For more than twenty years, Keith Wilson and Bob Davy have been combining their skills to fly and photograph a variety of aircraft for flight test features. To recognise their achievements, we have published the pair’s new book, Warbirds To Workhorses, which is a fascinating collection of some of these flight tests. To mark the occasion, we asked Keith which was his favourite photograph in the book.

It was not an easy question for Keith to answer, for he has been actively involved in aviation publishing for forty years and is best known for his striking air-to-air images, published primarily in Pilot magazine in the UK, but also seen all over the world. During his extensive air-to-air photographic career, he has photographed almost 2,000 different aircraft in the air, featuring a very broad range of subjects: from gliders, microlight, vintage and veteran, aerobatics, and general aviation subjects right through to high altitude research aircraft, business jets, commercial jets, and military fast jets.

After some deliberation, Keith decided that his personal favourite was one of the photographs it took of the Maule M-7-235B Super Rocket Amphibian on the water at Fritton Lake in Essex – the image seen here.

Owner and seaplane instructor Steve Powell had secured permission to operate his Maule M-7-235B Super Rocket amphibian from several freshwater locations, including sites near to Nottingham and Lowestoft – there are more under negotiation. He has also had favourable talks with several seawater port authorities.

Steve’s aircraft, G-TAFC, was built in 2000 and added to the UK Register in April 2005. It is fitted with Wipaire 3000 amphibious floats. Being an amphibian, and having wheels as well, it can be based on land – though for their photoshoot is was a maritime setting that Keith and Bob turned to. The full story of the aircraft, the flight and other images can of course be seen in the book.

As Keith pointed out, ‘What it represents to me is something different from the “normal” air-to-air images within the book, however spectacular they appear! Capturing this image represented a true “Team effort” in imagining, planning, organising and then conducting the various aspects required that culminated in this (in my eyes, anyway) beautiful image; that was something of a one-shot opportunity as the aircraft destroyed the very thin layer of ice on the water (emphasising the reflection) as it passed by. It also represents the lengths we will go to for the sake of our art. It was somewhat chilly that day!’

WARBIRDS TO WORKHORSES

Bob’s and Keith’s Book of Flight Tests

Bob Davey and Keith Wilson