Wild Mustang

[Paul Taylor]

I drove out to Canyon Lake today - it is a little outside Phoenix and is a great driving road - and there being a couple lakes usually can make for some good photos. I pulled off the road to take some pics of the paddleboarders that were floating around and I heard something odd.

I recognized the sound - V12 warbird engine, and about a second later I was buzzed by a P-51. Apparently it too was having fun in the canyons. Luckily I had my 100-400 on the Lumix G9 so I got a couple poor pics of it as I didn't have much time to react as it went by at a pretty high rate of speed before disappearing in the canyon.

The pics aren't great - but it isn't every day you are out in the middle of nowhere and get strafed by a P-51.

This was right before it made a hard right into the canyon.

This was the shot I was framing up when I heard it coming...

I waited about half an hour to see if was going to circle back for another run - but it didn't unfortunately. I would have loved to be prepared and get better pics of it.

 

[Beth Anthony]

that's an awesome thing to experience! my grandfather was a mechanic in the korean war and worked on the last squadron of mustangs.

 

[Pete Askew]

What a lucky encounter, and that you managed to grad a couple of shots is a real bonus.

I have never really understood the appeal of paddle-boarding, but I suppose if you get to do it under such great rock formations that might make it worth it!

 

[Gary Ayala]

that's an awesome thing to experience! my grandfather was a mechanic in the korean war and worked on the last squadron of mustangs.

I grew up in Chino, CA. Chino Airport has a great Air Museum, Planes of Fame, as well as many business/hangars devoted to restoring vintage aircraft. On any given day there are many P-51's being worked on. (Your grandfather would have been most welcomed at Chino Airport.

 

[Gary Ayala]

Paul, I had a similar experience while walking atop the cliffs in San Pedro, CA. Granted, San Pedro isn't nearly as remote as Canyon Lake, AZ ... but sighting a few vintage aircraft skimming the ocean and buzzing the cliffs was still a surprise ... kinda makes you're heart skip a beat.

"Fly me to the Moon ..."



Belly of a Mustang


Cliffs at San Pedro

 

[Gary Ayala]

PS- The kayaker with the 10,000' high cliff is amazing.

 

[Gary R. Smith]

PS- The kayaker with the 10,000' high cliff is amazing.

Where have you been hiding?

 

[Gary Ayala]

Where have you been hiding?

Just busy ... work has been extremely difficult and exhausting.

 

[Paul Taylor]

PS- The kayaker with the 10,000' high cliff is amazing.

Thanks Gary!


Luckily here in town (Well, in Mesa) we have Falcon Field and they have a branch of the Commemorative Air Force and they have a B-17 (Sentimental Journey,) B-25 (Maid in the Shade,) and SNJ, C-47, and assorted other warbirds that hang out. You can purchase flights on them during the non-scorched-earth time of the year.

As nice/fun of a day as it was enjoying a scenic drive and taking photos, I knew the person piloting the P-51 was having a much, much more fun day. Lol.

 

[Gary Ayala]

Due to Chino's proximity to Hollywood, most the aircraft at the Planes of Fame are flightworthy and are used in movies. The museum planes are displayed in various hangars and are constantly used and moved. Consequently, every trip to the museum, photographers will find the planes illuminated in different lighting conditions. (Often, the hangars will be sporting oil drip pans under recently flown planes.) At Chino, you can also rent planes ... one of the best rides is to rent the B-25 and take up an entire party into the wild blue yonder.

(PS- Sorry to post images in your thread ... but both experiences were so closely related, I couldn't help myself.)