Westonzoyland, Somerset - 29.9.09

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

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 This aircraft was initially delivered to the Polish Air Force ( PWL ) in 1960 and was withdrawn in 1971 and became SP-AWA the same year.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

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

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

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 1967 ( thanks to James for this correction )

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

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

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