canberraman

Lovely atmospheric shots as we've come to expect! Its interesting how the black and white images really show up all the airframe details. The moody skies actually add to the period feel. Great stuff! regards Mark

Leigh, the series was called Warplane Workshop and there about 6 episodes. If you can find it on catch up TV I'm sure you wont be disappointed! Mark

Cracking images as usual Leigh from an event I unfortunately missed due to being away on holiday I do like that civil Electra and remember watching a programme a few months ago on Channel 4 about her restoration and fascinating history of espionage! Thanks for sharing. Mark

Magnificent images as we've come to expect. You certainly made the most of the opportunities that the West End P&V provides. I really must get back up there next year! Mark

Many thanks as ever Leigh. The Buff was shot at 60mm. Kind regards Mark

Here's a selection of non-themed shots taken throughout RIAT 2023. Tornado IDS 44+29 of TLwG 61 braking hard in the rain on July 15th. Me 262 A/B 1c 501244 (D-IMTT) making its RIAT debut and owned and operated by Flugmuseum Messerschmidt The pair of SK-60s of Swedish AF Luftstriddkolann wearing the attractive former Team 60 display colours, seen leaving RIAT on July 17th. Typhoon T.3 ZK383 of RAF 12 Sqn departing RIAT on July 17th GAF Eurofighter EF200031+14 wearing a striking commemorative colour scheme of TLwG 73 Highlight for many was the appearance of this F-4E Phantom 01518 of Hellenic AF 338 Mira. Sadly the other aircraft of the pair that were due went unserviceable en-route and diverted to Aviano AB. Another veteran US type making a very welcome return to the RIAT flying display was the B-52H. This example 61-0029/BD is assigned to the 307 BW/93 BS at Barksdale AFB. The UAE Air Force Fursan Al Emarat with their MB339NATs also made a welcome return to RIAT after their first appearance there in 2012. The Royal Saudi Air Force Saudi Hawks CV-22B 11-0058 of the Mildenhall based 352 SOW/7 SOS Another rarity on static display, Polish AF Sukhoi SU-22M4K 8309 of 40 esk French AF Rafale C of ETR 3/4 gave its usual enthralling display As did Belgian AF Team Viper F-16AM FA-87 of 31 Sqn It was great to see the return of Tornados and Harriers to RIAT. This photo shows one of a pair of Spanish Navy EAV-8B of Esc 009 that displayed during the weekend. Thanks for looking, c&c always welcome. Mark

Thanks Leigh and to everyone else that has liked these images! Looks like you're getting to grips with the mirrorless Canon which must be quite a change for a longtime Nikon SLR user. We'll be watching your efforts with interest! Mark

The Italian Air Force celebrated its centenary in 2023. On 28 March 1923, the Italian Air Force was founded an an independent service by King Vittorio Emanuele III of the Kingdom of Italy. Following the establishment of the Italian Republic on 18 June 1948, the Regia Aeronautica lost its 'Royal' designation, and it became the Aeronautica Militaire (AMI), the name it has known ever since. The Aeronautica Militaire celebrated its 100th anniversary with a three day airshow, on June 16th-18th at Pratica di Mare air base, near Rome attended by over 300,000 spectators. And as long time supports of and participants at RIAT, it was all the more welcome that as a further theme to the 2023 airshow, the 100th anniversary of the AMI was also a central theme. The Italian Air Force (AMI) received the "Spirit of the Meet" award during RIAT 2023, a recognition honouring the 100th anniversary of this air arm, and with a sizeable presence of aircraft and helicopters many never seen before at a UK air display. A number of privately owned vintage European warbirds with Italian Air Force heritage, also joined the array of modern military might that the AMI sent to this year's event. A unique static display of a selection of historic AMI aircraft was available for close inspection in the Blue Zone of the Fairford showground. It was unfortunate that some of the promised privately owned jet warbirds (MB339s and G-91) were forced to cancel for various reasons, but nevertheless this was a most impressive exhibition. In the air, displays were also provided by a Eurofighter Typhoon, an SAR demo debut by an HH-139B of 15 St, and the new Leonardo T-346A Master advanced trainer. Part of the impressive static display of AMI aircraft old and new seen at RIAT 2023 Piaggio P149D '4-01' (D-EHJK) Privately owned NA T-6G Texan MM54101/114462/4-06 (I-SSEP) Fiat G46-4B MM53304/SM-74 (I-AEKA) SIAI-Marchetti U-208A MM61936/60-23 of 60 Stormo, another current AMI trainer making its Air Tattoo debut. A second U-208 from 60 Stormo (MM62003), went on to win the RIAT 'Concours D'Elegance' trophy thanks to this beautiful, eye catching anniversary livery. Appearing in both the Skytanker and IAF 100th anniversary displays, was this KC-130J tanker, MM62181/46-46 of 46 BA. The attractive 100th anniversary tail markings featured on a number of the AMI airshow exhibits including this C-27J Spartan CSX62219/RS-50 of 311 Gruppo/RSV seen leaving for home on July 17th. Piaggio VC-180 Avanti MM62161 of 311 Gruppo/RSV Gulfstream E-550A CAEW MM62303/14-12 of 14 Stormo Leonardo P-72A MM62279/41-01 of 41 Stormo Leonardo HH-101A Caesar - MM81871/9-10 of 9 Stormo, arriving at RIAT on July 13th. Panavia A-200A Tornado MM7029/6-22 of 6 Stormo noisily departing on July 17th. AMX A-11A Ghibli MM7163/51-72 wearing the special 80th anniversary scheme for 51 Stormo/ Leonardo HH-139B MM82038/15-75 of 15 Stormo performing another RIAT first, an Italian Air Force SAR demonstration. Leonardo T-346A Mentor CSX55223/61-22 of 311 Gruppo/RSV that took part in each day's flying programme. Also flying each day was this Eurofighter F-2000A CSX7352/36-55 of 311 Gruppo/RSV. The very welcome appearance at RIAT of both the Italian Navy and Army is also worthy of special mention. This Italian Navy TAV-8B+ Harrier II was one of two Harrier that GRUPAER 'Wolves' sent to RIAT for static display. Italian Army AH-129D Mangusta attack helicopter MM81392/E.I.922 . The Italian Army Aviation won for the first time the "Best flying demonstration by an overseas participant" award during the RIAT 2023. Hope this photo report has been of interest. C&C always welcome. Mark

Some great topsides and superb lighting. Well done for persevering with the changeable weather and sharing these fine images. Mark

Many thanks Leigh and to everyone else that has 'liked' these pictures. The Italian 'invasion' to come in Part 2 Mark

The central theme of the 2023 Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford, held July 14-16th, was 100 years of aerial refuelling. Accordingly invites had gone out to a range of the world's military air arms and civilian tanker companies with a view to assembling as many different AAR platforms as possible for static display, and to conduct several aerial demonstrations. The previous Skytanker Meet held at the 1985 IAT at Fairford, featured 18 different tankers on static display including no less than 12 USAF KC-135s! Clearly in the intervening 38 years, the world's militaries have significantly downsized, and with stretched budgets and a war in Ukraine to contend with, obviously we could not expect the variety and numbers of aircraft witnessed in 1985. However, a fair sized gathering did manage to assemble this year, with tankers attending from as far afield as Saudi Arabia, Italy, and the Netherlands, joining the French Air Force, USAF and RAF participants that were also present back in 1985. The venerable KC-135 continues to be the backbone of the USAF tanker fleet and aircraft from the 100 ARW at RAF Mildenhall appeared in both static and aerial displays. Another RIAT debut was the appearance of a civil owned KC-135R belonging to Metrea Strategic Mobility, based at Temecula in California, marking the first time a commercial KC-135 has participated in any air show world wide. However the KC-135's pre-eminence is now diminishing with a growing number of Western air arms equipping with variants of the Airbus A330; an RAF A330 Voyager flew an AAR demonstration on July 15th and 16th, and static examples were on display from both the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Netherlands based NATO Multinational MRTT Unit. Tactical refuelling types such as the C130 Hercules and A400 Atlas were also evident, with a static example of the former on display from the Italian Air Force, and an aerial demonstration of tanking Tornados by a Luftwaffe A400M. The Tornados also went on to highlight their ability to conduct buddy-buddy AAR. Unfortunately the latest USAF tanker type - the KC-46A, was subject to a last minute cancellation, but a KC-767 on which the Pegasus is based, was present from the Italian Air Force (AMI) who were at RIAT in force celebrating that air arm's 100 years. On with the show... KC-135R 60-0333 assigned to the 351 ARS/100 ARW at RAF Mildenhall about to depart RIAT on Monday July 17th. Ex USAF and Singapore Air Force KC-135R 59-1454, now civil registered with Metrea Strategic Mobility as N572MA, about to depart for the long flight back home to California on July 17th. A330-243 MRTT T-056 of the joint NATO MRTT/KLu 334 Sqn, based at Eindhoven. Airbus A330-202 MRTT 2403 of Royal Saudi Air Force 24 Sqn seen leaving RIAT on July 17th. On each day of the RIAT weekend, an RAF 10/101 Sqn Voyager performed a flyby in company with current and prospective NATO members' aircraft that the type can refuel. In this photo taken July 16th a Swedish AF Gripen holds formation off the port wing of Voyager ZZ335. On the previous day a similar formation flypast occurred featuring a Finnish AF F/A-18C Hornet (Finland being the latest NATO member). USAF probe/drogue AAR was demonstrated each day via an MC-130J and CV-22B Osprey from AFSOC's 352nd SOW based at RAF Mildenhall. A Luftwaffe Airbus A400M 54+16 of LTG-62, seen here with wing tip pods fitted, demonstrated the type's ability to refuel fast jet receivers, in this case a pair of German Tornados from TLWG 51 and TLWG 33 After demonstrating their ability to tank from the A400M, the Tornados proceeded to show off their ability to conduct buddy/buddy refuelling. KC-130J MM62181/46-46 of the Italian AF (AMI) 46 BA departing Fairford on July 17th. Also from the AMI was this KC-676A MM62227/14-02 belonging to 14 Stormo, seen heading home on July 17th. Hope these have been of interest. Part 2 of my RIAT photo report will feature the Italian Air Force centenary participants. Mark

Some terrific images from Park and View West I presume? I haven't used that end for many years, but based on this evidence, and the low take offs, I may need to rethink my options next year! Mark

Terrific images as we have to expect from you Leigh! I love the arrivals from the 27 approach end and reckon I need to get back down there next year as the view from the FRIAT grandstand is a bit samey. You were a very brave man to endure Friday so full marks for persevering. Thankfully the weekend displays went ahead despite the dire Met warnings and although there were a few hefty showers and a strong wind Saturday, most of the flying took place as planned. I'll hopefully put up a few shots of mine from the weekend and departure day when I get sorted! Regards Mark

Definitely not a drone but a B-47E. In fact this example 52-0166 made the last ever flight of the type when it was ferried from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake to Castle Air Force Base in June 1986. Here's a photo I shot of her in 2017 at her current home at the Castle Air Museum. Great photos Sven by the way! Mark

Some more excellent images Shaun from what look like a couple of good events. Can't believe how low that first Typhoon was (or else you were up high?). I love the topsides on the warbirds at Old Warden, which is rare for the BBMF Lanc and Sally B. Mark

Many thanks Latinbear! I think we're all in agreement that the premature retirement of the Herc may be decision that the Government may come to regret, but was no doubt brought about by the state of the nation's finances. Thanks also for the nice retirement wishes! I'm certainly enjoying the extra time to do all the things that work once got in the way of! Thanks also to everyone else that has commented on or liked the photos. Mark

Another cracking collection of photos Leigh taken at that most scenic and evocative of all UK airfields. Lots of favorites to choose from, but particularly like the Lysander, and its good to see Sally B flying again despite the grounding order that has affected B-17 flights in the US. See you at RIAT! Mark

A cracking build and superb paint job. She looks good from every aspect, you must be well chuffed with the end result. Well done and thanks for sharing. Mark

A great build and even better paint job with the old hairy stick - well done! Mark

Chances are it was an RAF machine you saw Troffa but I suppose it could have been a USAF machine or another foreign military user as Yeovilton does get a few overseas visitors. Mark

Hi Noel, I believe it is the intention that they will be resold as opposed to scrapped. A number of earlier retirees went to Bangladesh and Austria so there's clearly a market for second hand Hercs with one careful owner! Mark

Wednesday June 28th 2023. A sad day in the annals of RAF history, as after over 56 years of illustrious service, the RAF finally bade farewell to the faithful Lockheed Hercules. The last two aircraft - ZH867 and ZH870 - made their final flights into Cambridge airport at 1115 and 1125 today. ZH867. the first to arrive - callsign Judgement 24, was captained oy OC 24 Sqn Wg Cdr Gav Anderson. ZH870, with the commemorative tail markings, came in as callsign Omen 47 captained by OC 47 Sqn Wg Cdr James Sjoberg. I can just about remember the type's arrival in service back in 1967 when a sa five year old I used to watch them overflying my house en route to their home station at Lyneham. It's difficult to comprehend that now as a recently retired 61 year old I've just witnessed their last ever flights! Still can't fully understand the rationale of withdrawing such a useful and versatile asset, especially when the Germans are in the process of buying them to supplement the A400M, but no doubt HMG has their reasons! Thanks for looking! Mark

Lovely shots with varied backgrounds Gary. It's good to see that the serial numbers on the AH-64E are a bit easier to read too! Mark

Magnificent shots Wally! Hard to pick a favourite as they are all such high class, but the first F-15 and the Hercs head on take some beating, Mark

Fabulous shots as ever Shaun! Your patience and perseverence certainly paid off. That Bone head on taking off should be on the cover of a book or magazine - truly epic! Mark