Aviation Photography by Philip Stevens available for any assignment. 1000's of images (mostly action). Features on Airshows, Low Level, Air to Air and Base Visits. Bias towards military aircraft and photographic ideas/inspiration. Images for sale as prints or under commercial license.

   

Low level photography from the hills

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  Lechfeld   Manching  

Exercise 'ELITE 2007'
Heuberg Training Range
Germany
June 14-28, 2007

ELITE 2007 patchA Tornado flying low over the range, image 071_5630w4-The range is situated high in a vast area of grass fields and forested hillsides, and is an ideal location for concealed ground defences. Positioned at Heuberg training range were German, Dutch and Turkish Rapier and three Patriot Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) systems. There are some low level strikes, by the nature of electronic warfare, most missions are at medium level.

Information is exchanged between the participating nations, during the main debriefings hosted by Heuberg training range. However sensitive subjects could be discussed one-to-one with range personnel.

Capt. Brehm, ELITE 2007 project officer, said at ELITE opposing sides were not described as ‘Red Air’ and ‘Blue Air’ as this was a relic from ‘Cold War’ times, it was interesting that on day eight Romanian MiG-21’s and Polish Su-22’s conducted a joint strike against German manned Patriot GBAD missile sites. The various GBAD systems are frequently moved around the range. On one occasion with the ground very heavy after intensive rainfall at Dutch Patriot site needed to be ‘rescued’ from the mud by a German recovery tank. The whole operation took eight hours and cost the Dutch a crate of beer!

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Heer Sikorsky CH-53G Stallion (85+01)
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Left to right: Just some of the GBAD forces. The Polish Army were on the look out for approaching aircraft and were using the SA-7 infrared guided surface-to-air missile.

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Sikorsky CH-53G Stallion (85+01)

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Left to right: CH-53G's dispensing flares over the range
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Sikorsky CH-53G Stallion (85+01)

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Left to right: Sikorsky CH-53G Stallion (85+01)
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Left to right: Sikorsky CH-53G Stallion (85+01)

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Left to right: Sikorsky CH-53GS Stallion (84+52 and 84+98) two examples of the 20 that have been upgraded for the Combat SAR role.  
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Left to right: German Air Force F-4F Phantom II's and Tornado ECR's attacking the range. You can see the chaff being dispensed.

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Left to right: Swiss Air Force AS.532 Cougar (T-337) and a Heer Dornier UH-1D Iroquois (7?+84) fly in low towards the main viewing location.

Photography Note:A typical 'sky shot' image 071_5806w5The Heuberg Training Range is closed to the public during exercises. The range covers a vast area, consequently photography is only possible if permission is granted for access and an escort is available. During are one day visit we were taken to two locations around five miles apart. We were transported in military 4x4 vehicles as some of the terrain can only be covered by 'off-road' capable vehicles. Both locations we were told were at the highest parts of the range, to give the best possible opportunities for photography. 
The fast jets scream in low from every direction, seldom was their an opportunity to get a good full frame shot. True low level photography of fast jets (with the ground in the background) is virtually impossible. However when the come very close it is possible to get shots of the jets dispensing chaff and flares.
Photography of helicopters at low level is very rewarding. Frequently firing off flares they appear to come and find you to show off with tight turns around your hill. A 300mm lens is required and slow shutter speeds the order of the day. I tended to shoot at 1/250th as I did not want to bin most of the images due to camera shake. When they come too close only 'sky shots' are possible, but still can be worth while.

 

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