RAF Westland Wessex from 22 Search & Rescue Squadron performing a SAR demo at the 1984 Fighter Meet at North Weald aerodrome. Scan from a negative taken using a Pentax ME Super fitted with a manual focus Tokina 80-200 lens.
Lockheed C-130E Hercules 73-0991 decorated as the support aircraft for the Turkish Stars display team. It was taking part in the mass flypast to open the Turkish Air Force Centenary airshow at Izmir - Çiğli on 4th June 2011. A C-160 Transall also appeared in a similar scheme.
Back to the Farnborough Airshow in 2010 and probably the best 'Herc' display that I've seen. USAF C-130J-30 07-8614 that was 'borrowed' by Lockheed from the 86th Airlift Wing, leaps into the air to begin its impressive display on 25th July 2010.
This shot was taken during a base visit to Larissa Air Base in Greece to primarily shoot the based F-16's and RF-4E Phantoms. During the late afternoon and with little warning, this Greek Air Force C-130B Hercules suddenly appeared on finals and in perfect late afternoon light too.
USAF Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird 61-7973 from Detachment 4 of the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing blasts into the air to begin its impressive demonstration during Air Fete '87 at RAF Mildenhall. Scan from a negative taken using a Pentax ME Super fitted with a manual focus Tamron 80-210 lens.
It wasn't common for modern era RAF aircraft to sport shark teeth. Therefore, it was very nice to see F-4M Phantom FGR2 XV500 from 56 Squadron carrying non-standard decoration at the USAF 'Open House' at RAF Lakenheath on 11th August 1984. Scan of a negative taken using a Pentax ME Super fitted with a Tokina 25-50 manual focus lens.
RAF Avro Vulcan B2 XH558 displaying during the Battle of Britain 50th Anniversary Airshow at RAF Abingdon on 15th September 1990. A scan from a Fuji Velvia 50 slide taken using a Pentax SFXn fitted with a manual focus Sigma 400mm prime lens. NOTE: This aircraft was still operated and flown by the RAF Vulcan Display Flight at this time until 23rd March 1993.
McDonnell-Douglas F-4M Phantom FGR2 XT889 of 19 Squadron captured at RAF Fairford during IAT '91. Upon the disbandment of 19 Squadron at RAF Wildenrath in Germany on 9th January 1992, this airframe was presented to the Kbely Aviation Museum in Prague. It still resides there today and has recently been refurbished having stood outside for many years.
Back to the 1990 show at Bournemouth (Hurn) Airport. BAe Sea Harrier FRS1 ZE692 from 899 Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm performs its excellent display in perfect weather conditions. A scan from a Kodak Ektachrome 100 slide film taken with a Pentax SFXn 35mm SLR fitted with a Sigma 400mm manual focus prime lens.
British Aerospace Harrier GR5 wearing its original green scheme, is hovering alongside several others at the Farnborough Air Show back in 1990. One of the noisiest experiences I can remember, especially as they were positioned much closer to the crowd than would be allowed now. A full frame scan from a Kodachrome 64 slide taken with a Pentax SFXn SLR fitted with a manual focus Sigma 400 prime lens.
Open Day at RAF Manston in 1990, XV163 of 237 OCU is taxiing off the runway after completing its display. Manston was a great location as its massive runway runs along a raised ridge, so there's little in the way of distracting background. This particular jet is ex-Fleet Air Arm having been delivered to the Royal Navy in 1966. It was transferred to the RAF in 1974 serving until 1992 when it was put in store at RAF Shawbury. Sadly, it was scrapped in 1994. However, the nose section was saved and is on display at a museum in the Netherlands. A scan from a Kodachrome 64 slide taken using a Pentax SFXn 35mm camera fitted with a manual focus Sigma 400mm prime lens.
A scan from one of my slides of probably my best aerial shot of a Buccaneer. This was taken at the 1991 USAFE 'Open House' at RAF Upper Heyford. XV863 was one of two jets regularly used during that display season and retained its rather worn Gulf War scheme and memorable nose art of 'Debbie the Sea Witch'. The jet is launching and keeping characteristically low to begin its impressive display. Taken with a Pentax ME Super fitted with a Sigma 400mm manual focus prime lens. Manual wind on in those days too, so just one shot to get it!
A scan from one of my negatives of RAF Lockheed C-130K Hercules C1 XV181 getting airborne at the USAF 'Open House' at RAF Wethersfield on 21st July 1984.
A scan from one of my negatives of a General Dynamics F-111E Aardvark from the 20th TFW performing a fast pass at the USAF 'Open House' at RAF Wethersfield on 21st July 1984.
