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=10295Wishing you all a Happy New Year!