Blast From The Past – Winter 1978 – I have posted this in the past, but since I’m working on images for a book on my life as a photojournalist I’m adding it again.
This is what we referred to as a “High Mom” shot among those of us in Combat Camera. It’s where we did some of the first “Selfies” by putting a very wide-angle lens on the camera and then turning it towards ourselves after setting what we thought would be the correct focus. Well, I was off here a little, but it’s still a shot that I like because this was my first fast burner ride in the backseat of a jet!
This was over the fjords of Norway where I was shooting air to air photos of the first F-16 fighter jets that were at Boda, Norway for their first artic cold weather testing. Here’s I’m flying a Norwegian Fighter jet’s backseat. I’m not totally sure but I think it was a F-106 or F-104. It’s the only shot that I’ve come across in my vast collection of slides.
As this was my first fighter jet ride I will admit, yes, I got sick!! LOL However, once I did so I was fine and went ahead and got the pictures! Also, I loved it, despite the rough start!! I guess this was the closest I ever came to being a “Fighter Pilot!” not that I ever wanted to be one. I already had what I’ve always considered the best job in the world!! I have flown is and photographed a lot of different aircraft in my lifetime, but this will always be one of my most memorable!