The SAAF Forum

Sort of aviation related - Lesser Kestrel with prey :

IMG_3477 - 800(1) by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Juvenile Lesser Kestrel :

IMG_3969 - 800(1) by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Russian, Chinese and SAN in manoeuvres :

IMG_3435 - 800(1) by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

IMG_3437 - 800(1) by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

IMG_3843 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

IMG_3798 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

IMG_3410 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Lots of Super Lynx and Oryx action throughout the year from Ysters :

Lynx in misty conditions :

IMG_1610 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Herky bird dodging the kiters :

IMG_0813 - 1000 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

IMG_0806 - 1000 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

I was lucky enough to be banished by my employer to Cape Town for a year, all paid for

My view from my pad - CT has the most stunning sunsets. Goes with Mars's instructions i.e. photos of something unexpected - I never expected to be here :

IMG_1235 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Early morning moon set :

IMG_2656 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

And then an array of aeries seen from the stoep :

IMG_4116 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

IMG_3977 - 800(1) by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

IMG_2670 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

IMG_3212 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

IMG_3293 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Vietnam era Huey still going strong doing tourist flips from the V&A waterfront heliport :

IMG_3255 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Daily 18h30 flight to Heathrow :

IMG_3533 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

And some SAAF goodies - unfortunately mostly backlit afternoon shots :

IMG_3427 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

IMG_2582 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

My favourite although my timing was one second out - wouldn't that have looked amazing with the moon behind the chopper :

IMG_3384 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

Seen at Lanseria earlier this year AN-12 :

IMG_1597 - 800 by Malcolm Reid, on Flickr

I have chosen five shots from three aviation related events during 2019. Each picture tells its own story.

1. The RAF withdrew all its Panavia Tornado "Tonka" strike aircraft in March 2019, after 40 years of service. Several commemorative fly-pasts were done all over the UK. The picture taken on a grey rainy day, shows a diamond nine formation fly-past at the RAF College Cranwell, during a graduation parade. Farewell Warhorse!



2. All Airshows need noise! This Swiss Air Force McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 gave an excellent display at the annual RAF Cosford Airshow.



3. Exercise Cobra Warrior hosted by the RAF at Waddington Airbase consisted of assets from Germany, Israel, Italy and the UK. It took place over a three week period and the authorities showed much tolerance of photographers. Two Luftwaffe Eurofighters are taxiing to the runway threshold, with RAF 'Sentry' (AWACS) in the background. Black and white looks more menacing!



4. RAF 'Shadow' a militarised Beechcraft King Air 350CER of 14 Squadron RAF, lining up. The squadron is tasked with ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Reconnaissance) near an area of operations. In the background the tails of three RAF Boeing 'AWACS' aircraft and centre right the nose section of a RAF Bombardier 'Sentinel', all used in various disciplines of intelligence gathering and battle management.



5. I dedicate this picture to all aviation geeks, spotters, photographers et al. They stand in all weather, cameras in hand, nevermind the rain in this case, with potential damage to expensive kit. Check the umbrellas on the ground, rain macs on, getting wet! Then again, there are Israeli F-15's on the runway, twin Pratt & Whitney afterburning turbofans soon to light up, and all of this 200m from you - action! More pics of Exercise Cobra Warrior here - viewtopic.php?f=25&t=10295



Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallyho2015/albums

Don't have a lot going on where I live, but I try my best when I hear or see anything
Prosperous 2020 for all

Impressive range of photographs

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/141742650@N08/albums

Hunt them, find them, follow them that's what I've been up to...

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How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?

What sub is that? Any of the clever naval guys?

The aircraft is a Dash 8 315 MPA.

I am not a clever naval guy, but I will venture my opinion, I think it is a US Navy Los Angeles-class nuclear powered submarine. Let's see if 'Spice' is forthcoming on the information pertaining to that image.

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallyho2015/albums