Are you a keen photographer? Think you’ve got every angle on Barton’s resident aircraft? Think again! City Airport & Heliport (Manchester Barton) have teamed up with Threshold.aero to allow a number of photographers airside for a photoshoot with a difference.
In order to raise funds for the North West Air Ambulance, a selection of resident and visiting aircraft will be positioned and floodlit for the benefit of photographers on the evening of 14 October, offering an exciting opportunity to photograph aircraft at night with the wonderful Grade II listed control tower in the background.
Two versions of the venerable Auster will be visiting from Darley Moor, Derbyshire; the first is the recently restored Auster AOP.9 WZ607, which served with 656 Sqn Army Air Corps in the Far East during its service life. Also joining us from Darley Moor is G-BLPG, an Auster Alpha wearing a striking yellow Royal Canadian Air Force livery.
Having first flown in 1955, the Cessna 172 is one of the world’s most successful aircraft types and a staple of many a flying school. A staggering 43,000+ have been built since 1956 and the type remains in production to this day. Barton Air have kindly agreed for their 1968 Cessna 172H to take part.
Originally designed as a high school engineering project during the 1970s, the Steen Skybolt is a relatively rare type on British shores. Reminiscent of the Pitts Special, there are just 12 examples of this aerobatic home-built type airworthy in the UK.
Marking the 80th anniversary of the type’s first flight, two Luscombe Silvaires will be in attendance - the aircraft will be parked side by side and it is hoped that the aircraft’s engine runs will overlap, allowing for images of both aircraft running at the same time.
Alongside fixed-wing aircraft, a MD Helicopters MD500 will be making its way across from the Heliport for the evening. The aircraft is a derivative of the OH-6 Cayuse/Loach which first flew in 1963 and was made famous for its service as an armed light observation helicopter in the Vietnam war. Versions of the OH-6, the AH-6 and MH-6 Little Bird, still serve with the US Army and other air arms.
Where possible, aircraft will perform engine runs for a short period, giving you the chance to capture the aircraft’s lights and some of those elusive ‘full-disc’ blurred propellers.
Threshold.aero
Threshold.aero is a UK-based organisation offering unique events, photographic opportunities and resources for the aviation enthusiast community.
Building on the successes of previously organised events, Threshold.aero is uniquely placed to offer behind the scenes access to airfields, airbases, and museums, providing aviation enthusiasts with photography events, engineering talks and discussion, and managed access to view aircraft.
The Threshold.aero team also manage and arrange specialist fly-ins for historical events, working alongside and advocating for airfield owners, aircraft operators, and the enthusiasts we serve.
