BlogAviation

Fishburn, County Durham - 3.7.11

2011-07-04T21:14:00.000Z

This was my first visit to the airfield at Fishburn, County Durham, also known as Morgansfield. The airfield was opened in 1985 by Tony Blair MP.

The airfield is located just to the west of Fishburn village - the club house offers tea and refreshments - a polite request to walk along the hangers was granted - thank you. The airfield has 9 small hangers with a further 17 modern "T" shaped individual hangers behind - I was told that approx 40 aircraft are resident.

G-RAYH - Zenair CH 701UL, this rugged STOL type aircraft was built in 2005 and is powered by a Jabiru engine.

G-CBJH - Aeroprakt A22 Foxbat - this kit built aircraft comes from the Aeroprakt factory in the Ukraine. Currently there are 35 Foxbat aircraft registered in the UK.

G-ATUI - Bolkow Bo 208C Junior c/n 611 was built 45 years ago in 1966 and has now flown over 6,500 flight hours. Over 180 Junior aircraft were delivered before production ceased in 1971.

D-EKNA - Mooney M20F Executive c/n 670297 - this German registered Mooney was built in 1967 and looks in excellent condition and is a resident at Fishburn.

G-BSUX - Carlson Sparrow II - only two examples of this aircraft are currently registered in the UK and this is thought to be the only airworthy example at the moment. Built in 1991 the aircraft is powered by a Rotax 532 engine.

G-AYYX - Socata MS 880B Rallye Club - this aircraft was built in 1971 and has been put out to grass - now engineless it appears withdrawn from use among the long grass

Steve

Wookey Hole balloon launch - 16th October 2010

2010-10-16T20:59:00.000Z

The Wookey Hole balloon launch takes place over a weekend in mid October in rural Somerset, England.

The photos below are from the launch on thee afternoon of Saturday 16th October, from approx 4.30pm - the wind conditions were variable with some strong gusts at times.

The meet featured several one man hopper type balloons - the pilot sits in a simple chair frame with the gas container right behind him - no comfy wicket basket!

First to launch was G-CCSI a Cameron Z-42 balloon in the colurs of IKEA.

Second to launch was a brand new Lindstrand Cloudhopper G-NLCH in the colours of Norwich Lighting Centre.

Third to depart was PH-ZSL a Sky 25-16 from The Netherlands - this balloon was previously G-BZSL and was sold to Holland in 2009.

Next up was G-CBIH a Cameron Z-31 in Cameron Balloons house colours.

Last to inflate was G-BOYO a Cameron V-20 - this hopper type balloon is shown here tethered - it might have flown later after my own departure.

Steve

New Yahoo Group - Light Aircraft Data Exchange - LADEX

2010-09-28T21:09:00.001Z

Hi,

I've created a new Yahoo Group called the Light Aircraft Data Exchange - LADEX

I hope it will allow members to ask queries and questions about light aircraft types - for example,

How many PZL 104 Wilga 2000 aircraft were built ?

What is the construction number of FK-12 Comet D-MICI

What happened to the Slovakian Tecnam Sierra S5-PIS ?

Where is the construction number data plate on a Chipmunk ?

Currently discuss Flight Design CT construction numbers / MSN / werknummer on LADEX

I know that many aviation enthusiasts and aircraft historians have a wealth of knowledge about their favourite aircraft types - specialist knowledge that could really help someone with only a passing interest in a particular aircraft type or aircraft manufacturer - knowledge is a two way street and I hope very much that all members can both learn and share on this group.

If you want to join please visit the link below and briefly tell me your own area of interest with light aircraft - thanks

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LADEX_GROUP/

Steve in UK

Binisallem airfield Mallorca - Flight Design CT2K

2010-09-20T09:31:00.005Z

A few miles east of the town of Binisallem ( close to the large town of Inca ) lies the small dirt airfield of Binissalem. I understand that the airfield has only been in operation for about 5 years.

At the time of my visit in August 2010 there were 10 small tin hangers all in one row - although most of them were locked up many of them had plenty of small holes to view the based aircraft - I logged 20 aircraft but I would estimate that maybe another 5 or 6 remained unidentified.

Seen arriving here on 14th August 2010 was Flight Design CT2K EC-XCS - on the passenger seat was a large location beacon and inflatable raft - I suspect this aircraft may have arrived on a visit from mainland Spain. Over 1,400 examples of the CT have been built since 1997.

The official Spanish aircraft register shows EC-XCS was built in 2009 - I would be interested to know the official Flight Design construction number for this aircraft please.

One of the based aircraft was EC-FE5 a Tecnam P92 Echo - this aircraft is used by a local flying school at Binisallem.

EC-FE5 was built by Tecnam in Italy in 2005 and is c/n P92E-029.

Steve

Wells Somerset - Balloon launch 30th August 2010

2010-08-31T17:57:00.001Z

This year 16 hot air balloons launched from the Palace Fields adjacent to the Bishops Palace in Wells, Somerset on the evening of Bank Holiday Monday 30th August 2010.

The balloons took off from approx 6.20pm and floated south towards Glastonbury. Among them were

G-POLY Cameron N-77 c/n 428 - this was the oldest balloon present built back in 1978 and features Pollywallets titles and a large pink elephant and some far out man colours. This balloon has spent its life registered to owners in the Bristol area and was transferred on to new owners in July 2010.

G-ULTR Cameron A-105 c/n 4100 has Ultrafilter titles and has been registered to the same Bristol based owner since built in 1997.

G-BOOZ Cameron N-77 c/n 904 was among the last few to depart - this balloon was built in 1983 and was originally based in North Yorkshire until 1989 when sold to the current owners in Wiltshire - this ballon had flown over 430 flight hours by 12.09.

G-FOWS Cameron N-105 c/n 3995 was built in 1996 and wears the titles of its original owners the Fowlers motorcycles dealership in Bristol, since sold on to private owners in the Bristol area.

G-CDWD Cameron Z-105 c/n 10827, this large balloon was built recently in 2006 and wears the colours of the University of Bristol Hot Air Ballooning Society.

G-BXVP is a Sky 31-24 c/n 056 one man balloon with Sky Balloons titles built in Wales - no basket just a chair frame for the pilot - real seat of the pants flying. G-BXVP was built in 1998 - the current owner is based just down the road from Wells in Cheddar.

G-CCTS Cameron Z-120 c/n 10570 was built in 2004 and wears Snap Surveys titles - the balloon is based in the Bristol area.

G-CBLO Lindstrand LBL 42A c/n 854 is another example of a one man balloon - I would imagine that the sensation of flight must be fantastic with such a balloon. This balloon was built in 2002 and took on a new owner in 5.10 based in the Bath area.

G-CFEK Cameron Z-105 c/n 11176 is only just over 2 years old having been first registered in June 2008 and wears the titles of Penny Plant Hire and Demolition - I've seen this balloon float past Wells several times as it is locally based near Radstock.

Steve in WellsG-CCTS,

Henstridge Fly In - 28th August 2010

2010-08-29T12:45:00.005Z

Fair weather brought plenty of Fly In visitors although a strong cross wind proved tricky at times.

Escapade G-MCUB did well in the gusty wind - this Escapade is painted in typical Piper Cub colours and is marked "Mini Cub" on the tail.

Jodel D120 G-BHXS arrived from Plymouth - this aircraft was built in 1958 by Wassmer and has flown in excess of 6500 flight hours by 12.09.

G-BMWF ARV Super 2 c/n 013 was built in 1986 at Sandown on the Isle of Wight, UK - the original two stroke Hewland engine has been replaced on this example by a Rotax 912 ULS. Approx 30 aircraft were built in the UK before production ceased in the 1980s. There are plans to build the aircraft as a LSA aircraft known as the Opus in the USA.

The visiting aircraft park was opened to spectators after lunch - shown here is G-CBIF a Jabiru UL-450 designed in Australia and was kit built in 2002 by a builder in Suffolk, UK. Today this aircraft is owned and based in Somerset and has flown over 300 flight hours by 12.09

Late arrival mid afternoon was Fournier RF-4D G-BXLN c/n 4022 - this single seat motor glider was designed by Rene Fournier and built by Sportavia Putzer GMBH in Germany in 1967. Approx 150 examples of the RF-4D were built. This aircraft is based at Seighford, Staffordshire and was visiting Henstridge en route back home after a weekend trip down to Lands End & the Scilly Isles via several other airfields.

G-BYBR Rans S6-116 Coyote II c/n PFA 204A-13081 taking off after the event - this microlight aircraft was built in 1999 from a factory supplied kit by the original owner in Lancashire, UK. In 2007 the aircraft moved south after it was sold to a pilot in Devon, UK.

External Link to official RANS website

Another RANS S6 Coyote II was G-WZOY c/n PFA 204-14735 - this S6-ES aircraft features a tail wheel rather than a nose wheel. The aircraft is based at Westonzoyland airfield in Somerset - hence registration "WZOY". This aircraft was built in 2008.

Todate RANS have produced approx 2,000 examples of the S6 since production began in 1989.

Steve

N787BX Boeing 787 Dreamliner at Farnborough 2010

2010-07-30T10:29:00.001Z

Dreamliner N787BX arrived at Farnborough, UK on Sunday 18th July 2010 - this was the first time the Boeing 787 had been shown outside of the USA.

This aircraft is the third ( ZA 003 ) Boeing 787 to be built by Boeing and has construction number c/n 40692. This aircraft flew for the first time on 14th March 2010 at Paine Field, Seattle, WA, USA.

For many the Dreamliner was the star attraction at this years Farnborough Air Show 2010 - the aircraft was displayed in the static park on Monday 19th July and Tuesday 20th July. The aircraft is made primarily of carbon fibre composite materials. The lighter weight improves fuel efficiency and aircraft range - it also allows the passenger cabin to be pressurised to a more comfortable level than conventional airliners and allows for larger cabin windows.

The photo above shows 787 N787BX being towed out of the static display on the afternoon of Tuesday 20th July 2010 before departing back to Boeing at Seattle, USA. Upon departure the 787 returned to do one flypast at Farnborough with a World War 2 Spitfire alongside each wingtip before heading towards East Midlands airport for a flypast and again at the Rolls Royce factory at Debry ( the aircraft in powered by two Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines ) - N787BX continued on to the west coast of Ireland where it landed for fuel at Shannon airport before the long flight to Seattle.

The first UK customer to receive the Boeing 787 will be Thomson Airlines who are due to receive 8 aircraft from 2012 onwards.

Steve

N610AT AT-6 at Farnborough July 2010

2010-07-30T09:07:00.002Z

The Hawker Beechcraft AT-6 made its first appearance outside of the USA at this years Farnborough Air Show in the UK.

The AT-6 is a development of the T-6 Texan II trainer and is designed to offer close air support and reconnaissance patrols in counterinsurgency war environments. The aircraft has a strengthen airframe and six underwing hardpoints.

The aircraft shown at Farnborough was N610AT c/n AT-1 and it features an L-3 Wescam targetting turret on the under fuselage, plus HOTAS controls ( allows more time for the pilot to keep his eyes outside of the cockpit in combat ).

In April 2010 N610AT completed a two week Joint Expedtitionary Forces Experiment ( JEFX ) demonstration exercise operating out of Nellis AFB in Nevada,USA operating alongside the A-10C.

N610AT will shortly be re-engined with an upgrade P&W PT6A-68D developing 1,600 shp. A second AT-6 prototype N620AT has now joined the program and flew for the first time in April 2010.

The AT-6 will also receive a defensive aids suite before participating in the USAF Light Attack Armed Reconnaissance ( LAAR ) aircraft program that could lead to order from the US military and foreign military sales.

More information on the AT-6 can be found on the link below

http://www.hawkerbeechcraft.com/military_and_special_mission/light_attack.aspx

Steve

USMC UH-1Y - 167802 coded "VT-09" of HMLA-367

2010-07-28T18:42:00.003Z

Among the many aircraft at Farnborough 2010 was Bell UH-1Y Bu No 167802 operated by USMC squadron HMLA-367 coded "VT-09". The unit has the nickname "Scarface".

The UH-1Y is currently in production by Bell Helicopters and is replacing the older UH-1N. The UH-1Y is equipped with a modified four-blade, all-composite rotor and has upgraded engines and transmissions to give it increased payload and performance capabilities. Under the nose is a Brite Star Block II FLIR. This system allows the pilots to view and mark targets with infrared sightings further out and aid in visual target recognition.

HMLA-367 were the first unit to deploy with the new UH-1Y to Afghanistan - they arrived at Camp Bastion, Helmand province in October 2009 from their own home base at Camp Pendleton, California, USA. The unit returned to the USA in May 2010.

The badge of HMLA-367 on the nose of this helicopter has been adapted to incorporate the outline shape of Afghanistan.

This UH-1Y 167802 was accepted into service from Bell Helicopters in August 2009 and the c/n appears to be 97499 ? However others suggest the c/n is 55110.

More information on the UH-1Y can be found on the Bell Helicopters website below

http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/aircraft/military/bellUH-1Y.cfm

Steve

Kemble - 12.7.2010

2010-07-14T09:05:00.002Z

Kemble is always worth a look, among the many interesting aircraft here today were

Technoavia SMG-92 Turbo Finist HA-YDF c/n 001-05 was built in 2000. This attractive aircraft is used for parajumping and is currently operating from the nearby airfield of South Cerney. It is shown here parked by the Tower at Kemble. The Finist is a rugged all metal aircraft designed in Russia and the type was first flown in the 1990s. The aircraft is built at Smolensk, Russia before being fitted out to SMG-92 spec by Aerotech at Bratislava, Slovakia. This aircraft is fitted with a Walter M601D-2 turboprop.

The storage and scrapping of retired airliners continues with pace at Kemble. Since my last visit at the end of May 2010 it was good to see A300 EI-OZA now parked away from the scrapping area and apparently complete near the Middair hangers. Inside these hangers was the newly arrived ex JAT Boeing 737 YU-AOS.

F-GFKN Airbus A320 c/n 128 in the process of being scrapped at Kemble. This former Air France airliner was built in 1990 - it arrived at Kemble on 22nd April 2010 from Paris CDG after 20 years of short haul operations across Europe.

Steve

Nympsfield - 12th July 2010

2010-07-14T08:07:00.003Z

The airfield at Nympsfield is located high up on the hills a few miles south of Stroud, Gloucestershire along the B4066 towards Dursley.

The airfield is home to the Bristol and Gloucestershire Gliding Club ( BGGC ) and also Targett Aviation.

G-DEWR Grob G 103A Twin II Acro c/n 33894-K-132 coded "P70" is part of the BGGC training fleet. This particular glider has an interesting history. It was originally delivered new from Grob in Germany in 1985 as a Viking T1 training glider with military serial ZE525 ( also allocated BGA 3015 Trigraph EWR ) to the RAF for use by Air Cadets within the Volunteer Gliding Squadron ( VGS ) system.

In January 1990 ZE525 was damaged when a VGS hangar collapsed at Predannack, Cornwall - I saw it myself hangared at RAF Syerston in October 1990 with rear fuselage damage. The glider was subsequently rebuilt and passed on to the Royal Air Force Gliding and Soaring Association ( RAFGSA ) where it operated with tail code "R70" by the Anglia Gliding Club based at RAF Wattisham, Suffolk.

This glider was bought by the BGGC at Nympsfield in 2006 and flown as BGA 3015 - the "R70" tailcode was easily changed to "P70" ( "R number" tail codes are reserved for the RAFGSA ). In December 2007 the glider was registered with the CAA as G-DEWR as part of the process of bringing modern gliders onto the Civil Aviation Authority controlled UK aircraft register - thanks to Richard Cawsey for help with the above.

G-CFYV Schleicher ASK 21 c/n 21468 is operated by the Bristol and Gloucestershire Gliding Club - this glider was first registered as BGA 3639 in 1990 with Trigraph tail code FYV. For many years it was based at Booker / High Wycombe. In November 2007 this glider took up the CAA registration G-CFYV.

For more information about the BGGC visit their website via the link below

http://www.bggc.co.uk

Outside the Targett Aviation workshop at Nympsfield was the rare Phillips ST2 Speedtwin G-STDL.

G-STDL c/n PFA 207-12674 is the only example of this design in the UK. It was the second Speedtwin to be built and was originally registered as G-DPST in 1996 ( it became G-STDL in 2006 ). The Speedtwin was designed by Peter Phillips and the first example of this distinctive design was registered as G-GPST c/n PFA 207-11645 in 1990. This first example was sold to an owner in the USA in 2008.

G-STDL is a sleek tandem two seat all metal aircraft painted in a very distinctive two tone blue scheme and is currently fitted with twin Walter M332B engines.

For more information about Targett Aviation visit their website

http://www.sailplaneservices.co.uk/

Steve

G-DADZ - CZAW Sportcruiser

2010-06-08T18:57:00.000Z

The Sportcruiser is an all metal low wing ultralight aircraft powered by either a Rotax 912 or a Jabiru 3330.

The aircraft type was designed by CZAW - Czech Aircraft Works and first flew in 2006. CZAW built 272 examples before the company changed name to Czech Sport Aircraft in 2009 - production continued onwards from c/n 09SC273.

The excellent Sportcruiser designed was tested and accquired by US manufacturer Piper and from January 2010 the aircraft was enhanced and re-badged to become the PiperSport. The PiperSport is still built at the CSA factory in Kunovice, Czech Republic and the first customer delivery was made in April 2010.

In the UK there are currently 83 examples of the Sportcruiser registered with the UK CAA - of these 68 examples were built from CZAW / CSA supplied aircraft kits - the other 15 examples were complete factory built aircraft.

Sportcruiser G-DADZ c/n LAA 338-14792 was registered in the UK in April 2008 and by Dec 2009 had flown over 120 flight hours. The photos above show G-DADZ departing from Compon Abbas airfield in Dorset, England in June 2010.

Link to official Czech Sports Aircraft website

Link to the official PiperSport webpage

Steve

Kemble - 26.5.2010

2010-05-28T09:16:00.005Z

Kemble airfield is home to a very diverse range of aircraft from microlights, to airliners to ex military jets.

EI-OZA Airbus A300F ex DHL at Kemble

At the moment the airfield has more than a dozen old airliners stored or being scrapped - among them is EI-OZA. This Airbus A300F is still painted in the distinctive colour scheme of its former operator DHL.

EI-OZA is c/n 148 and was originally built in 1981 and delivered to Olympic Airways of Greece as SX-BEG. It was a regular sight at London Heathrow during the 1980s/90s.

In 1998 the aircraft was converted from a passenger airliner to a cargo aircraft - it entered freight service as F-GOZA in 1999 and became EI-OZA in 2002. In 2007 it joined the DHL fleet as OO-TIF. Finally after 28 years of service this aircraft arrived at Kemble in August 2009 for storage.

In Febuary 2010 the aircraft was re-registered again as EI-OZA ( although it still has "IF" on the nose wheel door from OO-TIF ) so maybe it will escape the scrapman - however it is currently parked right next to the scrap area at Kemble.

In the photo above behind EI-OZA is Boeing 737-600 SU-MWC previously operated by Midwest.

Parked close to the Control Tower at Kemble ( near the AV8 cafe ) is former RAF Buccaneer S2B XX889. This aircraft is painted in the desert pink colour scheme ( ARTF ) it wore during the first Gulf War in 1991 and is coded "T".

XX889 was built in 1974 and originally served with RAF Germany at Laarbruch airbase before being re-allocated up to RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland.

During the Gulf War it operated from Bahrain coded "T" - the aircraft has 14 bombing mission marks on the starboard side of the cockpit.

The Buccaneer was retired from RAF service in 1994 and XX889 was flown to RAF St Athan in Wales for a period of storage. Since then it has spent time at Staverton before moving on to Kemble in 2007.

For more information about the service life of this Gulf War veteran see the excellent link below

http://www.blackburn-buccaneer.co.uk/S2B_XX889_files/0_S2B_XX889.html

For more info on the preservation of this Buccaneer XX889 see link below

http://buccsociety.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=restorations&action=display&num=1166289875

Kemble is also home to a pair of ex RAF Canberra PR9 reconnaissance aircraft. This photo shows XH134 which is currently registered as G-OMHD. This particular Canberra was built in 1959 by Short Brothers at Belfast NI, a total 23 PR9s were built. The PR9 version was operated by 39 sqd and 1 PRU was finally retired by the RAF in 2006.

The PR9 had operated in the sensitive reconnaissance role for many years, flying far and high looking over areas of interest. These aircraft were home based at RAF Wyton ( 39 sqd then 1 PRU ) and latter RAF Marham ( 39 sqd ) but would often deploy overseas - for many years they flew out of Hong Kong before it was returned to China, in more recent times they operated over the Gulf and Afghanistan.

G-OMDH is currently owned by Midair SA but hasn't flown since arriving at Kemble in 2006. A second PR9 XH135 is adjacent to XH134.

Steve

Old Sarum - 12th May 2010

2010-05-12T20:02:00.005Z

A return visit to Old Sarum today found more interesting aircraft including the following

G-CGIX Rotorsport MTOsport autogyro - this aircraft is virtually brand new having been registered in March 2010 - the pilot told me it had flown just 8 flight hours so far. In recent weeks two gyros have been based at Old Sarum, this one and G-CDZZ and a poster in the cafe advertisies gyro flight training.

Click here for external LINK to MTOsport UK dealer web page

G-CFOG Ikarus C42 FB UK c/n PFA 322-14482 was a visitor and was built in 2006 - this is one of 33 examples currently registered as kit built C42s - another 100 factory built aircraft are also registered.

G-BJYK Jodel Wassmer D 120A Paris-Nice c/n 185 was a visitor today and is seen being hand re-fuelled at the AVGAS fuel pumps. This aircraft is now 50 years old having been built in 1960. It was originally registered as F-BJPK and took up a UK registration in May 1982.

G-ASVM is an early example of a Reims built Cessna F 172E c/n F172-0077 and was built in 1964 and originally imported by Westair Flying Services at Blackpool. Over the past 46 years this aircraft has had 15 registered owners and had flown over 3,850 flight hours by 12.09

G-BGWR Cessna U 206A Super Skywagon c/n U206-0653 operates as a parachute skydiving jump aircraft based at Old Sarum - note the fold up jump door. This aircraft was built in 1966 and operated in The Netherlands as PH-OTD before arriving in the UK in 1979 taking up registration G-BGWR. In 1984 it was re-registered as G-DISC but reverted to G-BGWR in 1996. By 12.09 it had flown over 8,334 flight hours.

N151CG Cirrus SR22 c/n 0344 was built in 2002 and I believe this is based at Old Sarum. This very popular aircraft is still in production with over 3,000 examples built.

Recently arrived at Old Sarum is this replica Royal Aircraft Factory BE2b bearing serial "2783". This full scale replica has been built at Boscombe Down by the members of the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection. It is a very impressive aircraft, I liked the large stitching binding the fuselage canvass together. I understand that "2783" represents the first aircraft to land at Boscombe Down back in 1917 . The BE2 served as a reconnaissance and light bomber during the early years of World War 1. There are no original surviving BE2 aircraft today in the UK - the RAF Museum at Hendon also exhibits a replica.

However a BE2f serial A1325 has recently returned to the air after a prolonged rebuild in New Zealand. The same company has also built a flying replica BE2c - more details on the very interesting website below

External Link to The Vintage Aviator Company of New Zealand

Steve

Bournemouth Hurn - 21.4.10

2010-04-29T14:19:00.001Z

Bournemouth Hurn airport is a large airfield with many hangers and based operators scattered around the airport. There is a very good mixed range of aircraft to be seen here ranging from airliners, biz jets, general aviation and some older warbirds too.

Eurocopter EC 120B Colibri c/n 1463 wearing Bournemouth Helicopters titles by the engine. This smart helicopter was built in 2006 and delivered as F-HAAL. It was first registered in the UK in June 2007 as G-MKII operated by Bournemouth Helicopters - however they changed the registration to be G-SKPP in January 2010.

Piper Pa-28-161 Cadet c/n 2841015 was built in the USA in 1988 and was first registered in the UK as G-BPJP in December 1988. For many years this aircraft was based at Oxford Kidlington airport before arriving at Hurn in 2001. This aircraft had flown over 11,000 flight hours by Dec 2008.

G-CBLE Robin 2120U c/n 364 was built in France in 2002. G-CBLE was first registered in the UK in April 2002. Between 2004 - 2009 this aircraft was based at Cardiff airport. By Dec 2007 this aircracft had flown over 2,000 flight hours.

Hurn is home to several multi engine flight training schools, among them is CTC Aviation who operate a fleet of four examples of the Diamond DA 42 Twin Star including G-CTCF c/n 42-045 shown here. This modern twin was built in Austria in 2005. I often here these CTC aircraft on my radio doing flight training and operating on the airways over the South West of England.

Steve

Dunkeswell - 9th April 2010

2010-04-10T12:26:00.011Z

Dunkeswell airfield in Devon is between Wellington and Honiton along many small twisty country roads - take a good map !

The airfield is home to a good variety of aircraft types microlights, ultralights, general aviation, homebuilts, motorised gliders, vintage Tigers and a large para jumping Cessna 208.

Among the many aircraft over by the Somerset Microlights hangers on the North West side were

G-MZGV Pegasus Quantum 15 c/n 7339 wearing the titles of "Somerset Microlights" was built in 1997 and has flown over 1050 hours by Dec 2008.

G-CDYO Ikarus C42 FB80 c/n 6810 - this example was built in 2006

G-CDSA Pegasus Quik 912S c/n 8144 was built in 2005 and may have been a visitor from the Portsmouth area

G-CBAZ Rans S6 ES Coyote c/n PFA 204-13596 was built in 2001 was originally owned in Lancashire then Yorkshire before arriving in Devon in late 2009.

G-BZAK X'Air with c/n BMAA/HB/114 was built in 2000 and arrived in Devon in 2009 after many years in the Bedford area.

G-SPDY X'Air Hawk c/n PFA 340-14678 was built in 2007 - this design appears to have a very short engine cowling ( Jabiru 2200A ) making it look almost like a beak ! Currently there are just 15 examples of this aircraft registered in the UK

External Link to a flight test review of the X'Air Hawk

G-MTNU Thruster TST MK1 c/n 897-TST-035 is an old microlight design but looking in excellent condition - this aircraft was built in 1987 and there are approx 70 examples still on the UK register.

Dunkeswell has many small lockup hangers and aircraft outside on this lovely April day included

G-BFEH SAN Jodel D117A c/n 828 - this aircraft is now 52 years old and was built in 1958 at the SAN factory at Bernay - St Martin in Normandy as F-BITG before being registered in the UK in October 1977.

G-CGHS DG-808C Competition a fantastic sleek modern German built glider with an 18 metre span. This example is almost brand new and was registered in November 2009 with c/n 8-413B312X73. It has a pop up Solo enginefor self launching and a solar panel just behind the canopy to trickle charge the electronics - a very impressive machine.

Dunkeswell is also an active sky diving centre and currently based for parachute jumping is all white 1997 vintage Cessan 208B Caravan N208AD c/n 208B0637

This Caravan became N208AD in late 2009 over in Costa Rica - it had served there with local regional carrier Sansa as TI-AZU

Photo Link to image of this same aircraft as TI-AZU

Steve

G-TVAM Bolkow Bo 105 DBS-4 - Air Ambulance

2010-03-19T21:54:00.006Z

G-TVAM Bo 105 c/n S 392 is currently operating with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Ambulance and owned by Bond Air Services. The photos above and below show G-TVAM on their helipad at Thruxton airfield on 18.3.10.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has been operating from this airfield inside the famous Thruxton motor racing circuit since July 2007.

G-TVAM is a stretched Bo 105 model DBS-4 and was built in 1979 by MBB at Donauworth in Germany - MBB later became part of Eurocopter. The registration G-TVAM was issued in June 2003, this aircraft was previously G-SPOL with the Strathclyde Police in Scotland.

For more information about the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Ambulance view their excellent webiste via

http://www.hiow-airambulance.org.uk/

Link below to two photos of this same aircraft in its earlier life - take a look

http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1142444/

http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1034723/

Old Sarum - 18th March 2010

2010-03-18T21:31:00.010Z

Old Sarum airfield is just to the north of the cathedral city of Salisbury in Wiltshire. This is a very old airfield dating from 1917 and some examples of the pre WW2 hangers are still in use today.

I logged over 40 aircraft during my visit including,

G-AZTV a rare example of a Stolp SA 500 Starlet - this home built aircraft was registered back in May 1972 and by the end of 2008 had flown just 348 hours. I don't think I've seen this aircraft before. It is currently the only example registered with the UK CAA.

G-WSSX Ikarus C42 inside one of the old hangers - just look at the roof construction. This example was built in 2006 and first registered in October 2006 - in comparision to the above Starlet this aircraft had flown over 600 hours by December 2008. I logged 7 examples of the C42 at Old Sarum today.

G-CPXC a beautiful Cap 10C c/n 301 - this acrobatic aircraft looks great in its white and red colour scheme. It was first registered in December 2001.

G-CFSB Tecnam P2002 Sierra RG - this Italian designed retractable gear aircraft is virtually brand new having first flown on 19th Dec 2009 at Hinton in the Hedges - it was built from a factory supplied kit and has c/n LAA 333A-14864 - it is shown here in the CFM hanger.

The UK CAA register currently shows 18 examples of the P2002 Sierra registered in the UK as at March 2010 - of these 2 are factory built, the other 16 being factory supplied kit built aircraft - G-CFSB shown above is just 1 of 2 retractable gear ( RG ) versions in the UK.

More info on the Tecnam P2002 Sierra can be found below

http://www.tecnam.co.uk/p2002_sierra.html

The airfield has an excellent cafe open to the public so enjoy your visit.

For more information about Old Sarum airfield visit their comprehensive website - lots of historical info on there too.

http://oldsarumairfield.co.uk/

G-SONE Cessna 525A Citation CJ2

2010-03-09T19:40:00.005Z

Seen landing on Runway 09 at Bristol - Lulsgate on Monday 8th March 2010 was G-SONE a Cessna 525A Citation CJ2 using the callsign CLIFTON 10.

If you look closely the aircraft is wearing titles "www.centrelineair.co.uk" just below the first cabin windows. Centrelineair do have a facility at Bristol - Lulsgate.

This aircraft is new to the UK CAA register being registered on 7th January 2010. It was previously on the Isle of Man register as M-XONE.

G-SONE has c/n 525A-0031 and was built by Cessna in 2001 at Wichita, Kansas, USA - it is powered by two Williams International FJ-44-2C turbofan engines. It was originally registered as N312CJ before becoming VP-BFC and then M-XONE.

The centrelineair website below suggests that G-SONE is based at Biggin Hill airport near London.

http://www.centrelineair.co.uk/our-aircraft/

Web link below to more information about the Cessna Citation executive jet range

http://www.cessna.com/citation.html

Bristol International Airport - Lulsgate 17.2.10

2010-02-17T21:27:00.007Z

This afternoon I spent a couple of hours up at Bristol Lulsgate - the weather was cold and grey with mist and low cloud. This airport is the highest in England.

Despite the poor weather I enjoyed the photo opportunities.

Easyjet Airbus A319 G-EZIA c/n 2420 landing onto Runway 09 was delivered new in March 2005 - note the missing letters on the engine cowling.

Easyjet Airbus A319 G-EZBI c/n 3003 is one of the few Easyjet aircraft to carry a name "Madrid" touches down as "EASY 26X" at approx 15.44

Easyjet Airbus A319 G-EZBI c/n 3003 "Madrid" lines up to depart as EASY 8HZ at approx 16.21

Aer Arann ATR 72 EI-REM c/n 760 arriving from Cork, Eire as "Arran 31B" at approx 16.05 - this aircraft was delivered new in October 2007

Ryanair 737-800 EI-EKC c/n 38495 was delivered new in January 2010 part of the huge fleet of approx 200 similar aircraft Ryanair operate across Europe. Here EI-EKC is seen departing Runway 09 as RYANAIR 8FL to Bergamo, Italy.

Ryanair 737-800 EI-DWY c/n 33635 about to touchdown on 09 as RYANAIR 504 inbound from Dublin, Eire.

Air Southwest are based at Plymouth, Devon and destinations include Bristol, Manchester and Leeds - here DHC Dash 8 311 G-WOWB c/n 334 arrives as SWALLOW 306K. This aircraft was previously based at Bristol as G-BRYT when operating by Brymon Airways for British Airways.

Steve

2010-02-09T15:56:00.008Z

Fancy a Royal Navy Yeovilton based Sea King HC4 helicopter T shirt ?

I've had one of my own images of a Commando Sea King put onto a quality cotton T shirt.

You can choose from a variety of sizes and T shirt colours - my own one is a dark green material.

If you want to see more details then please click through on the link below.

http://www.redbubble.com/products/configure/8856118

Steve

G-HKIT BAC 1-11

2010-02-06T12:20:00.007Z

G-HKIT BAC 1-11 521FH c/n 196 at Hurn January 1999

I have many old photos of aircraft from the past 30 years. The image today was taken back in January 1999 at Bournemouth Hurn airport ( EGHH ).

The BAC 1-11 assembly plant was once located at Hurn so 1-11s were a familiar sight awaiting delivery or back in for servicing.

The photo above was taken on 16th January 1999 - the aircraft was still at Hurn on 29th December 1999 too.

This particular aircraft was built in 1969 and test flew as G-16-10 before delivery to Austral Líneas Aereas of Argentina as LV-JNT in November 1969. The aircraft operated in South Amercia until 1994. In June 1996 it was registered as VR-BEC and ferried to Bournemouth Hurn airport in the UK - the Bermudan registration prefix changed to be VP ( ie VP-BEC ) in April 1997.

It was registered as G-HKIT in June 1997 and registered to European Aviation ( a major operator of 1-11s at the time ). "HKIT" probably refers to "Hushkit" - the aircraft was to be used by European to help the test development of a quieter engine for the notoriously noisy BAC 1-11.

In the photo you can see it has no engines and is still painted in the colours of Austral - I believe this aircraft was stripped for spare parts and not flown as G-HKIT. The aircraft was eventually broken up and scrapped at Hurn in early 2001. This aircraft was "born" at Bournemouth in 1969 and "died" at Bournemouth some 32 years later.

The aircraft was de-registered from the UK CAA register in July 2001.

With thanks to airlinerlist.com for some of the above data

http://www.airlinerlist.com/

Steve

Palmair Boeing 737-500 - G-PJPJ

2010-01-25T11:54:00.008Z

A visit to Bristol Lulsgate on 24.1.10 saw G-PJPJ the Palmair Boeing 737-500 depart as Flightstar 324P.

Palmair are a small UK holiday charter airline and have been based at Bournemouth Hurn airport for many years.

Boeing 737-5H6 G-PJPJ departs Bristol on 24.1.10

G-PJPJ was built in 1994 by Boeing with construction number 27355 - the aircraft was initially delivered to Malaysian Airlines as 9M-MFH in 1994. In 1998 it was sold to Jet Airways of India as VT-JAZ. In January 2001 it passed to British Airways as G-GFFJ. BA sold the aircraft in 2009 to Astraeus Airlines who registered it as G-PJPJ in May 2009 to be operated on behalf of Palmair.

The aircraft is named ‘The Spirit of Peter Bath’ ( just below the cockpit windows ) in honour of Palmair’s late founder. It had arrived from Chambery - Aix Les Bains ( LFLB ) in France and departed to reposition to Bournemouth Hurn ( EGHH ).

External Link to the Palmair website

Steve

Henstridge airfield - Sunday 6.12.09

2009-12-07T18:19:00.007Z

Henstridge airfield ( EGHS ) is right on the Somerset - Dorset border, to the West of Shaftesbury.

The airfield benefits from a hard runway a legacy from it days as a World War 2 airfield ( Fleet Air Arm use as HMS Dipper ) - despite the recent winter wet weather it remained open for flying.

G-KHRE SOCATA Rallye 150SV Garnement c/n 2931 landing on the hard runway ( 07 / 25 ) - this colourful Rallye is painted in a very bright colour scheme of Breitling watches. The aircraft was built in France in 1979 flying as F-GAYR before being imported into the UK in 1982 as G-KHRE.

It is now based at Henstridge and had flown approx 2,130 hours by December 2008.

G-IRAF RAF 2000 GTX-SE gyroplane painted in a most unusual "giraffe" ( hence G-IRAF ) type colour scheme. This gyroplane is based at Henstridge and is seen here taking off for some very local flying training along the length of the runway. This aircraft was built in 1996 and had flown approx 360 hours by December 2008.

This two seat design is powered by a Subaru EJ22 130HP engine that drives the propellor blade behind the cockpit. This example was kit built with parts supplied by Rotary Air Force Inc of Canada. Production switched to South Africa in 2007.

G-CFDI Vans RV-6 c/n 23116. This aircraft is unusal as it was imported in from the USA as N76GC rather than being kit built here in the UK. There are almost 100 RV-6 aircraft in the UK today of which approx one dozen have been imported as complete aircraft from the US. The type first flew in 1985 and over 2,000 examples were built ( many being the RV-6A version with a nose wheel ).

N76GC was originally built in 1999 and based in Florida, USA - it was imported into the UK in 2008 becoming G-CFDI

Kingston Deverill - The Park 6.12.09

2009-12-06T16:20:00.006Z

At last we had some blue skies, so I managed to get out to visit the gliding airfield at Kingston Deverill known as "The Park", just south of Warminster.

The airfield is home to The Bath, Wilts and North Dorset Gliding Club - a friendly chat with club members gave permission to access their hanger area.

G-DFLL SZD 9 Bis Bocian 1D c/n F-877 painted in a very warm red colour scheme. This Bocian was built at SZD Krosno in Poland back in 1965 and was originally delivered to Finland as OH-KBP before becoming OH-336. In 1988 it was imported into the UK and became BGA 3345 "FLL". With the CAA now administering glider restrigrations it became G-DFLL in September 2009. Perhaps the best looking Bocian in the UK. The clubs Piper Pawnee G-BUXY can be seen in the background.

The club also operate G-DCEB a SZD 9 Bis Bocian 1E - the 1E version has a sprung center wheel which is better suited for the heavy landings it encounters as a training glider. This Bocian is c/n P-433 and was built at SZD Jezow in Poland in 1968. It was exported to the UK in 1968 and became BGA 1474 "CEB".

The club has two other Bocians which are not currently airworthy - BGA 2034 "DDN" and BGA 4090 "HPH" stored dismantled in their hanger.

G-DBNH Schleicher Ka 6CR c/n 6115 is a single seat glider used by club members. This example was built in 1963 and was sold to the UK as BGA 1098 "BNH" and became G-DBNH in July 2008.

G-CJAZ Grob G102 Astir Jeans c/n 2073 was built in Germany in 1975 as D-7586. It was imported in the UK in 1997 and became BGA 4371 "JAZ" and became G-CJAZ in 9.08.

External Link below to The Bath, Wilts and North Dorset Gliding Club website

http://www.bwnd.co.uk/

Yeovil - Wed 11th November 2009

2009-11-11T19:02:00.004Z

A visit to the Agustawestland airfield at Yeovil today found some new helicopters on the flight line.

G-17-610 Merlin being towed to the western apron - this is the first of six AW-101 Merlins for the Algerian Navy - the "G-17-...." Type B registration prefix is used by Westlands. The "610" may refer to EH-101 sub model 610. I understand this helicopter first flew last week. Note radome underneath the forward cabin.

At the opposite end of the delivery pipeline is EH-101 Merlin ZK165 - this is the last of six purchased by the MOD on behalf of Denmark to replace the six Danish Merlins supplied in haste to the RAF in 2007. This aircraft should become M-520 upon delivery.

Also outside today was the first AW-159 Lynx Wildcat painted in an olive drab colour scheme and wearing Army titles, serial ZZ400 - this was ground running. Flight Global suggest that the first flight of this new type is due on 13.11.09

Blackbushe - 27.10.09

2009-11-07T15:05:00.009Z

Blackbushe airport offers good views for aviation enthusiasts with low fencing and wide views across the aprons

Cabair operate a flight training school here and operate a mixture of Pa-28, Robin HR200/120 and AA-5 aircraft.

G-FNPT Piper Pa-28-161 Cherokee Warrior III c/n 2842163 was built in 2002 and delivered to the UK as N5346Y becoming G-FNPT in October 2002. Cabair have bases at several UK airfields with a home base at Elstree.

G-WAVN Robin HR200/120B c/n 344 was built in 2000 by Robin Aviation at Dijon, France and originally delivered new to the UK as G-VECA. It joined the Cabair fleet in 2007 having previously operated with a flight training school at Wellsbourne ( G-WAVN - Welsbourne Aviation ).

The type was first built in 1971 - production ceased at Dijon in 2004 after approx 370 aircraft had been built. Production rights and jigs were subsequently sold to Alpha Aviation of New Zealand.

External LINK to Cabair website

G-FBKB Cessna 510 Citation Mustang c/n 510-0126 is operated by Blink Ltd at Blackbushe. This new bizjet was built in 2008 as N826CM and became G-FBKB in August 2009. Todate Blink operate a fleet of 7 Cessna 510 jets.

Blink operate as an air taxi company across Europe. The Citation Mustang offers seating for 4 passengers in 2 + 2 seating.

To read more about Blink visit their website via

http://www.flyblink.com/

Westonzoyland, Somerset - 29.9.09

2009-09-29T19:45:00.005Z

A mid week visit to the airfield at Westonzoyland ( just East of Bridgewater ) found only 4 ultralight aircraft outside of their hangers.

These three were active

G-JAXS Jabiru UL 450 was built in 2001 and has c/n PFA 274A-13548 - it first flew at Kemble.

G-BYTR X'Air was built in 2000 and has c/n BMAA/HB/105

G-PEGE Skyranger 912 c/n BMAA/HB/479 was built in 2006 - there are approx 200 Skyrangers currently registered in the UK

Cyclone AX2000 G-MZJL was parked outdoors.

Westonzoyland is an interesting old airfield - today the old airfield is split by the main road. The ultralight and microlight aircraft operate from the NW part of the airfield not too far from the old 2nd World War tower.

The airfield opened in 1944 and hosted transport aircraft from both the RAF and the USAAF in the build up to the D-Day invasion and the push across Western Europe.

The Wikipedia website has a good history of this airfield - see link below

External LINK to Wikipedia article about RAF Westonzoyland airfield

Warsaw - Bemowo 18.8.09

2009-09-21T20:54:00.018Z

I always visit the general aviation airfield at Warsaw - Benowo ( Babice ) when I travel to Warsaw. Even though many of the residents are very familiar there are always some new aircraft to see.

SP-YMK Evektor EV97 Eurostar c/n 980104 visiting Bemowo on 18.8.09. This Czech aircraft was built at the Kunovice factory and was originally registered as OK-DUR07 before being sold to Poland and registered as SP-YMK in 2002 . This aircraft is fitted with a Rotax 912 80 HP, FITI propeller and a Junkers rescue system and is believed based at Pruszcz - Gdanski.

External LINK to Evektor website

Yak 12A SP-AWA was built under license at the PZL Okecie factory back in 1960 with c/n 30128. This aircraft was initially delivered to the Polish Air Force ( PWL ) in 1960 and was withdrawn in 1971 and became SP-AWA the same year.

This Yak 12A is now operated by the Aeroklub Warsawa ( AK Warszawski ) as a glider tug. I have seen it here at Bemowo every year since 1995. The aircraft is powered by the 5-cylinder radial engine M-11FR (nominal power 104 kW/140 hp ) - it certainly makes a healthy roar.

The Yak 12A first flew in 1957 as a streamlined development from the Yak 12M. The "A" model features just one underwing brace spar whereas the Yak 12M and the Polish deriative PZL 101 Gawron feature two such wing braces. The Poles built 137 Yak 12A but also built approx 1050 Yak 12M and approx 320 PZL 101 Gawrons

SP-SPAW Aeropro Eurofox 3K 912S c/n 19606 registered on the four letter Ultralight register in 2006. I understand that the c/n shows this is Eurofox aircraft #196 built in 2006.

This aircraft was built at the Aeropro factory at Nitra in Slovakia - the "3K" model has a fixed tricycle undercarriage - the "2K" model has a tail wheel design. In the USA the type is known as the Aerotrek A220 and A240 - I guess the "Euro" part of the name might have detered some US cusotmers !

Approx 295 Eurofox aircraft have been built by summer 2009.

External LINK to Aeropro website

There are now dozens and dozens of imported second hand old Cessna basic training aircraft in Poland - This example is Cessna 150L c/n 73121 built in 1971 and registered in Poland as SP-GPB in November 2008, it was imported from the USA as N5221Q

External LINK to photo of N5221Q at Tracy, California, USA

SP-3062 SZD 42-2 Jantar 2B c/n B864 coded "AW" was built at the SZD factory at Bielsko-Biala in 1978 - I have seen this glider at Bemowo since 1996.

SP-1979 Fauvel AV-36C - this interesting bat like glider is a flying wing with no real fuselage. It was built in 1958 and delivered to Austria as OE-0414 before being imported into Poland in 1959 as SP-1979.

This glider was designed by the French designer Charles Fauvel - I understand that approx 50 AV-36 gliders were built from parts produced by Wassmer plus maybe a further 100 homebuilt from supplied design drawings.

This glider looks in good condition, I understand it was restored between 2000 - 2002 at Modlin. Hopefully one day I will see this unusual glider fly.

External LINK to excellent website all about designer Charles Fauvel and his gliders

D-MBBJ Flight Design CT SW - this aircraft is c/n 07-10-16 built in September 2007. I first saw it in the Aeroklub hanger at Bemowo in August 2008, still present one year later. This design features a very wide cockpit cabin.

The CT first flew in 1997 and over 1,200 aircraft have been delivered to date.

External LINK to the Flight Design website

Warka, Poland - Preserved Lim-2

2009-09-09T15:41:00.006Z

Preserved near the town square in the street Ulica Dluga near the centre of Warka is this former Polish Air Force Lim-2. This aircraft was presented to the town of Warka by 1 PLM ( based at Minsk Mazowiecki ) back in August 1969 - now 40 years later it is still "on guard" and looks to be in reasonable condition having spent so long outside in all weathers.

The serial 026 can just about be discerned on the port nose although I do not know the construction number for this aircraft - if you know more about this particular aircraft please let me know, thanks.

The Lim-2 was a licensed built version of the Mig-15 bis built by PZL Mielec. Some sources suggests that as many as 18,000 Mig-15 aircraft were built in the USSR and in licenced overseas production. If you look at the nose of this aircraft you can see the large Nudelman N-37 37 mm cannon and a pair of NR-23 23 mm cannons. This aircraft was probably built in the late 1950s.

The town of Warka is on road 731 approx 25 miles South of Warsaw - the photo was taken in August 2009.

The link below will show you this same aircraft on a picture postcard of the town of Warka probably taken in the 1970s

EXTERNAL LINK TO POSTCARD of "026"

Poland - Radom Piastow airfield

2009-09-03T13:53:00.011Z

The airfield at Radom Piastow ( EPRP ) is approx 6 miles North West of Radom city. This grass airfield is home to the local Aeroklub Radomski operating both aircraft and gliders. In addition there are also some privately owned aircraft too.

There is small elegant clubhouse that includes a cafe open to the public. Permission was granted to walk over to most of the hangers during my visit on 28.8.09.

SP-ZUD PZL M-18 Dromader recently repainted into this bright yellow c/s, this aircraft was built in 1983 and is used for aerial fire fighting.

SP-KMC Cessna 182Q Skylane was built in 1978 and imported into Poland in 2001 from German as D-EVER

SP-FRK PZL Koliber 150 was built in 1984 as SP-ARK a Koliber 110 - it became SP-FRK in 1989 and was converted to 150 standard in 1993

SP-AFM PZL 104 Wilga 35A was built in 1982 and delivered to the Polish Aeroklub. I've seen it active at Radom Piastow in 1997 and 2000 - now it looks in need of some attention

SP-SMWD Ekolot JK-05 Junior a Polish built ultralight being pushed back into a small private hanger

SP-ACM Extra 300L c/n 48 was built in 1997

SP-KGK Cessna 152 dismantled inside the Aeroklub glider hanger - this aircraft was built in 1977 and was imported to Poland from Germany as D-EDLN in 2005

SP-3038 SZD 9Bis Bocian 1E two seat trainer was built in 1976

SP-2503 SZD 30 Pirat was the second Pirat to be built ( in 1966 ) and is now the oldest remaining example of this singe seat design after the prototype ( SP-2502 ) was destroyed in 1966. Based with Aeroklub LOT.

In total I logged 36 aircraft and gliders at Piastow of which 18 were gliders. Two private hangers on the Western side of the club housewere not accessed.

Keevil - Inter-Services Regional Gliding Championship - 5.8.09

2009-08-09T13:44:00.014Z

On the Grid ready to go - Grob G102 Astir CS77 G-DDOE is operated by the Heron GC at RNAS Yeovilton and was built in 1977

RAF Keevil airfield in Wiltshire is home to the Bannerdown Gliding club part of the Royal Air Force Gliding & Soaring Association ( RAFGSA ) - this year they hosted the Inter-Services Regional Gliding Championship ( ISRGC ) for a week of competition in early August 2009.

The poor summer weather meant that competition days 3, 4 and 5 were cancelled - I visited Keevil on Wednesday 5th August and found almost 40 gliders lined up on the Grid ready for the start of the competition - unfortunately a 20 minute shower and some low cloud caused the days flying to be scrubbed just as they were due to launch.

Beautiful sleek Schleicher ASW 27 coded "P10" was built in 2001

SZD 51-1 Junior G-CJLG was built in 1990 and is operated by the Army Gliding Asociation at Upavon - all ready to launch but it rained.

Centrair 101A G-DEVM coded "N51" operates with the Seahawk GC at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall and was built in 1984

G-DCPM Glasflugel Standard Libelle 201B has a lovely tadpole shape - this glider was built back in 1971 and is based at Upavon

Rolladen Schneider LS8-18 G-WDGC coded "M9" is based at Upavon and was built in 2001

G-DCCU Schleicher KA 6E c/n 4122 coded "CCU"built in 1968

G-CFRZ Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus c/n 348G was built under licence by Grob in 1973

Schleicher ASK 21 G-CKJP coded "R12" is home based at Keevil with the Bannerdown GC

The event brought half a dozen visiting tug aircraft to Keevil including Chipmunks G-AOTF ( RAFGSA ), AOUO ( RAFGSA ) , ATVF ( RAFGSA ) , BAVH ( Royal Navy Gliding Soaring Association ), BCKN ( RAFGSA ) plus Pawnees G-ASIY ( RAFGSA ) and BDPJ ( RAFGSA ).

G-AOTF is a rare singe seat Chipmunk 23. This aircraft was originally built for the RAF as a conventional T 10 serial WB563 with c/n C1-0015 in 1950. In 1956 it was registered as G-AOTF and was flown by the RAE Farnborough Aero Club. It was sold to Farm Aviation in 1963 and was converted to a single seater for agricultural spraying services. In 1969 it was bought by the RAFGSA as a glider tug and has remained with them for the past 40 years. Now almost 60 years old the aircraft still provides a valuable service and is the only Chipmunk 23 version flying in the UK.

Chipmunk 22 G-BAVH operates with the Portsmouth Naval Gliding Club at Lee on Solent. This Chipmunk was built in 1953 as WP975 with the RAF. It became G-BAVH in 1973 operating with the RAFGSA before being passed onto the Portsmouth Naval Gliding Club in 1981. The original Gypsy Moth engine has been replaced by a Lycoming O-360-A4A.

Another type popular with gliding clubs for aero tows is the Piper Pawnee - this former agricultural spraying aircraft G-ASIY was built in 1963 with c/n 25-2446. For 20 years it flew with ADS Aerial Spraying based at Southend. In 1984 it was accquired by the RAFGSA and is now based at Bicester. By the end of 2008 it has flown over 9410 flight hours.

Keevil has a collection of older gliders undergoing or awaiting restoration among them is Slingsby T 42 Skylark 3 registration BGA 735 built in 1955

Among the resident gliders and aircraft at Keevil are several vintage former RAF gliders including Slingsby T21B Sedbergh TX 1 WB981 featuring side by side seating now operating as BGA 3238

LINK to Official ISRGC website for this competition

LINK to Army Gliding Association

LINK to Royal Air Force Gliding & Soaring Association

LINK to Royal Navy Gliding & Soaring Association

MW Fly In - Warren Farm Charterhouse near Cheddar 2.8.09

2009-08-03T11:49:00.004Z

The MW Club hold their annual Fly In to Warren Farm near Cheddar in Somerset. The club is for owners, pilots and fans of the designs of Mike Whittaker such as the MW5 Sorcerer and the MW6 Merlin and MW6S Fat Boy Flyer two seaters.

This years event took place over the weekend of 2nd & 3rd August - the weather was bad on the 2nd but a bit better on Sunday 3rd. Seen mid afternoon on 3rd were

G-MMGV - this is the original prototype MW5 Series A c/n 001 first flown in July 1984 here at Warren Farm. Built by Microknight Aviation and registered as G-MMGV on 2.12.1983. By 31.12.08 this aircraft had flown 140 hours. The top photo shows the aircrafts Fuji-Robin EC-34 engine.

G-MWEK MW5 Sorcerer - this example was home built in the Exeter area in the early 1990s and has PFA c/n 163-11284. Officially registered on 20.2.90 the first flight took place in 1994 ( ? ) - by 31.12.07 this aircraft had flown over 208 hours. This aircraft has a Rotax 447 engine.

Visiting the MW fly In was Skyranger G-CCMX - powered by a Rotax 912 engine this Skyranger first flew in 2004 and is based in Gloucestershire.

LINK to MW Club web site

Helidays - Weston Super Mare 25th July 2009

2009-07-26T15:33:00.007Z

RAF Griffin HT 1 ZJ241 "L" c/n 36146 belongs to the SARTU at RAF Valley has floatation gear - delivered to the RAF in 1997

This years Helidays took place from Friday 24th July to Sunday 26th July 2009. The beach lawns along the sea front at Weston Super Mare, Somerset, England, UK become at temporary heliport.

The show features a number of visiting helicopters that spend the weekend on static display - alongside them are day visitors that fly in and out. The beach lawns are surrounded by roads, houses, people and lamp posts so pilots must exercise caution and skill whilst flying.

Robinson R44 Raven II G-CECX c/n 11390 built in 2006 departs from Beach Lawns

This years event was rather spoilt by the poor weather on the Friday and Sunday - Saturday started fine but by mid afternoon the wet weather was back again. All the pictures here were taken on Saturday 25th July.

Saunder Roe Skeeter AOP 12 G-SARO was built in 1962 as XL812 for the Army - roaded in following type being grounded by the CAA

G-BXTV homebuilt Bug helicopter registered in 1998 - roaded in on a trailer - has this ever flown ?

G-BAXS Bell 47G-5 c/n 7908 was built in 1969 operates from Fairoaks

The Army Air Corps Historic Flight flew in Scout AH 1 XT626 coded "Q" which was delivered to the Army Air Corp in 1966

G-RUZZ Robinson R44 Raven II c/n 10082 was bult in 2003 - it is based in Oxfordshire

G-OHMS Aerospatiale AS 355F1 Twin Squrrel c/n 5194 was built in 1982 and is based at Bristol Airport operating with Western Power Distribution WPD on electricity power line inspections

ZR322 is one of three RAF Agusta A 109E operating with 32 Sqd based at RAF Northolt for VIP flights - c/n 11664 and delivered to the RAF in 2006

RAF 32 Sqd badge on the side of A 109E ZR322

G-GJCD Robinson R22 c/n 0966 was built in 1989 - it is now 20 years old and has flown over 5500 flight hours

G-OTJS Robinson R44 Raven II c/n 12305 built in 2008 is based up in Humberside

Brantly B2B G-AWDU c/n 481 was built in 1968 - this type reminds me of an ice cream cone ! There are only 6 examples on the current UK register - this example is based in Oxfordshire.

Belgian Army A 109BA H-45 with anti tank system - this helicopter was delivered in 1994 and is based at Bierset near Leige

Chipmunks at Yeovilton

2009-07-25T10:30:00.007Z

RNHF Chipmunk T 10 WK608 coded "906"

A tour at RNAS Yeovilton in June 2009 found three DHC 1 Chipmunk aircraft on the base. Two of these Chipmunks belong to the Royal Navy Historic Flight ( RNHF ), the third is a privately owned Chippy painted in Porteugese Air Force colours.

WK608 Chipmunk T 10 is active with the RNHF. It offers the Historic Flight pilots an opportunity to gain training hours in a tail wheel aircraft similar to the vintage Sea Fury and Swordfish they operate. It is currently the only Chipmunk still flying with the Royal Navy.

This aircraft has construction number C1/0617 and was delivered new to the RAF in 1952. In 1966 it was transferred to the Royal Navy and flew for many years from the Roborough airfield at Plymouth as part of the Britannia Royal Navy College ( BRNC ) before passing on to the RNHF at Yeovilton.

The RNHF also has Chipmunk T 10 WB657 coded "908"- this was seen stored unairworthy in large south side hanger at RNAS Yeovilton. It was delivered new to the RAF in 1950 and has c/n C1/0096.

Chipmunk G-BARS painted as "1377" of Port AF

Also based and airworthy at Yeovilton is Chipmunk 22 G-BARS. This is flown painted in Portuguese Air Force colours as serial "1377" - note that the Port AF did indeed operate Chipmunks but not this particular aircraft ( Port AF Chipmunk serials were 1301 to 1376 - "1377" is spurious ).

G-BARS was built in 1952 as a Chipmunk T 10 for the RAF with serial WK520. After 21 years service it was sold to the civil market and became G-BARS on 26.2.1973. The civilisation process would have included replacing the cartridge starter system. G-BARS was originally owned by Hawker Siddeley at Hawarden as part of their social flying club. After passing through various other owners it arrived at Yeovilton in 1998 in the possession of well known warbird pilot John Beattie.

By 12.07 this aircraft had accumulated over 8,344 flight hours.

LINK to photo of G-BARS while based at Hawarden in the 1970s

Yeovilton 7.7.09 - Air Show Preview Day

2009-07-07T19:13:00.015Z

Sea Vixen XP924 arrives on Tuesday 7th July 2009 at Yeovilton, Somerset as part of the Press Preview event held as a warm up for the Air Show planned for Saturday 11th July 2009.

A small static display was arranged and a couple of practice displays were flown too. The static included the above Royal Marine Lynx AH7 from 847 NAS alongside a Royal Navy Lynx HMA8 - look at how the basic design has evolved when comparing the two airframes.

The based Royal Navy Sea King HC4 helicopters were busy preparing for the impressive mass helicopter aerial assault demo that is the finale of the Yeovilton Air Show each year.

The only airworthy Sea Vixen XP924 arrived at Yeovilton from its home base at Bournemouth Hurn airport. This truly magnificent aircraft is now operated as jet warbird registered as G-CVIX and painted in the colours of 899 Sqd when operating from HMS Eagle.

This year the Sea Vixen has a new display pilot, Lt Cdr Matt Whitfield of the Royal Navy. Lt Cdr Whitfield is based at Yeovilton and usually flies Hawk T1 aircraft.

With this year marking 100 years of Naval Aviation the show organisers were keen to attract historic Royal Navy aircraft - one of the stars is the Seafire F Mk XVII SX336 ( G-KASX ) owned by Tim Manna - this machine was built in 1946 by Westlands at nearby Yeovil. A total of 232 Seafire MK XVII were built.

The aircraft is powered by a Rolls Royce Griffon VI engine with a four bladed propeller. The derelict airframe was rescued from a scrap yard in 1973 - after many years of storage a full restoration project started in about 2000 with first flight post restoration in May 2006.

SX336 is the only airworthy Seafire in the UK - Seafire MK 47 VP441 flies in the USA registered as N47SF - two very rare aircraft.

Also present was Douglas AD-4N Skyraider G-RADR - this large single enginned aircraft was built in 1948. The Skyraider did see service with the Royal Navy in the 1950s & 60s but not this particular airframe ( you can see a Royal Navy Skyraider in the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton ) . This aircraft was delivered to the US Navy as Bu 126922 in about 1952. It was later sold to the French AF in 1960 as serial "42" before passing onto the the Gabon AF in the mid 1970s.

It arrived back in France as a civilian warbird in the mid 1980s being registered as F-AZED - I saw this at Duxford in 1992 & 1993 painted in a dark blue US Navy c/s as 126922 coded "JS-937 ". It was registered in the UK as G-RAID in 1993 and painted in its current US Navy colours as 126922 coded "AK-402" of VA-176 operating from USS Intrepid. After a sale it was re-registered as G-RADR in 2003 - it certainly is a beast of a design.

Parked in the static area was one of the Black Cat team aircraft, Lynx HAS 3 XZ250 coded "631" - the Black Cats operate as a pair with one Lynx HAS 3 and one Lynx HMA 8 operated by 702 NAS based at Yeovilton.

Also shown was G-BYXK Grob 115E Tutor owned by VT Aerospace but operated by 727 NAS based at Yeovilton - these basic trainers assess the skills of potential pilots prior to moving onto the Slingsby T67.

The Air Show will be held on Saturday 11th July and among the aircraft expected to attend are the Frecce Tricolori team, the Royal Jordanian Falcons, plus displays from a French AF Rafale ( UK debut display ) and F-16s from Belgium and the Netherlands.

Among the static aircraft due are a French Navy E-2 Hawkeye, German Navy Atlantic, Spanish Navy EAV-8, French Super Etendards and Lynxs from Portugal and France - all good stuff lets hope they arrive.

A variety of Sea King helicopters will be present to celebrate 40 years of service with the Royal Navy.

The show will also feature the Fly Navy 100 mass formation flypast plus of course the dynamic Commando helicopter air assault demonstration - I hope you enjoy the show.

For full details of the latest aircraft due to appear please click here

With thanks to the Yeovilton PRO team.

Military Museum - Istanbul Turkey - May 2009

2009-06-16T19:53:00.006Z

The Military Museum ( Askeri Muze ) is located about 1 mile north of the city centre Taksim Square area.

In the courtyard just outside the museum entrance are two aircraft - a CF-104G Starfighter and an OH-13S Sioux helicopter.

This CF-104G was built under licence in Canada for the CAF. Originally serialled 12733 it was one of 200 single seat CF-104G built in the early 1960s. In 1970 the CAF re-serialled their aircraft and this became 104733.

It served with 1 CAG operating out of the CAF airbase at Sollingen near Baden-Baden in West Germany. I saw this actual aircraft at the Greenham Common air show on 31.7.1976. At the time 1 CAG comprised three squadrons - 412 Sqd, 439 Sqd and 441 Sqd.

Canadian Starfighters were used for low level ground attack & reconaisance - their radar systems were not configured for the aerial intercepor role. Originally delivered in a shiny natural metal colour scheme they then adopted an overall dark olive green scheme and from about 1980 a grey & green camoflague design.

The image above is from the Canadian Armed Forces archive

CAF CF-104 operations ceased in 1986. Although these aircraft had accumulated many flight hours ( typically over 5,000 per aircraft ) they had also recently benefitted from an upgraded attack radar systym.

Turkey then purchased 52 former European based Canadian CF-104 comprising 46 singel seat CF-104G and 6 two seater CF-104D aircraft. The best 20 aircraft were overhauled by MBB in Germany prior to delivery with the rest being reduced to spares.

Former CAF aircraft 104733 was allocated to the Turkish 8th Jet Airbase at Diyarbakir in the South East of the country as serial 62-733 coded "8-733".

A plaque beside the aircraft states that it was passed to Turkey on 18.3.1986 with 5,408 flight hours. It was retired seven years later on 27.8.93 with 6,655 flight hours. During its service in Turkey it flew 1,247 flight hours averaging approx 178 flight hours per year during that time.

External Link to photo of CAF CF-104G 104733 taken in 1983 - the very same aircraft

Also in the entrnace courtyard is a former Turkish Army Bell OH-13S Sioux helicopter. serialled KK 10397.

The manufacurers data plate can still be found and read in the cockpit port foot well - this shows the c/n as 3959 and original US serial as 69-16381.

At odds with this is that up on the flight control panel is a Radio Callsign plate which shows serial 69-16380 - I can only assume that the flight control instrument panel has been switched at some point from OH-13S 69-16380 which I guess also went to Turkey.

If anyone has a listing of Turkish Army OH-13 serials I'd be interested, thank you.

Also at the museum is a former Turkish Army U-17 ( Cessna 185 Skywagon ) serial 13254 - this is within a southern courtyard and is surrounded by large shrubs.

Talgarth, Wales - 29.5.09

2009-06-08T20:51:00.006Z

Talgarth - Home of the Black Mountain Gliding Club

Yet another new airfield for me. I stopped here late in the afternoon just as they were packing up the gliders and getting a BBQ ready. Friendly reception and permission granted to wander around once I had asked.

Europa G-DLCB minus propeller was built in 1996

Piper Pa-25-235 Pawnee G-AZPA - many of these old ag-planes found new life a glider tugs - this example was built back in 1970 and arrived at Talgarth for glider duties in 1982

This airfield is set in a very lovely location right at the foot of the Black Mountains - I'm told these offer excellent soaring conditions making Talgarth one of the best gliding locations in the UK. The club house facilities look in excellent condition too.

G-DEGZ two seater Schleicher ASK 21 this example built in 1980

G-DDVY Schempp-Hirth Cirrus c/n 52 is 40 years old being built in 1969

SZD 51-1 Junior G-CFHF c/n W-952 was one of the last examples to be built at the SZD Wroclaw factory - production continued at Bielsko-Biala

Altogether on this visit I logged 2 aircraft and 15 gliders.

Click Here to visit the Black Mountains Gliding Club website

Halesland, Somerset - 10.5.09

2009-05-10T15:25:00.005Z

Halesland airfield is high up on top of the Mendip Hills in Somerset. It's not a particularly busy airfield but it is a lovely setting.

Slingsby T 50 Skylark 4 BGA 1019 coded "BKA" - this glider was built in 1962 and is exempt from taking up one of the new CAA "G-" registrations. Behind is based tug Scheibe SF25C Falke G-KWAK.

G-CFTN is a Schleicher K8B built in 1961 and operated in Germany as D-8539 before being imported into the UK in 1989 becoming BGA 3515 - this is based at Halesland with the Mendip Gliding Club.

External Link to The Mendip Gliding club website

Popham - Sat 26th April 2009

2009-05-05T08:38:00.007Z

Popham airfield is always worth visiting. The aircraft are easy to view and the cafe provides a good place for refeshments.

Aircraft visiting Popham usually park next to the cafe area and a request at Ops desk gave me permission to go airside for these images

M-FOUR (2) Beech G36 Bonanza this new Bonanza c/n E-3849 was built in 2008 and registered in The Isle of Man in March 2009 and replaces the original M-FOUR which was an earlier A36 version.

Visiting were a pair of Flight Design CTSW both in a white/blue/yellow colour scheme - The aircraft type was designed and built in Germany and assembled here in the UK by P & M Aviation. The CTSW fits within the MTOW 450kg BCAR Section S Microlight certification. I like this design. G-SLNT was registered on 28.2.07 with c/n 8254 and is based in Cambridgeshire.

G-OMRP is a little more recent than G-SLNT and was registered on 3.10.08 with c/n 8397 and is based in Northamptonshire.

Also on the visitors ramp was Vans RV-7 G-RVUK construction number PFA 323-14441 - this popular two seater kit aircraft was registered on 8.6.06 and first flew in 2007 and is based in Cambridgeshire. There are currently 57 examples of the RV-7 registered in the UK.

The sunny weather found resident Rearwin 8125 Cloudster G-EVLE c/n 803 parked outside its hanger. This classic pre WW2 American design was built in 1939 as NC25403 and is unique in the UK today. It was first registered in the UK as G-BVLK in 1994 before taking up the markings G-EVLE in 2003.

Bodmin, Cornwall - 11.4.09

2009-04-23T19:24:00.008Z

Bodmin airfield is situated just 1/2 mile from the A30 just a couple of miles NE of the town on the edge of Bodmin Moor. The airfield has a small simple cafe with some outside tables too.

A request at the Tower gave me permission to walk around to the hangers - residents seen included

G-OTUN EV-97 Eurostar built in 2002

G-GAOM Robin DR400 Dauphin built in 1977 as F-GAOM - imported into the UK in 2005 with a nice simple "F" to "G" change

G-CWFB Pa-38 Tomahawk built in 1978 originally as G-OAAL before becoming G-CWFB in 2000 when operating with Cardiff Wales Aviation ( G-CW....... )

G-BSDW Cessna 182P built in 1976 and registered as G-BSDW in 1990

Cessna 175C Skylark built in 1961 - the 175 model had a more powerful engine than the similar looking early Cessna 172 models - only approx 2,000 examples of the Cessna 175 were built.

G-BKRH Max Brugger Colibri MB2 - this homebuilt aircraft was completed in 1988 and has visited many of the PFA fly in rallyes over the past 20 years - it was previously based at Cranfield.

G-GLKE Robin DR400 Regent looking in excellent condition, this example was built in 1992 and arrived in the UK in 2007 having previously been F-GLKE - another simple "F" to "G" revision.

G-XSAM Vans RV-9A kitbuilt aircraft completed in 2008 - the black and yellow colour scheme is similar to the current RAF training colours

G-CFJG Skyranger this ultralight aircraft design is very popular in the UK, this example was kit built in 2008.

The airfield is also home to several old Aeronca aircraft including G-BRER, G-IVOR and NC33884 plus Air Camper G-CCKR. Altogether 32 aircraft were present at the time of this visit.

Perranporth Cornwall - 18.4.09

2009-04-19T14:54:00.012Z

This was a new airfield for me. Perranporth airfield is located on the North coast of Cornwall, the airfield is West of Perranporth town along the B3285 near to the village of Trevellas.

The airfield was built in 1941 during World War 2 and was home to several Spitfire squadrons. You can learn more about the history of Perranporth airfield via the link below

History of RAF Perranporth

Upon arrival at Perranporth I asked at the Control Tower for permission to walk over to the nearby new hanger - this was granted and they requested I wear a High Viz jacket. Parked by the tower itself were half a dozen small Cessna 150/172 types plus G-AZRZ Cessna U206 which was busy operating parachute jumps.

Reims Cessna F 172N G-WACL was built in 1979 and is resident at Perranporth in this attractive colour scheme. After 30 years this aircraft has flown in excess of 8550 flight hours. This aircraft is construction number c/n 1912 and was originally delivered new to the UK from the Reims factory as G-BHGG in November 1979. Initially based at Denham it became G-WACL in 1989 and spent many years operating from Booker / High Wycombe before being sold onto Exeter and then Perranporth.

You can see a good photo of G-WACL wearing its previous sky blue colour scheme applied when it operated with Wycombe Air Centre at Booker- ie WAC"L" below

Previous Colour Scheme of G-WACL

The new hanger is sub divided with three doorways. A chat with a resident pilot resulted in permission to enter the hanger. There were numerous interesting aircraft types to be seen although with just one external door open the hanger was rather dark for photos.

The hanger included the very sleek moulded composite G-JBAS Lancair 200 - this aircraft was kit built and completed in 2003. Powered by a Continental 0-200 engine this design came to market in 1985.

Update 29.12.09 - I have received an email from the Slater family which built this aircraft with more details of this aircrafts history - The aircraft was purchased as a kit from Lancair in 1988-1989, the aircraft is belived to be Lancair kit number 069. The PFA in the UK assigned it aircraft project number PFA 191-11465 - Mr Slater says - "" ( Lancair ) they totally re-jigged the tooling soon after this one, you can see a difference in the mass balance weight shape on the later ones. ""

Thanks to Mr Slater for this feedback.

Cessna T303 N289CW can be seen behind the Lancair.

Official Lancair Website

Wearing a Cornish flag on the tail is Bolkow Bo 209-160FV Monsun G-EFJD c/n 126. This aircraft was first registered in the UK recently in October 2008. It was built in Germany back in 1971 and was imported from Germany as D-EFJD - a nice simple paint change, from "D" to "G".

MBB built 102 production examples of the Monsun before MBB ceased the production of fixed wing aircraft in 1972 to concentrate on their successful helicopter designs ( MBB Bo 105 etc ). There are currently 11 examples of this type shown as registered on the UK "G-...." register.

Other interesting types in the modern hanger included G-CCJL Super Marine Spitfire Mk 26 as "PV303" coded "ON-B", L-4B Cub G-BHVV as "31430" in an olive USAAC colour scheme plus another similar Cub G-AKIB as "480015" coded "M-44".

Modern light aircraft included Skyranger G-CDWB, CTSW G-LCKY and brand new RV-8 G-GUNZ which I was told was awaiting first flight.

The hanger also included American registered Liberty XL-2 N576XL, Cessna T303 Crusdaer N289CW, Beech 76 N741D and red & white Hughes 269 N994K.

G-APIZ Turbulent

2009-03-24T15:15:00.004Z

It was good to see Turbulent G-APIZ looking in excellent condition at RAF Shawbury on 19.3.09.

This small but elegant French designed Druine D.31 Turbulent aircraft was built by Rollason Aircraft and Engines Ltd ( RAE ) at the old Croydon airfield back in 1957. Altogether Rollason built approx 30 Turbulents. Note that Stark Flugzeugbau of Germany also built a version of this aircraft in the late 1950s.

I believe this is the oldest Turbulent still airworthy today in the UK. The aircraft has the PFA c/n PFA 478.

It is powered by a Volkswagen 1600 engine and has flown approx 225 hours by December 2007.

This aircraft was involved in a major accident in 1963 at West Clandon and was subsequently cancelled from the CAA register in 1965. It was restored to the register in 1987 after rebuild and was based at White Waltham during the 1990s.

Great to see this aircraft in such good shape.

2009-03-12T14:49:00.003Z

Royal Navy Sea King HC 4 "Commando" helicopter T Shirt

This T Shirt features one of my original photo images of a Sea King HC4 in action - please click through on the T shirt above to view the range of size, style and colour options and order if you wish via RedBubble.

Bristol International Airport - Lulsgate 2.3.09

2009-03-04T16:37:00.004Z

Ryaniar 737-800 EI-CTB departing runway 27 at Bristol on 2.3.09

A quick visit up to Lulsgate on a reasonable Spring day allowed me to catch up with some new Easyjet and Ryanair aircraft. Bristol is a Easyjet hub with approx 11 different aircraft based - Ryaniar are also operating more flights out of Bristol and most days you can see 4 or 5 of their aircraft too.

EI-DYO taking off - I like the red underbelly light reflection on the engine

XZ697 Royal Navy Lynx HMA 8 visits Wells Somerset 25.2.09

2009-03-03T21:55:00.006Z

I often work from home and my morning peace and quiet was interrupted by the sound and welcome sight of a RN Lynx passing very low over my house in the descent.

A quick dash upstairs allowed me to follow the Lynx as it descended towards the Wells Cathedral School grounds.

The Lynx was on a visit the the schools student Combined Cadet Force ( CCF ). I managed to get down to the school in time to have a quick look at the Lynx before it departed back to its home base at RNAS Yeovilton.

The Lynx was serial XZ697 coded "641" of the training unit 702 NAS. It has been modified to HMA 8 standard. This Lynx was built by Westlands at Yeovil as construction number WA 145 and first fly back in January 1980 - so it's now 29 years old.

It appeared in the static park at the Farnborough aviation trade show in September 1988 as a mark HAS 3 coded "602" of 829 NAS. By 1998 it had been converted to HMA 8 standard and was seen operating with 815 NAS coded "308"

This original Lynx will be replaced by the new "Future Lynx" in the next few years.

The crew allowed the school students the opportunity to climb aboard and ask plenty of questions - good PR for the Royal Navy and a good opportunity for the students to learn too.

With thanks to Wells Cathedral School and Royal Navy 702 NAS.

RNAS Yeovilton - Wed 21.1.09

2009-01-21T19:18:00.007Z

A brief stop at RNAS Yeovilton produced these two images

Royal Navy Sea King HC4 ZF124 "L" of 845 Sqd - the low winter sun really shows off the details in the colour scheme. This Sea King c/n WA974 was delivered new to the Royal Navy in 1987 and initially served with 772 Sqd based at RNAS Portland coded "24.

When RNAS Portland was closed and 772 Sqd disbanded it joined the Commando helicopter fleet at Yeovilton. In recent years 845 Sqd have operated on deployment to both Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Sea King in the background is the very old XV676, coded "ZE" - this MK6CR aircraft is an old HAS 6 version and still has its float sponsons but has lost all its ASW kit and is now used as a flight trainer for the busy HC4 fleet, taking some of the hours off the frontline HC4 helicopters. XV676 delivered to the RN way back in 1970.

Hawk T1A XX198 is now almost 31 years old having been delivered to the RAF back in April 1978. I first saw it at RAF Valley in August 1981 when it was serving with 63 Sqd of 2 TWU coded "198" painted in green/grey camoflague.

Today it flies with the Royal Navy FRADU based at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall - some Royal Navy Hawks used to carry "Royal Navy" titles but these have now gone. It was busy flying circuits this morning using the local call sign "YEOVIL 61". FRADU usually have a couple of RN Hawks detached to Yeovilton and they operate from the old Sea Harrier apron on the south side of the airfield.

RAF Jaguar GR3A XZ117

2008-12-23T14:01:00.007Z

This picture is my Xmas 2009 treat for you.

RAF Jaguar GR3A XZ117 coded "ES" in 6 Sqn colours is shown here overshooting RNAS Yeovilton back in November 2006 just a few months before the type was withdrawn from RAF use. Although wearing 6 Sqn colours this aircraft was operating with the QinetiQ test fleet at Boscombe Down.

I love the way the undercarriage gear is turning as it rotates to fit into the wheel well.

The Jaguar entered service with the RAF back in 1973 and this particualr Jaguar was built at BAe Warton and first flew on 29.4.1976 and so is 30 years old in this photo. The aircraft has a build number of S 118 - UK single seater 118.

XZ117 was modified to Jaguar GR3A standard and this included updating the aircraft's twin Adour turbofan engines with the Mk106 engine so giving greater fuel economy and more power in high ambient temperatures.

I first saw this Jaguar when it was brand new as it was displayed in the static park at International Air Tattoo held at RAF Greenham Common on 31.7.1976 - at that time it was coded "E" of 41 Sqn.

Link to photo of XZ117 41 Sqn "E" taken at RAF Greenham Common on 31.7.1976

XZ117 - RAF Service

first flew 29.4.1976
delivered to RAF 28.5.1976
seen with 41 Sqn coded "E" 31.7.1976
seen with 54 Sqn coded "GG" in 1992
seen with 6 Sqn coded "EP" 23.7.1999
seen with 41 Sqn coded "FB" in 4.2006
seen with QinetiQ coded "ES" 6.11.2006 and 29.6.2007
believed withdrawn from use and parked at Boscombe Down by 2007

The Jag fleet was finally from the RAF in 2007.

2008-12-14T14:16:00.007Z

RAF Fairford - Exercise Crown Condor

RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England awoke from its usual sleepy state to become home to an active Deployed Operating Base ( DOB ) in October 2008.

At the end of September 2008 the first members of 140 Expeditionary Air Wing ( EAW) arrived at RAF Fairford from their home base at RAF Lossiemouth in Morayshire to take part in Exercise Crown Condor. The Tornados from Lossie were joined by Gripens from Sweden keen to participate in such an exercise.

140 EAW lead by Wing Commander Torben Harris will have the duty to bring “fast jet power” to bear once they complete this years training of which Exercise Crown Condor is the final part of their working up period. As from 1st January 209 140 EAW will be on a 12 month period of alert duty to provide the fast jet EAW response should it be needed, ready to deploy overseas at short notice.

For the purpose of this exercise 140 EAW deployed to the normally vacate southern dispersals at RAF Fairford away from the main hangers and comfortable infrastructure across the runway.

This area was to represent a disused bare base and the job of 140 EAW was to turn this austere environment into a fully functioning fast jet operating base. It took the team 12 days to set up from scratch a secure tented city with four large temporary dispersal hangars up and erected before the first jets arrived.

Everything had to be put in place ranging from the basics such as securing a supply of fresh water through to providing catering and accommodation for almost 1,000 deployed personnel ( including approx 100 from Sweden ) to ensuring the safe and secure operation of fast jets with secure tactical communications, portable control tower, fuel and weapon stores plus a field hospital.

Once the Deployed Operating Base ( DOB ) had been built and was operational the air component of Exercise Crown Condor arrived. This involved deploying 12 ( Bomber ) Sqn with eight Tornado GR4 aircraft down from RAF Lossiemouth.

To help represent the fact that multi national operations are now often the norm overseas the Swedish Air Force ( Flygvapnet ) were invited to participate and deployed with seven JAS 39 Gripen aircraft from 171 Sqn at Ronneby airbase in southern Sweden. These first jets arrived at RAF Fairford on 2^nd October 2008 with the exercise itself running from 6^th – 16^th October 2008.

Deployed Tornado GR4/GR4A aircraft at Exercise Crown Condor table

ZA473 no Code 12 Sqn

ZA543 Code "FF" 12 Sqn - Special 12 Sqn tail markings 1915-2005

ZA556 Code "047" - no Sqn markings

ZD843 Code "106" 15 Sqn

ZD847 Code "108" - no Sqn markings

ZD850 Code "111" - no Sqn markings

ZG727 Code "126" and "AJ-J" 617 Sqn markings - Note GR4A

ZG729 Code "127" 13 Sqn markings - Note GR4A

The Swedish deployment was led by Lt Col Anders Segerby wing commander of F17 Wing based at Ronneby. Among his flight crews were pilots who had recently returned from the JAS 39 Gripen deployment to Red Flag at Nellis AFB USA in August 2008.

The primary mission of 171 Sqn is reconnaissance and air to surface operations. The unit converted from the JA 37 Viggen in 2002 when they received their first JAS 39A / B Gripens – these were replaced with the more advanced JAS 39C / D aircraft in 2004.

Deployed JAS 39C / D Gripen aircraft at Exercise Crown Condor table

39209 JAS39C code "209" 2 missile markings under cockpit

39210 JAS39C code "210" PRI tail marking - Priority use re flight hours

39221 JAS39C code "221" Small “Red Flag” badge on tail

39229 JAS39C code "229"

39230 JAS39C code "230" PRI tail marking - Priority use re flight hours

39267 JAS39C code "267"

39823 JAS39D code "823"

The aircraft and crews from 171 Sqn are part of the Swedish Air Force Rapid Reaction Unit ( SWAFRAP ) and are earmarked as part of the EU Nordic Battle Group formed to support European Union-mandated military action if required and kept at short deployment notice.

2008-09-20T17:21:00.010Z

Halesland airfield - Sat 20.9.08

This grass airstrip is my local airfield - it is high up on the Mendip Hills about 6 miles West of Wells, just north of the village of Draycott.

Since my last visit many of the resident gliders have now applied CAA "G-........" registrations - outside on this beautiful afternoon were,

Slingsby T 50 Skylark BGA 1019 coded "BKA" - this old glider is exempt from having a "G-....." registration.

G-CFVC is a Schleicher AS K13 formerly BGA 3550 owned by resident Mendip Gliding Club

G-CJAR coded "P3" is a Schempp Hirth Discs BT - this lovely glider has a pop up sustainer engine to maintain flight if needed - seen here being washed prior to dismantling into a trailer. The pilot tells me he operates this glider from both here and Usk in South Wales.

The hanger had 2 gliders and one Fournier motorglider ( G-AVWY ) - this is Schleicher K8B G-DDOY formerly BGA 2307 - this is based and belongs to Mendip Gliding Club. Note that the tailcode of "DOY" was previously "DQY" when it operated as a BGA glider.

2008-09-19T20:39:00.005Z

Compton Abbas airfield 13.9.08

Compton Abbas is one of the most beautiful airfields I've visited in the UK, perched high up on top of the hills just south of Shaftesbury. Viewing is easy with good public access and good cafe too.

DH 82A Tiger Moth G-AOIL c/n 83673 is based at Compton Abbas. It is painted in its old Royal Navy colour schem as XL716 and flies air experience flights and was busy on this sunny day with several passengers. The aircraft was built during World War 2 in 1940 by Morris Motors and was delivered to the RAF as T7363. It was registerd onto the civil register in August 1956 as G-AOIL. However just two months later it was sold to the Royal Navy and became XL716.

Eventually the aircraft was withdrawn by the Royal Navy and reverted to the civil registration G-AOIL. By December 2007 this aircraft had flown over 2930 hours.

Another vintage aircraft at Compton is Aeronca 7AC Champion G-ATHK in a lovely red colour scheme.

This aircraft is c/n 7AC-971 and was built in 1946 by Aeronca in the USA and registered as N82339. It was imported into the UK and first registered as G-ATHK in 1965. By December 2006 this aircraft had flown over 7395 flying hours.

G-DORS EC135 Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

2008-09-09T16:56:00.004Z

G-DORS EC135 operated by Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance visits Wells 9.9.08

Today my local air ambulance helicopter visited my own home town.

G-DORS is based at Henstridge airfield on the Somerset / Dorset border. This helicopter was delivered new to Bond Aviation Leasing and was registered with the CAA on 14th December 2006.

G-DORS was officially handed over to the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance on 15th February at RNAS Yeovilton in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal. The aircraft carries a metal plaque below the c/n plate to commeorate this.

Construction Number plate on G-DORS c/n 0517

The Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance was operating today as HELIMED 10A and piloted by Max Hoskins a former North Sea oil & gas helicopter pilot flying with Bristows.

G-DORS EC135 lifts off from a school cricket pitch in Wells 9.9.08

2008-09-08T12:21:00.007Z

Lisie Katy, Poland 16.8.08

The airfield at Lisie Katy is just north of the the large town of Grudziadz. My visit coincided with 24 hour period of intense rainfall ! As such there was only 1 aircraft parked outside.

I was very lucky to find a glider maintence engineer in a workshop and he kindly opened the access doors to the two large wooden hangers for me - many thanks.

One hanger is used by the Aeroklub gliders - in here were 17 gliders, mainly Pirats, Puchacz, Bocians and Jantars. Highlights in here for me were SP-3650 PW-5 Smyk and Cobra SP-3096. Also in here and said to be based was Swedish Grob SE-TTC.

SP-2514 SZD 30 Pirat wears an attractive yellow/red c/s was built in 1970

The second hanger held 14 aircraft including two recent imports undergoing re-build, these being D-EEXK R Cessna F150L and D-ELMI Cessna 182. Polish highlights were Wilga SP-ECB and Yak 12 SP-YFA c/n 19003 built in 1959, the Yak is painted white with large red flames !

SP-CTR Riems Cessna F 150L

Also in here was Czech Cora OK-BUT-04.

Unfortuntately both hangers were very dark indeed during the rain storm outside.

2008-09-08T11:55:00.004Z

Restaurant Tupolev Tu-134A at Chalpowo, Poland - 11.8.08

Preserved at Chalpowo is the former LOT Polish Airlines Tu-134A SP-LHG. The aircraft is open as a cafe /restaurant and can be found approx 2 miles West of the large town of Wladyslawowo up on the Baltic Sea coast.

SP-LHG was built in 1973 as c/n 3352008 and delivered to the Polish Air Force with serial 102. I saw this aircraft as 102 at London Heathrow LHR on 15.12.76, at the time it was a very rare visitor to the UK.

In September 1978 the aircraft was registered as SP-LHG for LOT Polish Airlines - it became a regular visitor to LHR operating for LOT. LOT retired the aircraft after its final flight on 31.3.94, the registration was cancelled in 12.96.

The aircraft sat WFU at Warsaw Okecie until 10.99 when it was dismantled for the long road journey north up to the Polish seaside at Chalpowo to begin its new career as a tourist restaurant.

Elblag - Poland 9.8.08

2008-08-28T15:48:00.008Z

This was my first visit to Elblag airfield - Elblag is situated in the North East of Poland not far from the Baltic coast.

I arrived at 08.00 and was very lucky to find one person just opening up the main hanger - no problem with spotting once I'd introduced myself.

Outside the the hanger in excellent condition was An-2 SP-KBA - this aircraft is c/n 1G185-02 and was built in 1979.

The hanger itself contained 10 gliders and 13 aircraft including,

Two seat trainer SP-3523 a SZD 50-3 Puchacz built in 1989 and suspended from the ceiling to save hangar floor space.

SP-YBU is a Zenair CH 601 Zodiac first registered in 2004 - the "SP-Y....." registration block is used for "Special" aircraft mainly home & kit built aircraft and older aircraft without full type certificates.

SP-YUO is an example of the Polish built ultralight EOL-2 designed by Adam Kurbiel and built at Bielsko-Biala. This example has c/n EK-04-05 and was built in 1995 - it first flew as SP-PUO in 1995 ( the "SP-P...." series being used for prototypes / modified test aircraft etc ) before becoming SP-FUO in 1996. It was then re-registered to the newly introduce "SP-Y..........Special" category in 2003. Following the death of Mr Kurbiel in 2000 the design was accquired by a new company called 3xTrim in Poland and also to Remos in Germany.

Parked among the tall grass behind the hanger was An-2 SP-FDZ, the registration appears under the wing. This aircraft was previously used for "Loty Widokowe - Scene Flights" and is c/n 1G74-43, built back in 1967 and delivered to the Polish Air Force as "7443" - it became SP-FDZ in 1999.

Two other An-2 were on the far side of the airfield, SP-FDW painted yellow and SP-FMH painted red/white.

Two foreign registered aircraft were in the hangar here - D-EEUM TB-10 Tobago and F-JKDX Kappa KP-2U Sova.

Berlin Tegel airport - 1st June 2008

2008-07-26T07:55:00.004Z

Berlin Tegel Airport

At the end of May 2008 I went to Berlin to visit the ILA aviation tradeshow at Schonefeld. My hotel was near Zoo station and gave a direct S Bahn link to Schonefeld. Zoo station also has a direct "express" bus service to Tegel airport so I went there on Sunday 1st June.

Tegel is located in the NW suburbs of Berlin -the airport is due to close in a few years, once the major re-development of Schonefeld is complete. Tegel is a good airport for aviatino enthusiasts and photographers as it has a good roof top viewing area that allows you a good view with no obstructing fence or glass. Note that there are no facilities or weather protection up on this roof so bring a drink with you. You are allowed to bring small bags up here but not suitcases. The rooftop viewing area closes at 6pm even in summer.

Tegel is home to Air Berlin with its fleet of FK100 and 737 airliners. All the photos were taken mid to late afternoon.

D-AGPB Fokker 100 of Air Berlin in the old c/s

D-ABAS Boeing 737-800 of Air Berlin in the old c/s

D-AGEL Boeing 737-700 shows the interim Air Berlin c/s without the new tail logo

Air Berlin also operate helicopters - these were busy running shuttle flights to and from the ILA trade show at Schonefeld

D-HCOR AS 355 Twin Squrrel of Air Berlin

A big surprise for me was the arrival of the two JASDF Boeing 747 aircraft bringing the Prime Minister of Japan to Berlin on a state visit

20-1101 Boeing 747-400 of the Japanese Self Defence Force - JASDF

I only saw one Germania aircraft D-AGET - I'd seen this aircraft in 2005 wearing Hapag Lloyd Express c/s

D-AGET Boeing 737-700 of Germania

A good visitor for me was Carpatair FK100 YR-FKB from Romania

Italian airline Air One stretched CRJ-900 EI-DVT

With SAS withdrawing their Dash 8 fleet they now operate this old Bae 146 D-AMGL c/n 2055 - back in 2005 this was operating in Iberia c/s as D-AMGL

SAS BAe 146-200 D-AMGL

This Hapag Fly 737-800 arrived wearing a yellow engine intake cowling that looks like it has been borrowed from a TUIFly aircraft

D-AHFV Boeing 737-800 of Hapag

D-AHXC Boeing 737-700 of TUIFly with winglets

Other aircraft seen included one LTU Airbus A330 D-ALPA operating a flight to Bangkok plus airliners from Meridiana, BA, Air France, Thy, Transavia, Air Europa, Transaero, Air Ukraine and many Lufthansa.

Seen but to far away to photograph were a pair of LGW Dornier Do 228.

Deutsches Technik-Museum - Berlin Germany - June 2008

2008-06-24T17:53:00.012Z

General view of the Aviation section

A trip to Berlin to attend the bi-annual ILA airshow gave me the opportunity to visit this excellent museum.

The Deutsches Technik-Museum is located close to the U-Bahn station at Mockernbrucke on Line U1 and the aviation section was opened in 2005.

Suspended from the roof over a balcony is C-47 45-0951 in a silver USAAF c/s.

The exhibits in the museum are in excellent condition, some are hanging from the ceiling - the aviation section is tightly packed with aircraft and artefacts - take your time and enjoy the visit.

The rare Arado 96 B-1 was an advanced tandem trainer with retractable gear - this example is a composite rebuild of three airframes recovered from Sweden and is coded "U + CF".

The Etrich Taube was a widely used monoplane by the Luftwaffe in World War 1 - this aircraft was part of the original Technik-Museum collection of airframes pre WW2 - many of these exhibits were destroyed during - others were dispersed to storage in Poland during the War. Today many of those original exhibits can be seen at the excellent aviation museum in Krakow, Poland. This Taube is displayed as serial A-180 / 14 but is thought to be really serial A-118 /13.

The Bucker Bu 181 G2 Bestmann basic trainer with side by side seating was used by the Luftwaffe during WW2. This example is shown carrying Panzerfaust anti tank weapons, a last ditch attempt to halt the advancing Soviet armies in Spring 1945 by adding unguided weapons to this slow basic trainer. This example is serialled 501659 coded "RM + HE"

Swedish Air Force Fieseler Fi 156 Trop Storch serial 3810 code "20" of unit F3. This airframe is an ex Luftwaffe example. The Storch had an exceptional short take off and landing roll and was used for observation, artillery spotting and ad-hoc transport into remote locations.

The Polish Air Force Lim-2 is a Polish licenced built Mig-15 fighter jet from the 1950s and was widely used by Warsaw Pact nations during the Cold War. This example serial 1323 has c/n 1B-01323.

The F-86 Sabre was a direct adversary to the above Mig 15. The F-86 served with many NATO countries in the 1950s and 1960s. The type underwent a lot of development resulting in the F-86K . This example is an F-86K licenced built by Fiat in Italy and originally delivered to the Dutch Air Force as serial Q-256. In 1963 the aircraft was passed onto the the Italian Air Force, serialed 41256 and is preserved today coded "51-50".

Perhaps one of the most striking exhibits is this wrecked Junkers Ju-87 R2. This aircraft serial 5856 crashed into a fjord in Norway in July 1942. The deep dark cold water held onto this Stuka until it was recovered in 1995. The R2 version was used for anti shipping missions and had internal wing fuel tanks to increase range, but this reduced the weapon load to just one bomb. There are very few Ju-87s in existence today and this wonderful example is a very welcome addition.

Another exhibit recovered in recent years is this Messerschmitt BF 110 F-2 - serial 5052 this aircraft landed on a frozen lake in Northern Russia in January 1943 - it was abandoned and sank. The F-2 version was a long range hunter often used against allied bomber aircraft armed with 4 machine guns in the nose plus two cannons below. It was recovered from the lake in 1991 and underwent a long re-build with the Technik Museum into this fantastic condition. This aircraft is coded "LN + NR "

Take a look at the Technik Museums own aviation web pages here

Airliner Maintenance - Boeing 737

2008-06-10T18:48:00.007Z

The ILA show at Berlin Schonefeld SXF usually allows an opportunity to view some airliner maintenance.

Lufthansa have a 737 overhaul hangar here and open the facility for the public to have a look - this year 737-500 D-ABIL was undergoing servicing on 30.5.08.

With the nose cone up you can see what I believe to be the the ILS localiser antennae.

This aircraft was built back in 1991 and has been with Lufthansa since new - the aircraft is named "Memmingen" and is c/n 24824 line number 2006.

Spitfire Mk Vb - AB910

2008-06-09T12:33:00.012Z

AB910 Spitfire Mk Vb at Berlin, Schonefeld, Germany - May 2008

The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight operate several Spitfires including Spitfire Mk Vb AB910.

This year AB910 is wearing the colour scheme of the legendary Spitfire Mk Vb EN951 flown by Polish ace Sqn Ldr Jan Zumbach, Officer Commanding No 303 (Kosciuszko) Sqn in 1942.

Jan Zumbach decorated his personal aircraft with a Donald Duck character. The round badge is the 303 ( Polish ) Sqn Kosciuszko emblem. The blue and red flag alongside shows this aircraft to belong to a Squadron Leader. 303 Sqn used the code letters "RF - " with aircraft "D" being Zumbach's own Spitfire.

Zumbach finished the War with 13 1/3 confirmed aerial kills - in latter life he flew as a mercenary pilot in the Biafra War in Nigeria in the late 1960s.

AB910 was built in 1941 by Vickers at their Castle Bromwich factory in the Midlands. This aircraft flew with many different squardrons during WW2 and took part in operations against the German navy battle cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and also flew at the Dieppe and D-Day landings.

In 1945 this aircraft AB910 actually took off and flew a circuit with a female ground crew member sitting on the rear fuselage holding onto the tail ! Post war she flew as an air-racer until damaged in 1953.

The aircraft was donated to the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight in 1965 and has since performed at hundreds of airshows throughout the UK and Europe.

Take a look at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight website

Take a look at the details about Spitfire AB910 on the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight website

Take a look at the biography of Sqn Ldr Jan Zumbach, Officer Commanding No 303 (Kosciuszko) Sqn on the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight website

Popham - 7th and 9th May 2008

2008-05-17T15:22:00.006Z

Popham airfield is located next to the A303 a few miles south of Basingstoke. With its cafe it makes a good place to take a break and provides good views of the many aircraft.

Arriving in Feb 2008 was former RAF Jet Provest T5 XW311. This aircraft was built in 1970 and served for many years with 6 FTS at RAF Finningley near Doncaster coded as "W".

After being withdrawn from service it went on to RAF Cosford to act as a ground and technical trainer for 1 SOTT with the maintenance serial of 9180M. Local code "MF" was applied here - the aircraft also wears a DCAE Cosford badge on the intake. I understand it is here temporarily and is en route to a car dealer in Hampshire

Parked around the back at Popham was wingless Auster J1N Alpha G-AGXN

This aircraft was built in 1946 and had flown over 3,770 hours by the end of 2004 - let's hope it's back in the skies soon.

I stopped at Popham again two days later on the 9th May 2008 and found the following aircraft parked by the visitors ramp ( next to the cafe area ).

G-JFLO Aerospool Dynamic WT9 is an attractive modern Slovak design. This example was built in 2007 and is powered by the Rotax 912UL.

Representing an altogether older design is G-AYKT a SAN Jodel D117. This aircraft was built in 1957 and imported into the UK in 1970 and has flown over 2,600 hours by the end of 2006.

Two classic biplanes together - G-ADKM is an example of the pre WW2 De Havilland DH 87B Hornet Moth an elegant enclosed touring aircraft. G-ADKM was built in 1935 and was impressed into service with the RAF as W5751 during World War 2. In the background is Antonov 2 HA-MKF - this aircraft was built at the PZL Mielec factory in Poland in 1985.

Popham is home to at least 6 examples of the Comco Ikarus C42 ultralight aircraft designed in Germany. This example G-CDRO was built in 2005 is used for basic flight training and is kept very busy - other based here include G-CDMS, G-CDVI, G-CDHR and G-CCYR.

Arriving just before I departed was DHC 1 Chipmunk 22 G-BDDD - this aircraft is operated by the RAE Aero Club based at Farnborough and wears the normal RAE "Raspberry Ripple" type colour scheme. This example was built in 1951 and served with the RAF as WD387 as a basic flight trainer for many years until being sold to the civil marked in 1975. By the end of 2006 this aircraft had flown over 11,000 flight hours.

Poland - Warsaw - Bemowo 13.4.08

2008-05-02T11:33:00.006Z

Warsaw - Bemowo airfield 13.4.08

This years visit to Warsaw was in April 2008 - a visit to Bemowo on Sunday 13th April 2008 found the following photo opportuities - Take a look at my Blog entry from August 2007 below for an earlier Bemowo report.

New here on this visit was the unique SBM-03 Kos - this low wing tail down aircraft was built at Swidnik and first flew in 2001. I've not seen a report for this aircraft since 2003- let's hope it's at Bemowo for servicing.

Several new registrations were seen including SZD 48-3 Jantar Standard 3 SP-3757

SP-3757 is ex YL-DBU and was registered in 2008

Also new here was SP-NST a smart looking Pa-34 Senenca V

Only 1 An-2 was present on this visit, SP-NIP painted all silver and looking in very good condition. This aircraft was built in 1974 and was previously SP-ANS.

The Aeroklub hanger included two newly imported Cessna 172P aircraft from the USA including this unmarked red example - I checked the c/n plate and this is N98909 cancelled by the FAA in January 2008 as exported to Poland. This aircraft became SP-KHE in June 2008.

Also in this hanger was SP-KGA Cessna 172S registered in 2003

Dumped behind the Gliding hanger is this aircraft - do you recognise it ? It is a Yalo GM-01 Gniady - I believe this is the incomplete unflown second example - the one airworthy machine is currently registered SP-YBN. The engine, propeller and cowlings are borrowed from the PZL-104"Wilga"- light aircraft built in the PZL-Okęcie factory, the wings and tailplane are from the PZL-110 “Koliber”- a licence-built version of the Socata Rallye, but the GM-1’s fuselage and undercarriage are new designs.

Mil Mi-2 SP-SPU built in 1978 has been wfu here for maybe 5 years, at first stored in a hanger, then infront of a hanger, it is now behind a hanger and I wonder if its days are numbered ?

Poland - Warsaw - Muzeum Techniki

2008-04-28T18:09:00.005Z

Located at the base of the landmark Palace of Culture & Science is the Muzeum Techniki - Technical Museum.

This museum houses a very varied collection ranging from iron and steel production, through washing machines, early computers, telephones, vintage cars and the space age - plus a few aviation exhibits.

Pictured below is the fuselage of a Polish AF TS-9 Junak 3 trainer belived to be c/n 94-036. The Junak 3 was a fixed tricycle undercarriage re-design of the earlier LWD Junak 2 - the design was created by Tadeusz Soltyk ( of TS-8 Bies and TS-11 Iskra fame ).

The type first flew in August 1953, and 146 aircraft were built at the Okecie factory in Warsaw between 1953 and 1956. The type was withdrawn from the Polish AF during 1961 being replaced by the far more modern and powerful TS-8 Bies design.

There are very few examples of the Junak 3 remaining today - I am aware of two other examples, one being on the gate at Deblin airbase but this is is very poor condition. The excellent aviation museum at Krakow has an example in very good condition.

Next to the Junak 3 at the Muzeum Techniki is a silver Bensen autogyro ( quoted as c/n 5 ) - can anyone tell me when and how this came to Poland ?

Also hanging from the ceiling is a Demoiselle replica built by Pawel Zolotov - I'm not sure if this ever flew or is only a static replica - if you know more please let me know - thanks.

Nearby is a Soviet built Mig 15 "Link trainer" type - it is a training simulator from the 1950s and is painted silver - it does have an external build plate showing a 4 digit serial number but I failed to write this down.

Many thanks go to Tony Morris ( Polish aviation historian ) and the Bob Ogden aviation museum guide books for some of this information.

Warsaw - Okecie "Fredric Chopin Airport"

2008-04-21T07:52:00.017Z

Warsaw - Okecie "Fredric Chopin Airport"

I've been visiting Warsaw - Okecie airport almost every year since 1995 - my wife is Polish and the trips to visit my "in laws" always help my aircraft log book too !

The airport has undergone a lot of new construction and expansion in recent years.

For the aviation enthusiast there is a public viewing terrace ( terrace widkowy ) on top of the small domestic terminal. This is next door to Terminal 1.

The entrance for the viewing area is to the left of the domestic terminal. As you enter you will have to pass through an airport style metal detector and your bags through an x-ray machine. I've never had any problems with security taking through bins and cameras. You then have to walk up about 8 flights of steps so pace yourself !

At the top you pay your admission - last week this cost me 4 zloty ( approx 80p ). The viewing terrace is open with no glass - good. There are toilets and a small roofed area to take shelter but no views from the shelter.

The view from the spotting terrace - pretty good with EADS PZL Okecie site in background

The open air viewing area gives good opportunities for photography from sunrise to midday, but as it faces West you will have problems on a sunny afternoon. Note that there are no refreshments at all up here, so make sure you buy snacks/drinks in the Domestic terminal before climbing all those steps.

I've not encountered any hassle problems with logging or photography up here - you eill get some strange looks from the locals though ! I've never used or seen an airband up here so this may NOT be a good idea.

Directly below you are three pier gates - last week I saw the following at these gates during a Tuesday morning,

Lufthansa 737-500
CSA 737-500
Malev 737-800
Air France A319

CSA 737-500 OK-CGJ at pushback

Nothing too exciting but good for photos.

Okecie has two runways that intersect - both can be in use. One runs parallel with the viewing terrace, good views but you'll need a 400mm for photogrpahy.

With the other runway you can see 3/4 of it but not the Eastern threshold.

There is still a lot of development going on at this airport with some large areas of apron being re-worked - as such some aircraft will taxying and meander to and from gates. Much of these will go right past the viewing terrace and a 200mm will suffice.

Adria S5-AAF CRJ taxies past

Lotus A320 SU-LBJ taxies towards Terminal 2

Way down to the South ( on your left from the viewing terrace ) is the cargo area - typical daytime inmates may include DHL 757, TNT 146, UPS MD11.

N279UP MD-11F of UPS back tracks down the runway towards cargo

Also to your left is the old small Etiuda terminal - low cost carriers park here inclusing Easyjet and Wizzair. Currently low cost arriving passengers are bused airside into the spanking new Terminal 2 for arrivals - but check-in and departure are via the Etiuda terminal itself. A few LOT ERJ145 and 737 may also park to your left.

Most airliners will park to your right alongside Terminal 2 - aircraft can park both infront and behind Terminal 2, so expect stuff to taxy out that you may not have been aware of.

Warsaw-Okecie also has a military ramp, home to 36 splt and its VIP fleet of Tu-154, Yak 40, Sokol, Bell 412, Mil 8 and M28 transports. As a capital city Warsaw gets plenty of visiting VIP / Govt aircraft.

Seen last week were an Israeli AF KC-707, USAF C-32 and a Fench AF Falcon 900 - a couple of days earlier the Ukraine Govt IL-62 and support Tu-134 were in.

The new Terminal 2 - at the far end is a good view across the military ramp

Israeli AF KC-707 with boom serial 260 on the military ramp

It is possible to get a good view across the military apron by walking towards the northern end of Terminal 2 - I tend not to loiter here, although since Terminal 2 opened for departure earlier this year I note a lot more ( normal ) people admiring the vantage from this point. The LOT maintenance hangers are in this area too.

The Biz / GA area is way off to the North and difficult to see from viewing terrace and from the terminal area.

When on the viewing terrace right in front of you but way off is the old PZL Okecie factory - here was the production line for the Wilga, Kruk, and Koliber - they make components for Airbus here and EADS. I believe one Kruk was completed last year, but the glory days are over.

There is a brand new hanger over on that far side which I believe is owned by White Eagle - last week so one visiting Global Exp and a WEA ATR parked up.

Also in front of you is the large new ATC facility - over here are two old IL-14 - one red SP-LNB fuselage only , one blue SP-LNE appears complete. Out of sight but over there is a preserved An-2 SP-TWF as well - you can see all three if you sit on the correct side as you depart airborne !

What follows is a log from approx 9am to 12 Noon on Tuesday 15.4.08 - I arrived the previous Tuesday and many of the flights were same ( ie scheduled ).

MILITARY RAMP
260 KC707 Israeli DF
90004 C-32 USAF
F-GTVC B1900 French Interior Ministry
???? Falon 900 FRench AF

102 Tu-154 Pol AF
504 W-3 Sokol Pol AF white/red
02 Bell 412 Pol AF
0619 W-3 Sokol Pol AF camo

038 Yak 40 wfu
041 Yak 40 wfu

AIRLINERS - NON LOT

4X-EKA 737 El Al
5B-DBV 737 Eurocypria
D-ABIT 737 Luft
D-ACRQ CRJ Luft
D-AGPH FK100 Star / Connect
D-AVRK 146 Luft
EI-IGC 757 Air Italy Polska
EI-SLH ATR Air Contractors parked cargo
F-GRXM A319 AF
G-EZBF 737 Easy from Bristol
G-EZJW 737 Easy from Newcastle
HA-LOM 737 Malev
HB-IYW 146 Swiss
LN-KKW 737 Norwegian Air Shuttle
N279UP MD11 UPS
OE-LGC Dash8 Austrian Arrow
OH-LKH ERJ190 Finnair
OH-SAP 146 Blue1
OK-CGJ 737 CSA
OO-DJE 146 Brussels
PH-BDN 737 KLM
RA-85662 Tu154 Aeroflot
SU-BPG 737 AMC
SU-LBJ A320 Lotus
S5-AAF CRJ Adria
YL-BBF 737 Air Baltic

RA-85662 Tu-154M much more interesting than a Flot Airbus !

Taxying to Terminal 2 from Riga, Latvia

AIRLINERS - LOT / EUROLOT / Centralwings - all SP-

EDD ATR Euro

KCN ATR White Eagle

KWD Jetstream LOT titles

LDB 170 LOT
LDD 170 LOT
LDF 170 LOT
LDG 170 LOT
LDI 170 LOT

LFA ATR Euro
LFE ATR Euro
LFF ATR Euro
LFG ATR Euro

LGE 145 LOT
LGO 145 LOT

LIB 175 LOT
LIC 175 LOT
LID 175 LOT
LIE 175 LOT
LIF 175 LOT

LKA 737 LOT
LKB 737 LOT
LKC 737 LOT
LKD 737 LOT
LKF 737 LOT

LPC 767 LOT
LPF 767 LOT

LLF 737 CW
LMC 737 CW
LMD 737 CW

BIZ
N187PN Falcon 50
OY-JMC Citation
YU-BSG Citation

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER !

Preserved inside Terminal 1 hanging from the ceiling is SP-2243 SZD 24B Foka 4 glider - there used to be a second glider ( SP-2142 ) during the 1990's but this had gone by 2000.

Bus outside Terminal 1 - glider SP-2243 lives in this terminal

Dumped way down by the Cargo area is An-24 SP-LTA - keep eyes peeled when you taxy.

Finally if you leave the airport on the main route into the city, there is a gate guard to the Pol AF 36 splt VIP area, easily visible on your left just as you leave the airport - this is Mig 21UM serial 9308 - mounted almost vertically on a pole ( maye 1/2 mile from Terminal 2 ).

If you do hire a car there is a preserved Wilga outside the PZL Okecie factory visible from the road past the factory entrance - this is marked "SP-PZL" in reality Wilga 40 SP-PHC.

Check out the two links below for some very good photos of Warsaw - Okecie

Happy Spotting !

External Link to superb photos of Warsaw - Okecie airport in the 1960s and 1970s

External Link to photos of Warsaw - Okecie airport in recent years

Dunkeswell - 18th February 2008

2008-02-25T19:19:00.014Z

Dunkeswell - 18.2.08

A trip down to Wellington, Somerset gave me the chance to re-visit Dunkeswell - my first visit since 2001.

The airfield is a former WW2 US airbase, I believe they flew Liberators from here. The airfield covers a large area with miles of taxiways and hardstandings. The Clubhouse by the tower has a welcome cafe too.

Parked by the tower were 9 aircraft including a couple of flying club basic trainer Cessna and Piper types including Cessna 152 G-OFRY

- also here was G-OSLO Schweizer Hughes 269 which was up and down doing circuits,

plus a smart yellow Yak 18T reg HA -YAV. The aviation fuel pumps are here too.

Adjacent to this area are many light industrial buildings - if you follow the airfield road west along these buildings it becomes an airfield perimter track. Take care as this peri-track has plenty of pot holes, some deep. You will cross the threshold of the main runway so make sure you STOP and check for aircraft movements before crossing.

The peri-track will bring you to a large collection of hangers and lock ups, maybe 15 or more. At the time of my visit half a dozen were open. A polite request at each hanger to view the aircraft was met with approval.

The large Somerset Microlights hanger was packed full of 19 aircraft including seven Ikarus C42 ultralights- G-CDOT, CDYO, CEDC, CVAL, MGPA, OSTL, OVAL.

Others in the hanger included Thruster T600 G-BYPG with some nose damage and all red Savannah G-CSUE plus a number of weightshift microlights.

Elsewhere among the hanger area was 1967 vintage Pa-28R Cherokee Arrow G-AVWR being prepared for a flight down to Plymouth.

Parked up outside Hanger 13 were Pa-28-180 Cherokee C G-AVSC and American Pa-24 Comanche N8829P - nearby was Seneca N21381 which looks rather wfu.

Pa-24-260 Comanche N8829P was built in 1965

Henstridge - Compton Abbas - Kingston Deverill - Wed 6.2.08

2008-02-07T14:05:00.000Z

Wednesday 6th February 2008 was bright and sunny so I headed out to some of my local airfields.

Henstridge

First time I've been here for almost 5 years ! Thankfuly the cafe is still there and open. From here you get a very good view of the tarmac runway. Over on the farside were several new to me blue metal hangers with a couple more still being built.

New for me here was the Christen Eagle II G-NUTA

The owner of this aircraft was very happy to chat about his Eagle. He bought it from a Germany owner although the aircraft was based at the Vendee Air Park in France. G-NUTA was registered in the UK on 15.8.06 and was previously D-ECCA being built from kit in 1991.

Two Vans RV-9 aircraft departed whislt I was having a coffee - G-CCGU and G-RUVY, both taxied out from the new hanger area.

Compton Abbas

This lovely airfield is up on top of a hill, approx 10 miles East of Henstridge. I reckon it is one of the most scenic airfields in the UK - add in a good cafe and a large viewing area too it is an excellent place to visit, not that it was busy during my quick stop ! The grass strip looks a little bumpy in comparison with the tarmac at Henstridge.

The only activity was G-WARZ a based Pa-28-161 Warrior doing circuits and bumps. This aircraft was built in 1997. The photo below shows plenty of mud by the gear and underwing.

Kingston Deverill - The Park

Next stop was the gliding airfield at Kingston Deverill home of the Bath, Wilts and North Dorset GC. This strip in on top of large hill just north of Mere. Luckily there was some mid week activity - outside was the beautiful Glasflugel Libelle 201B G-DCLP wearing competition number "948".

This Libelle was built in 1971 and is the former BGA 1630 and took up its new G registration on 1.10.07.

The local club uses Piper Pa-25-235 Pawnee G-BUXY for air tows - this has a 4 bladed propellor to give it some more towing power.

This Pawnee as built back in 1963 and was imported from Canada before becoming G-BUXY on 18.3.93 - 45 years old.

There is one large hanger here and among the gliders present was SZD 50-3 Puchacz G-CKAN.

This Polish built glider was built in 1997 as c/n B-2106. It was originally delivered to the Netherlands as PH-1104 but sufferred a major accident in the summer of 1997. After a rebuild in Poland it arrived in the UK as BGA 4938 in 2001. It became G-CKAN on 26.11.07. Another Puchacz was in the hanger too - "FUY" BGA 3546.

Yeovilton - Friday 5th October 2007

2007-10-07T19:18:00.000Z

A bright sunny autumn day at VL with 5 of the based Tutors busy in the circuit.

Tutor G-BYVK of 727 sqd

About midday JEDI 1 & 2 called up declaring an emergency - one aircraft had sufferred a bird strike. A few minutes later and two Harriers could be seen approaching 09.

ZG859 lands after a bird strike

The first to land was Harrier GR9A ZG859 "91A" wearing no squadron marks - I'm told a bird hit the canopy and then the intake lip whilst over Dartmoor. Upon landing it was met by a host of fire trucks.

Harrier ZD410 in 4 sqd 95 Years c/s

It's buddy ZD410 landed a few minutes later wearing special 4sqd tail colours celebrating 95 years of 4 sqd from 1912 - 2007.

I was also lucky to see a Commando helicopter force role demo - a large number of guests assembled out the CHF hangers and watched a gun fight with flash bangs and smoke. A pair of Sea King HC 4 helicopters appeared and fast roped troops to fight back. It looked to me as if one of these troops fell very badly from a great height. An ambulance arrived and it took maybe 30 mins before the casualty was moved - let's hope he is not badly hurt.

Meanwhile the two Sea King HC4 lifted a Land Rover and trailer - the pick up point was right near me on the Southern boundary and these two fly fast and low over my head.

Sea King HC4 ZD476 "WZ" comes in to lift a Land Rover

Harrier ZD410 departs Yeovilton

Mid afternoon saw Harreir ZD410 depart leaving it's bird hit partner ZG859 "91A" at VL

After the Commando demo display Squirrel ZJ278 "78" was brought out of the CHF hanger and departed to the South.

DHFS Squirrel ZJ278

Halesland - Sat 15.9.07

2007-09-15T18:59:00.001Z

Halesland is my local airfield being about 8 miles or so from my home. It is situated high up on the Mendip Hills between Priddy and Cheddar near the village of Draycott.

Busy scene with ASK 13 "EPP" BGA 2845

Another ASK 13 is the all orange "FVC" BGA 3550

Halesland is primarily a glider airfield, home to the Mendip Gliding Club - in addition it is also home to two powered motorgliders.

Fournier RF4D is a single seat motor glider based at Halesland

Scheibe SF-25C Falke G-KWAK has been based since 2003 and can be used to tow gliders

Elegant Slingsby Skylark "BKA" BGA 1019 photographed from the car park area

There is a visitors car park which offers a complete view of all activity - no facilities for visitors but the clean hilltop fresh air is free and blows your cobwebs away !

If you are in the area there are two good pubs in nearby Priddy too for a refreshment break.

N500RK - Hughes 500C visits Somerton, Somerset

2007-09-11T16:11:00.002Z

Spotted parked in the middle of a football pitch in the Somerset village of Somerton on 11.9.07 Hughes 500C N500RK.

This white/green helicopter is c/n 730502S, built way back in 1973 and was previously N901WJ.

The pilot states that the aircraft is based at a local farm and was being used to give visiting French delegates a quick aerial tour of the region.