I had heard the Vulcan bomber was to fly over the Lake District today but didn’t know much of the details or if I’m honest have that much of an interest in photographing it. I believe today was the the last flight of the Vulcan over the Lake District as part of a farewell countrywide tour of the UK. I’m not a fan of war machines but I do appreciate engineering and a photographic challenge.
It was only at lunchtime on the day of the flyover that I remembered it was coming when Thomas my eldest son suggested a couple of his friends had gone out on their canoe on Windermere to see the Vulcan.
I decided to head up to Thirlmere after a quick web search revealed the flight path was heading North to South over the Lake District taking in Thirlmere and Windermere. I had this one spot on Thirlmere in mind from my previous landscape photography shoots here.
On the way to Thirlmere there were hundreds of cars littering the roadside over Dunmail Raise and Grasmere. I hoped nobody would have thought of my little viewpoint at the mid point of Thirlmere.
My thinking behind this location was I can see the Vulcan coming, directly above and then going away. So in essence three opportunities for photographs at different angles.
We had a long wait so I took the opportunity to try out my 100-400mm lens.
A different type of flying machine.
In my mind i was hoping the Vulcan would fly around this corner lower than the Horizon…
Part of the Thirlmere Reservoir system
Thomas and a friendly dog. He was on Sony duty today.
Forest tracks leading up above Thirlmere.
Autumn is coming.
Ive added this image to my personal projects collection here.
People stood on top of Red Screes hoping to catch a different perspective.
The tops around Thirlmere were dotted with people hoping to catch a glimpse of the Vulcan.
As was the shore of Thirlmere.
I wonder whats up there.
Here it comes. A little higher than I had hoped.
What a beast, it is huge.
Its a fine looking aircraft the Vulcan that’s for sure.
The range of a 400mm lens gave me a great opportunity to see the detail of the Vulcan.
There it goes…
Farewell Vulcan, a fitting image as it heads into the Sunset.
Heading over Dunmail Raise.
Hundreds of people came out to see the Vulcan, look at all those people on the horizon.
Gone… Never to be seen again in the Lake District. A bit different to my usual photographic subject but enjoyable nonetheless.
