Planes, Flying Objects and Transportation
145 Photos - - From historic warbirds to modern supersonics, to the Mars firefighting plane, to modern commercial, private jets to Air Force One, trains, trolleys and on to the world's newest and largest commercial aircraft, the A380.
Hawaii Mars Flying Tanker - Water Drop
Anticipating that the Mars would depart just after sunrise as fire fighting aircraft do in these parts to make use of as much daylight as possible, I left my house at 4:30 a.m. and arrived at 5:45...fully expecting departure within 90 minutes. It didn't happen. Though loading and fueling took place along with several "officials" boarding her, she sat and sat.
After getting the photos from the shore, I tried to anticipate what the flight pattern would be. I decided any flight pattern would have to fly over a levee at the south end of the lake.
So, I hiked almost 4.9 miles round trip out onto a levee to position myself to get the best shots. I was the only photographer on the levee (and only saw one other person during the 3 hours I waited). Finally, the Hawaii Mars taxied and I jogged to and fro hundreds of yards here and back as she taxied back and forth. She finally committed to departing at the far west side of the lake and so out there I hustled for the departure images. She then passed over the eastern section for practice water drops and finally, the center of the lake for its final approach and landing.

Hawaii Mars Flying Tanker - Water Drop
Anticipating that the Mars would depart just after sunrise as fire fighting aircraft do in these parts to make use of as much daylight as possible, I left my house at 4:30 a.m. and arrived at 5:45...fully expecting departure within 90 minutes. It didn't happen. Though loading and fueling took place along with several "officials" boarding her, she sat and sat.
After getting the photos from the shore, I tried to anticipate what the flight pattern would be. I decided any flight pattern would have to fly over a levee at the south end of the lake.
So, I hiked almost 4.9 miles round trip out onto a levee to position myself to get the best shots. I was the only photographer on the levee (and only saw one other person during the 3 hours I waited). Finally, the Hawaii Mars taxied and I jogged to and fro hundreds of yards here and back as she taxied back and forth. She finally committed to departing at the far west side of the lake and so out there I hustled for the departure images. She then passed over the eastern section for practice water drops and finally, the center of the lake for its final approach and landing.
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