As there are few modifications allowed for this class, the races in theory are much tighter and closer than the other classes. Don't be fooled, there will be separation after six or eight laps. But the chances for closer finishes are pretty good.
As with most fans, I am drawn to close finishes, even if it is not for first place. In the air races, as with car, horse or any race, the race within the race is what captures my attention.
The T6 is 28 feet in length. The shot here is for 3rd and 4th place. The race within the race. Both aircraft are cruising a few decimal points above 228 MPH.
Have I said this before, our seats are right on the start/finish line? This is the last lap dash between the number 66, the AT6A Gunslinger (tough to see) and the number 88, the SNJ-5 Radial Velocity.
These two were never in any contention for the top spot, they were roughly 7 MPH off the pace. But as they passed on each lap, they put on a show. We knew this was going to be a photo finish.
Which leads to another of Eric's rules. On the last lap, bump up the shutter speed and the FPS. Prop blur be damned. If you have 7 FPS, use them all. If you have 10 FPS, don't leave any in the camera. This was a lesson I learned the hard way.
The math works out this way. For this class, let's say the speed is 230 MPH. For math purposes, that is something like 337 feet per second. If you are shooting 10 FPS, the aircraft has moved 33.7 feet between frames. That's more than the length of the aircraft.
Who says math isn't fun?
T6 Close Finish
NIKON D500 Ver.1.15/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6
600 mm, 1/500 sec, f/6.3, ISO 160 (AUTO)
EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size 1.3
For what it is worth, the black aircraft, Gunslinger, is said to have claimed 3rd place. Too close to call for me. The frame before this one, the start pylon was not in the picture and the Gunslinger was ahead. I was shooting 7 FPS, that is roughly 48 feet behind this shot. As I mentioned before, lesson learned. The D500 will shoot 10 FPS, this was a time to use it.
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