Aviation Photography by Karl Drage
Born and raised in Northamptonshire in an era where military flying was virtually always taking place overhead, and, allied with countless visits to airfields near and far with my parents, it was perhaps no surprise that aviation should capture my imagination in the way it did. This is the Aviation Photography by Karl Drage journey.
In the Beginning
Born in 1979 and living under the Runway 12 approach to RAF Alconbury and the eastern end of the Daventry Radar Corridor, aircraft – and often military aircraft – were a regular part of everyday life. A-10s from RAF Bentwaters and Woodbridge would often dance across the sky at low-level before I’d leave the house for school in the morning;
Not RAF Bentwaters or Woodbridge A-10s, but Davis-Monthan jets, pictured on a trip to Arizona in 2009 – Aviation Photography by Karl Drage
F-111s from RAF Upper Heyford were seemingly always exiting the Daventry RC; and RAF types such as Tornados, Harriers, Jet Provosts and multiples (usually 3-ships) of Hercules could often be found roaring overhead at low level, along with RAE Bedford assets.
RAF Alconbury became a regular haunt, as did RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath. The big military exercises, such as Elder Forest, Elder Joust, Mallet Blow and Central Enterprise would see us visiting as many bases as we could fit in in a single day. Airshows and families days formed the basis for our summer plans.
Introduction to Photography
Receiving my first 35mm camera around the age of 10 opened up a new avenue of interest for me, but it wasn’t until buying my first DSLR in 2004 that doors started to open.
By that stage, the Internet was already well established and there were many platforms on which to share your images with the wider world. I started to travel overseas to pursue my reinvigorated passion, both individually and in organised groups, and opportunities to do some quite cool stuff started to arise.
A 65th AGRS F-15C Eagle pulls out of the EOR after receiving its final checks ahead of a Red Flag mission – Aviation Photography by Karl Drage
Curtiss C-46 Commando N7848B “Dumbo”, owned and operated by Everts Air Cargo, gets airborne from Ted Stevens Int’l Airport during an amazing trip to Alaska – Aviation Photography by Karl Drage
No. 6(F) Squadron RAF, “The Flying Canopeners”
Without doubt, the most significant of these came after I’d photographed the “Big 6” formation of Sepecat Jaguars at RAF Coningsby. Arranged at short-notice due to the unexpected announcement of the type’s early (many would say premature) retirement from RAF service, the Officer Commanding of No. 6(F) Squadron RAF, Wg Cdr John “JS” Sullivan, was determined that the type would “GO LOUD”. News of the planned formation spread quickly online, and I knew I simply had to catch up with it somewhere. Ironically, my initial plan had been to travel up to the Vale of York to see them. Not that I would have ever known it, of course, but this would have undoubtedly changed my own personal history for the worse.
6 Sqn’s “Big 6” – Aviation Photography by Karl Drage
JS saw my pictures online after the event and invited me to RAF Coningsby to get some up close and personal shots of the Jaguar and the Squadron. Over the course of the next six or so weeks, I would be present for all of the major events that occurred during the Jag’s retirement and the (temporary) winding up of the Squadron. At my suggestion, JS decided to self-publish a book, entitled “BIG CAT DIARY”, covering the final 12 months of the type with The Flying Canopeners. We worked closely together on every aspect of the title, and it was ultimately very well-received within the enthusiast community. JS and I became lifelong friends, and more opportunities arose as JS’s career moved on to new pastures.
6(F) Sqn Jaguar GR3A down in the weeds in LFA7 – Aviation Photography by Karl Drage
The Spotty Jag emerges from its lair in its retirement paint scheme for the first time – Aviation Photography by Karl Drage
Wg Cdr John ‘JS’ Sullivan brings in the Spotty Jag for the type’s final ever landing in RAF service – Aviation Photography by Karl Drage
Global Aviation Resource / Global Aviation Magazine
A couple of years later, I, along with several good friends I’d made along the way, launched the aviation portal Global Aviation Resource (GAR), and later digital magazine Global Aviation Magazine, which helped to open yet more doors. Collectively we were regularly working with both military and civilian aviation organisations around the world, picking up the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators’ Award for Aviation Journalism for our coverage of the UK’s Harrier retirement along the way.
Aviation Photography by Karl Drage – High-quality photographic gifts
Al Ain Aerobatic Show & The Twister Aerobatics Team
Thanks to contacts made through GAR, I became the main event photographer for three iterations of Al Ain Aerobatic Show in the United Arab Emirates until the event’s demise. I became the travelling photographer (and crew chief) for Peter Wells and the Twister Aerobatics Team, in its various guises, and visited places such as China, Bahrain, the UAE, Barbados and Gibraltar in the role.
The DHL Aerobatic Team flies down the Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai – Aviation Photography by Karl Drage
Present Day
Events such as the tragic Shoreham crash (and the changes it brought about), COVID, and just the reduction in both types flying and the amount of flying that takes place have massively tempered my enthusiasm for aviation in recent times. I can count the number of pure aviation days out I’ve had in the last few years on one hand – and one of those was a commercial photography job.
I do still love to look back at my aviation photographs, though, and try to post to my Aviation Photography by Karl Drage Facebook Page and my Karl Drage Aviation Instagram account on a semi-regular basis. Based on feedback received, lots of people still enjoy seeing them, so if that is you, you now have the ability to purchase some of my work printed on to products to decorate your home.
