RNAS Yeovilton Photo Shoot

Friday 6 July 2018, a very warm day at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton for the pre-air show photoshoot. the format for which had been changed since me last visit, when we spent all day there from about 09:30 till 20:00, but this time the time slot was much shorter from roughly 11:00 till 15:00 and with the gates opening late I missed the first arrivals, at least from a photography viewpoint. Facilities were unchanged with drinks, food and ice cream on hand and unrestricted access to vehicles.

As in common with a number of air show locations in the UK the display area/runway is to the south of the crowd line making photography that little bit more tricky and adding to that the tremendous heat haze coming up from the concrete images of aircraft on the runway would always be a big haze. The following pictures a roughly in chronological order showing the diversity of visiting aircraft with a very strongly contingency from France in evidence.

Belgian Air Force F-16MLU Fighting Falcon

Lockheed P-3C Orion Bundesmarine

Lockheed C-130J Hercules of the Royal Canadian Armed Forces

NHIndustries NH-90 of the French AeroNavale

Airbus Helicopters AS350B3e Ecureuil operated by QinetiQ 

Dassault Rafale M of the French AeroNavale

Grob 120 operated ed by QinetiQ

Hawker Sea Fury T20 Royal Naval Historic Flight

Westland Wildcat of the Fleet Air Arm

Boeing P-8A Poseidon of the US Navy

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III of the USAF Air Mobility Command

The Royal Jordanian Air Force Falcons

NHIndustries NH-90 of the Royal Netherlands Air Force

Mig-15UTI operating out of North Weald

Mil Mi-17 Hip of the Lithuanian Air Force

Morane Saulnier MS-760 Paris in French AeroNavale colours (privately operated)

Potez Fouga CM175 Zephyr in French AeroNavale colours (privately operated)

The last four pictures of the RCAF McDonnell-Douglas CF-118 Hornet, which gave a great display rivalling the previous Hornet display by the Swiss AF. Also a great colour scheme celebrating 62 years of the RCAF. 

RNAS Yeovilton is always a good day out, be it for the photo shoot on Arrivals Day or the air show itself. It always seems to have a surprise or two up its sleeve.

Theo Claassen
15 July 2018

Lightning Reunion at Bruntingthorpe

On Saturday 23 June 2018 a reunion took place at Bruntingthorpe based Lightning Preservation Group for ex- Lightning aircrew. The weather was kind and there were four Lightnings on show, three belonging to the LPD, the fourth being on temporary loan for the weekend and moving down to Cornwall after the event.

Here are some image from the day, that included cockpit tours of the static Lightning F3, access to the QRA hangar with LPG's two "operational" Lightning F6s and a close look at the "visiting Lightning" that was probably better viewed from a safe distance due to its wings having been but for removal and assembled as best as possible.

The fast taxi run was carried out Jake Jarron and  the last picture contains all four Lightnings.

It was a great day for Lightning enthusiasts and ex-professional alike and for meeting some very interesting people who where all too keen to tell their stories.

Thanks to the LPG for organising such a wonderful event.

Theo Claassen

30 June 2018

Lutterworth & District Museum trip to Staverton and Bristol

On Saturday 12 May 2018 some of us RAG members joined the coach for the Lutterworth & District Museum trip to the Jet Age Museum at Staverton and Aerospace Bristol.

The Jet Age Museum 

This is a relatively small museum, but full of unusual exhibits and more outside that one day will be under cover also, including the prototype Javelin Mk4.  The first thing you notice when you walk in is the friendliness of the volunteers that look after business and the visitors.

Despite the amount of exhibits inside there is plenty of space for walking amongst what is on display.

The museum also has a small shop, again with some unusual wooden toys made by one of the volunteers.

There is also a well stocked cafe that serves teas and coffees etc. So here are some pictures to highlight what is on show.

 

Aerospace Bristol, Filton

This is a  museum that was created with a lot of forethought and money and the results are stunning. Some of the investment came from Airbus, one of the biggest employers on the former airfield and the exhibits that have been gathered to tell the Bristol story are not necessarily unique, but they are displayed in a fashion that flows and is accessible for those in wheelchairs and are well documented.

There are essentially two display buildings, the old hangars housing the aviation galleries and the amenities, including an very good cafe with hot food and the Concorde building. Even though on two levels there is a lift for those struggling on stairs and wheelchair access.

The buildings are not linked and when the weather is what we generally call typically English you may need a raincoat or brolly to move between the buildings.

Here are a collection of images depicting what can be found inside the buildings, starting with the old hangers, which is the museum entrance.

A great day out and both museums are certainly recommended when visiting the area. A special thank you to Stuart Hammond of the Lutterworth & District Museum for inviting us to join them on this trip.

Theo Claassen

20 May 2018