"Breitling Wingwalkers", 2014, a photo from East Lothian, Scotland

Photographer's Note

"BREITLING WINGWALKERS", 2014.

Another photograph dredged out of my archives, this one from six years ago and taken during Scotland's National Airshow at the Scottish Museum of Flight, East Fortune. This is part of the display of the "Breitling Wingwalkers".

"Wingwalking" dates back to the days when young flying aces returned from the First World War, addicted to the thrill of flying, purchased cheap surplus aircraft and would then thrill the crowds with aerial antics and sell joy rides to members of the public. To entertain the crowds further, the pilots persuaded their girlfriends and engineers to walk out along the linen clad wings of their biplanes - this was the start of wingwalking and flying circus entertainment!

The Breitling Wingwalkers recreate the fearless glamour of those pioneering years. The force of the wind against the wingwalkers means they experience forces between +4g and -2g.

The aeroplanes are 1940s Boeing Stearman biplanes which fly at between 80 and 150 m.p.h. They have been fitted with extra ailerons and a larger engine - a 450 h.p. Pratt and Witney radial engine - as well as a 10 foot diameter propeller, all of which means they are very powerful and also amazingly manoeuvrable.

Today, however, although these girls have to be very fit and strong to sustain the forces of gravity and airspeed while they perform their acrobatics, they are equipped with safety harnesses!

Here are the co-ordinates of the location: 55.994718, -2.718268

ISO 400, 1/2500 sec at f/6.3. focal length 275mm.

You can see a larger version here:
https://i1.trekearth.com/photos/48186/img_18508a.jpg

jean113, ikeharel, pajaran, papagolf21, jhm, Royaldevon, alvaraalto, COSTANTINO, ktanska, adramad, macjake ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

Fis2 (170807) 2020-06-19 13:51

Witaj John!
Excellent picture from air show!
Good framing, composition and suprb colors.
Short time, no propeller effect :(
I like it.
Good night.
Krzysztof

jean113 (27887) 2020-06-19 14:06

Hello John, a spectacular picture today, with not one but two Wingwalkers!
An excellent composition and excellent sharp focusing considering that they were moving at the time.
Their bright livery stands out so well, and the smoke trail really does complete the picture.
(A friend of mine did a wingwalk to raise money for charity, but not as athletically as these two people!)

Thanks for sharing, kind regards, Jean.

Tue (92402) 2020-06-19 14:28

Hello John,
Wow, what a spectacular shot of these two biplanes with the wing walkers on top of them. I must admit I had never heard of this before. The planes look so sharp and stand out really well from the blue blue sky thanks to their orange tones. Very well done.
Lars

lousat (139298) 2020-06-19 14:28

Hi John,I had never seen such a thing, but these are really crazy! I feel bad just thinking about it, considering that I suffer from vertigo. Fortunately, they equipped themselves with a safety harness. A really interesting post from your archives that evokes a not even distant past. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

Silvio1953 (221659) 2020-06-19 21:40

Ciao caro John, great capture of fantastic exhibition, perfect focus, wonderful colors, excellent clarity, fine details and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

jemaflor (147184) 2020-06-19 22:54

Hi John,
Great photo, so nice colors and impressive with these people, perfect sharpness, good dynamic effect with the smoke, well captured, tfs.

ifege (48135) 2020-06-19 23:33

Hi John
A great one capturing those daring/crazy wing walkers and obviously taken at a faster shutter speed than what it shows in the photo info.
cheers
Ian

emka (158198) 2020-06-19 23:41

Hello John, I remember similar pictures when you posted them some years ago. It is an incredible view. Of course, how can these girls perform such figures on the wings, it would be difficult just on the floor. The pilots are very skilled to keep the small distance between the planes. And we can't forget about the skilful photographer. :). No words to describe this. Simply amazing.

Best regards MAlgo

willperrett (14215) 2020-06-19 23:45

Hello John

Amazing performance, informative note, not to mention a very satisfying and neat composition. I've never seen this spectacle live: may have to go to an airshow. Hope you and yours remain safe and well, and I hope to see you again in the fullness of time.

Kind regards,

Will

papagolf21 (152607) 2020-06-20 0:03

Bonjour, cher John,
Excellente prise de vue. En effet, il faut du courage, de la force, de l'intrépidité pour réussir cet exploit.
Cela me rappelle des actualités d'époque (films cinématographiques restituant les as de l'aviation et des prodiges réalisés par des sportifs équilibristes).
Amitiés.
Philippe

holmertz (102732) 2020-06-20 0:35

Hello John,
This is not just a spectacular view but also a very neatly structured composition with a number of diagonals. I remember you posted several similar photos a few years ago and I was equally impressed then. I understand from the note that those doing such tricks in the earlier years did not wear any safety harnesses. That's even more impressive!
Kind regards,
Gert

jhm (211736) 2020-06-20 3:44

Hello John,

I like your picture with one remark, the screws turn not.
Very important for pictures of screw airplanes.
Take if panning picture, I've the same camera and the same lens, a little bit to practise.
Taken out of a nice angle
Everything with a nice smoke line behind the airplanes.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice Saturday,
John

Royaldevon (85932) 2020-06-20 6:37

Hello John,

I know you have posted photographs from this airshow before, and probably thought you had shown enough, but when you go back to your archives, you find that there are some super photographs that are well worthy of being shown!

This really is a cracking shot!
The aeroplanes with their vapour trails create superb images, streaming right across the frame (one emerging from the corner, whilst the other is heading for the corner). It is a bit of eye-opener to suddenly notice the performers on the the upper wings! What an occupation! I think it would only be next, behind driving an articulated lorry, as my worst occupation!!

Excellent clarity and, as already suggested, excellent composition.

Have a good w/e,
Bev :-)

rychem (72187) 2020-06-21 2:11

A spectacular photo, this is really a stunning show a very well composed photo, the timing was perfect
regards Ryszard

alvaraalto (42804) 2020-06-22 1:38

Hello John,
This photo with two double-deckers immediately reminded me of the Biggles-books of W.E. John I devoured in my youth.
Fascinating when a photo can evoke such strong memories. Always a special and usually pleasant experience.
Thanks for that.
Beautiful photo with synchronized wing walking.
Have a good week. Be careful and stay safe, Rob

kasianowak (17676) 2020-06-22 11:31

Hi John
Well, yes, I did hope when I first opened this post that the girls are somehow attached to the aircrafts and are not just performing acrobatics without any safety equipment so I'm glad you mentioned that in your note!
What an amazing photo, how well timed and composed. I love the vibrant colours of the planes set against the canvas of the light blue sky. The diagonal of the trails is a perfect compositional tool.
I must admit, I haven't heard of wingwalkers before, so thank you for sharing!
Best wishes
Kasia

COSTANTINO (116542) 2020-06-26 23:04

Hello dear John and have a nice day
wow!!!!!!
you have a very rich archive
and this photo is really unique
and impressive taken during
Scotlands National Airshow
fantastic moments for all
people watching this airshow
and nice timing for you
regards
Costantino

ktanska (44788) 2020-06-27 1:24

Hi John,
Amazing image of this art I thought was a thing of a past long time ago. And the planes indeed ore historical. But keep on going with careful maintenance. The wingwalkers seem to be in virtually impossible positions high up against wind blow.
Kari

mkamionka (74481) 2020-06-29 13:11

Hi John,
wow this is quite impressive! It paid off here to have the "L" = luxurious lens! Nice repeated motif of the old plane with the ladies in same poses on top of them.
The plane trails make nice diagonal lines.
Fantastic reportage, excellent quality work,
M

adramad (73004) 2020-06-30 3:20

Hi John.
Wow ..... wonderful photo you have captured at the best time with the two old planes on the rise, leaving the trail of smoke that forms a diagonal, incredible jugglers above their wings, it is a great moment, I suppose these beautiful festivities attract many people.
Very good color that gives strength to the image.
Superb light and sharpness management, to enjoy the details.
Well seen and done. I like it.
You have a good day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

macjake (98456) 2020-07-06 7:03

Hi John
ya, this isn't on my to-do list...not for today anyways :)
Man, that must take some strength, and some guts. Experiencing those G forces, not to mention all the bugs in your face too hahaha. What I like most about the shot other than the Wingwalkers, is the fact you captured two planes, that's cool.
the image is a bit pixelated, not sure if you sharpened it too much? anyways, its a great shot because the wingwalkers are so clear and spread about, so much fun capturing these I would imagine. Cheers
Craig

Photo Information

Copyright: John Cannon (tyro) (30513)
Genre: Luoghi
Medium: Colore
Date Taken: 2014-07-26
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM, Hoya 77mm Pro1D UV(0)
Esposizione: 30 secondi
Map: view
Versione Foto: Versione Originale
Date Submitted: 2020-06-19 13:27