Star Wars Canyon action

So I just got back from out there, spent 3 days at Nellis for Red Flag and 2 days in the Canyon. I rented a Nikon D500 which uses a different card, a XQD memory card. I had a friend give me a heads up saying to purchase one because it allows you to just "spray and pray" and won't slow down your buffer. You only get maybe 2 secs max on each plane so there wasn't really that much need for it. But we have a mutual friend who has what I rented and takes pictures of bald eagles and my friend said his camera sounds like the A-10 gun.

Here's the top of Panorama view, or Pano for short. This is where the planes come diving into the canyon. Wasn't exactly "warm" for Death Valley, the Hottest place on earth. On the 2 days I was there it might have been mid 50's, to lower 60's, but winds were gusting to 30-40 mph. Hence why everyone is all bundled up.


Here's looking down into the Canyon from Pano


Only did half a day on Wed but say 5 jets, these 2 F-18's came through.




The VX-9 F-35'c from Edwards made 2 passes, once in the morning, once again late afternoon. This was the wingman, the lead dove in and pulled right up like you see in the Dutch video. I wish I was at Pano for this move, but was further down and only got belly shots

awesome stuff dave, I gotta get out there one day...

Let me know if you do, I made up a file of places to stay near by and the layout of the place. A few friends who were recently out there loved it and said it was super helpful.

I can't wait to get back out there, though it won't be in till the cooler months again. They just had a B-1 fly over last week, man I wish I was there for that!

This was one of the coolest things I've done, far better than any air show

Amazing shots Dave! Really fantastic! I was planning on going out there a couple of years ago but plans fell through - definitely something I need to do.

WOW, Thanks Dave.

Awesome shots Dave.
Wouldn't mind making it out there but a couple hundred miles one way is a wee bit more than a day trip. I would hate to travel that far and then come up with bupkis.


Wheels