DC-7 Main Gears

Keep them coming! These are really cool images. I like this a lot. Perfect framing/composition. And what is with the tone of the print? It seems so perfect for this subject. Do you know why the wheel hub has Boeing on it?

@michaelorr

Thanks for the kind words Michael. The toning was done quickly using the split-toning function in Lightroom as I evaluated the scanned negative. It is my simple attempt to emulate the type of toning I enjoy in LensWork magazine. I'm not 100% sure how I'll tone these images when the project is completed and prints are made - sometime in the future.

Over two years ago, the owners of this DC-7 attempted to fly it after some restoration work. Unfortunately, as they were achieving rotation speed the right inboard radial engine suffered a catastrophic failure and they had to abort take off. They were traveling at such a high rate of speed, that they had to lock-up the brakes to get the DC-7 stopped before it ran-off the end of the runway. All of the tires failed/blew-out during the extreme braking and the original hubs were damaged. It is my understanding that these hubs and tires were installed as temporary replacements. While the failed engine has been replaced, there have been no attempts to fly this DC-7 and I'm unsure if they will make an attempt anytime soon?

Here is a link to a photograph I took of the failed engine shortly after the incident - https://www.flickr.com/gp/jeffwelker/P8noVx

Wow, pretty awful/cool - thanks for the back story on this. Oil everywhere on that puppy in the color photo after the failure. It is amazing that parts can be found still to make some of those crazy repairs. I would like to see the print when you get to that stage, hope it looks nice in a tone other than neutral/cold. Saw a KC-135 photo in your flickr buzzing the tower. My dad flew those in the 60's, long before they got the efficient fat engine upgrade. He then moved to the E4B in the 70's at Andrews AFB and Offutt AFB.

@michaelorr

It is definitely a small world. As a youngster my dad was finishing his career in the USAF. He was in charge of the photography division for the southwest region. Did a ton of still and motion photography, including some very neat assignments at Edwards AFB during the X-15 program. Accordingly, I got to spend some quality time as a kid on the flight line at Luke AFB. When my dad's unit got the F-104, I was in heaven. I guess it is obvious where my love for photography and aviation is rooted.

When I get to printing these particular images, I'll post my results. Thanks again.

Great work. I love this series.

@Kevin Caulfield

Thank you Kevin. I'm hopeful this series eventually achieves the vision I started with. It's sure been fun thus far.

Love the chalk mark on the tire! Hope the owner gets back before the meter maid returns and issues a parking ticket