Nov 30, 2013 | 1 VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6, AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, Aviation, Daily Image 2013, GA Aircraft, Nikon 1 V1, Volmer VJ-22 Sportsman
Volmer VJ-22 Sportsman Now, you don’t see that plane taxiing around the airport every day. So, what is it? That was my question to the owner after it stopped in front of its hangar. Well, it’s a 1950’s vintage, experimental, high wing monoplane, Volmer VJ-22 Amphibian flying boat nicknamed “Sportsman” with a 235hp Franklin engine, hydraulic brakes, and a two place, size by side, closed cabin. Apparently, only about 100 have been built. This particular airplane was built in 1994 hence the upgraded engine. For more images of this beautiful plane, visit Volmer VJ-22 Sportsman | a 7 Image Story.
Just the Facts
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- Height: 8 ft
- Wingspan: 36.5 ft
- Empty weight: 1,000 lbs
- Useful load: 500 lbs
- Gross weight: 1,500 lbs
- Fuel consumption 5.0 gals per hour with a Continental C-85 engine
- Cruise: 85 mph
- Stall: 45 mph
- Climb: 600 ft/min
- Ceiling: 13,000 ft
- Wood hull aircraft mahogany plywood and spruce, fiber-glass covered
- Wings-Aeronca Chief or Champion, wood spar, ribs, fabric covered
- Landing gear-Main gear, swiveling tail wheel and water rudder manually retractable
Yeah, the glass display is an iPad which adorns a modern cockpit for a classy vintage plane. And, look at the wood floor; beautiful workmanship. Hopefully, I’ll get another opportunity to capture more images of this gorgeous airplane. Once again, the easy to carry, Nikon 1 V1 comes through, since it was in my vehicle as I was leaving the airport today.
Nov 29, 2013 | AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, Daily Image 2013, Nikon 1 V1, Walkabout
Light Catcher Tonight’s walkabout yielded no wildlife, but it was a nice sunset. This sun catcher just catch my eye; a simple click. At ISO 3200, this image went through NIK’s Define 2.0 to remove some noise before adding a touch of contrast.
Nov 28, 2013 | AF-S 50mm f1.4G, Animals, Daily Image 2013, Dogs, Husky, Nikon D3x
After Dinner Nap? After a great Thanksgiving dinner, Jake just wanted to take a well deserved nap. If those pesky kids would just stop running around me and making so much noise, maybe I could get my eyes closed.
Nov 27, 2013 | 1 VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6, Daily Image 2013, Nikon 1 V1
Fish Tank Eel Back at the fish tank. Yeah, I know the image has much to be desired, but I just can’t pass up a fish tank.
Nov 26, 2013 | AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, Daily Image 2013, Landscape, Nikon D3x, The Ranch
Lone Tree Another simple click along the road. This tree may be small, but it’s very old.
Nov 25, 2013 | AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, Aviation, Daily Image 2013, L-39 Albatros, Military Aircraft, Nikon D300
L-39 on Final Simple click while leaving the airport. Weather wasn’t great, but these guys were practicing.
Nov 24, 2013 | AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, Daily Image 2013, Gray Wolf, Nikon 1 V1, Wildlife
Wolves After a trip to Yellowstone, people always ask me if I was able to capture any wolf images. The answer has always been the same, no, until now. Yes, I finally was able to capture a few images with wolves. Now, these images are, well, pretty weak. That said, it’s still the first time I have ever gotten close enough to even see the wolf in the image. So, maybe there’s hope to get a better image next time. One of the reasons I really like the Nikon 1 V1 is the 2.7 crop factor. Without it, I would not have even been able to capture this image. The effective focal length was 810mm. The wolves had to be 200 to 300 yards away.
Nov 23, 2013 | AF-S PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED, Daily Image 2013, Hyalite Canyon, Landscape, Nikon D3x
Before My Dip Several folks would like to know where I took my “dip” into Hyalite Creek. This image was captured just before the dip. I wanted to get a lower angle so I made my way to the edge of the water, stepped onto a couple of rocks in the stream, put my tripod into the water, and was about to hit the shutter when my right boot slipped. I went into a foot or so of water getting boots, socks, and pants wet up to my rear. Yeah, a good slip it was. Actually, it was my second slip into the creek. Three years ago, about the same time of year, I slipped into the creek, down stream a bit, attempting to do the same thing. For some odd reason, I have captured some of my best images while getting wet from water or snow.