After living for almost two years in California there were still unticked boxes on my to-do list. Unseen places and events. Just a couple of months after my return to Germany I decided to go back to the States for unfinished business. This time as a tourist, packed with a new camera, fresh out of the box.
Prepping up for the big trip. Hovering over Arizona on Google Earth. Patterns of abandoned planes in the dessert . The Aircraft Boneyard near Tucson is set as one of the many milestones during our three week long trip through the States. The expectations are high and reality has a hard time living up to it as we found out.
The Pima Air museum has its ups and downs. The light is fantastic. Baking aluminium sculptures in a dusty environment. Cliche reflection studies in reality. And yes, this museum proudly presents an original SR71. Childhood poster in the flesh, what a piece of art! Outside the planes are carefully protected against climatic influences. Canopies are covered with paint, air intakes closed with wood. The contrast with the Gatow Museum near Berlin could not be bigger. Ivo and I decide to leave the touristic tour around the boneyard for what it is: a too comfortable ride in an air-conditioned bus with tinted windows. Ten points for content, a few less for the experience. Nevertheless a quick and inspiring visit.
Dam! I've got to go back too now.
Nice piece and cool photos.
Posted by: Steve | 2009.11.26 at 01:48 PM
Cool pix Mat!
Can't help it guys, but planes are even better than cars. Really.
The purity, the sheer function of forms - shaped by the wind - and the determination that oozes from these (military) shapes...
Add to that all the cool graphics, awesome power and total 3D freedom these birds represent... Wow.
Talking about childhood (posters and) dreams still hurts a little... living opposite an air force base is the closest I ever came to flying one of these. Royal Netherlands Air Force open day in 2010 - anyone?
Posted by: Geert | 2009.11.26 at 08:26 PM
Those missing jet-engines (tall pic in the bottom of the first square): did they do anything for the 'Regal'? ;D
Saw so much last summer in the US, but saw so little....really.
@Geert: Always had the same fascination for planes, cars are just a tad more within reach.....just a tad. RNAF Opeen Day 2010: Another one to talk about on jan. 2nd
Posted by: Rik | 2009.11.26 at 09:14 PM
Wouldn't it be interesting to see a touch of this aeroplane feeling in the design of an aluminium bodied A8? Nice warm and cold tones contrast in the images.
Posted by: huib | 2009.11.27 at 09:07 AM
@huib: I guess marketing killed the idea - this could have been a nice R8 (drove behind the original to work this morning!): http://images.google.nl/images?hl=nl&rlz=1T4GGLL_nlNL337NL337&um=1&sa=1&q=audi+rosemeyer&aq=f&oq=&start=0
Posted by: Geert | 2009.11.27 at 09:38 AM