"Swift Flight" Grand Flypast

"Swift Flight" a formation of four Royal Air Force Tucano aircraft arrive at RNAS Culdrose prior to their "Grand Flypast"  to commemorate 72(R) Squadrons Centenary. The tour will overfly the majority of 72(R) squadron previous bases, commencing at RNAS Culdrose and ending at JHFS Aldergrove. In the formation is a specially painted tucano to recognise 72 squadron being the only remaining squadron that flew spiftire aircraft during the "Battle of Britain"

ZF339

ZF374

ZF378

ZF512

Weston Air Festival

I went to Weston Air Festival this year, although this is a small show it was certainly good. A great venue and summer weather with blue skies, nothing to disappoint, well except the heat haze which made photography a nightmare!!!! Still perseverance paid off and managed to get some ok images. Here is a selection from the day below.

Red Arrows

BAC Stikemaster

Catalina Flying Boat

RAF Typhoon Display

RAF Typhoon Display

Team Raven

Gazelle Display Squadron

Red Arrows

Red Arrows

Whirlwind HAS Mark 10

Mig 15 "Red 18"

Catalina Flying Boat

RAF Typhoon Display

Team Raven

P51D Mustang

Mach Loop visit May 2017

A planned two week visit was hampered by rain/mist and sea fog, however I did get some nice images despite being snookered for about 60% of the time. (nothing unusual for the loop) Belgian F16 aircraft were cancelled due to weather and several USAF F15 low fly sorties were called off due to the morning fog/cloud, typically it cleared once they had returned to base. Struggling to get images staying out until 7pm did produce some nice Typhoon passes so worth the wait. Well here are some of the images:

RAF Tornado GR4

Royal Navy Hawk of 736 Squadron

RAF Hawk T2

USAF MC130J

RAF Hercules

RAF Hercules

RAF Typhoon FGR4

RAF Hawk 

RAF Tornado GR4

RAF Typhoon FGR4

Solway Aviation Musem

I had a brief opportunity to visit Solway Aviation Museum situated at Carlisle airport. I only had about an hour which wasn't really long enough. Although not huge there is a small selection of interesting airframes, an indoor exhibit area, shop and cafe. I will hopefully get a longer visit later this year and get some better images. Meanwhile here is a random selection from the day.

Hawker F.51

Canberra Cockpit

English Electric Lightning

Sikorsky S.55 Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm

RAF Phantom FGR2

Meteor

Jet Provest

Sea Prince

RAF Phantom FGR2

Vulcan Bomber

Vulcan Bomber

Vulcan Bomber Cockpit

Vulcan Van

Final Flights at RNAS Culdrose

Two airframes made the final flights today from RNAS Culdrose with a little assistance from an RAF Chinook. The Sea King and Jetstream airframes were flown across The Lizard Peninsula out to sea and then into Predannack airfield. At Predannack airfield the retired aircraft will enter a new role as training aids for Royal Navy Firefighters.

The aircraft were prepared as underslung loads by a the RAF Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit (JADTEU) and the heavy lift Chinook helicopter for the underslung loads was from RAF Odiham Here are some images from the lifting operation:

The Jetstream aircraft ready for lifting

The RAF Chinook heavy lift helicopter

Sea King lift

JADTEU final checks prior to lift

Jetstream lift in progress

Jetstream in flight

Sea King lift in flight

JADTEU team final checks prior to Sea King lift