JohnJ From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 1620 posts, RR: 3 Posted (8 years 1 month 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 1624 times:
I'll have a number of hours on Tuesday 4/19 for some photography out at Heathrow. I've been there before for photography from the Renaissance Hotel and from Myrtle Avenue, and am familiar with directions to both places. I do have a couple of questions, however - I know Myrtle Ave. is good for 27L arrivals, and I also know about the spot for 27R arrivals. They are both excellent spots, particularly Myrtle Ave. But what if planes are landing to the east using the 9s? Are there any good photo spots that are within walking distance of the terminals or at least accessible by bus?
Also, my last stay at the Renaissance was in July, and even then the sun angle wasn't ideal from the hotel. I suspect this time of year the sun is even further to the south and I'd be getting some very backlit shots from there. Is it even worth it to go over to the Renaissance or the LHR Visitors Center for photography?
Qantas744 From United Kingdom, joined May 2004, 246 posts, RR: 5 Reply 1, posted (8 years 1 month 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 1558 times:
Hello John,
It is unlikely that winds will be from the east next week, so expect 27 right for landings until 3pm then switching to 27L.
If you do need to head to the 09s take bus 81 from Bath Road (near the Renaissance) and get off at Moor Bridge, then it is a 5-10 miute walk to the photo spot, the fare is £1.20 I believe.
Matt
you can't buy time but you can sell your soul and the closest thing to heaven is to rock'n'roll
RayPettit From United Kingdom, joined May 2002, 608 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (8 years 1 month 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 1513 times:
John,
There is at present, scheduled to be an Air India Express 738 passing on delivery next Tuesday, but it will be arriving early in the morning and leaving Wednesday afternoon.
Last time, they parked it towards T5.
You may not get a photo, but certainly something to watch out for.
JohnJ From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 1620 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (8 years 4 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 1416 times:
Well, the dreaded 09s were indeed in use on Tuesday for my visit. The weather was also crap, so I went into London for most of the day to sightsee and came back at around 4:30 p.m. and got off at the Hatton Cross tube stop. I took a 285 bus over to the Renaissance Hotel, then transferred to the 81 bus. There was no "Moor Bridge" station listed on the map at the bus stop, so I simply went to the roundabout at Stanwell Moor Road and got off, then walked down for a few hundred yards to catch arrivals on 09L. There were two cars pulled off to the side with spotters in them, and I saw a little trail carved down into a field where I could take some shots. It wasn't a great location, as the late afternoon light meant I really need to be shooting off to the east as much as possible. I went back up to the road, which yielded a good angle, but man, what an unpleasant spot! Cars, trucks and buses whizzed by at probably 60-70 mph just a few feet away. Coupled with a brisk, chilly wind and generally overcast skies, I was not a happy camper. This was NOT Myrtle Avenue, but maybe next time I'm in town landings will be to the west.
BTW, did I get the location right for photography or is there a better spot than this for 09L arrivals?
Sulman From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2004, 2028 posts, RR: 36 Reply 7, posted (8 years 4 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 1394 times:
I actually prefer the 09L spot for arrivals. It's great in warm weather to sit in the grass down from the road. Myrtle Avenue can be a bit like standing in someone's garden.
JohnJ From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 1620 posts, RR: 3 Reply 9, posted (8 years 4 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 1374 times:
"Most photographers use the field along side the road but set back from the approach lights towards the line of trees!"
I was afraid to go far into the field as I was crossing a fence line and thought that I'd be doing some pretty serious trespassing by going in there. I didn't want to get anywhere near those approach lights and have someone think I was trying to cause harm. Of course, that's probably just my U.S. mentality showing through, but in unfamiliar turf better safe than sorry, I suppose. I do, however, acknowledge that field would be a good spot in better weather. And yes, I've experienced the dog mess at Myrtle Avenue, plus some rather foul-smelling decaying animal that was somewhere in the hedges along the border on my last visit there.
LHRSIMON From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2002, 1342 posts, RR: 25 Reply 10, posted (8 years 4 weeks 1 day ago) and read 1364 times:
To be honest i have never taken photo's from inside the fence. I always have my car so stay on the path....
In the past the field area was always private property and out of bounds. Its only this year that i can remember seeing so many people in the field.....
Im sure it wont be long until they fence it back off again as to be honest it does seem strance to allow people into a private field that has the landing lights in it !!!!
Simon C
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