Apart from the feature airfields some other aviation photography has been taken. Mostly on the off chance. The following pictures are from these occasions.
The former Royal Air Force Station Coltishall, more commonly known as RAF Coltishall, was a Royal Air Force station, 10 miles North-North-East of Norwich, from 1938 to 2006.
It was a fighter base in the Second World War and afterwards a base for night fighters then ground attack aircraft until closure.
After longstanding speculation, the future of the station was sealed once the Ministry of Defence announced that the Typhoon, a rolling replacement aircraft, displacing the ageing Jaguars, would not be based there. The last of the Jaguar squadrons left on 1 April 2006 and the station finally closed, one month early and £10 million under budget, on 30 November 2006
Jaguar GR3A/T4
Visiting
raf linton-on-ouse, yorkshire
The Royal Air Force Station Linton-on-Ouse, more commonly known as RAF Linton-on-Ouse, is a Royal Air Force station, near York in Yorkshire.
RAF Linton on Ouse is one of the busiest airfields in the country. Tasked with the training future fast jet pilots for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy and Weapons Systems Officers for the Royal Air Force, the Station operates the Tucano T1.
Flying Wing comprises:
72
and
207
Sqn,
CFS*
(Tucano) Sqn,
76
Sqn,
Groundschool
*CFS = Central Flying School
RAF LEEMING, YORKSHIRE
The Royal Air Force Station Leeming, more commonly known as RAF Leeming, is a Royal Air Force station, in North Yorkshire.
The only remaining jets are the BAe Hawks of 100 Squadron which provides an air combat training service and a navaigator training unit as well as support to the Joint Forward Air Control Unit (JFACTSU).
Currently Leeming is operating as a Forward Operating Base and as a Fast Jet Turnround facility, the others being RAF Leuchars in Fife, Scotland which is also equipped with F3s and since June 2007 RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire which is home to Typhoon F2s. Coningsby took over from Leeming as England's main air defence base in April 2008 when 3 Sqn became fully operational. Leeming is also home to the Air Training Corps No 11 Air Experience Flight /Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron, with four Grob Tutor aircraft stationed there.
The future of RAF Leeming following the disbandment of its remaining Tornado squadron was not clear for a period. Under current plans by the UK Ministry of Defence, Air Combat Service Support units of 2 Group and personnel from RAF Boulmer and elsewhere who were destined to move to RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire will now be stationed at Leeming due to problems with accommodation at Scampton. As of 2008 this move is underway.
raf cottesmore, leicestershire
The Royal Air Force Station Cottesmore, more commonly known as RAF Cottesmore, is a Royal Air Force station in Leicestershire.
RAF Cottesmore is the core component of Joint Force Harrier, and is currently home to the Four operational Harrier Squadrons:
1(Fighter) Squadron,
IV(Army Cooperation)
Squadron 800 Naval Air Squadron and
801 Naval Air Squadron.
The base is also home to 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force.
In 2006, the Harrier GR9 entered service, representing a significant upgrade in capability, the Station’s flying task is demanding, and the squadrons at RAF Cottesmore maintain constant readiness to deploy anywhere in the world to project Air Power in support of the UK, NATO, EU and UN operations.
To develop, deploy, and sustain and support this capability requires an enormous effort from all of the personnel serving at RAF Cottesmore, and it is a great testament to their professionalism and enthusiasm that the Station continues to deliver an outstanding capability across the full spectrum of our activities. The Station motto “We Rise to our Obstacles” captures the sprit of professionalism and determination of all RAF Cottesmore personnel as they focus their efforts to tackle the uncertainties of the modern world.
Harrier GR9/GR9A
raf lyneham, wiltshire
Royal Air Force Lyneham is home to the RAF’s Tactical Air Transport Force - the Hercules aircraft - and is one of the largest and busiest operational stations in the RAF. The Station badge consists of a comet spanning the globe and terminating in the Antipodes. RAF Lyneham’s motto, which reflects our raison d’être is: 'S U P P O R T - S A V E - S U P P L Y'. Just the one of the QinteQ Alphajet on an overshoot to Lyneham. A lucky 10 minutes!
raf valley, anglesey - north wales
RAF Valley is a Royal Air Force station on the island of Anglesey, Wales.
It provides fast-jet training using the BAE Hawk. No. 4 Flying Training School takes RAF and Royal Navy pilots from 1FTS at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and trains them to fly fast jets, prior to training on an Operational Conversion Unit. 4 FTS is divided into two squadrons; 208 Sqn provides the advanced flying training, students then moving onto 19 Sqn to receive tactics and weapons training.
Valley is also home to C Flight of 22 Sqn with Sea King helicopters. These are busy in the Search and Rescue role, rescuing people from ships in the Irish Sea, from the mountains of nearby Snowdonia and elsewhere. The mountain rescue work in Snowdonia is coordinated with the Wales Mountain Rescue Association.
The base is also home to SARTU (Search and Rescue Training Unit), part of the Defence Helicopter Flying School, using Squirrel and Griffin helicopters, and newly home to the relocated headquarters elements of both 22 and 202 Squadrons.
RAF Mona, also on Anglesey, acts as a relief landing ground.
Hawk T1/1A & T2
DUXFORD - FLYING LEGENDS
Decided not to onto Duxford for the show this year. I positioned myself just up the road. I only stayed for an hour or so. For pictures from the Imperial War museum please visit my dedicated Duxford page - click here
queen's birthday flypast (from ipswich)
A very impressive line of active RAF machines including the fantastic 16-ship of Torando GR4s from RAF Marham