From take-off to 30,000′

The original image shows the aircraft soon after take-off, with wing slats (leading edge) and flaps (trailing edge) in operation – appropriate for take off, but not for normal cruise. The modified image corrects this – as well as constructing newly visible parts of the wings, fuselage and engine nacelle. Considerable tonal and colour adjustments were also required for the new location. The sky itself is a composite image.

This image contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Photographer: Sgt Simon Pugsley, RAF