Over the last 15 months or so Phil and I have become friends. Almost every time he has an idea for a new participant, or 'confirmation' of attendance from someone he's asked he'll give me a call and let me know. In that respect I think I have a better understanding of just how much time, effort, thought and leg-work he puts in to each and every event the Station hosts than most.
Going into the start of this week the line-up for Nightshoot IV boasted confirmations from a pair of Linton Tucanoes, a Fly Navy 100 Hawk, a Marham Tornado GR.4, one of the Shawbury A109s, a Dubai Air Wing AW139, a DO Systems DA42 (that has been contracted to the RAF and used out east), a Met Police EC145, plus the vague possibility of a pair of A-10s from the 81st FS, 52nd FW at Spangdahlem AFB in Germany (who'd always maintained that due to other commitments their attendance or otherwise could only ever be confirmed literally on the day of the event).
As most will know, back in May Phil suffered a heart-attack and to quote his cardiologist, it was only his own quick thinking to take some aspirin when he started to feel dodgy that saved his life, so stress is something he could probably do without.
And so, as one by one the cancellations (through no fault of anybody - aircraft go tech and operations obviously take priority) filtered through, I felt Phil's pain…
By 1300 on the day of the event he was down to one Tucano, the Fly Navy Hawk, the Met Police EC145, and he'd gained a 208® Sqn Hawk who would be departing once the event was underway for a night-time training sortie.
It's perhaps somewhat understandable that in these times of overstretch it seems that a 'confirmation' counts for very little (just ask the organisers at RIAT), and Phil and RAF Northolt appear to have suffered from these more than most this year, so I was absolutely delighted for him when he rang just before I set off to inform me that a Brazilian Air Force VIP VC-99 (militarised Embraer 135) was due in around 1800, and that permission would be sought from the aircraft's captain for it to be included in the line-up.
72 photographers were booked in to attend and as is always the case we were all dealt with in a swift and professional manner. Since the June event Phil had been assigned a new project officer, Flt Lt Jim Bradshaw, who'd recently arrived from RAF Leuchars, and after the usual health and safety brief we were welcomed out onto the ramp, where the light was beginning to go lovely and golden, but the wind was brisk and rather chilly.
The two Hawks and Tucano were already laying in wait and they were soon joined by three resident A109s and a single BAe 125, all of which were towed out from the 32 Sqn hangars especially for the event.
With the light starting to fade the VC-99 taxied in, a little later than planned, while the Met Police EC145 arrived shortly after and was marshalled in using illuminated wands. Going in the opposite direction was the 208® Sqn Hawk.
A cloudbank passing to the north of the airfield provided some great backdrops as the light continued to drop, and finally, what everyone had been waiting for - permission to shoot the Brazilian - was received, much to the delight of those present.
The final movement of the evening saw the departure of the EC145 back to its Lippitts Hill base and the shoot drew to a close around 2115.
I think most people attending appreciated that until the wheels/skids touch down on the tarmac, nothing's ever truly confirmed, but Phil takes great pride in the events he puts on and I sincerely hope the rather special last minute addition will have appeased any potential detractors. I know already that plans are afoot for a further event in December and it would be nice to think that some of the last minute cancellations from this one would be able to attend then.
Nightshoot IV raised just shy of £1500, taking the total raised by this series of events towards the Building 27 project to £12,500 since February, in addition to another £6000 generated for other RAF Northolt sponsored charities.
GAR wants to interact with its readers so if you have a question for the author or a comment to make on this feature, please click on the button below. The best comments will appear right here on GAR.2009-09-08 - Gp Capt van den Berg
The Northolt Night Shoots have proven extremely popular with the aviation photography community. The monies raised are going to restoring the Northolt Sector Operations Room, which was Dowding’s prototype before the proven concept was rolled-out across the RAF, just in time for the Battle of Britain.
We are fortunate to have Phil Dawe who works tirelessly behind the scenes to pull together these photoshoots. His passion ensures that the aviation enthusiast has something of note to photograph. Our aim is to offer something different each time. Sites like GAR provide an ideal forum to show off some excellent photographs taken at our events. Long may it remain so, so keep it up!
I regard all the participants who support these shoots as friends of the restoration project. Without your support, our work would be considerably more difficult if not impossible.
Phil and the team would welcome your feedback and any ideas for inviting particular aircraft to future events. Throughout 2009/10, we will continue to run events, on the winning nightshoot formula.
Thank you for your support
Guy van den Berg
Station Commander
RAF Northolt
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