As mentioned in our previous articles covering their growth into China (Paul Bennet Airshows; Aerobatic Ambassadors) and their epic journey to New Guinea last year (Warbirds return to New Guinea), Paul Bennet purchased a second Wolf Pitts to accompany his distinctive, bright yellow, Wolf Pitts Pro to allow him to meet the team’s commitments both here in Australia and overseas in China and South Korea. This time, an equally bright, Orange S1-11X model, originally from Germany.
With the return of the Wolf Pitts Pro from its time in China and Korea towards the end of the year, it was the first time that both aircraft had been together since Paul obtained the S1-11X and, in December last year, I was offered the incredible opportunity to capture both of these amazing machines together, air to air. Yes please!
The camera ship was, once again, a trusty Yak-52, flown by team pilot Glenn Collins, with Paul in the Pro and Glenn Graham in the S1-11X.
We departed their home base at Maitland and headed south towards Lake Macquarie to hopefully get a slightly different and attractive backdrop for the shots. Of course, I didn’t wait that long to start snapping away. 😉
Paul and Glenn placed their agile mounts in various positions and formations for me as well as all three of us performing a couple of formation loops and rolls (which was not at all pleasant for my stomach :P) but those vibrant colours looked great against the water and sky.
After an all-too-brief time over the lake, we headed north for home, still snapping a few frames along the way, before a final series of maneuvers to catch Paul in a torque roll from the air, which was another amazing (but stomach churning) experience.
Finally, it was time to call it a day and land. I hope you all enjoy the results.
Obviously, a huge thank you to Paul Bennet, Glenn Graham and Glenn Collins from Paul Bennet Airshows for the fantastic opportunity.
Motty.
