WWII Planes: This Photographer Takes The Most Breath-Taking Photos Hands Down (30 Photos)

30. This veteran DC-3 flying over the Pacific Ocean

Today’s aviatiom image features Aviator Flight Training’s DC-3 over the Pacific Ocean just off Long Beach during a flight from Cable Airport to Long Beach Airport in August of last year. This combat veteran DC-3/C-47 does flight throughout the year from various SoCal airports. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #airtoair #aviatorflighttraining #aft #dc3 #douglas #longbeach #longbeachairport #ocean #canon © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com/

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Apr 7, 2016 at 4:17pm PDT

29. The subtle beauty of the Corsair

Rob Patterson brings @planesoffame ‘s F4U-1A Corsair over Lake Matthews two weeks ago. #aviation #avgeek #planesoffame #corsair #warbird #airtoair #air2air #ww2 #worldwar2 #aviationphotography #photo #photography #military © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on May 17, 2016 at 10:34pm PDT

28. Still quite a sight

A quick preview from today’s flight to Naval Air Facility El Centro for the 2017 airshow… here’s Planes of Fame Air Museum’s P-51D Mustang ‘Spam Can’ and P-40N Warhawk on the way to the Naval base! Rob Patterson is at the controls of the P-51 while Matt Nightingale is at the controls of the P-40 Warhawk. #aviation #Aviationphotography #avgeek #airtoair #air2air #planesoffame #nafelcentro #warbirds #ww2 #worldwar2 #history #flight #canon #photography #canon_photos © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Mar 11, 2017 at 12:27am PST

27. This heavy beast

Let’s turn the time back to modern day with a F/A-18F Super Hornet from VFA-2 ‘Bounty Hunters’ seconds away from trapping onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) aircraft carrier during the 2011 Tiger Cruise. This Super Hornet is carrying a lot of fuel as it orbited near the area to provide emergency fuel for any of the landing ‘airshow at sea’ aircraft that may have required several bolters. #aviation‬ ‪#aviationphotography‬ ‪#avgeek‬ ‪#ussabrahamlincoln‬ ‪#cvn72‬ ‪#boeing‬ ‪#f18superhornet‬ ‪#vfa2‬ ‪#f18‬ ‪#navy‬ ‪#flight‬ ‪#tigercruise‬ ‪#canon‬ © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Jun 28, 2016 at 5:27pm PDT

26. This fleet that’s too good for words

Today is National Aviation Day… and also National Photography Day! So how about we combine both and feature quite the gaggle of aircraft of different eras, types, and colors! From the 2015 Dawn Patrol Air to Air shoot with Aviator Flight Training’s fleet of aircraft at the time ranging from a PT-17 Stearman to T-6 Texan over the Long Beach coast. #aviation #aviationphotography #photography #avgeek #airtoair #air2air #aviatorflighttraining #aircraft #history #dawnpatrol #longbeach #formation #canon #nationalaviationday #nationalphotographyday #aviationday #photographyday © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Aug 19, 2016 at 6:02pm PDT

25. Our kind of squad

Yak and friends! Planes of Fame Air Museum’s Yak-3 (Steven Hinton), P-51D Mustang ‘Wee Willy II’ (Mark Moodie), and P-40N Warhawk (Matt Nightingale) pass over Lake Matthews on the way home from the Apple Valley Airshow two weekends ago. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #airtoair #air2air #picoftheday #history #flight #warbirds #planesoffame #airplanes #ww2 #worldwar2 #canon #photography © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Oct 19, 2016 at 4:27pm PDT

24. Makes you wish you were there

@lyonairmuseum ‘s C-47B Skytrain ‘Willa Dean’ banks around the Huntington Beach Pier at the 2016 Huntington Beach Airshow. Many more shots to come today and tomorrow! #hbairshow #airshow #picoftheday #aviation #aviationphotography #huntingbeachairshow #huntingtonbeach #photography #canon #lyonairmuseum #c47skytrain © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Oct 24, 2016 at 6:25pm PDT

23. This perfect shot of the TBM-3E Avenger

It may be after Thanksgiving… but there’s always some Turkey leftovers… including this Turkey from the Planes of Fame Air Museum! The TBM-3E Avenger during an air to air shoot over Chino back in 2011. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #picoftheday #airtoair #air2air #warbird #history #Flight #thanksgiving #turkey #ww2 #wordwar2 #airplane #military #planesoffame #tbmavenger #avenger #photography #canon © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Nov 25, 2016 at 12:15pm PST

22. Everyone’s favorite BUNNY

Palm Springs Air Museum’s beautiful P-51D Mustang ‘Bunny’ over Temecula back in 2015 with Tom Nightingale at the controls. This P-51 is in the colors of Tuskegee Airmen Lt. Col. Friend’s P-51 during WW2. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #p51mustang #mustang #airtoair #air2air #tuskegeeairmen #palmspringsairmuseum #history #flight #canon #photography #canon_photos © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Mar 8, 2017 at 2:13pm PST

22. This aircraft which was extensively used by the Allied Forces

Had a nice shoot today with Lyon Air Museum’s C-47B Skytrain ‘Willa Dean’ over Lake Matthews. Hazy day, but always nice to get a C-47 in flight! Thanks to Matt flying the C-47 and Joe for flying the photoship! #pofairshow2017 #planesoffame #airshow #lyonairmuseum #dc3 #c47 #aviation #airtoair #air2air #avgeek #picoftheday #warbird #history #flight © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on May 5, 2017 at 2:23am PDT

21. The Bent-Wing Bird looking like a real beast

Here’s a look at last week’s awesome shoot with two rare Corsairs… a FG-1D Corsair with John Hinton at the controls and F4U-4 Corsair with Rob Patterson at the controls over Lake Matthews. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #airtoair #air2air #ww2 #worldwar2 #planesoffame #corsair #f4ucorsair #airshow #warbird #canon #photography #canon_photos #history #flight #pofairshow2017 © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on May 16, 2017 at 3:58pm PDT

20. As of 2015, only ten of these remain airworthy

Another look at the Collings Foundation’s B-17G Flying Fortress workshorse ‘Nine O Nine’. I’d venture that this B-17 is one of the most well known, most photographed, and most flown B-17s in modern times. Robert Pinksten is at the controls during the Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour fleet photoshoot nearly three weeks ago. Daniel Wotring is at the controls of the T-6 Texan photoship. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #airtoair #air2air #ww2 #worldwar2 #collingsfoundation #wingsoffreedomtour #warbird #bomber #history #flight #canon #photography #canon_photos © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on May 19, 2017 at 4:38pm PDT

19. Pretty much why we all want to be pilots

I’d say today was a pretty DARN good day. Daniel, Robert, David, Will, Jim, Jamie and all the Collings Foundation crew are AWESOME. Thanks for the epic flight over the Pacific Ocean! You can see ALL these aircraft in person down at Ramona Airport through Thursday, then Carlsbad Airport through May 7, Riverside Municipal Airport (KRAL) through May 10th, then Lyon Air Museum through May 14th!

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on May 1, 2017 at 8:47pm PDT

18. Dear Santa, we know what we want for Christmas

Brant Seghetti banks his P-51D Mustang ‘Blondie’ (‘Sparky’ on the other side) during a quick air to air shoot over Lake Matthews a few weeks ago. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #airtoair #air2air #ww2 #worldwar2 #p51mustang #blondie #history #flight #warbird #canon #photography #canon_photos © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Jun 12, 2017 at 3:45pm PDT

17. Epic shot

Daniel Wotring brings the T-6 photo plane closer to the Collings Foundation B-17G Flying Fortress ‘Nine O Nine’ with Rob Pinksten at the controls in May earlier this year over the Southern California coast. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #airtoair #air2air #ww2 #worldwar2 #boeing #b17 #b17flyingfortress #nineonine #collingsfoundation #warbird #canon #photography #canon_photos © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Jul 5, 2017 at 5:26pm PDT

16. Bunch of bombers

A nice look at three of the five main bombers used by the USA in WW2. Collings Foundation’s B-24 Liberator ‘Witchcraft’, B-17G Flying Fortress ‘Nine O Nine’, and B-25J Mitchell ‘Tondelayo.’ Other bomber examples not shown is the B-29 Superfortress and B-26 Marauder. Many thanks fot the Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour pilots/crew for this epic photoshoot last month over the Southern California coast! #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #airtoair #air2air #ww2 #worldwar2 #collingsfoundation #bombers #history #flight #warbirds #canon #photography #canon_photos © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Jun 22, 2017 at 4:42pm PDT

15. Sunrise adds the perfect touch to this shot

B-25 Sunrise… Planes of Fame Air Museum’s B-25J Mitchell ‘Photo Fanny’ sits on the ramp in the early Saturday morning sunrise at the 2016 Apple Valley Airshow. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #planesoffame #b25mitchell #photofanny #warbird #sunrise #history #flight #airshow #applevalleyairshow #picoftheday #photography #canon © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Oct 10, 2016 at 1:39pm PDT

14. Gotta love that reflection

Lyon Air Museum’s B-17G Flying Fortress ‘Fuddy Duddy’ sits out on the ramp back in December 2014 during a special event featuring the B-17. The rainfall from the night before made for some dramatic shots of the B-17 reflected in the water! #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #boeing #b17flyingfortress #lyonairmuseum #history #flight #ww2 #worldwar2 #airplane #photography #canon #canon_photos © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Mar 6, 2017 at 12:25pm PST

13. The sunlight made it look more dramatic

Planes of Fame Air Museum’s P-51D Mustang ‘Wee Willy II’ last year on the way to the Apple Valley Airshow with John Hinton at the controls. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #airtoair #air2air #picoftheday #warbird #p51mustang #ww2 #worldwar2 #history #flight #photography #canon #planesoffame © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Dec 9, 2016 at 3:39pm PST

12. Legends

Bomber Bros… Collings Foundation’s B-24J Liberator ‘Witchcraft’ and B-17G Flying Fortress ‘Nine O Nine’ over the Southern California coast two months ago. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #airtoair #air2air #ww2 #worldwar2 #bombers #collingsfoundation #wingsoffreedomtour #b17flyingfortress #b24liberator #airshow #warbird #canon #photography #canon_photos © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Jul 24, 2017 at 2:58pm PDT

11. Anyone else want to fly this bird?

Brant Seghetti in his beautiful P-51D Mustang ‘Blondie’ (‘Sparky’ on the other side) over Lake Matthews a few months ago during a quick air to air hop. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #airtoair #air2air #ww2 #worldwar2 #planesoffame #p51mustang #blondie #history #airshow #warbird #canon #photography #canon_photos © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Sep 1, 2017 at 2:59pm PDT

10. Scary enough for you?

One of those times where the right moment presents itself… a little bit of marine layer left just happened to fly by behind the P-40N Warhawk from the @planesoffame Air Museum back in 2012 obscuring the otherwise very building populated San Pedro, California (you can see a teeny tiny bit of the city peaking in the top right corner). This photo mission was in support of the opening of the Pacific Battleship Center – Battleship USS Iowa museum. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #p40warhawk #history #flight #airtoair #air2air #warbird #planesoffame #ww2 #photography #canon #ussiowa © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Jun 30, 2016 at 3:57pm PDT

9. Two splendid views

Another look at the Collings Foundation fleet during the May 1st photoshoot with the Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour aircraft on their way from Torrance Airport to Ramona Airport. Such an honor to be able to capture all four aircraft together for the first time! Jim Goolsby is piloting the B-24 ‘Witchcraft’, Rob Pinksten the B-17 ‘Nine O Nine’, Will Dismukes the B-25 ‘Tondelayo’, and David Vopat the TF-51D Mustang ‘Toulouse Nuts’. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #airtoair #air2air #ww2 #worldwar2 #history #flight #bombers #collingsfoundation #wingsofreedomtour #warbirds #canon #photography #canon_photos © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on May 17, 2017 at 11:35am PDT

Another shot from last month’s epic air to air shoot with the Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour warbird fleet over the coast of Orange County, California. It was such an honor to be able to capture the entire tour group in this rare formation photoshoot. Top to bottom… B-25J Mitchell ‘Tondelayo’ flown by Will Dismukes, B-17G Flying Fortress ‘nine O Nine’ flown by Robert Pinksten, B-24J Liberator ‘Witchcraft’ flown by Jim Goolsby, and the TF-51D Mustang ‘Toulouse Nuts’ flown by David Vopat. Daniel Wotring is piloting the T-6 Texan photoship. Looking forward to working with the Collings Foundation again next year! #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #airtoair #air2air #ww2 #worldwar2 #collingsfoundation #wingsoffreedomtour #bombers #history #flight #warbirds #canon #photography #canon_photos © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Jun 7, 2017 at 11:54pm PDT

8. Pick one

Less than half of the warbirds at the 2016 Planes of Fame Air Show this year! Just in this photo alone… there’s SIX P-51 Mustangs, FIVE P-40 Warhawks, and a P-38 Lightning! Shot late at night with a 2 minute exposure. Lighting coming from the Chino Airport ramp lights and a slight overcast sky reflecting city lights. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #planesoffame #airshow #warbirds #p51mustang #p40warhawk #chinoairport #history #flight #aircraft #canon #photography #pofairshow2016 © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Jul 25, 2016 at 4:25pm PDT

7. Nothing beats classic warbirds

Mark Moodie brings the Planes of Fame Air Museum P-51D Mustang ‘Wee Willy II’ up to the B-25 Mitchell photo plane on the way home from the Apple Valley Airshow 2016. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #planesoffame #applevalleyairshow #airshow #p51mustang #airtoair #air2air #history #flight #ww2 #worldwar2 #photography #canon © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Oct 13, 2016 at 2:38am PDT

6. Tondelayo says “Hello!”

Looking like an actual war weary bomber during WW2, Collings Foundation’s excellent B-25J Mitchell ‘Tondelayo’ flies over Prado Dam in Corona back in May. The Collings Foundation ‘Wings of Freedom Tour’ 2016 is winding down, but you can still catch them on the East coast! Currently, the aircraft are at Millville, NJ through tomorrow (More info – http://www.collingsfoundation.org/event/millville-nj/) #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #collingsfoundation #b25mitchell #tondelayo #airtoair #air2air #history #flight #ww2 #worldwar2 #canon #photography © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com�

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Sep 1, 2016 at 2:24pm PDT

5. Mrs. Virginia looking to kick some serious ass

Planes of Fame Air Museum’s North American P-51A Mustang over Riverside back in 2006. This rare P-51A, known as ‘Mrs. Virginia’ is one of only two P-51A Mustangs currently flying (at last check)! #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #airtoair #air2air #p51mustang #history #flight #planesoffame #warbird #ww2 #photography #picoftheday #canon © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Oct 30, 2016 at 3:15pm PDT

4. Angry and menacing

Kate on your six! Commemorative Air Force’s P-40N Warhawk is about to be jumped by a Tora replica B5N Kate during the Tora Tora Tora Airshows performance at the 2016 Los Angeles County Air Show. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #toratoratora #caf #lacountyairshow #airshow #p40warhawk #pearlharbor #warbirds #ww2 #flight #history #photography #picoftheday #canon © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Jan 11, 2017 at 6:52pm PST

3. Zeke is a real stunner

Planes of Fame Air Museum’s A6M5 Zero being flown by John Maloney in the new more accurate paint scheme added after a long re-restoration last year in May. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #planesoffame #zero #japanese #ww2 #history #fligth #airtoair #air2air #worldwar2 #photography #teamcanon #canon © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Feb 9, 2017 at 3:06pm PST

2. What’s Up Doc?

Palm Springs Air Museum’s C-47B Skytrain ‘What’s Up Doc’ makes a very low pass over the Gillespie Field Airport during the 2014 Airshow San Diego. #aviation #aviationphotography #avgeek #palmspringsairmuseum #whatsupdoc #dc3 #c47skytrain #gillespiefield #airshowsandiego #airshow #warbirds #ww2 #photography #canon #canon_photos © Britt Dietz – http://www.warbird-photos.com

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Mar 2, 2017 at 2:12pm PST

1. Perfect timing

A post shared by Warbird Photos – Britt Dietz (@warbirdphotos) on Apr 18, 2017 at 1:07am PDT