spotting location for baldonnel

SNAKEDOC

i have been trying to find a decent location to spot from at baldonnel aerodrome but not having any joy. i normally go into the industrial estate of the road linking rathcoole and newcastle. my psot is in between both runways but still far away from the perimeter fence does anybody know of any other place for photoes. i have a 135-400 sigma on a cannon 450D body but still not getting great shots. i can get better shots when they fly over my house.

Steyr

If you drive towards the base there is a sort of left hand turn before you get to the main entrance and I have only ever been at the roadside there just before you enter the base there is a kind of mound there its pretty bad but they come right over your head going to land on 23. Only problem is that its a fair distance from 23.

N7777G

SNAKEDOC wrote: »

i have been trying to find a decent location to spot from at baldonnel aerodrome but not having any joy. i normally go into the industrial estate of the road linking rathcoole and newcastle. my psot is in between both runways but still far away from the perimeter fence does anybody know of any other place for photoes. i have a 135-400 sigma on a cannon 450D body but still not getting great shots. i can get better shots when they fly over my house.

There are several different vantage points around the perimeter roads but it can be hard work.

Have a look at my photos on:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eigjb/sets/72157622803674597/

I'll try to compose a guide on where to go later.

westdub

And dont forget that its also against the law to take photos of aircraft at Baldonnel ....



:rolleyes: :D:D

EchoIndia

westdub wrote: »

And dont forget that its also against the law to take photos of aircraft at Baldonnel ....
:rolleyes: :D:D

I think you would have to be acting in a way that suggested that you had an ulterior motive. After all, the Air Corps regularly accept visiting photographers etc. at Baldonnel and have no difficulty with the taking of photos of aircraft. Has anyone ever been prosecuted under the relevant law?

Su Campu

Remember Cyprus? If it's a law then it's a law. If they allow photographers in that is under a controlled environment. Outside the perimeter, they have no control over who shoots what, though what there is there of national security I don't know, not exactly a haven of military secrecy I'm sure.

SNAKEDOC

N7777G wrote: »

There are several different vantage points around the perimeter roads but it can be hard work.

Have a look at my photos on:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eigjb/sets/72157622803674597/

I'll try to compose a guide on where to go later.

I think i know where you are. is that the bottom of the greenogue industrial estate beside a football pitch at the bottom of runway 23 i think. its the furthest point from the flight line and control tower. the pics are nice. were all them luck or did you know they were visiting. every time i go up i get sweet f**k all. maybe some ec135 taking off or the 172 cesna landing thats about it. i can never pick a good time
any advice

N7777G

SNAKEDOC wrote: »

I think i know where you are. is that the bottom of the greenogue industrial estate beside a football pitch at the bottom of runway 23 i think. its the furthest point from the flight line and control tower. the pics are nice. were all them luck or did you know they were visiting. every time i go up i get sweet f**k all. maybe some ec135 taking off or the 172 cesna landing thats about it. i can never pick a good time
any advice

Yes, these ones were taken from Greenogue Industrial Estate and they are departing runway 29

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eigjb/4154712991/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eigjb/3968609683/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eigjb/3956678845/

Visiting aircraft are relatively rare at Baldonnel so as you say it is pot luck to catch them.

Keep an eye on here and I'll post info on future visitors when they appear!

Andrew33

N7777G wrote: »

Yes, these ones were taken from Greenogue Industrial Estate and they are departing runway 29

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eigjb/4154712991/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eigjb/3968609683/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eigjb/3956678845/

Visiting aircraft are relatively rare at Baldonnel so as you say it is pot luck to catch them.

Keep an eye on here and I'll post info on future visitors when they appear!

Great pics, where abouts in Greenogue estate? I've driven in a few times and found it difficult to get a good spot.
The public park in Rathcoole (facing Avoca) has a great hill if you have the right lens and the IAC are flying circuits. just park in the estate up near the bridge.

westdub

Would any of you be interested in getting a visit inside Bal?

Its a lot easier to take pic's when there's no fence or trees in the way :cool:








If you are interested Im sure we could arrange something....

Andrew33

I'd love to visit Baldonnell, I've heard its not difficult if you ring up and ask nicely but probably better if its a small group rather than 1 or 2 people.

Steyr

Im up for it too, Groups size is nothing to Bal Andrew, they usually have alot of tours especially from Civvy/Mil spotter groups and the RAF ATC from up the North i believe they are yearly visitors with the IAC returning the favour and visiting Aldergrove etc.

Andrew33

Steyr wrote: »

Im up for it too, Groups size is nothing to Bal Andrew, they usually have alot of tours especially from Civvy/Mil spotter groups and the RAF ATC from up the North i believe they are yearly visitors with the IAC returning the favour and visiting Aldergrove etc.

That's what I meant, a group of any size would probably be more welcome than an individual.

N7777G

Four French Alpha Jets arrived in Lakenheath before lunch.

There's a good chance they'll come to Baldonnel later this afternoon for an overnight stop.

westdub

French Air Force Alpha Jets 6640 , 6641 , 6642 and 6643 all landed in the last 20 mins

N7777G

N7777G wrote: »

Four French Alpha Jets arrived in Lakenheath before lunch.

There's a good chance they'll come to Baldonnel later this afternoon for an overnight stop.

All four Alpha Jets duly landed in Baldonnel this afternoon

FAF6440 arr 1644 E20 (705-MS)

FAF6441 arr 1657 E67 (314-TB) special tail colours

FAF6442 arr 1708 E107 (314-UD)

FAF6443 arr 1712 E138 (314-RQ)

some pictures for the record as the light conditions were very poor ......

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eigjb/tags/03082010/

Su Campu

Excuse my ignorance but why do they come here?

SNAKEDOC

my net was down the past few days i think we should get a group o us together and go to baldonnell for the day. the pics are great i would love it. pity i couldn't get up today for the alpha jets any news on when they are leaving or what or did they already go

Sterling Archer

Su Campu wrote: »

Excuse my ignorance but why do they come here?

Training Flight

EchoIndia

Su Campu wrote: »

Excuse my ignorance but why do they come here?

French military aircraft have carried out overseas navigation training flights to Ireland for decades. In the past this was mostly to Dublin Airport, but Baldonnel is now the main destination. Here are some past viistors to DUB:

http://www.worldairpics.com/photo/1012574/M/Nord-N-2501-Noratlas/203/French-Air-Force/
http://www.worldairpics.com/photo/1030518/M/Boeing-C-135FR/38471/French-Air-Force/
http://www.airliners.net/photo/France---Air/Nord-N-2501F-Noratlas/0552163/M/
http://www.airliners.net/photo/France---Air/Dassault-Falcon-900/0788485/M/
http://www.airliners.net/photo/France---Air/Aerospatiale-N-262D-51-Fregate/0969812/M/
http://www.airliners.net/photo/France---Navy/Douglas-C-47A-Skytrain/0701675/M/
http://www.airliners.net/photo/France---Navy/Douglas-C-47B-Skytrain/0673882/M/

Andrew33

N7777G wrote: »

All four Alpha Jets duly landed in Baldonnel this afternoon

FAF6440 arr 1644 E20 (705-MS)

FAF6441 arr 1657 E67 (314-TB) special tail colours

FAF6442 arr 1708 E107 (314-UD)

FAF6443 arr 1712 E138 (314-RQ)

some pictures for the record as the light conditions were very poor ......

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eigjb/tags/03082010/

Nice photos, I saw them leave this morning between 09:20 and 09:30. Saw them from my boxroom window, too lazy to get in car and drive to Greenogue!

SNAKEDOC

so who's up for a photo call with a group at baldonnell

Andrew33

SNAKEDOC wrote: »

so who's up for a photo call with a group at baldonnell

Count me in, you'd better start Private Messaging with arrangements though.

SNAKEDOC

yea good idea. i'll se what that guy who posted the pics says and what the process is for getting in on the flightline.

paddyland

There's a good long distance viewing point up in Redgap, above Rathcoole. Left turn in Rathcoole village at the Baurnafea, then about a mile up the hill, take the first left, and as you climb steeply, there's one point on the left where a good vantage point can be had. Very narrow road though, suitable for cars only.

westdub

That spot would be too far away for taking pics....
Unless you had a telescope......:D

SNAKEDOC

the closest i get or have got to the runway is about three hundred yards. even at that with a sigma lens 400mm and a cannon body which boosts that to 580 i still have a hard time attaining any decent shots of anything. i anybody needs a blurry shot of an ec15 i'm your man.:D

Stovepipe

Hi there,
All you have to do is write to the Office of the Station Commander and ask for a tour.A useful group size is about 20.Nominate one person as the tour leader and let him deal with correspondence.Normally, any request for a tour is given and usually includes the Museum and time on the ramp.
regards
Stovepipe

westdub

Stovepipe wrote: »

Hi there,
All you have to do is write to the Office of the Station Commander and ask for a tour.A useful group size is about 20.Nominate one person as the tour leader and let him deal with correspondence.Normally, any request for a tour is given and usually includes the Museum and time on the ramp.
regards
Stovepipe

you can find all the Info you need here....http://www.irishsoldiers.ie/research/milmuseums/ac/acorps.htm

However the one thing I will say is keep the group small...
4 or 5 is a ideal size as you get a lot longer to see everything and even get to sit in some aircraft, the tour only lasts about 2 hours and as you can imagine a group of 20 wont see everyone having as much access to everything...

westdub

managed to grab a hour or so watching the landings at Baldonnell
Here are a few pics of most of the Air corps....

First up wolf section departing with a full load of troops....


Pc9's in the circuit.......









The Heli's....







Reims Rocket.....



Casa....

Steyr

Nicely done HH:cool:

SNAKEDOC

what kind of lens were you using for those shots

westdub

I use a sigma 70-300mm lens on a nikon D70s...
I go by the saying....Its not the size of the lens, it's how you use it...:D

SNAKEDOC

the shots look A1 so you must be doing something right