2009 07 09 Yeovilton Airday

The Royal Navy was created in 1909 and so in 2009 they celebrated their 100 years. For this occasion they introduced some "Fly Navy 100" celebrations at several locations in the United Kingdom. One of these locations was at RNAS Yeovilton.
Unfortunately the weather messed up the plans for the show with low clouds and rain. This resulted in some flying display that needed to be cancelled.  There was further disappointment for many in the afternoon as the Vulcan first went tech before finally being beaten by the weather.
Despite all the disappointment that the weather brought, in many ways it was still the best line up seen at Yeovilton for many years. The static was much larger than previous years with much more involvement from overseas air arms wishing to participate in the Fly Navy 100 celebrations. Star items amongst the static were the pair of  EAV-8B Harrier II+ from the Spanish Navy, a Rafale M, an E-2D Hawkeye and a Lynx HAS4 from the French Navy, a Lynx Mk95 from the Portuguese Navy and a Atlantic from the German Navy.
As ever with Yeovilton's static displays, there is always a theme to part of the line up. This year, the show celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the Sea King entering UK service. Yeovilton had examples of the Sea King HAS2, HC4, HAS6, HAR3 and 3A on display from current service as well as historic collections. Star of the line up however was the solo 2009 airshow appearance of QinetiQ's Sea King Mk4X from Boscombe Down.

The Royal Navy had a very impressive line up including examples of the Harrier GR9, Tutor, ,Sea King, Merlin and Lynx on static display. 
Many of the planned displays looked back at the Fleet Air Arms history. Sadly, the Royal Navy Historic Flight was unable to take part with their fleet all grounded awaiting various bit of work but nevertheless, there was a good selection. These included the Hawker Nimrod II, Supermarine Seafire XVII,  Douglas Skyraider and the Wasp HAS1 helicopter.
However, star of the historic displays was the mighty Sea Vixen flown by Lt Cdr Matt Whitfield. The low cloud and somewhat damp conditions gave an extra edge to the Vixen's display with all manner of flash condensation appearing over the aircraft during the high speed passes.
Current Royal Navy air power was also displayed in strength. As ever the home team, the Black Cats put on an impressive displays. Just an impressive was the solo display by the Merlin HM1 which flew a very tight display for such a large helicopter. 

The finale to the day was the traditional "Martime Display" and the "Commando Assault."The Martime display saw Yeovilton based Lynx helicopters showing off a number of their maritime roles including anti-shipping and boarding. The Commando Assault is itself a highlight of the airshow calendar. Sadly the fixed wing participants (Harrier GR9 and Hunter F58s) could not take part due to low cloud but the "Junglies" still put on a stunning show supported by the Royal Marines as well as some ground based assets! 
There were also some display teams present like The Royal Jordanian Falcons who flew a flat show and Frecce Tricolori who didn't flew becuase of the low clouds. The Red Arrows also only managed a fex straight passes before cancelling their show.
Other cancelled display were from the Typhoon, Chinook, Dutch F-16 and as already stated the Vulcan Display that could go ahead did their low show or even an adapted version of that one. The Blue Eagles managed to fit a solo display by the WAH-64D Apache AH1. Further there wasa Belgian F-16 and making it's UK debut was the French Rafale.

It was a frustrating day for all involved but nevertheless, the Royal Navy did take center stage and presented some exciting displays alongside some quality acts from the UK, Europe and beyond. 

Lynx HAS4  French Navy  807
Lynx Mk95  Portuguese Navy 19203
EAV-8B+  Spanish Navy 01-925/A.1B-37, 01-924/A.1B-36
E-2C  French Navy  2/165456
Harrier GR9  Royal Navy ZD348/15, ZD438/50
Harrier GR9A  Royal Navy  ZG504/75A
Lynx HMA8  Royal Navy  XZ736/642
Rafale  French Air Force  113-HQ/321
Sea Harrier FRS1  Royal Navy  XZ493
P1127  XP980
Merlin HM1  Royal Navy  ZH846/81
Sea King HU5  Royal Navy  ZA134
Sea King AsaC7  Royal Navy  XV648/180-CU
Squirrel HT1  ZJ278/78
Sea King HU5  Royal Navy  XV648/818-CU
Nimrod II  Historic Aircraft Collection  G-BURZ
Wasp HAS1  Privatly owned  G-BZPP
Seafire FXVII  Kennet Aviation  G-KASX
Chinook HC2A  Royal Air Force  ZH893/HH
Lynx HAS3S  Royal Navy  Black Cats
Lynx HAS3S  Royal Navy  XZ235/435
Sea Vixen FAW2  De Havilland Aviation Ltd  G-CVIX
Merlin HM1  Royal Navy  ZH834/86
Sea King HC4  Royal Navy  ZF115/R
Sea King HC4  Royal Navy  ZA292/WU

2009 07 06 Koksijde departure

After the Koksijde Airshow I went on the Monday to see the departures of the participants. Highlight of the day was the arrival of the Croatian An-32 which served as a support for the Croatian Wings of Storm demonstration team.

C-130H  Belgian Air Force CH-04
TS-11  Polish Air Force  Team Iskra
T-17  Danish Air Force  Baby Blue Team
BN-2A-21  Belgian North Sea Aerial Survey  OO-MMM
CN.235-100M.  Moroccan Air Force  CNA-MA
Tucano T1  Royal Air Force ZF244/244
F/A-18C  Swiss Air Force J-5014
SF.260M+  Belgian Air Force  Red Devils
EMB121AA  French Air Force YV/107
Jas-39D  Hungarian AIr Force  42
TB-30  French Air Force  Cartouche Doré
F-16AM  Norwegian Air Force  669
Rafale C  French Air Force  113-IK/336
An-32  Croatian Air Force  727
Saab 105Ö  Austrian Air Force  BD-34
F-16AM  Belgian Air Force  FA-134
SF-5M  Spanish Air Force  23-09/AE9-016
SF-5M  Spanish Air Force  23-09/AE9-016
F-16C  USAF  91-0360/SP, 91-0349/SP

2009 07 04 Koksijde Airshow

Each year Koksijde Airbase hosts its annual airshow called Koksijde International Airshow. Koksijde is an airbase in the southwestern part of Belgium close to the French border. The base is home of the well known Sea King helicopters and the Allouette III.
The static display contains some nice visitors like a Spanish F-5 and a Hungarian Gripen. The celebrate the 30the anniversary of the F-16 in the Belgian Air Force, some nations sended a Viper to Koksijde.
The flying was dominated by a display teams with propollers such as the Croatian Wings, Marche Verte, Royal Jordanian Falcons, Cartouche Doré, Baby Blue Team and the Red Devils. Jet display teams were Team Iskra and Patrouille de France. Single demos were given by the Swiss Hornet, French Rafale, Dutch and Belgian Viper.
The airshow had a nice mix of civilian acts and military displays which made the venue again a pleasure to visit.
 
A109BA  Belgian Army  H01
F-16AM  Norwegian Air Force  669
SF-5M  Spanish Air Force 23-09/AE9-016
Jas-39D  Hungarian Air Force  42
SA365M  French Navy 19

SA313  Belgian Navy  M-3
Sea King Mk48  Belgian Air Force  RS05
Alpha Jet 1B+  Belgian Air Force  AT13
Saab 105Ö  Austrian Air Force BD-34
F-16AM  Belgian Air Force  FA-134
Gnat T1  Gnat Display Team  G-TIMM
SF260  Belgian Air Force  Red Devils
Spitfire PR Mk.XI  Hanger 11  PL965
F-16AM  Netherlands Air Force  J-055
PC-9M  Croatian Air Force  Wings of Storm
CAP232  Moroccan Air Force  Marche Verte
F/A-18C  Swiss Air Force  J-5014
TS-11  Polish Air Force  Team Iska

Rafale B  French Air Force  113-IK/336
Alphae Jet E  French Air Force  Patrouille de France