Paul experiencing zero gravity in an Ilyushin 76 cosmonaut trainer in Dubai- Taken at the Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden Aerodrome, England in 2011, the main subject is a full scale replica of a 1911 Bristol Boxkite manufactured by the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company. It had a top speed of 64km/h and featured in the hilarious 1965 movie Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines. Shuttleworth has some excellent sunset displays during the summer months.
- Taken at the Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, England in 2018, this is a MkVb Spitfire owned by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) based at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire. Painted up in the D-Day colour scheme for the 75th anniversary, AB910 flew many combat missions over the Normandy beaches during this campaign as well as many others.
- Taken at the Battle of Britain Air Show, RAF Duxford, Cambridge, in 2009, this is my attempt to create a ‘historic image’ by using a sepia filter. The aircraft is a Hurricane WW2 fighter with an actor posing and wearing an authentic flying uniform. Much of RAF Duxford has not changed since WW2 and has become a famous War Museum housing a very rare aircraft collection.
- Taken at the Avalon Airshow, Victoria, in 2009, the F-111 nicknamed the Pig due to the shape of its nose gave the faithful spectators a magnificent 'dump and burn’ display sequence. It was to be one of the last public appearances as the aircraft ceased operations with the RAAF in December 2010. Sadly, missed by all!
- Taken at the Miramar Airshow, MCAS Miramar, California, in 2014, this image of a Marine Corps AV8B Harrier produced a wonderful heat haze background in the cooling October air as the sun was getting low in the western sky. I entered this image in a prestigious photographic aerospace competition and to my delight was awarded a glass crystal trophy for first prize. I’m extremely glad the pilot held that position long enough for me to get the winning shot!
- Taken on board USN aircraft carrier Kittyhawk, east of Rockhampton in 2001, this image is of a F/A-18C model Hornet about to ‘trap wire three’, which gives the naval aviator the highest rating. He has four cables available and if all are missed it is called a ‘bolter’, full power is applied immediately for a ‘go around’. Needless to say, naval aviation is not for the faint hearted. This aircraft is painted up as a Commander Air Group (CAG) bird.
- Taken on an unfortunately gloomy Melbourne day from the back of an RAAF C-130H Hercules during a media flight prior to the 2000 Avalon Airshow is this rather close-up shot of an RAAF No.3 Squadron F/A-18A classic Hornet flying over the Melbourne CBD. Beneath the inner pylon on the port wing is the hexagonal building 501 Swanston Street, which used to be Ansett Airlines’ head office.
- USN F/A-18C Hornet CAG bird VFA-81 Sunliners taken from another USN F/A-18D Hornet en route from Master Jet Base Cecil Field, near Jacksonville, Florida, to NAS Key West, Florida. This occurred in 1999 and is still the most rewarding/exciting air-to-air photographic assignment I have ever undertaken. My Naval Aviator in the front seat was USN Captain John “Lites” Leenhouts who at the time of retirement and, I believe, to this day still holds the USN record for carrier landings 'traps' for Pilot in Command (PIC). During his long and distinguished career in the USN, Lites achieved 1,635 'traps'.
- Taken at Planes of Fame, Chino, California, in 2015 was this Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) F/A-18A Hornet sporting a Battle of Britain paint scheme commemorating those Canadian Forces that served and, in many cases, sacrificed their lives during WW2. The flying display can only be described as immaculate against a perfect Californian blue sky.
- Taken at NAS Pensacola, Florida, in 2012, this USN F/A-F18F Super Hornet thrills the spectators attending the Blue Angels Homecoming with a low level near-supersonic pass. I managed to ask the crew after the flight how fast they were going. The official reply was Mach 0.96!
- Taken at the Central Air Force Museum, Monino, near Moscow, in 2019, this is the only example of the Sukhoi T-4 high-speed reconnaissance, anti-ship and strategic bomber that flew in 1974. Also called Project 100, which was cancelled, it was designed to be more capable than the USAF Valkyrie strategic bomber, which the US also cancelled. It had a top speed of 3,200km/h and was entirely made of titanium and stainless steel. When the nose was raised for normal flight forward vision was monitored by a periscope and two small windows on either side of the cockpit.
- Taken at Edwards AFB, California, in 2009, this was one of my first 'close up and personal' sightings of a USAF F-22 Raptor fifth-generation fighter. The F-22s at Edwards were according to the tail designation OT part of the Operational Training squadron. Our media group were positioned at the edge of the active runway and this amazing aircraft was no more than three metres above the runway with the undercarriage almost stowed!
- Taken at Edwards AFB, California, in 2000, this Skunk Works designed 'Stealth Fighter' F-117 from Lockheed Martin was nicely parked on the static ramp having recently returned from flight. Christened the Nighthawk, they rocketed to stardom at the very beginning of the first Gulf War when thanks to their stealthy characteristics made a suprise night attack on high value targets using Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) 'smart' bombs. The F-117s served the US for 25 years and were retired on 22 April 2008. A total of 64 were built. They remained top secret for 10 years and are rumoured to be in storage at the Tonopah facility in the Nevada Desert.
- Taken at Maho Beach, Sint Maarten, Caribbean, in 2011, this KLM B747-400 arriving direct from Amsterdam after a 10-hour flight is about to land at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). This location is an aircraft spotter’s paradise, there is a bar at each end of the beach with scheduled arrivals of all commercial flights displayed on blackboards. The island, jointly governed by France and the Netherlands, is a mecca for tourists arriving and departing by air or by sea.
- Taken on the threshold of Runway 09R (right) at London’s Heathrow Airport in 2003 was Concorde, one of British Airways’ fleet of seven. I wanted to capture the iconic shape of the delta wing by using a wide-angle lens as it passed overhead seconds before touch down and nearly fell over backwards doing so. What an amazing aircraft. I was fortunate to experience supersonic travel across the Atlantic twice, the notion that it helped to avoid jetlag was a clever advertising gimmick but it didn't work for me!
- Taken from the tarmac at Dubai International Airport in 2009 was this Emirates (EK) A380-800 aircraft. A6-EDE is EKs fifth A380 and it currently has 114 now in service, with the majority of them in temporary storage due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They will be eventually phased out and withdrawn from service when the B777X aircraft begin arriving from Boeing in 2022. They are one of the nicest aircraft to travel in and will still be in the skies until the mid-2030s.
- Taken at the Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, England, in 2015 was this RAF Typhoon FGR4 looking resplendent in a striking matte finish camouflage paint scheme. The FGR4 Typhoon registration ZK349 belonging to 29(R) Squadron was nicknamed Gina and memorialised the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Sadly, the aircraft has been returned to operational duty and has been restored to its original low-visibility tactical paint scheme.
- Taken at the Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, England, in 2015 was this RAF Typhoon FGR4 looking resplendent in a striking matte finish camouflage paint scheme. The FGR4 Typhoon registration ZK349 belonging to 29(R) Squadron was nicknamed Gina and memorialised the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Sadly, the aircraft has been returned to operational duty and has been restored to its original low-visibility tactical paint scheme.
- Taken at Edwards AFB, California, in 2009 was this Northrop Grumman B2 Strategic Bomber in service with the USAF. It is not often to get a topside view of this aircraft and it is so unique. Only 21 were produced and they are claimed to be the only aircraft in the US inventory capable of penetrating enemy territory to release nuclear weapons and survive. They will be superseded by the B21 Raider, which is currently under development and scheduled to enter service by 2025.
- Also taken at Edwards AFB in 2006 was this unique formation fly-by, which I managed to capture at just the right moment. All five aircraft were based at Edwards and from nearest to furthest are: F-117 Nighthawk, F-16 Falcon (two-seater), T5 Talon, F-16 Falcon (single seater) and the F-22 Raptor.
- As mentioned in my interview, I was offered a back-seat ride with the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, in 2001 during their attendance at the Dubai Airshow. I had already flown with them at RAF Scampton in the UK and passed their in-flight g stress tests where I was cleared to 7g without a g-suit. To be invited to partake in their dress rehearsal over Dubai International Airport on practice day before the air show was a humbling experience and never to be forgotten. My pilot Myles Garland was previously a Harrier QWI (Qualified Weapons Instructor) and then after leaving the RAF became a founding team member of the Blades Aerobatic Team.
- This dramatic image was taken at the Al Ain Aerobatic Show in 2007. This Sukhoi Su-26M is being flown by Lithuanian aerobatic pilot Jurgis Kairys with a wall of fire backdrop. Al Ain is situated 160 kilometres inland from Dubai and held several aerobatic championships over the years. This aircraft was destroyed in 2014 when it suffered an engine failure over the Aegean Sea. Jurgis, wearing a parachute, bailed out and survived the ordeal.
- This eye appealing air-to-air image of a Pitts Special was taken at the Al Ain Aerobatic Show in 2013. The pink hues of the Arabian Desert in the background really add atmosphere to the image. Sponsored by Goodyear, the aerobatic team comprising of four Pitts aircraft flown in from South Africa provided spectators with an excellent display of skill and innovation.
- Taken at the Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, England, in 2018 was the aerobatic team Couteau Delta from the French Air Force flying a pair of Dassault Mirage 2000D multirole single engine jet fighters. This team flew a highly dynamic display in tight formation. Readers will observe both aircraft are in afterburner with speed brakes out, which would indicate commencement of a slowing down manoeuvre to avoid breaking the sound barrier.
- Taken at the Arctic Thunder Air Show, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, seen here with a fiery backdrop is an airman helicopter rescue demonstration performed by the 210th Rescue Squadron of the Alaska Air National Guard 176th Wing based at Elmendorf. They are equipped with the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter. Readers will notice that the helo is equipped with skis for winter conditions.
- Also taken at Aviation Nation, Nellis AFB, last year was this image of the F-35A Lightning II solo demonstration. I have two rules that I try to abide by when taking aviation photography - 1. Blue skies whenever possible. 2. Avoid underneath shots of aircraft. OK, Concorde was an exception, as well as this F-35A image as I liked the lighting effect on the underside of the aircraft.
- Taken at the Aviation Nation air show at Nellis AFB, Nevada, in 2019 was this excellent heritage fly-by formation of a USAF F-35A Lightning 2 and a North American F-86 Sabre from the Korean War era. As expected, they flew an impeccable display in the clear blue desert skies not far from Las Vegas. Aviation Nation is held every two years and celebrates the end of season for the Nellis-based USAF Thunderbirds Aerobatic Team.
- It is 24 February 2011 at Kennedy Space Centre, near Orlando, Florida. STS-133 Space Shuttle Discovery has just lifted off from Pad-39A. It was Discovery's 39th and final mission. This image was takenfive kilometres from 'ground zero'. No one gets closer, and I mean no one! Helicopters with airborne snipers circle the area prior to launch. The ground vibrates, you feel shockwaves hitting your body and the thunderous crackling roar of 1.2 million pounds of thrust engulfs your senses. Six minutes later the space shuttle is in orbit around the Earth - this is one of the reasons why I love aviation photography!
Through The Lens
Paul Merritt
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1. How did you get into aviation photography?
For me, aviation and photography started off as two different hobbies several years apart. My passion for aviation must have started when my age was a single digit as my grandparents gifted me the 1960 edition of the Eagle New Book of Aircraft for Christmas 1961, I was aged 9. In regard to photography, my father was an amateur photographer and he encouraged me to get involved by giving me a very basic bakelite film camera when I was about age 11. Aviation and photography joined forces during the late 1960s after I joined the Air Training Corps (ATC). By then I had bought a motorcycle and upgraded my camera to something that was capable of producing a reasonable image and started heading off to the odd flying display during the English summer.
2. Why aviation photography?
The greater of the two passions was aviation and as a young Air Cadet I wanted to join the RAF and naturally wanted to be a fighter pilot, but unfortunately my eyesight let me down. Although this was a bitter blow my passions had evolved to aviation and photography, so aviation photography became a natural progression.
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