Spotters registration

On Saturday June 14, 2025, the French Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, the Musée Volant Salis and the DCA association are organizing a special operation for photographers.

On the weekend of June 14 and 15, 2025, the Navy to Victory Tour will stop at the wonderful La Ferté Alais airfield.

The Douglas R4D-6S, after a journey from Texas through the eastern USA, will cross the Atlantic to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe on May 08, 1945, which marked the end of more than five years of war.

Ready 4 Duty

The Douglas R4D “Ready 4 Duty” is the naval version of the C-47. The CAF version was modified to carry anti-submarine grenades. It was assigned to the U.S. Navy Atlantic Special Service Squadron. It served in the Caribbean, from Texas to Guantanamo (Cuba), in South America as far as Rio, in the South Atlantic as far as Dakar, in the Eastern Atlantic and in the Northern Hemisphere, from Newfoundland to Greenland and as far as Iceland. During operational patrols in February 1945, he was one of 20 members of a squadron that surprised and sank a German submarine surfacing off the Brazilian coast.

Navy Gold Wings Spotters Pass

We want you to experience an exceptional day and feel privileged.

You will be greeted by volunteers from the DCA Association, who will give you your badge, which will be your key to accessing the activities reserved for you, including :

Admission to the Musée Volant Salis

• Exhibition of artifacts from warships USS Texas, USS Laffey, USS Yorktown.

• Shooting of the R4D arrival and Corsair in flight from dedicated spotting areas. You'll be accompanied by DCA volunteers.

• A tour of Ready 4 Duty with crew commentary.

• A masterclass in aeronautical photography led by Kris Christiaens and the DCAs, focusing on photographing aircraft in flight and static, at night, with engines running or accompanied by extras, will be a fascinating experience for photographers with a passion for aviation.

• Kris Christiaens is a recognized expert in the field of aerial photography, and will guide you through advanced techniques for capturing breathtaking images.

Program:

1. Introduction to aeronautical photography

Understanding the environment: Light, weather and airspace conditions necessary for a good shot.
Recommended equipment: Choice of cameras (DSLR or mirrorless) and lenses (telephoto, wide-angle), as well as accessories such as ND filters for exposure control.

2. Shooting techniques

• Aircraft in flight :
• Ground - Air: Use slow shutter speeds to capture the movement of the propellers and not freeze the movement of the aircraft, while preserving sharpness.
• Spin: Specific settings for tracking aircraft movement with long focal length lenses.
• Air to air: Choice of speeds, anticipation and communication , type of briefing
• Static aircraft:

Techniques for capturing motionless aircraft with dramatic backgrounds.
Working with natural or artificial light to add volume and texture.
Shooting with extras/reenactors:
Working with extras in period costume to recreate historical scenes or add a human element.
Staging techniques: composition, interaction with extras and positioning for immersive photography.

3. Tips and Tricks

• Safety precautions: Aviation photography requires careful preparation, especially when shooting in flight. Make sure you're well trained and follow safety precautions.
• Network with pilots and reenactors: Establish links with pilots, associations, organizations and reenactment enthusiasts to obtain opportunities for collaboration.

4. Safety reminders and presentation of spotting areas for the day

You'll soon have the opportunity to put all these techniques and tips into practice on this beautiful day.

You'll soon have the chance to put all these techniques and tips into practice on this beautiful day.

Dinner:

You'll dine in the sumptuous surroundings of the B-17 hangar, with the pilots and crew. Quality food will be served at the table, in a jazzy swinging atmosphere, thanks to the duo Madeeson & Co.

• A night photo shoot with reenactors, followed by a sequence of R4Ds and Corsairs with their engines running.

• • The Klondike Group, dressed in US Navy gear, will give your photos a WWII atmosphere and bring history to life.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the aircraft.

For your convenience, the number of places will be limited, and we reserve the right to close registrations at any time.

The program is subject to change, depending on mechanical and weather conditions.