Alfred Fartknocker:
The Defence Helicopter Flying School do basic flight training on the Squirrel HT.1 at RAF Shawbury. ZJ266 hovertaxies in after a trip, but is in the USA these days reg'd N131TC.
Alfred Fartknocker:
It was great to be on a guided tour of RAF Shawbury. Puma HC.1 XW202 was being stripped for parts but it is now with the Army Medical Services Training Centre at Strenshall. Many of the HC.1 were rebuilt as HC.2- but not this one for some reason.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Four Armee de L'Air Mirage 2000N visited Leeming for an exercise. #348/ 125-AL seen here about to land.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Typhoon FGR.4 ZK316/ FA is flying with 1 Sqn here, about to land at RAF Leeming. The people in the little chequered hut are there to warn you if you've forgotten to put the wheels down.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Belgian F-104G FX-15 taxies in at Leuchars. It's got some really interesting 'zaps' which I'm hoping to reproduce in 1/48th. This Starfighter ended up preserved at Beauvechain AB.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This Wessex HU.5 has clearly seen better days. XT773 is dumped at Shawbury.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Anonymous 32 (TR) Sqn RAF BAe 146 CC.1 visits London City Airport (EGLC). Might be ZE700.
Alfred Fartknocker:
The RAF operated a few TriStars for trooping etc. Lockheed built a beautiful aeroplane. ZD948 is on the roll at Prestwick, operated by 216 Sqn.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Typhoon gets airborne at RAF Leuchars.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This ex AAC Gazelle AH.1 was never in the RAF- that sticker covers the word 'ARMY'. XX899/ Z is seen here in use as a G.I. at Cosford, but it was sold and flew on first as G-CLSA then ZU-RJA.
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:
A 910 AW (AFReS) C-130H bringing some US Troops back from Iraq stops for fuel at Prestwick. 92-3023 flies on with the same unit.
Alfred Fartknocker:
59-1512 is a KC-135Q, seen at Mildenhall in 1980. It's with the 100ARW, based here. The Q model tankers could only refuel SR-71s.
Alfred Fartknocker:
A Tiffy at Lossiemouth.
Alfred Fartknocker:
CH-124 Sea King of the CAF on the HMCS Huron, at Glasgow in 1978.
Alfred Fartknocker:
ZA472/ 031 Tornado GR.4 at lossiemouth. One of the last to fly, it was wfu at Marham in 2019 and does not seem to have lasted much longer.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This Jaguar GR.1 must have retired when the original camo' was still in vogue. It's XX818/ DE in a hangar at Cosford, in use as a G.I, but wearing 8945M.
Alfred Fartknocker:
RAF Chinook HC.2, ZA674 stops at Prestwick. Since been rebuilt as an HC.6A. There were no codes on this one, but I think it's with 27 Sqn at Odiham.
Alfred Fartknocker:
A very plain looking Orion visits Glasgow. It's VP-3A Bu.Aer 149676 operated by VP-30. It is in the Boneyard these days as 2P0245. This one started as a P-3A, the 17th built, then modified WP-3A before this VIP config'.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This 43 Sqn Phantom FG.1 is XV586/ T, seen taxiing out at Leuchars. It's ended up, happily preserved at Yeovilton with the Navy. This F-4K started with the RN at Yeovilton, so it has found its way home really.
Alfred Fartknocker:
US Navy C-130T Bu.Aer 165379 breaks ground at Prestwick. RU5349 since recoded BD5349. The AN-124 in the background is UR-82008. It was with the Russian AF before Antonov got hold of it.
Alfred Fartknocker:
XV672 Sea King ASaC.7 at Culdrose. Feb 2013
Alfred Fartknocker:
The four Danish Super Sabres that visited Leuchars on this date were, G-177, G-769, G-782 & GT-844. Seen here with some 43 Sqn F-4s, XV579/R, XT861/C, XV592/ L & XT872/T
Alfred Fartknocker:
Only two Gazelles were HCC.4, a very smart looking VIP version operated by the RAF. This is XW852 in use as a G.I.at Cosford. The other one is XW855 and is preserved at the RAF Museum in Hendon.
Alfred Fartknocker:
#348/ 125-AL Mirage 2000N at Leeming
Alfred Fartknocker:
This is Wessex HC.2 , XT670/ AU flying at Ballykelly on 20 April 1979. It was with 72 Sqn, based at Aldergrove.
Alfred Fartknocker:
VC-10s parked at Brize Norton. XV109/ Z nearest.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Typhoon FGR.4 backtracks at Lossie'.
Alfred Fartknocker:
A-10A 82-0654 "WR" is one of the newest. Here the crew prepare it for departure after the 1985 Scottish Air show at Prestwick. It's still in service as an A-10C but in this pic based at Woodbridge/ Bentwaters with the 81 TFW.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Belgian F-104Gs' arrive at Leuchars. FX-15 in the lead.
