The 6 Aero L-39C advanced trainers of the Slovakian Air Force White Albatross aerobatic display team during their performance at IAT 1993 at RAF Fairford. A scan from one of my slides taken using a Pentax SFXn fitted with a Sigma 400mm manual focus prime lens.
Czech Air Force Sukhoi SU-22M4 7310 25/NA-2A starts its take-off roll for its participation in the excellent SU-22 4-ship display during IAT 1995 at RAF Fairford. A scan of one of my slides taken with a Pentax SFXn fitted with a Sigma 400mm manual focus prime lens.
USAF Rockwell B-1B Lancer 85-0061 from 28th BS 7th BW based at Dyess Air Force Base lands back at RAF Fairford after performing a flypast at Farnborough on 14th July 2006.
Not necessarily the best airshow that I've attended but certainly the most memorable, was the Russian Air Force 100th Anniversary Show at Zhukovsky during August 2012. One of those memories was the only time that I've seen the mighty Antonov AN-22 'Cock' in the air. Equally memorable was the fantastic noise produced by its contra-rotating props.
A rare flying appearance trailing its hose and drogue refuelling lines by a Canadian Armed Forces Airbus CC-150 Polaris at the excellent Exercise Ramstein Flag 2024 Spotters Day event on 8th October 2024.
Due to heavy traffic in the circuit, JASDF F-4EJ Kai Phantom II from 302 Hikotai trails its drag chute as it lands back on the civilian runway at Ibaraki Airport. The photo was taken on 4th April 2012 during heightened tensions with North Korea caused by their ballistic missile tests. Consequently, the adjoining Hyakuri Air Base was on high-alert with intensive operations including night ops.
RAF Westland Wessex from 22 Search & Rescue Squadron performing a SAR demo at the 1984 Fighter Meet at North Weald aerodrome. Scan from a negative taken using a Pentax ME Super fitted with a manual focus Tokina 80-200 lens.
Lockheed C-130E Hercules 73-0991 decorated as the support aircraft for the Turkish Stars display team. It was taking part in the mass flypast to open the Turkish Air Force Centenary airshow at Izmir - Çiğli on 4th June 2011. A C-160 Transall also appeared in a similar scheme.
Back to the Farnborough Airshow in 2010 and probably the best 'Herc' display that I've seen. USAF C-130J-30 07-8614 that was 'borrowed' by Lockheed from the 86th Airlift Wing, leaps into the air to begin its impressive display on 25th July 2010.
This shot was taken during a base visit to Larissa Air Base in Greece to primarily shoot the based F-16's and RF-4E Phantoms. During the late afternoon and with little warning, this Greek Air Force C-130B Hercules suddenly appeared on finals and in perfect late afternoon light too.
USAF Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird 61-7973 from Detachment 4 of the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing blasts into the air to begin its impressive demonstration during Air Fete '87 at RAF Mildenhall. Scan from a negative taken using a Pentax ME Super fitted with a manual focus Tamron 80-210 lens.
It wasn't common for modern era RAF aircraft to sport shark teeth. Therefore, it was very nice to see F-4M Phantom FGR2 XV500 from 56 Squadron carrying non-standard decoration at the USAF 'Open House' at RAF Lakenheath on 11th August 1984. Scan of a negative taken using a Pentax ME Super fitted with a Tokina 25-50 manual focus lens.
RAF Avro Vulcan B2 XH558 displaying during the Battle of Britain 50th Anniversary Airshow at RAF Abingdon on 15th September 1990. A scan from a Fuji Velvia 50 slide taken using a Pentax SFXn fitted with a manual focus Sigma 400mm prime lens. NOTE: This aircraft was still operated and flown by the RAF Vulcan Display Flight at this time until 23rd March 1993.
McDonnell-Douglas F-4M Phantom FGR2 XT889 of 19 Squadron captured at RAF Fairford during IAT '91. Upon the disbandment of 19 Squadron at RAF Wildenrath in Germany on 9th January 1992, this airframe was presented to the Kbely Aviation Museum in Prague. It still resides there today and has recently been refurbished having stood outside for many years.
