Spotting review 5/20/07 at LCQ (pictures)

I went to LCQ (Lakecity,FL to do some shooting today. After planning a night flight there a few days ago I uncovered an airport that has had a history of housing many airliners and firebombers. After a 2.5 hour drive I foun no airliners accept those that were in hangars- (GO FIGURE). UAL A319s spotted and a large 747 in a hangar. There were also an airliner parked in a remote part of the airport that was not idenifiable. Most of the others I had hoped to see were not there.
I saw more Firebombers than I ever expected heres that I saw. Unfortunatly because of heat haze and bad timing the Helicopter shots did not turn out well. But the P-2 Neptunes..TOTALLY unexpected was the highlight of the trip. I went for the bombers and got what I hoped to get. This was a new type and more of operation for me. There nothing more rewarding than photographing old aircraft that are still in an active service.
I was hoping for a DC-7 or 6 but the 3 P-2s were even better.
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/lcq02.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/lcq03.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/lcq04.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/lcq10.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/lcq09.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/lcq05.jpg
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/lcq06.jpg




Senga

sweet!!

Great stuff Senga, I love the Huey and the Snake... don't see too many of them civilian owned. That first P-2 was built in 1958. And the cobra(or shall I say Bell 209) is owned by the US Dept. of Agriculture.

NICe shots of some pretty unique stuff. THere was also a white P-2 at Tamiami but too far to grab a shot of.

THanks chief!

SENGA !!!!!!!! LOL. I have never seen a civil cobra before.. Bell 209 !! LOL. What a great catch there.

The intermeshing twin rotors one is the Kaman K-Max used for heavy lift.. very in demand, but not easy to fly without some special training from what I understand..

And, of course the Carson Classic Sikorsky S-61.

The civil huey is good as well.

A worthwhile trip for you indeed.

Tom

Thanks,
It was worth the trip to LCQ to get the a/c.
Thats one airport to keep your eyes out for.
Senga

The Cobra I believe is nicknamed FireSnake and is used by the US Forest Service for wildfires. Notice the FLIR on the nose? Awesome shot. I had heard of the copter but never saw a picture.

Senga, as usual nice and interesting photos, but I being from Florida I need to enlighten you. LCQ is Lake City, in North Florida. midway between JAX and TLH. Lakeland is SW of Orlando and about 30 miles east of TPA. Lake Ciy has an overhaul facility and many airliners have been overhauled their and many more repainted. US even did some short term Airbus storage their after 9-11. Lakeland has a few notable aviation facts. Home of Sun and Fun, a small version of Oshkosh and at one time home of the third factory (now closed) for Piper.

Regards

LGA777

Ron,
Opps. I meant to type Lake City Florida. I know where LAL is as I fly over it all the time. I do that once in a while with Lake City.
It was LCQ (North Central FL)
Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Gerard,
Yes I love the Firesnake colors. Better than any cobra I have seen to date eith the acception of the USMC cammo.

Senga

Wow, glad that wasnt Lakeland. I was down in Orlando with the family
the week before Easter and if I knew all those helos were THERE I would have made a detour to check it out.