Military Jets Photography: April 2011

2011 04 18 Spotting at LFSR

The French Air Force is organized into Escadrons (Squadrons). In turn, each escadron is made up of several Escadrilles (Flights). The designations of many escadrilles can be traced back to their World War I heritage. Escadrilles with the BR. designation flew Breguet aircraft, C. flew Caudrons, N. the Nieuport fighters, SAL. Salmson, and SPA. the SPAD fighters.
Reims had 2 squadrons namely ER 01.033 and ER 02.033. Escadre de Reconnaissance 01.033 “Belfort” has been disbanded at 24 june 2010 leaving Escadre de Reconnaissance 02.033 “Savoie”
ER 02.033 alone at BA112. But the days of ER 02.033 are almoast over at Reims because they will move to Mont-de-Marsan in June and Reims will be closed accordingly.
So with that in mind, Jan and I went to Reims to see some Mirages F1. The weather forecast was superb and so was the flying. Although the morning was a bit calm, probably because of some high ranked visitor. Once he had left the base the flying began.
During the day we had 7 diffirent Mirages flying, these included all versions (Mirage F.1B, Mirage F.1CT and Mirage F.1CR). The first movement was a special one as it was one of the Mirages returning from Solenzara, Corse were several Mirages are participating in the no-fly zone mission above Libya. According to a local spotter 2 more were expected but we stayed till 19h and they still hadn't shown up. There flightplan must have been changed to another date?
Reims is perfect for taking pictures. The pilots, the fireman and even the base police all waved to the spotters along the fence. For take-off and landing shot you'll need around 500mm to have a nice filled frame. But for taxi shots you don't need a long tele at all.
Jan and I went back home after a very nice day with some really nice photos. We might visit Reims again before the Mirages are really gone.

Mirage F.1CR French Air Force 112-NX/616

Mirage F.1CT French Air Force 112-QW/229

Mirage F.1CT French Air Force 112-SG/278

Mirage F.1CR French Air Force 112-NK/661

Mirage F.1B French Air Force 112-SK/519

Mirage F.1CR French Air Force 112-CV/653

Mirage F.1CT French Air Force 112-SG/278

Mirage F.1B French Air Force 112-SR/518

Mirage F.1B French Air Force 112-SK/519

Mirage F.1CR French Air Force 112-NK/661

Mirage F.1B French Air Force 112-SK/519, 112-SR/518

Mirage F.1CT French Air Force 112-QW/229

Mirage F.1CR French Air Force 112-CV/653

Mirage F.1B French Air Force 112-SK/519

Mirage F.1B French Air Force 112-SR/518

Mirage F.1B French Air Force 112-SK/519

Mirage F.1CT French Air Force 112-SG/278

Mirage F.1B French Air Force 112-SK/519

Mirage F.1B French Air Force 112-SR/518

2011 04 12 Spotting at LFPI

Because I'm each week a few days in Paris for my work, I was able to pay a visit to the heliport of Issy-la-Moulineaux. The heliport is located in the south west corner of Paris. This place is famous for its contribution to the history of aviation in the early 20th century. Today the airfield can only be used by helicopters.
Just when I arrived I saw a nicely painted Gazelle come in. Other flyers were an Ecurieul and a Robinson R-44. The Sécutité Civile is also stationed at the heliport with two EC145's. I was lucky to see one depart.
On my way back to the metrostation I passed a building from the Armee de l'air were a Mirage IIIE is the gate guardian.

SA.342L Gazelle Privatly owned F-GJGT

AS.365N-3 Dauphin Privatly owned HB-ZDR

AS.350BA Ecurieul Trans Hélicoptères Services F-GECM

R-44 Privatly owned F-HJRB

EC145 Sécurité Civile F-ZBPP

EC145 Sécurité Civile F-ZBPX

EC145 Sécurité Civile F-ZBPP

Mirage IIIE French Air Force 3-JS/529

2005 05 25 Airpower Zeltweg

On Friday 24 and Saturday 25 June, the Zeltweg-Hinterstoisser airfield in Austria hosted AirPower05. Becoming recognised by an increasing number of aviation enthusiasts, the Zeltweg airshow is a perfect event for photographers - the sun is behind you during most of the day and the Seckauer Alpine range provides a unique backdrop. While the flying display is perfect, the static display is 'Mission Impossible' for photographers, as ropes hung close to the aircraft and the public could pass on both sides. But flying display lasting over eight hours of almost-continuous flying, makes up for a lot of that. Zeltweg offered a mixture of over two hundred military and civilian operated aircraft from twenty nations.
AirPower05 was the most important opportunity for the Austrian Air Force to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. Its origin in military aviation history was displayed by a unique Yak 11, a type that marked the very beginning of the Austrian Air Force in 1955. Later 'Team 2000' performed in their four Saab Safirs, a type that has flown with the Austrian 'Bundesheer-Pilotenausbildung' (Austrian AF pilot training) since 1964. A solo display was flown by the Saab 105 (in its tiger colour scheme), on the inventory for jet training since 1970.
AirPower05 marked the first major public display of a newcomer to the Austrian inventory, the F-5E Tiger II. These aircraft are only temporarily in Austrian service, as they're on loan from the Swiss Air Force. The Tigers have been acquired to close the gap between the Draken and the new Eurofighter Typhoon, of which the first deliveries are expected mid 2007. Coinciding with the presentation to the audience of the 'new' F-5Es, AirPower05 also marked the very last public demonstration of the legendary Saab Draken. Though upgraded to J35Ö standard, it was already somewhat outdated when it entered Austrian service in 1988. By the end of 2005 it will be over when Austria, as the last Draken operator, will finally retire the type. To mark this sad occasion, the crowd was offered the unique six-ship Draken formation for the last time. Later during the day that was followed by a solo-display of the well-known red-and-white Draken.
When visiting the airshow, it was nearly impossible to escape what seems to be Austria's national beverage (besides lager) - Red Bull! The company that produces this energy drink was not only the main sponsor of the show but the brand was also present in the flying display. It boasts a whole fleet of vintage aircraft, called the 'Flying Bulls', which includes a B-25J Mitchell, a T-28 Trojan, a F4U Corsair and a Douglas DC-6B. The only airworthy Sea Vixen, well-known because it looks like a flying tray of Red Bull cans in a television ad, was present as well, of course.
Besides the sponsored warbirds, there were several other vintage aircraft present during AirPower05. These included a former Swiss Air Force Vampire and two former Swiss AF Hunters, all based in Switzerland. These three vintage jets flew an interesting 'heritage formation' with the Swiss display Hornet. AirPower05 also welcomed the sight of some visiting Eastern European air forces, including Romania with a single MiG-21 Lancer and an Antonov 26. Slovenia sent a recently acquired Cougar and the Hungarians offered a noisy display with their ever-impressive MiG-29 Fulcrum. But other than these, the show could not boast any other 'exotic' highlights.
Perhaps a nuisance for the military spotter, but a highlight to the general public, was the 'Red Bull Air Race World Series 2005' on Saturday. Nine world-class aerobatics pilots are racing a slalom course against the clock and each other in their Extra 300s and Sukhois around inflatable pylons, in what is called 'Formula 1 of the air'. Zeltweg was the third 'stop' in the 2005 World Series tour.
Although we had a huge thunderstorm on Saturday I was still impressed with this show. Unfortunately due to the weather the displays of the Mirage 2000C, the MiG-29 and the Typhoon were cancelled for the afternoon. The organisers managed that all performers could fly their display although at a very late time.