A buddy of mine sent me this link and thought I should share with the A nutters...

However I don't recomend doing what these punks did, I do think it's an intresting story to say the least. But most mostly I think the pictures are amazing!! Enjoy. I know I did and now I'm slightly jelious.

http://www.silentuk.com/?p=3374

I hope the link works.

TR

I made out B767 JA8231 and B747 N196UA.

Any more spotted.

UAL 767 N602UA

Fill FIll

http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b747-23814.htm

There is a Cathay Pacific B747-400 being parted.

However the only aircraft withdrawn was scrapped nearly a year ago.

Verrry cool series if low light pics of aircraft. The photog did a good job.

Good thing VCV security wasn't looking in the right direction when the flash pics were snapped in the cockpit....

Might not be what you want your sons to do but I can’t say that I wouldn’t have done this when I was younger if I had the opportunity….. Even now it sounds like something I wish I could do.

Tugg

Actually, it seems from our photo index that the scrapping of the Cathay Pacific B747-400 was somewhat more recent.

That's not exactly a smart thing to do,scaling the fence and climbing into planes. Its people like them that ruin it for people like me who just want to get some pcitures from the outside perimeter.

Quoting United_fan (Reply 6): Its people like them that ruin it for people like me who just want to get some pcitures from the outside perimeter.

They cannot stop you anywhere outside the perimeter---VCV is great as there is a perfect hill nearby to shoot some great shots----the Cathy Pacific 747-400 that was scrapped had over 103,000 hours on it----it deserved an eternal rest!!

Quoting n471wn (Reply 7): They cannot stop you anywhere outside the perimeter-

True,but if they see that people broke in,they will patrol more often and maybe call the local PD and say you look suspicous and that you too may be trying to scout a place to break in

Quoting United_fan (Reply 8): True,but if they see that people broke in,they will patrol more often and maybe call the local PD and say you look suspicous and that you too may be trying to scout a place to break in

I have no problem taking my chances---public property is still public property.....

Quoting n471wn (Reply 7): VCV is great as there is a perfect hill nearby

There hasn't been much worth shooting from that location in several years.

Quoting clickhappy (Reply 10): There hasn't been much worth shooting from that location in several years.

Yes you are right but a good lens can still get some good pictures....

Not likely given the focal lengths need and the heat haze in the desert.

Even this was a 300mm shot:


View Large View Medium

Photo © Royal S King


Your best bet is the winter months. Long exposures are possible, but bring your tripod weight, it is windy on that little hill.

Quoting clickhappy (Reply 12): but bring your tripod weight, it is windy on that little hill.

Indeed it is!!

Cheeky lads...........but really gorgeous night shots.

Twilight airliners indeed!

I'm sorry, but I don't share the enthusiasm of most of the posts regarding this so far. While the photos are great and I admit I harbor a bit of envy, this is plain and simple trespassing on private property. We're not talking about old abandoned structure, but multi-million dollar assets owned by some of the worlds major airlines and leasing companies. The blog very erroneously assumes that these aircraft are being scrapped and therefore insignificant when a large portion of the aircraft stored there leave again. Even an aircraft being parted out has value in the components removed which are made serviceable. If I was one of these airlines or leasing companies, I would sure as hell NOT appreciate anyone having free access to my aircraft like this from a vandalism, theft and security standpoint.

Quoting toering (Thread starter): However I don't recomend doing what these punks did

Absolute beautiful pictures. Why do you call them punks?

Quoting B737900 (Reply 16): Why do you call them punks?

See https://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo...ion_photography/read.main/370536/:

Quoting Npeterman (archived thread) I have to say, the sheer audacity of the whole thing absolutely blows my mind. It is tantamount to walking into a stranger's house and photographing their cars, climbing inside of them even, and then walking away like its totally cool. Let's not even mention the whole "being crazy enough to post it online".

Although the photos themselves are certainly interesting, the actions and more importantly the attitude of the photographer really irks me. It is indeed people like this who help perpetuate the overall negative perception of aircraft enthusiasts and photographers by law enforcement and many members of the general public.

I don't care how young and stupid they may be for getting their kicks from this type of adrenaline rush. I would say "punks" is a pretty appropriate term for these trespassers.

Punks is a perfectly valid term here.

Trespassing onto an airport and military ground alone is pretty damn stupid if you think about it.... but BRAGGING about it on the internet? Congrats fellow darwin award nominee.   

These punks ruin it for everyone else, trying to do it the legal way. Of course they wouldn't understand. That's the general problem punks have.

Quoting N243NW (Reply 17): Although the photos themselves are certainly interesting, the actions and more importantly the attitude of the photographer really irks me. It is indeed people like this who help perpetuate the overall negative perception of aircraft enthusiasts and photographers by law enforcement and many members of the general public. I don't care how young and stupid they may be for getting their kicks from this type of adrenaline rush. I would say "punks" is a pretty appropriate term for these trespassers.

I agree with you. It's been hard enough since 9/11 to have a camera at or around an airport...

Quoting INNflight (Reply 18): These punks ruin it for everyone else, trying to do it the legal way. Of course they wouldn't understand. That's the general problem punks have.

I looked at the series of photos. Evocative enough. But what makes these guys punks is that they went into an aircraft and took glory pics inside the cockpit. Absolutely wrong to do. They should have been content to photograph the planes from outside only. While some of the planes at VCV may be being scrapped, others are merely stored, and might return to service.

Given that they criminally trespassed on the site, they should never have even TOUCHED any of the planes there.

Wow. I don't dismiss the fact that it must have been extremely fun, but just wow. After exploring their site, they're not even aviation enthusiasts, they're more of an urban exploration type group. I think we as a nutters should be offended and concerned that this has happened. Sure, envy is natural for us but these people are no better than common criminals. I have no doubt that if the right people read this blog, changes will occur.

Quoting N243NW (Reply 17): I would say "punks" is a pretty appropriate term for these trespassers.

  

Thanks for placing even further scrutiny on our hobby and passion...These asses even climbed to the top of the Manhattan bridge. Get a life, or take some drugs or something to satisfy your quest for a 'unique experience.'

Quoting N243NW (Reply 17): Although the photos themselves are certainly interesting, the actions and more importantly the attitude of the photographer really irks me. It is indeed people like this who help perpetuate the overall negative perception of aircraft enthusiasts and photographers by law enforcement and many members of the general public.

In some round-about way, this does serve a useful purpose, as it highlights a fault in the security of the facility, and i'm sure the owners of these aircraft would be concerned to see their property being accessed. This could cause them to rethink storing their aircraft there in the future. That being said, there are other ways to highlight gaps in security, and it really isn't the responsibility of average kids to breach secure facilities to prove a point, and this really isn't anything but criminal mischief/trespassing.

I remember years ago, back in the late 80s/early 90s, a teenager by the name of Shohab Kahn and a few of his friends video-taped a break-in they perpetrated at BA's Hatton Cross maintenance facility at Heathrow, where they broke in to a Tristar and 747 and turned it over to Frontline and 20/20 to show "how easy it was to access passenger aircraft", and I believe this was around the time of PA103 bombing, when security was at it's tightest at the time. Now that was the story he gave, but there was also a theory that one of his friends parents who worked for BA, found out about this and got a hold of this tape, told BA mgmt about this break-in, for which Kahn went to the press to use that as a cover for it. An investigation was initiated and found that vandalism was reported aboard the the 2 aircraft that kids had accessed where they tagged it with some sort of symbol to signify they'd been there. The investigation was turned over to Scotland Yard and found that similar symbols had been found on British Rail passenger at Ascot and Junction and Hounslow stations, which coincidentally were areas that these kids were known to hang around. In this particular stunt at VCV, i'm sure these kids fingerprints are all over that 747 they were messing around in. A quick dusting of the plane, if this was recent, they're probably still there. They could find these pranksters. And I would think that infrared trip-wires and other motion-sensor would be not far off in the future. If they aren't. they should be.

Quoting N243NW (Reply 17): I don't care how young and stupid they may be for getting their kicks from this type of adrenaline rush. I would say "punks" is a pretty appropriate term for these trespassers.

I'd say that's pretty accurate.

[Edited 2011-10-25 22:58:08]

My main concern in doing something like this is, did these guys ever take into consideration that there could be Rottweilers, Pit Bulls or Dobermans running around loose? Some airports do have dogs like this roaming around!

Nice to see these kids documenting their criminal trespassing by posting photos and a story online. They made some nice photos though!

Quoting crownvic (Reply 22): My main concern in doing something like this is, did these guys ever take into consideration that there could be Rottweilers, Pit Bulls or Dobermans running around loose? Some airports do have dogs like this roaming around!

There aren't dogs roaming around out there. There are snakes (very, very poisonous ones at that) and painful scorpions out there.

Having been out there (escorted legally) several times a few years back, I was encouraged by my keepers to walk in the planes. A lot of them had open air stairs and from there, it was just a matter of throwing open the door to the aircraft.

During one excursion, we counted 50 rattle snakes in 15 minutes.

Quoting jetjack74 (Reply 21): In this particular stunt at VCV, i'm sure these kids fingerprints are all over that 747 they were messing around in. They could find these pranksters. And I would think that infrared trip-wires and other motion-sensor would be not far off in the future. If they aren't. they should be.

Unless any of them had a criminal record or had their prints on file, fingerprints wouldn't do them any good. The other whiz-bang stuff requires money to buy, maintain and operate the equipment. More overhead means higher fees which probably would drive companies to store their aircraft other places.

These guys broke the law, thats it. The photos are undoubtedly great but shouldt encourage anyone to follow. But, well, its like basejumping, there´ll always be people/guys who dont care for the law, especially if it essentially doenst hurt anyone at all. The security personel though will get reprimanded and will take care - and action I guess.

Quoting bennett123 (Reply 3): There is a Cathay Pacific B747-400 being parted. However the only aircraft withdrawn was scrapped nearly a year ago.

This plane, B-HOO, CX first 744, wasnt scapped in a day. It was dismantled slowly, as the pictures do tell. So far its the only CX 744 that has been retired.

These pictures are fantastic gives you a excellent look up close at VCV, infact their entire website is fantastic. What amazed me the most is that they were able to gain access inside the aircraft flight deck.

Whilst they are trespassing it is at their own risk that they give the rest of us an excellent opportunity to see what we otherwise would not have been able too, be it the ghost ships they track down, the abandoned subways or their remarkable scaling of bridges and construction sites. Good luck too them as long as they are not putting their lives of the lives of others at risk.

Quoting gytr31 (Reply 25): Whilst they are trespassing it is at their own risk that they give the rest of us an excellent opportunity to see what we otherwise would not have been able too, be it the ghost ships they track down, the abandoned subways or their remarkable scaling of bridges and construction sites. Good luck too them as long as they are not putting their lives of the lives of others at risk.

That's just ridiculous. There's hundreds of boneyard pics of VCV out there in the internet, plenty of them at night, all obtained legally by going through official channels.


Another good example given was...: Imagine someone breaks into your garage, obtains access to your car and takes photos of himself in it in the middle of the night. You'd probably get shot.

"Thankfully" they were STUPID enough to post about it on the internet.... their story will probably hit the "right" persons very soon.

They are great pictures but I have to agree that its a tad stupid to break in somewhere and do this, theres really no excuse.

I think we have to separate the photos from the circumstances under which they were acquired.

The photos, in my opinion, are wonderful. They are so full of atmosphere, it's almost like those airliners are peacefully asleep, relaxing in the cool desert night. No daytime bone yard photo I've ever seen captures the atmosphere as well as these.

The story behind these photos, however, involves illegal activities like trespassing and maybe (in case they took souvenirs or left their tags) theft and vandalism. But then again, I'll agree with this 100%:

Quoting gytr31 (Reply 25): Whilst they are trespassing it is at their own risk that they give the rest of us an excellent opportunity to see what we otherwise would not have been able too, be it the ghost ships they track down, the abandoned subways or their remarkable scaling of bridges and construction sites. Good luck too them as long as they are not putting their lives of the lives of others at risk.

Regarding the fingerprints:

Quoting chrisair (Reply 23): Unless any of them had a criminal record or had their prints on file, fingerprints wouldn't do them any good.

Have you ever noticed that they take your fingerprints at the airport when you enter the US? Judging from their blog, these people (or some of them) are from England, so there are definitely fingerprints on file.

Soren   

Can someone point me to the picture where they went INSIDE an aircraft? Some of you seem to refer to one but I have not seen it.

In the parallel thread people were critiquing the actual quality of the photo and the underexposure. In my view, they were perfectly exposed as the photos have a sort of "mistique" to them. I don't know how to explain, but photography is an art as most of you understand and the perfect, clear and crisp photo doesn't necessarily mean its better than one that has an artistic touch to it. Atleast in my book.

Quoting tu204 (Reply 29): Can someone point me to the picture where they went INSIDE an aircraft? Some of you seem to refer to one but I have not seen it.

It appears as though they have taken them down. The photo in question was two of them sitting in the Capt./FO seats and one standing/sitting behind them. They were touching/handling the controls, etc.

Apparently they got wind that getting into one of the aircraft may move the "trespass" act a little further into "breaking and entering".

Great photos has that mistique look to them. I really do not have that big of a problem with this, it would be nice though if you could pay this logistics company for a guided tour, I would pay a decent amount to do this..

I will say though, these guys could face a lot of trouble if caught

Quoting jetjack74 (Reply 21): In this particular stunt at VCV, i'm sure these kids fingerprints are all over that 747 they were messing around in. A quick dusting of the plane, if this was recent, they're probably still there. They could find these pranksters. And I would think that infrared trip-wires and other motion-sensor would be not far off in the future. If they aren't. they should be.

That CX 744 is long gone, it finally moved to the scrap yard a few months back and in less than a week it was gone.

Quoting na (Reply 24): This plane, B-HOO, CX first 744, wasnt scapped in a day. It was dismantled slowly, as the pictures do tell. So far its the only CX 744 that has been retired.

Actually they did part it out pretty quick and it sat in the condition shown in the photos for some time. Early this summer it was scrapped within a few days and same goes for 1 of the ex QF 744's.

FX1816

Do you know which QF 744?.

I note what you say about the timing that the CX 744 was scrapped.

I also noted this.

http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b767-23212.htm

Both suggest that these pictures were taken several months ago.

Quoting bennett123 (Reply 33): Do you know which QF 744?.

Unfortunately no, the angle it was at I could not see any kind of registration or serial number. It was quite sad, it was stripped of useful parts and sat for a few months as pretty much just a shell. One day I drove by with my son and we saw that the left wing was in the process of being cut off. Two days later, driving home from work, the airplane was completely gone.

It's amazing in the past few months the amount of aircraft that have finally met the torch. Some of the DL L1011's are starting to go along with some of the FDX A310's. The KABO AIR 742 that was sitting out here for about 2 years also met it's fate with in about a week.

FX1816

Must be this one;

https://www.airliners.net/photo/Kabo-...d=eabc23b12005ef6fe2a009b5e3896ba5

5N-NNN

Clearly gone soon after the picture was taken.

Quoting tztristar500 (Reply 15): While the photos are great and I admit I harbor a bit of envy, this is plain and simple trespassing on private property.

So here is a view of Roswell from a legal angle -- An American MD-80 just arriving to be parked.

Aircraft Graveyard - Last flight of an MD80

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOEyz_gsr_s

However since the thread is specifically in reference to VCV here you are with some legal viewing:

94th ACG Survey of the Victorville, California Aircraft Storage Area Part 1 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r5lV6zNVwY

94th ACG Continued Survey of the Victorville Aircraft Storage Area Part 2 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU6Y0FUCvwQ

[Edited 2011-10-26 09:51:25]

Wow, they're certainly gutsy...

I read this last night and I got to thinking, four guys, wanting to take photos - they broke the law, although in all fairness people like that are not the reason they build fences around airports. Airport fences are there to keep out people who would do harm to people or damage private property. As long as they did neither, I don't see any reason to get into a huff. Look at the plus side - I'm assuming security at the airport will have seen these, so they can now work to better protect their airport against those who WOULD do damage.

According to www.airfleets.net there are 3 stored B747-400.

These are VH-OEC, VH-OED and VH-OJR.

Of these, there is an image on this site showing VH-OJR stored at Marana earlier this year.

An email from Cactuswings shows the following on 7th October;

VH-OED B747 QFA Stripped of parts near hangar

Assuming that the QF was scrapped before that date, then VH-OEC seems to be the prime candidate.

Quoting Birdwatching (Reply 28): Have you ever noticed that they take your fingerprints at the airport when you enter the US?

Seeing how I live in Arizona and carry a US Passport, no. CBP doesn't take my fingerprints.   Well, actually now they do since I'm part of Global Entry, but that's a voluntary program.

Quoting jetjack74 (Reply 21): In some round-about way, this does serve a useful purpose, as it highlights a fault in the security of the facility, and i'm sure the owners of these aircraft would be concerned to see their property being accessed.

That's the same reasoning hacker's use to justify their activity and the same virus developes use as well. It's BS. Like speeding is justifiable because it shows there are not enough police to stop it.

Quoting kanban (Reply 40): That's the same reasoning hacker's use to justify their activity and the same virus developes use as well. It's BS. Like speeding is justifiable because it shows there are not enough police to stop it.

There is a big difference between "mischievous" and "destructive". These guys were not destructive that we know of. They saw a mountain and climbed it. Yes the mountain was on someone else's land but they did know damage that we know of.

People, in particular "youth" do this kind of stuff all the time and there is little wrong with it beyond the legal aspects of it. I really find it amusing the self-righteous statements of grievous wrong-doing by these guys, when most of us have done things that are "wrong" to societies rules when viewed absolutely. From drugs, the driving drunk, to maliciously breaking in and taking and damaging things, there are many truly bad things that people do out there but this isn't one of them.

These guys did what many aspire to do, they took a chance and dared to do something and did it in a way that they came back safely, without damaging the object of their attention and with great memories of the event. I wish people would get over themselves and "absolutist", zero-tolerance views of things and focus on those things that are really harmful and the people that truly do damage to society.

I for one would love to sneak around a base or airport at night an check things out and not get caught and come home with great memories. Sure you can't just "let" stuff like this happen, or BASE jumps, or exploring closed mines, or driving too fast on curvy roads, or checking out construction sites at night, or picture taking in illegal/closed locations, becasue of the legal ramifications involved to all parties. But when it happens and things are OK and people are safe afterwards, you should at least be able to marvel at what the people did and enjoy their stories and picture (if any) and just let it be what it is. A comment or two that it was a dumb thing to do due to the risks? Sure. But absolutely castigation? No.

Who here doesn't have a fond memory that they have shared with others of things they did in their youth that was "no the right thing to do"? I tell you I have quite a few of them. It's not that I would recommend doing or still want to do those things but they shaped who I am and what I think and enjoy in life. And I am glad I have those memories.

Tugg

Seems some people are just a little jealous they haven't pulled this off or will never have the opportunity to do so. Also have a feeling people that like to shoot the boneyard and surrounding areas don't want anyone else bringing attention to "their turf" ... Perhaps they are the first to bash or shun this whole thing.

Who's to say they aren't out there at night taking pictures legally? Maybe they know someone who works there or one of them actually works there in some form?? One can't believe everything it reads on the internet, especially blog posts.

Most of the photos are clear and centered, so there's a bit of underexposure but it has to do with the presentation and theme of the whole blog post IMHO. The super sneaky, "scary", night mission in the moonlight desert.
Whether the story is true or not, legal or not, the photos are undoubtedly cool and its definitely a unique look at VCV by night that is seldom seen.

One strange point is this;

You do not just take snaps at night.

Either you use flash, which tends to attract attention.

Or you use a tripod and long exposures. This takes time, especially for multiple shots.
Not easy if you have little time and Security on your case.

Quoting bennett123 (Reply 43): One strange point is this; You do not just take snaps at night. Either you use flash, which tends to attract attention. Or you use a tripod and long exposures. This takes time, especially for multiple shots. Not easy if you have little time and Security on your case.

You didn't read the post and didn't look at the photos. They did not use flash. They did not have little time. They did not have "security on their case".
Seriously, flash photos look so totally completely different than these, I can't figure out how you got that idea.

Soren   

In which case, it is curious that in an apparently secure area, that they were able to wander around without being under time pressure.

I know that it was at night, and on a large airfield. But it seems that these intruders were very relaxed,

I wonder if things are quite as suggested.

Quoting tugger (Reply 41): I for one would love to sneak around a base or airport at night an check things out and not get caught and come home with great memories.

I for one would love to sneak around your house at night and check things out and not get caught. I'll honestly not damage or steal anything either.


See how your logic is flawed?!?

Quoting INNflight (Reply 46): I for one would love to sneak around your house at night and check things out and not get caught. I'll honestly not damage or steal anything either. See how your logic is flawed?!?

And you don't see how flawed your logic is? Come on, don't act like you cannot understand the difference in what is being offered. There is a difference between "personal" and "impersonal" and Property falls into this due the variety of circumstances involved. Whether you can't or won't understand that is on you. I am not advocating doing illegal things, just noting there are differences.

Have you ever gone across someone else's property to get to a hiking trail or a beach? Ever gone into a construction area to see what is being built (I am not talking specifically about the action I mention but action along the lines of)?

Tugg

[Edited 2011-10-26 15:02:45]

Quoting INNflight (Reply 46): I for one would love to sneak around your house at night and check things out and not get caught. I'll honestly not damage or steal anything either. See how your logic is flawed?!?

There's a BIG difference between a house where a man keeps his family, and a field where a man keeps his old, inanimate aircraft....speaking of flawed logic...

No need to go to extremes here. What they did was wrong and I do not condone it whatsoever....but many of us would be lying if we said we wouldn't do the same had we been given this opportunity and not be caught (or stupidly publicize our illegal activities   ).

Quoting AeroSafari (Reply 42): Who's to say they aren't out there at night taking pictures legally? Maybe they know someone who works there or one of them actually works there in some form?? One can't believe everything it reads on the internet, especially blog posts.

Maybe, however, if you took the time to look through their website you'll find more than just words to read. Among seemingly harmless blogs about treks into decrepit buildings, they have photos and videos of them trespassing into subway lines, hiding from passing trains and climbing onto NY bridges. If all this blog had was this one adventure, I'd say you have a point.

They have good intentions with their hobby of exploration, but all the 'evidence' points to this being trespassing. Am I jealous? A tad. I've had the chance to 'play' with heavies (legally being escorted) at JFK and take pictures, so not too jealous.

As for those of you who think it's okay, are you kidding me? It's like sexually assaulted supermodel. Yeah, you're jealous of that guy who got to grab a fine piece of a#%, but it's still assault and is against the law.