LAX, VCV and LAS, between Feb 21 and Feb 25

Hi, we had a family trip to Southern CA and Vegas. I had a 2 hour window so I went to the Imperial Hill area to spot. I was very lucky to get the CI 744 in Boeing special livery, Allegiant MD-80 in Blue Man Group special livery and Mas Air Cargo 767-300.

On the way to Vegas, we stopped at VCV for a quick look. I took a few pictures of planes parked close to the road. The most noteworthy was the L-1011 HZ-AB1. While I was there a Sierra Pacific 737-200 took off and caught me off guard. I managed to get a fuzzy photo.

Finally I spent 2 hours in the morning in the LAS long term parking lot. They were using 19 for take off so the shots were not as impressive as if they were to use 1. But it's still very good.

Here are the photos:
LAX
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/...3dbf4f66_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/...a95a8b8b_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/...81637f6c_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5055/...28269e5a_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/...0d88c12b_b.jpg

VCV
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/...cba5b4ea_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5093/...8eed09e5_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5055/...c40cbe95_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/...4b43a8cb_b.jpg
LAS
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/...2725e09a_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/...f5b4678b_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/...b0a84ea6_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5056/...2eb9eeea_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/...25897248_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/...1556d8a9_b.jpg

Great pictures... that L-1011 by the fence looks like it is still in very good shape!

BTW, can you elaborate or a mini-guide to spotting at KVCV? Was your plane from LA or locally from Victorville? Did it have a removable door or port to shoot out of?

That Tristar was flying not too long ago and it was owned by a Prince from the ME. Not sure what is going on with it now. Also rumor is that gold cheatline has real gold in it.

Not another Cathay. Was this in bound or out bound for the storage? Any RRs in sight for the remounts?
Like how you 'incorporate' spotting with the family trip :smile: My problem is sticking to the designated allocated time :wink:
Good set indeed.

Thanks guys.

CX777, unfortunately the CX 744 has its engines removed already. The engines you can see in the photo belong to the BA 744 behind it.

GONZALU: I just drove around VCV. It's someone in a different post who rented a Cessna and flew around. There were only a dozen or so planes visible from the road. There ones I didn't post photos include one JL 744, a white 744 N344NA, 767-300 belonged to QF and DL, one Mexicana Click 717 and one Mexicana A-320. Some of them were partially blocked by the buildings.

While I was there, a Predator drone was flying back and forth over VCV. I didn't take any photo of it because I didn't want to get into any trouble. A few workers saw me with the camera and big white lens. But they just left me doing what I do.

Talking about L-1011, there is actually a flying one at LAS that's parked by the US Airways gates. It's N388LS and owned by the Sands Casino. It has the same livery as the 2 747 SP parked at LAS that belong to Sands. I only have a picture with its head hidden. I even went into the terminal and tried to see whether it's flying anywhere, but found nothing. It was still at the same gate when we departed LAS.

Here is the picture:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/...f37e210c_b.jpg

Great shots and an awesome catch on the Boeing house livery, I love that c/s.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CX777

Not another Cathay. Was this in bound or out bound for the storage? Any RRs in sight for the remounts?
Like how you 'incorporate' spotting with the family trip :smile: My problem is sticking to the designated allocated time :wink:
Good set indeed.

---

I just tell the wife that SPOTTING is INCLUDED in the trip or else no trip. I am going to SXM next month for spotting and she and the kid is tagging along... they know I am gonna be down the sand watching and shooting planes and they can have me after the sun goes down :tongue:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JZ

Thanks guys.

CX777, unfortunately the CX 744 has its engines removed already. The engines you can see in the photo belong to the BA 744 behind it.

GONZALU: I just drove around VCV. It's someone in a different post who rented a Cessna and flew around. There were only a dozen or so planes visible from the road. There ones I didn't post photos include one JL 744, a white 744 N344NA, 767-300 belonged to QF and DL, one Mexicana Click 717 and one Mexicana A-320. Some of them were partially blocked by the buildings.

While I was there, a Predator drone was flying back and forth over VCV. I didn't take any photo of it because I didn't want to get into any trouble. A few workers saw me with the camera and big white lens. But they just left me doing what I do.

Talking about L-1011, there is actually a flying one at LAS that's parked by the US Airways gates. It's N388LS and owned by the Sands Casino. It has the same livery as the 2 747 SP parked at LAS that belong to Sands. I only have a picture with its head hidden. I even went into the terminal and tried to see whether it's flying anywhere, but found nothing. It was still at the same gate when we departed LAS.

---

My bad about the rental :-) got confused... LOL. I have been wanting to do that to shoot air-to-air but would love to sneak in some air-to-ground too :-)

Quote:

---

GONZALU: I just drove around VCV. It's someone in a different post who rented a Cessna and flew around. There were only a dozen or so planes visible from the road. There ones I didn't post photos include one JL 744, a white 744 N344NA, 767-300 belonged to QF and DL, one Mexicana Click 717 and one Mexicana A-320. Some of them were partially blocked by the buildings.

---

I was down in VCV last year and drove around the entire field on mostly dirt roads without any issues. Found the roads by looking on google maps.

Quote:

---

While I was there, a Predator drone was flying back and forth over VCV. I didn't take any photo of it because I didn't want to get into any trouble. A few workers saw me with the camera and big white lens. But they just left me doing what I do.

---

There is a Predator maintenance/repair facility there and not uncommon to hear/see them buzzing around the area.

-Tad

Yea I got a few pics of the drones too when I was there, I don't think they mind. Adelson owns the last two Tristars to come off the line 388LS and 389. He better never get rid of them!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NIKV69

... Adelson owns the last two Tristars to come off the line 388LS and 389. He better never get rid of them!

---

at least not until I get pictures of them :tongue:

Last I heard, 389 was parked over in the Middle East somewhere (probably Riyadh).

-Tad

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gonzalu

at least not until I get pictures of them :tongue:

---

Well you better fly to Saudi Arabia :D. Tad is right 389 has been there and won't move for anytime soon. It won't fly while 388 is airworthy.