Military Jets Photography: January 2012

2006 06 17 Luchtmachtdagen Leeuwarden

The annual Open House of the Royal Netherlands Air Force has a great reputation among aviation enthusiasts for its wide variety of interesting aircraft attending the show. This year they lived up to their reputation with rare participants in both static and flying show. This included the only appearance of the Blue Angels outside North America. The 2006 event was held on June 16 & 17 at Netherlands most northern located airbase Leeuwarden.
Stars of the static were two Turkish NF-5's (former RNLAF types), a Czech Gripen, a Polish MiG-29 and a German Typhoon. Also there were several support aircraft positioned on or near the static show area.
Due to the upcoming commitments of the Tactical Helicopter Group there was no big Air Power demo like last years. However the demonstration of a CH-47 with a 'Bambi Bucket' was an interesting item to watch. Not seen for many years on a Dutch show was the rescue demo of the resident AB412 SAR helicopters. Now they performed a duo demonstration with two of their 'Tweeties'.
Fast jet performers were a Spanish Hornet, Belgian and Dutch F-16 and a pair of Hunters. A new kid on the block was the demonstration by an USAF F-15E Strike Eagle. This demo team (including Dutch commentary by an American !!) made its European debut. Also there was the first visit of the 'new' Asas de Portugal with their great colored A-Jets.
The show had a wide variety of participants, booth historic and modern. But the most unusual demonstration was given by Christian Moullec and his 8 geese. Flying his ultra light in close formation with these birds was a really amazing feature.
Probably the biggest achievement was the fact the RNLAF managed to get the Blue Angels to come to Europe for the Dutch only ! A full display included the famous JATO assisted take off of the C-130T support plane 'Fat Albert'. This could very well be one of the last JATO take offs, as the JATO rockets are almost out of stock and are not being produced anymore.
The Blues gave a real American type of demonstration, including their well known patriotic commentary and the almost absurd ground performances of both air- and ground crew. Highlights were the close formations, of six and four Hornets, as well as a very close mirror formation.
Other display teams were Patrouille de France, Patrouille Suisse and Midnight Hawks from Finland.
In general the Dutch Air Force had put together a great event again!

P-51D Dutch Historic Aircraft Company PH-PSI

Extra 300 The Blades

F-16AM Belgian Air Force FA-131

Mi-24V Czech Air Force 7353

Alpha Jet A Portuguese Air Force Asas de Portugal

CH-47D Netherlands Air Force D-664

Extra 300 Royal Jordanian Falcons

KDC-10 and F-16BM Netherlands Air Force T-264 and J-208

AB412SP Netherlands Air Force R-01

AB412SP Netherlands Air Force R-02

F-15E USAF 97-0218/LN

C-130T US Marines 164763

F/A-18A US Navy Blue Angels

F/A-18A US Navy Blue Angels 161959/2

C.295M Polish Air Force 015

F-4F German Air Force 37+79

NF-5B-2000 Turkish Air Force 4021

MiG-29A Polish Air Force 77

EF2000 German Air Force 30+11

2006 05 28 Southend Airshow

The airshow of Southend is traditionally held during the bank holiday weekend in late May. Although the 21st Edition of the show pulled no surprises this year, it offered a nice selection of UK military offerings plus a smattering of civilian types ranging from warbirds to modern aerobatic types.
The lack the Red Arrows seemingly didn't dent the crowd numbers that filled the seafront promenade.
Opening the show on the Saturday was the Sea King HAR3A, the first part of a very impressive RAF contingent. Being by the sea is always an advantage for SAR helicopters as they can demonstrate what they do that much more effectively. Another example of the Sea King was involved in the flying display, this time a Sea King HC4 from the Royal Navy carrying a troop of commandos in a daring rescue on board the local police barge. Both the RAF and Royal Navy had two more rotary displays in the programme. The Black Cats flying a pair of Lynx HMA8 helicopters put on their new display for 2006. The RAF's Chinook HC2 display was as impressive as ever over the sea at Southend and really has become a highlight of any show it appears at.
The RAF was present with all fast jet types currently being displayed. Making the biggest noise and getting the most faces looking up was the Typhoon F2 making the single seaters public debut. Not to be outdone were the Tornado GR4 and Harrier GR7A displays both of which impressed. Training was represented by the Tucano T1 and by the 208(R) Squadron Hawk T1 display in it's striking new display scheme.
An unusual military participant for a seaside show is the C-130J Hercules display. The Herk also acted as the transport for the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team.
Older historic aircraft were slightly fewer in number for 2006. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was reduced to just it's fighter pair after the Lancaster had engine problems at Southend Airport. The only civilian warbirds in the display were B-17G Flying Fortress Sally B and a pair of P-51D Mustangs.
Two slightly younger historic aircraft were also included in the programme. Air Atlantique's Twin Pioneer put on a display of STOL capabilities pretty early in the display. De Havilland Aviation's Sea Vixen was the replacement item of the Canberra flown by Brian Grant and was the only classic jet in the flying display.
A family show such as Southend always has a good mix of civilian items. Largest team display of the day was provided by local team, the Aerostars in six Yakovlev Yak-50 with their usual mix of formations and solo aerobatics. Aerobatics were provided by an Extra 300 and a Pitts Special. The Utterly Butterly Barnstormers returned with their fourship routine.
As ever, Southend provides a varied and entertaining display by the side that everyone can enjoy. The weather was very kind on Sunday. The large crowd certainly seemed appreciative of the displays despite many late changes.

Typhoon F2 Royal Air Force ZJ921/BW

Tucano T1 Royal Air Force ZF243/243

Tornado GR4 Royal Air Force ZA462/027

Sea Vixen FAW2 Flying Bulls G-CVIX

Sea King HAR3A Royal Air Force ZH540/U

Sea King HAR3A Royal Air Force ZH540/U

Sea King HAR3A Royal Air Force ZH540/U

B-17G B-17 Preservation Limited G-BEDF

B-17G B-17 Preservation Limited G-BEDF

Sea King HC4 Royal Navy ZD626

Sea King HC4 Royal Navy ZD626

Tornado GR4 Royal Air Force ZD462/TL

Yak 50 and Yak-52 Aerostars

Yak 50 and Yak-52 Aerostars

Sea Vixen FAW2 Flying Bulls G-CVIX

Sea Vixen FAW2 Flying Bulls G-CVIX

Harrier GR7 Royal Air Force ZD330/11

Chinook HC2 Royal Air Force ZA718/EQ

2006 04 12 Ample Train at EHVK

This NATO exercise aims to improve the ability of NATO Air Forces ground servicing crews from one nation to work with air crew and aircraft from other nations. In April 2006 this Ample Train was hosted by Volkel airbase in The Netherlands. The Dutch, Belgian, Hellenic and Turkish airforces participated with F-16s, while Italy and Germany send Tornado aircraft and the United States Air Forces Europe brought F-15E Eagles.
After the exercise I went to Gilze-Rijen were I just saw a C-17 departing but there was a second one still present.