Military Jets Photography: October 2016

2014 03 30 Spotting EBOS

A special visitor today in the form of a Russian Air Force An-124.

An-124-100 Russian Air Force RA-82037

On Sunday the airshow was visited by 64.000 people in hot summer conditions. All the aircraft that participated in the flying display that operated from Lens-Benifontaine airfield, were parked on the secondary runway so the people could have a close look. The flying display was a great mix of light aircraft, vintage aircraft and warbirds, helicopters, display teams and fast jets. Display teams were the French Air Force Cartouche Doree, the British Twister team and Breitling Jet team. Among the vintage aircraft displays were some real gems like the OV-10B Bronco, a Yak 3U, and T-28A Fennec. Fast jet displays were the French Air Force Rafale solo display, the Belgian Air Force F-16 solo display and a French Navy Rafale M, which is very rare at the airshow scene. To end the show a duo display was performed by the French Rafale and Belgian F-16 to mark the special Franco-Belge theme of the airshow!

Rafale C French Air Force 113-IY/120

F-16AM Belgian Air Force FA-84

T-28A Aero Fox F-AZHR

Rafale M French Navy 16

EA-330SC French Air Force F-TGCI

OV-10B Bronco Demo Team G-ONAA

TB-30 French Air Force Cartouche Doré

Rafale C French Air Force 113-IY/120
F-16AM Belgian Air Force FA-84

2013 09 12 Spotting at EGCX, exercise Saudi Green Flag

For two weeks during September, RAF Coningsby became a hive of activity with the base hosting guests from the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF – al-quwwāt al-ğawwiyyah al-malakiyyah as-suʿūdiyyah) as they joined the Royal Air Force to take part in Exercise Saudi-British Green Flag.
The exercise, starting on September 4th, saw a RSAF force of 4 Panavia Tornado IDS and 4 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft working alongside Royal Air Force Typhoons and Tornados in a series of sorties from RAF Coningsby during which the crews gained experience and knowledge of how the other force works. A typical sortie saw eight Tornados and eight Typhoons take off in pairs during two daily waves with one in the morning and another in the afternoon, lasting on average 1-2 hours with each two-ship flight comprising a RAF and RSAF aircraft. The exercise also allowed the two air arms to work in conjunction with the same aircraft types to understanding how to utilise the aircraft to its full potential with the aim being to gain a greater overall effect and knowledge of the aircraft and operating tactics.
The RAF element of the exercise was provided by the Coningsby based 3 (Fighter) Squadron, alongside a composite Tornado GR4 force from RAF Marham, who deployed to the airfield for the duration.