and get here are recommended as being 1016-1025 (on the top floor), though note there is a $20 charge to secure an airport facing room. The cheek of it! Of course its worth it, even if this place is expensive enough as it is! My advice is… make the most of it. Check in/out is stated as 1600/1200, but if arriving around 1500, and requesting a late check-out at 1300, I’m sure they won’t say no. I got 1024 and arrived early, then left late, no probs. The only problem you might have here is getting to bed! Even as a photographer, taking a tripod can get some very nice night shots, if you can catch anything parked or stopped on the taxiway for long enough.

First highlight photographed this afternoon/evening then, was interesting B737-400 N416BC of Xtra Airways. Only recently delivered, in January, the aircraft is ex JY-SOA of Solitaire Air, and retains their basic colour scheme with titles and tail logo painted out. After landing, the aircraft came and parked on the ramp just to the left, in front of the hotel… then I found out why! With three or four prison coaches waiting nearby, that then drove up to the aircraft, with the ‘passengers’ about to get a free flight! Surrounded by armed guards, the prisoners were all then frisked, and photographed/filmed as they boarded. Xtra are known to be one of the companies involved with such flights, including taking ‘illegals’ out of MIA etc. A similar flight operated the following day (see later), so I guess the ‘relocation’ of prisoners around the States is big business, especially from a big city like Atlanta. Indeed, the JPATS (Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System), nicknamed ‘Conair’, is a major operation, with over 350,000 prisoner/alien movements a year. Callsign for the flights is ‘Justice’ (DOJ), which not surprisingly are blocked on flightaware etc, with the aircraft essentially flying as military flights, using UHF frequencies and TACAN routes. As a sign of their importance, they were the only non-military flights allowed to continue flying in US airspace during ‘ATC Zero’, immediately after the 9/11 attacks.

Other highlights photographed were Air Tran B717 N946AT (‘Baltimore Ravens’ logo-jet), Omni B767-300 N396AX, Air France B777-200 F-GSPI, Lufthansa A340-300 D-AIGW, Air Tran B717 N891AT (‘Atlanta Falcons’ logo-jet) and Omni B777-200 N918AX, while biz-jets included Falcon 50EX N901TF and NetJets Gulfstream 5 N507QS. This came in from Teterboro, NY and, as with most biz-jets, came and parked on the exec FBO ramp close by. Waiting for the aircraft was a black limo and two black SUV’s, all with blacked-out windows… mmm, wonder who it could be? First off, was a guy probably not that well known to Brits, Nick Cannon, an actor & comedian. However, he’s the husband of somebody everyone will know, as his wife eventually stepped out… Mariah Carey! Doing the paparazzi thing, she got well and truly worked!

As well as all that excitement, today saw a good haul of Delta DC-9-50’s photographed: N600TR, N675MC, N676MC, N764NC, N767NC, N773NC, N774NC, N784NC and N787NC.

DAY 8  FRIDAY 4th MAY

After some rain overnight, there was more to come, with a huge downpour producing some interesting conditions to photograph in. Things then brightened up, with blue skies before I checked out. Highlights photographed today then, included Air Tran B737-700 N354AT (‘Dolphin One’ logo-jet, promoting the Georgia Aquarium), six months old Gulfstream 450 N494EC of Eastman Chemical Co, Air Canada Express/Jazz CRJ-705 C-FKJZ, Georgia Skies Cessna 208B N307PW ‘Ecojet’, Korean Air B777-300 HL8208 and all white MD-83 N969NS. This ex-Alaskan (N969AS) aircraft is now operated by Ryan International for JPATS, being the second ‘Conair’ prison-jet here in two days, taking out another load of ‘cons’.

And finally, Delta Nine’s photographed (not seen yesterday): N779NC, N780NC and N786NC. That makes for a total of 14 different 50’s worked, after less than two full days at ATL. At the time of the visit, its thought Delta had 20 DC-9’s still in service (with the last heading to Marana being N677MC on 20^th April). The final out of service date of sometime in 2013 will probably still hold, despite the Air Tran B717 deal maybe bringing the retirement date forward?

After checking out of this very nice hotel, I took the shuttle bus to catch DL5398 to New Bern, North Carolina. Operated by a CRJ-200, the 1.05HR flight was off at 1515, landing at 1620. Then, after collecting the rental car, it was short drive to MCAS Cherry Point, for the first visit over the Air Show weekend.

The ‘Celebrate the Heritage’ airshow was commemorating the 100th anniversary of Marine Corps Aviation, as well as the 70^th anniversary of Cherry Point Air Station, starting with the Friday night show, with gates open at 1700. After collecting the media pass, this gave access to the media platform and tent for the flying display, with arrangements to stay behind after the show had finished, to get some clear night shots.

As well as the usual warbirds and aerobatic fodder, the evening flying display included USMC AV-8B 163876/WH-17 of VMA-542 ‘Flying Tigers’, MV-22B 167909/YS-07 of VMM-162 ‘Golden Eagles’ from nearby New River, AV-8B+ 165001/WH-08 of VMA-542 ‘Flying Tigers’ (which flew in formation with CAF F4U-1D N9964Z/92468/530 for the Heritage Flight formation) and KC-130T 162310/QH of VMGR-234 ‘Rangers’ at Fort Worth, on loan to the Blue Angels as ‘Ernie’, as mentioned during the Robins show last weekend. However, unlike there, Cherry Point was treated to the fantastic low level ‘Fat Albert’ display.

After that, the photographic conditions got very difficult, with the ‘afterburner’ show by the pair of Marines Hornets in the dark being impossible! Having tried using a monopod at previous night shows, I find it easier to crank up the ISO instead, to try and get a decent shutter speed, with hand-held freedom of movement for moving subjects being better. No amount of practice though can deal with some subjects, like Hornets with a shift-on! Following the flying display then, which was ended by fireworks, I managed to get night shots of around half the static, before finally getting thrown out at around 2300!

DAY 9  SATURDAY 5th MAY

Getting into the show early, after not much sleep, the weather today certainly didn’t help, with an energy-draining high of around 100 degrees! No complaints though, with fantastic light to work all the static before the public got in. Overnight, an Atlas B747-400 had arrived from Yuma, but was parked at the far end of the airfield, so obviously not connected with the airshow. Also, the FedEx A310-200F N427FE, was obviously only here for the night show, as it was now gone.

That left the following static, with Marines aircraft… UC-35D 166715 of VMR-1 ‘Cherry Point’, KC-130J 166380/BH of VMGR-252 ‘Otis’, bossbird AV-8B 163867/KD-20 of VMAT-203 ‘Hawks’ (with specially painted fin), AV-8B+ 164562/CG-01 of VMA-231 (with ‘Ace of Spades’ on the fin, and ‘Marine Aviation Centennial’ logo on the nose), CH-53E 161183/HH-01 of HMH-366 ‘Hammerheads’ (if not already, this unit will be relocating to New River in 2012), CAG-bird MV-22B 168019/GX-31 of VMMT-204 ‘Raptors’ from New River (with high-viz markings and specially painted fin), preserved EA-6B 160432/CY-000 of VMAQ-2 and 164886/WK-00 F/A-18D of VMFA(AW)-224 from nearby Beaufort, SC. This specially marked aircraft with tiger stripes, has the ATARS system installed under the nose. The Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System is an electro-optical sensor package which replaces the nose gun.

Other US military included just one USAF aircraft!... but at least a classic... B-52H 60-0051/BD of 93BS/917Wg AFRC (with ‘Belle Star’ nose art), with former USAF C-47D N2805J/43-10770/EN ‘Spooky’ of the American Flight Museum. And US Navy aircraft… E-6B 163919 of VQ-3, F/A-18F 166454/AD-223 of VFA-106 ‘Gladiators’ from Oceana, EA-6B 159908/NJ-907 of VAQ-129 ‘Vikings’ at Whidbey Island, MH-60S 166352/HU-33 of HSC-2 from Norfolk, T-6B 166088/E-088 of TAW-5 from Whiting Field, and Blue Angels F/A-18C’s ‘1-6’ on the flightline, with F/A-18D 163464/7 parked out the way at the end of the flightline.

Also, very close by on the flightline were two based USMC Rescue HH-46E’s 156476/00 and 157692/03 of VMR-1 ‘Cherry Point’, which provided medevac cover for the show, as well as one taking part in the flying display. The units other two aircraft were also present, with 157678/01 in the static, and uncoded HH-46D 151912 parked nearby outside one of the hangars. This was without rotors, so either on maintenance or retired, which is probable being an older D model. A bit further down on the same ramp, were a pair of based Harriers, with AV-8B 163881/KD-21 and two-seater TAV-8B 163860/KD-16 of VMAT-203 ‘Hawks’.

Of the flying display, AV-8B+ 165001/WH-08 of VMA-542 ‘Flying Tigers’ kicked things off, again flying in formation with CAF F4U-1D N9964Z/92468/530 for the Heritage Flight display (which was repeated later). Of the other warbirds, highlights were the ever popular CAF Tuskegee Airmen P-51C NX61429 and B-25J N9079Z/44-30734 ‘Panchito’. Next were the same MV-22B and AV-8B solo displays as yesterday (with the Harrier taxiing by very close to the crowd… shame couldn’t they all do this), before the Marines really got things started, with their MAGTF demo.

The Marine Air Ground Task Force demonstration is a simulated use of close air support, coordinated with ground forces, combined with some serious special effects and explosions! This started with based KC-130J 165809/BH of VMGR-252 ‘Otis’ simulating AAR with two F/A-18A+’s… 163124/VE-214 and 163169/VE-203 of VMFA-115 ‘Silver Eagles’ from nearby Beaufort, SC. This KC-130J is one of the Harvest HAWK (Hercules Airborne Weapons Kit) conversions, with interchangeable fuel tanks and hose & drogue pods that can be quickly replaced by a target sight sensor and pylon with Hellfire or Griffin missiles. Obviously for this role demo, the AR-configuration was fitted, although the mount for the 30mm cannon on the fuselage was visible, as a permanent fixture. Now the Marines have a bad-ass Herk for close air support. With the Hornets then coming back to ‘bomb’ the place, others involved in the demo were, based EA-6B 161348/RM-05 of VMAQ-4 ‘Seahawks’, and the following from nearby New River… UH-1N’s 159195/HF-.. & 160…/HF-33 of HMLA-269 ‘Gunrunners’, MV-22B’s 167909/YS-07 & 167918/YS-12 of VMM-162 ‘Golden Eagles’, CH-53E 162010/EN-49 of HMH-464 ‘Condors’ and AH-1W’s 160742/TV-48 & 161017/TV-43 of HMLA-167 ‘Warriors’.

The show was concluded as usual by the Blue Angels Hornets, and another great ‘Fat Albert’ display by KC-130T ‘Ernie’. By this time, the extremely hot weather had began to change, with the forecasted storm front starting to move in. Fortunately it didn’t spoil the final displays, with just some cloud starting to appear, though by dark the rain had started and was ‘bouncing down’. By morning it was still overcast, so at that point the plan changed…

DAY 10  SUNDAY 6th MAY

The final day in the States, with a flight out of Raleigh-Durham (RDU) at 1810. This was the closest airport to Cherry Point where I could get a direct flight to Heathrow, and being around 100 miles to the West, was in driving distance of less than two hours, with one or two places to take in en route. The original plan of going in to the show, until around mid-day, was quickly changed after seeing the weather. After shooting everything in fantastic weather yesterday, there wasn’t much point in going back in to shoot all the same stuff with no sun. So, there was now no rush in getting to RDU, and could maybe spend more time when there instead.

First stop was New Bern, where I had flown into. Noticing it was very quiet when arriving, I didn’t expect much, apart from one or two things worth getting the camera out for. C-123K N9692N/54-0592/NE of Northeast Aviation Group (with ‘Ponderous Polly’ nose art), looks in good condition apart from a missing rudder. Nearby at the small Federal Express facility were FedEx Feeder’s ATR-42 N918FX and Cessna 208B N740FX, and that was about all of interest.

The major F-15E base of Seymour Johnson was right on the highway, about half way to RDU, but with not much chance of any shots on a Sunday, I gave it a miss. There was one place though, not far off the highway, worth a quick look around. Kinston Regional Jetport, otherwise known as NC Global TransPark (who the heck makes these names up?), is a large airfield but very quiet. The big business here though is Spirit AeroSystems, who have a huge new factory, producing aircraft sections. After starting with the Airbus A350XWB centre fuselage and front wing spar, the company has also added the new Gulfstream 280 wing production here.

Aircraft present, on a small Mountain Air Cargo ramp, were three of their aircraft. Nice to see a couple of SD-330’s these days, with N2679U and N26288 in similar colours, with the former possibly active? The latter is presumably not, with engines removed. The company also operates FedEx Feeder Cessna 208B N979FE, which was also present on the same ramp. WFU on the other side of the runway were a pair of retired FedEx F-27’s, presumably ex Mountain Air Cargo. With all logos and registrations painted out, these remain unidentified (looking on Google Earth there were three here, so I guess one has been scrapped recently?).

One note on N26288, regarding a bizarre incident the aircraft was involved in… Back in 1983 when operating for Pennsylvania Airlines, the aircraft was boarding at Harrisburg for a flight to Washington. One passenger was asked where he was going, to which he replied ‘DC or someplace in between’. When boarding he then requested a seat near the rear door. You can guess the rest!... After climbing through 3,500ft he then opened the door and jumped out.

From here then, it was straight on to Raleigh-Durham. With a couple of hours before I needed to return the rental and check in, a quick drive around bagged a few US biz-jets, including nice old Learjet 25D N25PW, an air ambulance of Jet Logistics, painted all red. The remaining spare time was then spent at the purpose built Observation Area, which is a covered seating area, in a nice elevated position looking down on the Northern GA ramp and Runway 5L. RDU has two, parallel runways, with ‘5R used mostly by Southwest (as nearer their terminal), with ’5L used by everyone else. As well as the usual US majors, with CRJ’s up to B737 size aircraft, highlight was classic Sky King B737-200 N252TR. Maybe the last aircraft still flying in Hooters Air colours, though with titles & tail logo painted over, this was a real surprise, even though its been flying as such since 2007. Also now fitted with what looks like an ex US Air nose cone, it looks like a real odd-ball. Classic all the same. Then, as well as Air Canada Jazz CRJ-200ER C-GKFR, the other highlight was Southwest B737-700 N714CB, which is painted in ‘Southwest Classic’ golden retro colours. The ‘CB registration is personalized for Southwest President Collen Barret.

And so, onto AA174 operated by B767-300ER(WL) N39356, departure was at 1815, arriving 6.45HR later at Heathrow on the 7^th at 0700L. Connection was then onto BA125 to Bahrain, operated by B777-200ER G-VIIS, off at 1045 and landing 6.15HR later at 1900L.

Hope you enjoyed the read… apologies to those who have requested to see more of the photographs. Hopefully future reports can have links to my website, showing most of the shots from such trips. Next up, a week in Germany for the (maybe) final Spotters Day at F-4 base Wittmund.

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