Fighter Follies 2020

It was that time of year for a desert change over, the 366FW had arrived at Lakenheath for an overnight stop. LB had just finished a night shift, but duty calls and a sprint up to the Heath to catch them departing was arranged.

Lakenheath 5-10-20

USAF visitors

366FW / 391FS - 'Bold Tigers'

90-0233/MO F-15E Strike Eagle - wearing '391FS'

90-0236/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

90-0237/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

90-0238/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

90-0240/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

90-0241/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

90-0242/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

90-0243/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

90-0246/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

90-0248/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

90-0249/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

90-0253/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

90-0255/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

90-0259/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

91-0300/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

91-0333/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

91-0600/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

92-0366/MO F-15E Strike Eagle - wearing '366FW'

Always nice to see the MO's get over all together, hopefully they'll share the techniques with the Seymour boys one day! Only twelve departed whilst we were there, the other six would go the next day.

Turned out to be quite a good morning spell as twelve based F-15's also departed at the same time.

Just a couple of visitors at Mildy.

Mildenhall 5-10-20

USAF visitors

58-0120 KC-135R Stratotanker - 153ARS/186ARW 'Mississippi'

86-0028 KC-10A Extender - 305AMW 'McGuire'

05-8156 C-130J Hercules - 815AS/403WG 'Keesler'

From here it was straight home, LB needed some sleep!

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A day out Buff hunting for Nay and LB, a couple were required so it was worth a little trip out.

Fairford 13-9-20

USAF visitors

5 BW / 23 BS

60-0005/MT B-52H Stratofortress - wearing '5BW'

60-0007/MT B-52H Stratofortress

60-0029/MT B-52H Stratofortress

60-0044/MT B-52H Stratofortress

60-0056/MT B-52H Stratofortress

61-0034/MT B-52H Stratofortress

After the buffs were in the net it was over to catch up on some Atlas' at BZZ.

Brize Norton 13-9-20

24/47 Sqn

ZH870 Hercules C.4

ZH872 Hercules C.4

ZH879 Hercules C.4

24/70 Sqn

ZM401 Atlas C.1

ZM407 Atlas C.1

ZM413 Atlas C.1

ZM416 Atlas C.1

Air Tanker Ltd

G-VYGL Voyager KC.3

G-VYGM Voyager KC.3

We saw another Voyager in one of the hangars which we read as ZZ339, but this may well of been a miss-pole, unless anyone knows any better? A few C-17's were also present but not noted.

The last stop of the day was Kidlington before heading home.

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With two deployments over Nay and LB headed out on a rare Sunday mil spotting trip! Aviano F-16's were at Lakenheath, but only 3 were required and most of them were reported out on the ramps, so good odds ours were see-able.

The other deployment was more F-35's at Marham from the US Marines. We wasn't sure about seeing all of these, but we had to give it a go. We headed straight to Marham.

Marham 6-9-20 

USMC visitors

VMFA-211 - 'Avengers'

169414/CF-25 F-35B Lightning

169587/CF-02 F-35B Lightning

169588/CF-03 F-35B Lightning

169589/CF-04 F-35B Lightning

169607/CF-06 F-35B Lightning

169608/CF-07 F-35B Lightning

169610/CF-08 F-35B Lightning

169614/CF-09 F-35B Lightning

169620/CF-00 F-35B Lightning

169621/CF-01 F-35B Lightning

VMGR-352 - 'Raiders'

166765/QB-765 KC-130J Hercules

It took a while to see them all, but with work we managed to read all the codes and one or two serials. Happy with the haul we headed down to Mildy. No visitors but Nay managed to catch his last based Herc, 13-5776.

Over at Lakenheath it was time for a walk over the warren, and it was getting a tad hot! 

Lakenheath 6-9-20

USAF visitors

31FW

87-0355/AV F-16CG Fighting Falcon

88-0532/AV F-16CG Fighting Falcon

88-0541/AV F-16CG Fighting Falcon

89-2001/AV F-16CG Fighting Falcon

89-2038/AV F-16CG Fighting Falcon

89-2044/AV F-16CG Fighting Falcon

90-0709/AV F-16CG Fighting Falcon

Lucky for us, after the seventh serial hit the log we had seen the three required. There was zero chance of a decent picture so a retreat back to the car was in order, closely followed by a cold drink! Plus we needed to get down to Stansted as a Turkmenistan S-92 had turned up!

After that it was home for a rest before work the next day.

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An early start saw Nay and LB heading to Lakenheath to catch the latest batch of Saudi deliveries.

Lakenheath 13-8-20

USAF visitors

12-1033 F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia

12-1034 F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia

12-1035 F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia

12-1084 F-15SA Strike Eagle FMS Saudi Arabia

58-0036/D KC-135R Stratotanker - 351ARS/100ARW

62-3540/D KC-135R Stratotanker - 351ARS/100ARW

Civilian visitors

N193LA Global Express

A rare civil visitor for LKH, still it was a good frame for us! Just the one visitor over at Mildy.

Mildenhall 13-8-20

USAF visitors

57-2603 KC-135R Stratotanker - 452AMW 'March'

With not a lot else going on we headed up to Marham, but it was deserted. We didn't want to waste the rest of the day so we went over to NWI, it had been a while since we got up to date with the based Bristow's etc...

After that it was back home, a quick look at Mildy saw no changes.

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An F-35 deployment saw us heading back to Marham, the Italians had decided to come and play. Again we met up with Pogo, this time it was his turn to put in the mileage!

Marham 22-7-20

207/617 Sqn

ZM141/007 Lightning

ZM149/015 Lightning

ZM150/016 Lightning

ZM151/017 Lightning

ZM152/018 Lightning

Italian Air Force

MM7336/32-05 F-35A Lightning

MM7357/32-07 F-35A Lightning

MM7361/32-11 F-35A Lightning

MM62180/46-45 C-130J Hercules

Once the Italians had departed we headed down to MHZ, there was a visiting KC-46 and the weather was good so we decided to hang around for some pictures.

Mildenhall 22-7-20

USAF visitors

79-1947 KC-10A Extender - 305AMW 'McGuire'

03-3119 C-17A Globemaster - 183AS/172AW 'Mississippi'

03-3126 C-17A Globemaster - 305AMW 'McGuire'

16-46023 KC-46A Pegasus - No unit marks

USN visitors

165313/AX-313 C-130T Hercules - VR-53

From here it was home time, a Chinese Falcon beckoned in the local.

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Finally, we got time to head out to Shawbury, which we hadn't visited for many years. Growing up in Northolt we usually picked up the training squadrons with ease as they used to frequent the local heli routes often. Nowadays they seem harder to get, so a trip was on.

Starting early we headed straight there, the drive is about two and half hours from Luton. We met up with Pogo there, as it's only half hour for him.

Shawbury 16-7-20

1FTS

ZM504 Juno HT.1

ZM506 Juno HT.1

ZM507 Juno HT.1

ZM509 Juno HT.1

ZM510 Juno HT.1

ZM511 Juno HT.1

ZM512 Juno HT.1

ZM513 Juno HT.1

ZM517 Juno HT.1

ZM519 Juno HT.1

ZM523 Juno HT.1

ZM524 Juno HT.1

ZM525 Juno HT.1

ZM527 Juno HT.1

ZM528 Juno HT.1

ZM529 Juno HT.1

ZM530 Juno HT.1

Visitors

ZJ208 Apache AH.1

ZJ210 Apache AH.1

We spent a few good hours here, a splash and dash visit would've produced maybe twelve Juno's. But as we were meeting Pogo and wanted some photo's a few more were seen. Several tailless Hawk's were visible in one of the hangars on the far side, but remained unidentified.

The drive home included visits to BHX and a quick look into Coventry were we finally got the Polish Iskra after all these years!

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Time to visit the parents in Boston, It'd be rude not to check in on the local bases whilst there. After a cuppa we headed off to QCY with a rare day out for Chas.

Coningsby 10-7-20

ZJ916 Typhoon FGR.4

ZJ920 Typhoon FGR.4

ZJ929 Typhoon FGR.4

ZJ931 Typhoon FGR.4

ZJ937 Typhoon FGR.4

ZJ946 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK300 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK318 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK321 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK338 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK348 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK354 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK358 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK359 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK361 Typhoon FGR.4 - 12 Sqn

ZK362 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK365 Typhoon FGR.4 

ZK366 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK372 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK375 Typhoon FGR.4 - 41TES

ZK376 Typhoon FGR.4 - 41TES

ZK379 Typhoon T.3 - 41TES

ZK380 Typhoon T.3

ZK381 Typhoon T.3

ZK382 Typhoon T.3

ZK383 Typhoon T.3

ZK427 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK428 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK429 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK432 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK436 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK438 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK439 Typhoon FGR.4

A good haul of Tiffers, next stop Waddo, which was very quiet, but Cranwell and Barkston were a bit busier.

Waddington 10-7-20

ZZ507 Shadow R.1

Cranwell 10-7-20

ZM301 Prefect T.1

ZM302 Prefect T.1

ZM306 Prefect T.1

ZM312 Prefect T.1

ZM315 Prefect T.1

ZM316 Prefect T.1

ZM333 Phenom T.1

ZM336 Phenom T.1

G-BYUN Tutor T.1

G-BYUO Tutor T.1

G-BYUX Tutor T.1

Barkston Heath 10-7-20

ZM304 Prefect T.1

ZM308 Prefect T.1

ZM313 Prefect T.1

ZM318 Prefect T.1

That was all we had time for today, after all, there was a roast cooking :-)

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More British Mil on the cards for today, this time in the other direction for some Wildcats and hopefully some Apache's if the weather was favourable.

Middle Wallop 8-7-20

XP822 Beaver AL.1

XP910 Scout AH.1

ZD265 Lynx HMA.8

ZG921 Lynx AH.9

ZJ196 Apache AH.1

ZJ216 Apache AH.1

ZJ232 Apache AH.1

ZJ233 Apache AH.1

The weather wasn't great, a light misty rain, but in the breaks we managed to read a few. Next stop was Boscombe where we didn't hold out for much, but a few bits on the JARTS ramp were noted.

Boscombe Down 8-7-20

XS646 Andover C.1

XX173 Hawk T.1

XZ183 Lynx AH.7

XZ209 Lynx AH.7

ZF622 Navajo 

ZG751 Tornado F.3

ZK...    Chinook HC.6

The visiting Chinook evaded Identification, ZK was all we could read. Next stop Westland country!

Yeovilton 8-7-20

Royal Navy

ZJ119/C Merlin HC.4

ZJ124/H Merlin HC.4

ZJ128/M Merlin HC.4

ZZ375 Wildcat HM.2

ZZ377 Wildcat HM.2

ZZ397 Wildcat HM.2

ZZ514 Wildcat HM.2

ZZ517 Wildcat HM.2

ZZ528 Wildcat HM.2

ZZ532 Wildcat HM.2

ZZ534 Wildcat HM.2

G-BYVK Tutor T.1

G-BYXK Tutor T.1

Army Air Corps

ZZ382 Wildcat AH.1

ZZ386 Wildcat AH.1

ZZ388 Wildcat AH.1

ZZ392 Wildcat AH.1

ZZ393 Wildcat AH.1

ZZ399 Wildcat AH.1

ZZ405 Wildcat AH.1

ZZ407 Wildcat AH.1

ZZ409 Wildcat AH.1

ZZ510 Wildcat AH.1

ZZ523 Wildcat AH.1

ZZ524 Wildcat AH.1

ZZ526 Wildcat AH.1

Dump area

773 Seaking Mk.47 ex Egyptian

WV911 Seahawk FGA.6

XS513 Wessex HU.5

XW630 Harrier GR.3

XZ674 Lynx AH.7

XZ719 Lynx HMA.8

Elsewhere on field

XT458 Wessex HU.5 - Preserved on gate

We finally remembered to look for the Wessex on the gate, then a quick look at the Yeovil plant as always.

Yeovil 8-7-20

0279 Merlin Mk.612 Royal Norwegian AF

ZH583 Lynk Mk.95A Portuguese Navy

ZH829 Merlin HM.2(ASaC.5?) Royal Navy

ZJ137/W Merlin HC.4 Royal Navy

ZZ393 Wildcat AH.1 Army Air Corps

Several more Merlin's and at least one more Wildcat remained unidentified in the main hangar.

That was the Mil for the day, just a stop at Farnborough for some biz on the way home.

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A day trip out to catch up on some British military, first stop was Mildenhall where there was nothing to trouble the log. Lakenheath also failed to make the score sheet, hopefully Marham would provide!

Marham 7-7-20

207/617 Sqn

ZM145/011 Lightning

ZM149/015 Lightning

ZM150/016 Lightning

Just the three F-35s were out, so after a couple of graphs it was over to Apache central. Fortunately the weather was good for reading the serials today.

Wattisham 7-7-20

XT617 Scout AH.1

XZ605/L Lynx AH.7

ZJ186 Apache AH.1

ZJ191 Apache AH.1

ZJ194 Apache AH.1

ZJ198 Apache AH.1

ZJ213 Apache AH.1

ZJ215 Apache AH.1

ZJ221 Apache AH.1

ZJ223 Apache AH.1

ZJ224 Apache AH.1

ZJ226 Apache AH.1

A short walk from the crash gate found the two museum pieces. Another good haul of Apache's but the day was getting late so it was off home as an early start was on for tomorrow.

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Today was just about getting a few different shots of the Eagles whilst they are at MHZ and another stab at Marham.

We met up with Pogo and Stevie T who were both taking the opportunity to knock off a few more F-15s.

Mildenhall 30-06-20
USN - Visitor
165313/AX-313 C-130T Hercules - VR-53


USAF - Visitor
64-14846/OF RC-135V Rivet Joint - 55WG/95RS

The displaced Eagles were 86-0154, 86-0156, 86-0160, 86-0163, 86-0165, 86-0171, 86-0172, 86-0178, 91-0301, 91-0314, 91-0316, 91-0320, 91-0329, 91-0331, 91-0602, 96-0201, 00-3000, 00-3003 and 01-2004.

A stop at the top of the hill and a little walk to read off those in the sun racks and then to the runway end for some photos.

Marham 30-06-20


207/617 Sqn
ZM140/006 Lightning
ZM145/011 Lightning

ZM149/015 Lightning

ZM150/016 Lightning

Visitors
(ZK028)/FD Hawk T.2 - 25Sqn
ZJ124/H Merlin HC.4 - 846NAS

ZM304 Prefect T.1 - 3FTS o/f

Another look at Mildy on the way home revealed no new visitors.

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Time for a little Lincs run out this time.

A couple of Tutors were up playing at Wittering so a little stop to pole them.

Wittering 22-06-20
6 FTS
G-BYUB Tutor T.1
G-BYXP Tutor T.1

Onwards to Barkston where flying hadn't started but they were pulled out ready to go.

Barkston Heath 22-06-20
3 FTS
ZM304 Prefect T.1
ZM308 Prefect T.1
ZM309 Prefect T.1
ZM312 Prefect T.1
ZM313 Prefect T.1
ZM317 Prefect T.1
ZM318 Prefect T.1

They were active just up the road though so went spent a little time here to get a few shots.

Cranwell 22-06-20
3 FTS
ZM300 Prefect T.1

ZM301 Prefect T.1
ZM302 Prefect T.1
ZM303 Prefect T.1

ZM307 Prefect T.1

ZM314 Prefect T.1

ZM315 Prefect T.1
ZM321 Prefect T.1


45 Sqn
ZM335 Phenom T.1

6 FTS
G-BYUC Tutor T.1

G-BYUN Tutor T.1
G-BYUW Tutor T.1
G-BYUZ Tutor T.1

There was nothing at all happening at Waddington so we set off for Typhoon land.

Coningsby 22-06-20
ZJ916/916 Typhoon FGR.4
ZJ920/920 Typhoon FGR.4
ZJ928/928 Typhoon FGR.4
ZJ929/929 Typhoon FGR.4
ZJ931/931 Typhoon FGR.4

ZJ937/937 Typhoon FGR.4
ZJ946/946 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK300/300 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK307/307 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK318/318 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK329/329 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK348/348 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK353/353 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK354/354 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK358/358 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK361/361 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK365/365 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK366/366 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK367/EB-R Typhoon FGR.4
ZK372/372 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK374/374 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK380/380 Typhoon T.3
ZK381/381 Typhoon T.3
ZK382/382 Typhoon T.3
ZK383/383 Typhoon T.3
ZK428/428 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK429/429 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK432/432 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK433/433 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK436/436 Typhoon FGR.4

ZK438/438 Typhoon FGR.4
ZK439/439 Typhoon FGR.4

They were about to start flying again but we fancied having a look at Marham as it had been a shocking 30 years or so since we'd last been!

On the way we passed the Hunter (WT680) at Fleet Hargate but didn't stop.

Marham 22-06-20
207/617 Sqn
(ZM140)/006 Lightning

Visitors
(ZK018)/I Hawk T.2 - 4Sqn
(ZK021)/L Hawk T.2 - 4Sqn
...../. Hawk T.2 - 25Sqn

We did stop for a quick piccy of the next Hunter though.

Beck Row 22-06-20
XG210 Hunter


Back via Mildy, rather quiet.

Mildenhall 22-06-20
USAF - Visitors
62-4125/OF RC-135W Rivet Joint - 55WG
62-4134/OF RC-135W Rivet Joint - 55WG
87-0120 KC-10A Extender - 305AMW 'McGuire'

Retro 91-93 were due back from the States so we popped over just to make sure there wasn't a new one. You never know.

Lakenheath 22-06-20
Based 48FW
91-0311/LN F-15E Strike Eagle

91-0603/LN F-15E Strike Eagle

97-0221/LN F-15E Strike Eagle


So, no newbies. As usual none had tail colours.

And finally a late evening stop for a C-17

Stansted 22-06-20
1228 C-17A Globemaster III UAE Air Force


A late finish but as Nay is still furloughed and LB is on lates tomorrow all was good.

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Todays vote was to try and catch some Chinooks, or Lekkers if you prefer. Again the weather wasn't great but we gave it a go, social distancing of course.

Odiham 12-06-20
18 Sqn
ZH901 Chinook HC.5


Three more were on the ramp and all started up but none got airborne so remained unread.

Not far down the road was a MiG we still needed to catch.

Alton 12-06-20
7811 MiG-21MF Polish Air Force


And a required Harrier was next up.

Liss-Durford Wood 12-06-20
ZG509/80 Harrier GR.7


Time to catch the Sea Kings now the Aussies were unbagged.

Horsham 12-06-20
(N16-114) Sea King Mk.50B
(N16-125) Sea King Mk.50B
(N16-238) Sea King Mk.50B
(N16-239) Sea King Mk.50B
(XV674) Sea King HAS.6
(XZ918) Sea King HAS.5

And finally a walk in the woods for the Puma. Thanks for the co-ords, Dazza.

Faygate-Holmbush Paintball 12-06-20
H-255 SA.330H Puma Chilean Army


Not a great success on the active front but some more w&r knocked off the list.

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A recent discussion between Nay and LB came to the conclusion that we had neglected British military of late. So, with not a lot to do and a late start we decided to head for Wattisham, hopefully to make an improvement to our Apache needs!

Sporadic weather, rain, sun, rain etc...wasn't ideal for pictures, but there were brief spells when the rain and heat haze gave us chances to read some of the parked 64's. That and quite a few movers helped with a surprising log.

Wattisham 5-6-20
3/4 Regiment
ZJ182 Apache AH.1

ZJ188 Apache AH.1
ZJ198 Apache AH.1
ZJ199 Apache AH.1

ZJ205 Apache AH.1
ZJ215 Apache AH.1
ZJ217 Apache AH.1
ZJ218 Apache AH.1
ZJ220 Apache AH.1
ZJ221 Apache AH.1
ZJ231 Apache AH.1


One more escaped being identified, but we were more than pleased with the haul. A good few hours were spent here today, several movements in and out of the hangars kept us on our toes!

At least two more had departed before we arrived and spent the day down on the plains. We gave up waiting for them to return and headed of to MHZ. Typically as we arrived at Mildenhall, the two that we missed were heading back, some for another day...

Mildenhall wasn't overly inspiring, just a few visitors of which none were required. But one of the two newer Ospreys was out, so not a wasted trip. The Eagles were in for the D-Day flypast over the weekend.

Mildenhall 5-6-20
USAF Visitors
59-1523 KC-135T Stratotanker - 171ARW 'Pennsylvania'
62-3578 KC-135R Stratotanker - 108WG/141ARS 'New Jersey'

493FS/48FW
84-0044/LN F-15D Eagle
84-0046/LN F-15D Eagle
86-0154/LN F-15C Eagle
86-0159/LN F-15C Eagle - '48OG'

A quick stop at Cambridge on the way home produced the usual suspects.

Cambridge 5-6-20
Marshalls
211/MAH C-130J Hercules - Qatar Emiri AF
84001 C-130H Hercules - Swedish AF
84003 C-130H Hercules - Swedish AF
G-273 C-130H Hercules - Royal Netherlands AF
ZH883 C-130J Hercules - Royal AF

One more C-130J was parked up by the hangars, no markings and completely scrubbed back to polished metal. Presumably an ex RAF example, but I hope not! Any ideas on an ID most welcome.

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A late start to the follies this year for obvious reasons, but with travelling bans somewhat lifted we decided to head up to Lakenheath for some long overdue nozzing.

It was time for the MO's to come home from an extended stay in the Middle East. None of these were required but it was a good enough excuse to get out of the house!

Lakenheath 27-5-20
USAF - Visitors
366FW - Mountain Home
389FS - Thunderbolts
87-0169/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

87-0170/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

87-0173/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

87-0198/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

87-0201/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

87-0202/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

87-0204/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

87-0209/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

88-1667/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

88-1678/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

88-1699/MO F-15E Strike Eagle

88-1707/MO F-15E Strike Eagle


Over to Mildy next, and hopefully catch up with the newer based bits that were still required.

Mildenhall 27-5-20
USAF - Visitors
61-0318 KC-135R Stratotanker - 117ARW/106ARS 'Alabama'
79-0434 KC-10A Extender - 305AMW 'McGuire'
79-1949 KC-10A Extender - 305AMW 'McGuire'

84-0192 KC-10A Extender - 305AMW 'McGuire'

87-0119 KC-10A Extender - 60AMW 'Travis'

There was also a Ramstein Herc in on HS65, but we didn't see this. None of the new Ospreys were out but we did catch up with the latest two based Hercs.

Bremen-Hamburg 21st - 22nd January 2020

A late decision saw Daz and Nay start the year off with a trip to Airbus at XFW. A first for Nay but Dazcat had been a few times before. An early start for both saw us arrive at a rather foggy Stansted. Not much seen here as a result of the fog and the de-icing not clearing from the windows until we were up in the air on EI-DYW operating FR3632

Stansted 21-01-20
9H-QBO Boeing 737 Ryanair
9H-QCX Boeing 737 Ryanair
SP-RSQ Boeing 737 Ryanair

A pretty empty flight gave us a row to ourselves. Nay was on the right side for landing and saw the dumped Jetstream. Daz missed it again. A few biz in but nothing too exciting for a Luton local...

Bremen 21-01-20
C-GHGF Douglas DC-3 Kenn Borek Air
CS-PHM Embraer EMB-505
D-AIWE Airbus A320 Lufthansa
D-BAVG Cessna 750
D-BJUG Embraer EMB-550
D-IENE Cessna 525A
D-ILAP Embraer EMB-500
F-HLRS Embraer EMB-505
M-ARDA Embraer ERJ-135BJ
N578EE Embraer EMB-550
OE-FMJ Cessna 525A
OO-PHI Cessna 525
OY-NDP Cessna 525A
(SP-KWE) BAe Jetstream 32 - dumped near runway threshold

A bit of charity for Nay next up.

Oyten 21-01-20
24+03 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21US German Air Force


All locked up at the first GA stop, a few squinnied.

Lauenbruck 21-01-20
D-MBII Ikarus Comco C-42
D-MBVE TUL-02 Tandem TulakD-MDTC Vidor Asso V
D-MPHW Pipistrel Virus
D-MRAP Platzer Kiebitz

We had a tour booked for 1430 at Airbus so headed straight there next for a look around before heading to the meeting point.

Hamburg- Finkenwerder 21-01-20
(157) Nord Noratlas N.2501 French Air Force - Preserved
(50+62) Aerospatiale C-160D Transall German Air Force - Preserved
(D-AUAG) Airbus A320 9428 Flynas
D-AUAH Airbus A320 Chengdu Airlines
D-AUAR Airbus A321 9373 Pegasus Airlines
D-AUBO Airbus A320 Chengdu Airlines - TIB on nwd
D-AUBR Airbus A320 9352 SAS Scandinavian Airlines
D-AVVL Airbus A320 9212 IndiGo
D-AVVM Airbus A320 9380 Gulf Air
D-AVVS Airbus A320 9235 Interjet
D-AVVV Airbus A320 9218 GoAir
D-AVXG Airbus A321 9243 Azul Linhas Aereas - JB on nwd
D-AVXI Airbus A321 9214 easyJet
D-AVXN Airbus A321 9310 easyJet Europe
D-AVXO Airbus A321 9376 THY Turkish Airlines
(D-AVYA) Airbus A321 9266 Airbus Industrie
(D-AVYC) Airbus A321 9267 China Southern Airlines
D-AVYL Airbus A321 9000 THY Turkish Airlines
D-AVYT Airbus A321 9016 jetBlue Airways
(D-AVYV) Airbus A321 Delta Air Lines - f/n 3089
D-AVZI Airbus A321 9326 THY Turkish Airlines

D-AVZJ Airbus A321 9063 IndiGo
(D-AVZK) Airbus A321 9156 IndiGo
(D-AVZM) Airbus A321 9230 Airbus Industrie
D-AVZN Airbus A321 IndiGo
D-AXAA Airbus A320 9119 Kuwait Airways
D-AXAG Airbus A320 9268 China Eastern Airlines
D-AYAE Airbus A321 9258 easyJet Europe
D-AYAK Airbus A321 9151 IndiGo
D-AYAM Airbus A321 9285 IndiGo
D-AYAS Airbus A321 9048 China Southern Airlines
D-AZAA Airbus A321 9240 China Southern Airlines
(D-AZAF) Airbus A321 9377 jetBlue Airways
(D-AZAK) Airbus A321 9298 IndiGo
D-AZAT Airbus A321 9164 Wizz Air
D-AZAU Airbus A321 TAP Air Portugal
(D-CARA) MBB Hansa Jet - Preserved
(F-GDSG) Boeing 377 Super Guppy - Preserved
F-GSTB/2 Airbus A300ST Airbus Skylink
F-GSTF/5 Airbus A300ST Airbus Skylink
F-WWSO Airbus A380 261 Emirates Airlines - A6-EVL under wing
F-WWSZ Airbus A380 264 Emirates Airlines
F-WZGL Airbus A350 397 Iberia
+ plenty of sections not listed here

The light was just about gone when we'd finished the tour so we decided to head in to Hamburg for the hotel. Once checked in we headed to the sports bar we'd clocked nearby. Some lovely Curry Wurst and a fair few Warsteiners later it was time for some shut eye. The beer was needed for kip as those who have shared a room with the maskless Daz will know all too well!

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It was raining when we woke so we headed to HAM first to see what was about.

Hamburg-Fuhlsbuttel 22-01-20
15+03 Airbus A319 German Air Force
5A-ONP Airbus A330 Afriqiyah Airways - no tail
D-ABDT Airbus A320 Eurowings
D-ABHN Airbus A320 Eurowings
D-ABKN Boeing 737 Eurowings
D-ABMQ Boeing 737 Eurowings
(D-ABOD) Boeing 707 Lufthansa - marked D-ABOB
D-ABOI Boeing 757 Condor
D-ABON Boeing 757 Condor
D-AEUD Airbus A320 Eurowings
D-AEWG Airbus A320 Eurowings

D-ASTX Airbus A320 Eurowings
D-BOOM Challenger 300
D-CANG Cessna 560
D-CNNN Cessna 560
D-EPJO Cirrus Design SR-20
EI-FPI Canadair Regional-Jet 900NG SAS Scandinavian Airlines - a/w
EI-FPV Canadair Regional-Jet 900NG SAS Scandinavian Airlines
EI-FXB ATR-42 FedEx
HB-JCF Bombardier CS-300 Swiss International Airlines
HB-JVN Embraer 190 Helvetic Airways

HB-PJC Piper PA-46
N369ST Piper PA-46
OO-SSN Airbus A319 Brussels Airlines
T7-MBH Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy
TC-NCF Airbus A320 Pegasus Airlines

+ an all white Boeing 747 with LH Technic

As the weather was improving we headed over to XFW to see what had moved.

Hamburg- Finkenwerder 22-01-20
D-AUAU Airbus A320 9344 Sky Airline

D-AUAW Airbus A320 9353 Cebu Pacific Air
D-AVVY Airbus A320 9225 Flynas
D-AVXE Airbus A321 9345 Air China
D-AVXW Airbus A321 9288 China Southern Airlines
D-AVYD Airbus A321 9365 Chongqing Airlines

D-AXAE Airbus A320 9251 Lufthansa

D-AYAW Airbus A321 9311 China Southern Airlines
(D-AZAM) Airbus A321 9150 Cebu Pacific Air
+ an unread Airbus A321 Sichuan Airlines


Catching the Chongqing made Daz's day as he always seems to miss them in China. Nay had never heard of them.  An Air China and Volotea both on the delivery centre remained elusive.

Time to move on to a museum and an active mil base.

Nordholz 22-01-20
Aeronautica Museum
(388) Fouga CM-170R Magister French Air Force - marked SC 601

22+98 Lockheed F-104G Starfighter German Navy

(25+05) Sukhoi Su-22M-4K German Air Force - marked 366

43+55 Panavia Tornado IDS German Air Force

45+30 Panavia Tornado IDS German Air Force

54+08 Percival P.66 Pembroke German Navy

59+19 Dornier Do.28 German Navy

59+22 Dornier Do.28 German Navy

(61+03) Breguet 1150 Atlantic German Navy - stored cockpit

61+14 Breguet 1150 Atlantic German Navy

71+07 Dornier UH-1D German Air Force

(78+16) Bristol B.171 Sycamore German Navy - marked WE+543

(90+77) Focke-Wulf FWP-149D German Navy - marked 91+02

94+01 Mil Mi-8S German Air Force

94+14 Mil Mi-8TB German Air Force

D-AXDB VFW-614

RB+363 Hawker Sea Hawk German Navy

UA+113 Fairey Gannet German Navy

VB+134 Hawker Sea Hawk German Navy


Base
61+06 Breguet 1150 Atlantic German Navy - GG

(80+59) Sikorsky H-34G German Navy - GG - marked 80+52

83+22 Westland Lynx German Navy
D-CFMF Beech 350 FCS Flight Calibration Services
D-CGFQ Learjet 35A GFD
+  a P-3 flying pinging 3F79C2 which must be a tactical code.

A few GA stops were left for the day. Bar a couple of covered trikes with no wings a clear out was first up.  We had a nice chat with the owner of the Merlin Trike, check out his website below.

Kuhrstedt 22-01-20
(D-EHUT) Skandinavisk Aero Industri KZ.III - wreck on hangar wall

D-MBJA Ikarus Comco C-42
D-MBJO Ikarus Comco C-42

D-MSRC Aerostyle Breezer

D-MWYZ Take Off Merlin 1100 www.flyingtrike.de


By the time we reached the next stop the light was all but gone. One chap was working on his plane and let us have a look in the hangar. A few more hangars here all shut up.

Karlshofen 22-01-20
D-EBXU Reims-Cessna FR.172E
D-ECHU Reims-Cessna F.150L

D-ECPO Reims-Cessna FA.150L
D-EIHM Piper PA-28
D-EIUH Piper PA-18
D-EKFW Piper PA-28
D-ELGM Piper PA-24
N54626 Cessna 182 - (thanks Malcolm G)
OY-ELM Bolkow Bo.208C


As it was dark we binned the last few stops, a few for next time, and headed back to Bremen.

Bremen 22-01-20
D-ASEE Airbus A320 Sundair
D-CDMO Embraer EMB-505
D-CWIT Cessna 525C
D-EKBT Beech B36TC
D-EUCK Cirrus Design SR-22T
D-INOB Cessna 525A
D-IOSA Piper PA-42 - Preserved
G-HARG Embraer EMB-550

EI-EKV on the FR3631 was the ride back to Stansted where nothing of interest was noted.

Thanks to the Dazcat for the organising and driving.