Gate Guardian by if1

Gate Guardian

276 - One of the traditions that the RAF has is to place an obsolete aircraft beside the entrance to a base as a 'Gate Guardian'.

The example here is a Spitfire of the Observer Corps. Spitfires are best remembered as fighter aircraft, and often associated with the Battle of Britain, but they did play a vital role in tasks like photo reconnaisance.

At the opposite side of the entrance was a Hurricane, another aircraft remembered for its Battle of Britain role.

Do remember that if you start pointing a camera near the entrance to a military base, you might not necessarily be very welcome!
What interesting info!!! Great POV too!
December 6th, 2012  
great subject choice. And Ian, I see you are 75% complete!
December 6th, 2012  
Bob
Cool shot and commentary. It seems everybody is on camera anymore, but they don't want to see you using one.
December 6th, 2012  
Great capture Ian and very brave of you to take the risk. The tradition is also employed here in Australia.
December 6th, 2012  
Saw a week ago when I visit the airport of Eindhoven a similar plane.
I remember both planes. Great capture
December 6th, 2012  
Nice shot, Ian! And were you challenged?
December 6th, 2012  
Great capture. Nice one.
December 6th, 2012  
Nice shot - I like the angle.
December 7th, 2012  
How cool is this
December 7th, 2012  
Great shot and story. 8 years ago I had the privilege to work on a military base. They don't like cameras nor people hanging out near the entrances.
December 7th, 2012  
That is one cool capture Ian!
December 7th, 2012  
nice shot, Ian!
December 7th, 2012  
@ruthmouch

Thank you Ruth, glad you like it.
December 7th, 2012  
@doodlerdeb

Thank you Debra - II find it amazing that I've made it so far through my project without missing a day.
December 7th, 2012  
@bobhuegel

Thank you Bob - I do have some sympathy with their need for security.
December 7th, 2012  
@tonydebont

Thank you Tony, I did manage several shots before attracting the attention of the gate security.
December 7th, 2012  
@pyrrhula

Thank you Pyrrhula, it is nice to see these old aircraft.
December 7th, 2012  
@janturnbull

Thank you Janet - after I'd taken several shots, I was told by the guard on the gate not to, so I then left.
December 7th, 2012  
@netkonnexion

Thank you Netkonnexion, glad you like it.
December 7th, 2012  
@ladyjane

Thank you Ladyjane - I took it from several angles before I was asked to move!
December 7th, 2012  
@bkbinthecity

Thank you Brian, these are lovely aircraft.
December 7th, 2012  
@brianl

Thank you Brian - I did manage to get several shots before I was asked to stop.
December 7th, 2012  
@marieooi

Thank you Marie, I do think these are attractive aircraft.
December 7th, 2012  
@rayofgod

Thank you RecoveringPerfectionista, I was quite pleased with the result.
December 7th, 2012  
@if1 Not to much. I remember they bomb our city ( by making a mistake) in WW2 Not the Spitfire the Lancasters
December 7th, 2012  
@pyrrhula

I'm sorry to hear that - some terrible things happen in war.
December 8th, 2012  
very cool shot! we have a Thunderbird and Blue Angel jet on display near the Cleveland Browns Stadium,love old Aircraft!
December 14th, 2012  
A very good point !
December 14th, 2012  
Great shot, and we discover that we are back in the cold war days huh?
December 14th, 2012  
@collin

Thank you- at least I didn't get arrested!
December 19th, 2012  
@fullcircle

Thank you Cindy - I suppose they have to be careful in these days of terrorist attacks.
December 19th, 2012  
@brillomick

Thank you Mickey, they are fascinating machines to see.
December 19th, 2012  
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