I’m sure many readers have seen, either in real life or in pictures, the trails of condensation left by aircraft as they move at high speed. They usually come from the wingtips or other prominent features that leave distinctive patterns of disturbed air, which are highlighted in humid conditions. They’re known as ‘wingtip vortices‘.
The same effect produces the circular, coil-spring-like condensation patterns sometimes left by aircraft propellers. Here’s a great example, produced by a Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando II on its delivery flight from the manufacturer to Cannon AFB in New Mexico.
The image is from Lockheed Martin’s Flickr photostream. The full-size version makes great wallpaper for your computer screen.
Peter
Nice picture! As much as I've flown in turboprop puddle-jumpers, I've never seen visible prop-tip vortices before…
You can also get that at 50 feet off the water… just sayin… 😀
Adding to the very apparent vortices in the photo it appears the MC-130J is flying through a light mist/fog, which acts as a visual aid as it is flung off the 6 bladed Dowty Rotol R391 props.