griff, you have great shots of the models.

The background does really look like heat haze combined with depth of field out of focus. I am wondering if you didn't see the haze in your efforts to capture the subject?

I really think that it is a combination of haze and jpeg artefacts when the image is compressed as your camera and lens combination are proven achievers from many images out there in the ether.

Either way, I reckon the models will stand out with the background ignored by most plane owners who aren't into photography.