Airshow stuff please comment

I'm really not sure if I should supply a link to these shots or repost them but I think it's a no-no to post the same shots in different sections ... anyway I shot these at the Bournemouth air show:

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1085728

... and then I saw these:

https://photography-on-the.net …525&highlight=b​ournemouth

Joe's are some much brighter and sharper than mine, I guess some of that is down to pp but is it also his 7d and, I'm guessing, an L lens as opposed to my 550d and Sigma 120-400mm or am I just getting it wrong ?

Regards Roger

Lens, like you mentioned and...better auto focusing system in his camera and maybe better post processing.

Thanks Chauncey, I didn't think mine were too bad until I saw Joe's ... I'll work at the post processing a bit and see if I can improve them ... good of you to take the time - Roger

Roger, regarding PP, I would raise the black level and/or boost the contrast. I think you'll see a big difference.

Thanks all for your helpful comments, I'll give your pp suggestions a go ejay ... I think I'm finding pp a bit of a struggle, I tweak a few settings and feel I've improved the image but it still doesn't look spot on ... I guess I'm a little wary of pushing things too far and creating more rubbish than I'm removing (artifacts etc) - I'll certainly work on them ... Roger