Alfred Fartknocker:
58-0094 at EGUN. It's a KC-135Q of 100 ARW. This was the version with the fuel for the SR-71s.
Alfred Fartknocker:
'Irish 240' is the call sign of this Irish Air Corps Beech King Air, seen here at London City.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This An-72 'COALER' showed up at Glasgow, Scotland in 2007. ER-AVD is actually ex Russki AF as CCCP-72942 & ex Angola AF as T-707. The faded UN marks refer to its time as ES-NOG. It is c/n 36572080786.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Some of the Jaguars at DSAE Cosford were in the old RAFG style wrap around scheme. This GR.1 is XX968/ AJ (9007M) still wearing its 14 Sqn markings. It seems to have been a G.I. from c. 1989.
Alfred Fartknocker:
72 Sqn Wessex HC.2, XT672/ AZ sits out on the Military ramp at Aldergrove during 'the troubles' This one survives at Purtington.
Alfred Fartknocker:
These "Aeroflot" An-26s were on their way to join the Fuerza Area Revolutionara, or whatever the Air Force of Cuba calls itself, CCCP-47326 (c/n 6710) became FAC 12-28, later CU-T1228-. Last heard of in October 1978- i.e this sighting. 'CURL' to NATO.
Alfred Fartknocker:
A Buccaneer lands at Honington a few years ago.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Three Iraqi AF T-6 Texans stage through Glasgow on their way to Iraq. Wonder what happened to them? This was the last time they were reported. YI-509, YI-510 & YI-511.
Alfred Fartknocker:
The blades have been spread on this 737 NAS Wessex HAS.3, XM923 on the military ramp at Aldergrove. Now the Navy mechanic tightens the bolts.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Once-upon-a-time, there were some great looking USAFE aircraft. This HC-130N is 69-5827, seen at Woodbridge in 1980, with 67 ARRS. It was converted into a Special Ops MC-130P, and is at AMARC as of 2021.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Tornado GR.4, ZA369/ 003 does its thing at a typically un-sunny Fairford.
Alfred Fartknocker:
ZA320 was only the second UK Tornado mud-mover. It started with the TTTE at Cottesmore coded B-01 (British #1). Here it is as a G.I. at Cosford (9314M) after retiring from XV Sqn, coded TAW. This one's a twin sticker, so a GR.1(T).
Alfred Fartknocker:
This Hawk has clearly been with the RAFAT 'Red Arrows', but here it is in store at Shawbury- it was great to get on a tour around this place. XX294 remains here as of 2024 as a G.I., but looking very complete and still in its bright plumage.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Canberra TT.18 WJ717/ 841 taxies out at Yeovilton some years ago. It was reduced to a nose only, and even that l/n in 2005- although it might still be a thing?
Alfred Fartknocker:
A reflection from the past. When the weather gets bad in London, Glasgow might get a diversion or two. BA Boeing 747 G-BDXJ leaves no doubt about its operators' nationality. This is the jet preserved today at Dunsfold with Aces High. British Airways
Alfred Fartknocker:
A US Navy Lockheed C-130T appears from behind a tree at Prestwick. Bu.Aer 165349 'RU' was with VR-56, but flies on today with VR-62.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This KC-135R pauses at Prestwick. It's from Sioux City with the Iowa ANG. 59-1519 flies on today.
Alfred Fartknocker:
67 ARRS were based at RAF Woodbridge in Suffolk. There were six HC-130s seen on our visit, this one is HC-130N 69-5827 which lives on as an MC-130P in AMARG. The Sun was setting.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This Greyhound is parked outside the HMS Gannet hangars at Prestwick. Bu.Aer 152786/ JM-32 is a C-2A & came here from Sigonella where it was with VR-24. Now stored at AMARC as 1C0002.
Alfred Fartknocker:
2 Sqns T-bird taxies at RAF Lossiemouth. ZK380/ T has the 'Reef knot' badge on the fin. The first Typhoons were T.1, but this is a T.3. It remains in service with 29 Sqn coded 380.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Merlin at Linton. It's XJ132/ Q, an HM.1
Alfred Fartknocker:
6 Squadron replaced their Jaguars with the new Typhoons. FGR.4 ZK347/ EF taxies at Lossiemouth. Note the famous 'Flying Can openers' badge, a legacy from German tank-busting in WW II.
Alfred Fartknocker:
HMS Gannets' Sea Kings were more or less a permanent feature at Prestwick until, quite suddenly, they were gone. Here's HU.5 XZ578 likely doing some training as 'NAVY 177'. They used 'RESCUE 177' when on a real job.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Sioux City is the home of this Iowa ANG KC-135R, 59-1519, seen receiving attention at Prestwick.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Jet Provost T.5A, XW328/ 75 was in use at Cosford in 2011. It had 9177M allocated at the time. Since been sold off, and now at Wernigerode, near Halberstadt, Germany. These were effectively airworthy, and were taxied around, training airmen.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Good old days. Some Belgium AF F-104Gs' visit Scotland.
Alfred Fartknocker:
US Army RC-12X 93-00701 on the roll at Prestwick.
Alfred Fartknocker:
8 Sqn Shackleton AEW.2 WR965 waits on the ramp at Lossiemouth. It's long past it's planned retirement date, but still slogging away. It's a few years still 'til its final date with destiny in 1990, at Benbecula.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Seen at Ballykelly, N.Ireland is a Gazelle AH.1 operated by 3 CBAS Royal Marines. XX383/ C. Once-upon-a-time, Ballykelly was a Shackleton base, but by 1979 the runway was closed and helicopters the only traffic. 662 AAC had three Gazelles here in 1979.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Tornado GR.4 ZA563 joined the RAF in 1981, as a GR.1. It flew for 27 Sqn, and is seen here at Shawbury just before moving to Leeming to get scrapped.
