Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Masters of Flight

Have you ever taken a special trip to a place that you thought would give you photographic material for a month, then looked at your photos and found nothing worth using? 

Let me introduce you to the New England Air Museum.  This is a museum behind Bradley International Airport, serving Hartford and Springfield.  Connecticut has made many contributions to the aircraft and aerospace industry, from Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines, to Sikorsky helicopters, to space suits made by Hamilton Sunstrand. 

There are many old airplanes, old helicopters and old gliders in the museum and on the grounds.  There are displays of civilian and military aircraft from the beginnings of the air age, but I found it impossible to take interesting pictures.  I guess everyone has off days.

The top photo shows a wall with plaques for people who made big contributions to the aerospace industry.  The smaller photo honors the Tuskegee Airmen, the first black pilots in US military history.
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21 comments:

  1. LowellMarch 16, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    It sounds like such an interesting place. Hello! Can you hear me now? INTERESTING PLACE. PLANES ALL OVER. IS YOUR CAMERA WORKING?

    Maybe you should go back to the audiologist! Sheesh!

    Nah...just kidding. But if you can still hear at your advanced age, you're very lucky. I need two hearing aids...and sometimes I still can't hear.

    Now listen up: the next time you go to this museum, take some pictures! Of planes! OK?

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  2. SRQMarch 16, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    I know the feeling, Jack. Somehow, it happened to me last fall the first time I visited Savannah. I was surrounded by interesting parks, mansions, statues etc., but not much turned out the way I wanted. Alas, it's a good reason to return!

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  3. LynetteMarch 16, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    It's OK, Jack. Really.

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  4. DawnMarch 16, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    Well just the fact that you got to see it all....leaves us to imagine. You're just giving US the exercise. We'd get lazy depending on you to do all the work;)

    Those type of museums are so interesting to me...and my boys never want to leave.

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  5. SharonMarch 16, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    Oh yes, I've had days like that too! This sounds like a great museum.

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  6. HalcyonMarch 16, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    I think we've all been there! I find museums are especially tricky to photography. The displays are often interesting in person but do not turn out well in photos.

    In any case, this place does seem worth visiting. Especially if you're an aviation buff. Which I'm guessing you are. :)

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  7. SunnyMarch 16, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    Oh no! I think we've all had those moments. You'll just have to go back...propellers, engines, instrument panels await!
    ☼ Sunny
    P.S. Didn't the museum get hit by a tornado in the late 70's? I remember going there years ago with my Dad.

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  8. lizziviggiMarch 16, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    It looks like it was interesting, though! I have a TERRIBLE time taking pictures in museums too. Something about everything being behind glass or in low light makes it hard to be creative!

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  9. RedPatMarch 16, 2011 at 1:12 PM

    Sometimes I get back and the shots are terrible so I keep returning until something works! And sometimes that throwaway shot you take looks great!

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  10. jooMarch 16, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    It always happens to me Jack:)
    But the place looks really interesting!

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  11. UnknownMarch 16, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    What a very interesting wall! And yes, Jack, sometimes it is very frustrating watching brand new photos on the computer! :-)

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  12. EG CameraGirlMarch 16, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    Yes, Jack, that has definitely happened to me. It's hard to feel inspired all the time. :)

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  13. cieldequimperMarch 16, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    Oh I know the feeling only too well. And you get home sort of annoyed, don't you? It's a very interesting post all the same though.

    Your comment today cracked me up! :-)

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  14. KimMarch 16, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    Ya know, everyone else got pics of the planes...but you still got some interesting pics. I fly into BDL twice a year, and always wonder about that museum..maybe someday..

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  15. Regina KMarch 16, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    I always expect to get pictures for a week and end up with a day or two. I like the post.

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  16. BirdmanMarch 16, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Yes, ALL the time. Shoot on!

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  17. MichelleMarch 16, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    Yes...this happens. When I go back through my pictures I wonder what I was thinking!

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  18. RandyMarch 16, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    I think we all go through that dry spell. Thank goodness for archives! Nice shots.

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  19. Genie -- Paris and BeyondMarch 16, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    You must go back and take close-ups and different angles of the planes.... I am tapping my foot waiting, hehe.

    Some days it just does not work... you are permitted to take a break (now back to working at it!)

    G

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  20. VPMarch 17, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    It happens, Jack! I would love to visit this museum, I like everything related to flight even more than boats...

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  21. youth_in_asiaMarch 17, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    They're not so bad! I actually like this kind of stuff. I'd like to go. My father was working in Windsor Locks last week (for the FAA, actually) and checked it out. He said he enjoyed going.

    I'm a big aviation buff. I'm hoping to have the time/money to get my pilot's license. But if photography is an expensive hobby, flying is out of this world.

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