I'd heard so much about RAF Northolt's night photo shoots for aviation enthusiasts that I knew I would be unable to resist attending that arranged for the 25th March as it was a skill I was keen to try for the first time myself. But in truth my reasons for attending went further than that. I knew that Phil was using the events to raise money for the preservation and restoration of Building 27 (recently renamed the Sir Keith Park Building) at RAF Northolt and, knowing the site was of great significance to the Battle of Britain, I hoped that we could use our visit to see more than just the visiting aircraft on the ramp.
A recent visit to 41(R) Squadron at RAF Coningsby to photograph their Battle of Britain coded aircraft also presented us with a further opportunity, namely to shadow 41 on their visit to RAF Northolt (they planned to bring three Tornado GR.4s down for the night shoot) and also RAF Uxbridge where, as part of a Force Development trip to learn more about the history of airpower, they were to visit the famous Battle of Britain bunker. Needless to say we jumped at the chance and, with the prospect of seeing Flt Lt Tom Saunders' 2010 Hawk display aircraft in the flesh for the first time as well, looked forward to a busy but rewarding day out.
So it was that Karl and I found ourselves heading down to Northolt earlier than most last Thursday, hoping to catch the 41 Squadron jets as they arrived early to beat the worst of what was a poor weather forecast. As it turned out we saw the third and final jet arriving as we signed in at the Guardhouse but were fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to photograph all three aircraft on the flightline a short while later before joining 41, and Phil, for a trip across to Building 27.
We'll be covering the specifics of our time with 41 Squadron in more depth as part of our forthcoming Battle of Britain coverage but Building 27 itself is central to the Northolt night shoot story.
As the original template for Battle of Britain sector ops (operations) rooms, Building 27 is not only of huge historical significance but also one of its kind. There was no ops room like this before Building 27 and its successful design was the basis for all those that followed, including the most famous one of all, at the aforementioned RAF Uxbridge which was home to 11Gp in World War II. Incidentally, RAF Uxbridge actually closes tomorrow (Wednesday 31st) although the bunker will remain open to the public by prior appointment.
Building 27 has already thrown up some fascinating insight to Phil and his colleagues who are voluntarily dedicating so much time to securing its future as a listed, and completely restored, site of huge historical note. Research at Northolt for example has proved beyond doubt that the restored ops room at the IWM Duxford, used for the feature film The Battle of Britain, is not completely authentic. Raising floorboards to check on the correct placement of electrical wiring and excavating the ground around the building has revealed pieces of original RAF crockery, various original fixtures and fittings and even cigarette packets - all dating from the time of Building 27's original construction in 1929. These examples scratch just the surface of what this building means, and you'll be able to read more when we reach GAR's Battle of Britain coverage later this year.
In the meantime however, lest we forget that this is the reason these night shoots take place in the first place. If it wasn't for the fundraising that can be achieved by staging such events, alongside of course the great support given by RAF Northolt's Station Commander, Gp Capt Tom Barrett, and 32 (The Royal) Squadron, it is unlikely they would be staged at all.
And so, on to the night shoot itself, attended by almost 160 aviation photographers from the UK and beyond. With the three Tornadoes already in place on the ramp, next to arrive was Flt Lt Tom Saunders, the 2010 RAF Hawk display pilot along with his manager for this season and fellow 208 Sqn instructor, Flt Lt Tom Sawle. This of course was the first public outing for XX263, the first of two BAE Hawks that will sport the spectacular scheme chosen by Tom for the forthcoming airshow season. The jet had only been rolled out of the paint shop at RAF Valley a day or two before and it is to Tom's credit that they were determined to fulfill their promise to attend in the display jet if at all possible. She certainly looked stunning and, judging from the comments made during and subsequent to the event, will be a popular sight around the bazaars this summer.
Arriving shortly after the Hawk was a pair of Armee de l'air Alpha Jets from EC02.002 "Cote D'Or" at Dijon. It was fantastic to see the French supporting the event so strongly and a great shame that the arrival of a Mirage 2000D from EC03.003 "Ardennes" at Nancy failed to materialise. The aircraft did get airborne for its planned sortie before heading to Northolt, but unfortunately the huge thunder storm which engulfed the area not too long before the event was due to commence forced the aircraft to return home; a decision made with concerns in mind with regard to Northolt's wet and, for a Mirage 2000, comparatively short runway. Maybe next time! One other French attendee, the Securite Civilie Canadair CL-415 had unfortunately already cancelled earlier in the day due to poor weather en route from Marseilles, so the loss of the Mirage was a blow.
A blow tempered however by the arrival of a 'new' Chinook HC.3 from RAF Odiham. As we've covered already on GAR the Mk.3 Chinook's entry into RAF service will not go down as our proudest procurement programme of all time, and the history of the aircraft which attended the night shoot, ZH900, is equally chequered as she was damaged while being unloaded at Bristol docks back in 2001! It was great to see her on the ramp at Northolt, especially as, with RAF Odiham flying nights, we were able to see the aircraft depart which made for some spectacular photographic opportunities. The same can be said for the A109 from the DHFS which also provided a rotors running opportunity, lapped up by many of those present at the shoot.
Some complaints were heard with regard to the attending aircraft being parked farther away from the photographers than had been seen before at Northolt's events and, talking to the Station Commander afterwards, he explained that the plan was to include 32 Squadron's BAE 146 to fill the gap. Unfortunately an ongoing engine change precluded this, so the spacing was perhaps not quite perfect, but had been done with this additional aircraft in mind.
For me it was a fascinating experience and interesting to try a completely new style of photography. Tripods and long exposures are the deal here and I was pleasantly surprised with the results if I'm completely honest, apart from when the Chinook taxied out half way through a 25 second shot!
Even with almost double the previous record amount of photographers present it didn't feel too cramped, everyone worked the line in an orderly fashion and the Station had even supplied a set of air-stairs to allow for some elevated shots - and bacon butties for any empty stomachs!
While this might have been my first Northolt night shoot I can say categorically that it won't be my last. Phil Dawe and all the team deserve huge credit for putting them on, and the next event, a summer photocall scheduled for Sunday 13th June, is sure to be another hugely popular event that will raise vital funds for Building 27, while a further night time event will hopefully be announced soon. Last week's event added a further £3300 to the coffers, taking Phil's total to in excess of £17,000, well on the way to an initial target of £25,000; the long term aim being £100,000 over the next three to five years. The last word goes to Gp Capt Tom Barrett, RAF Northolt's Station Commander.
"I am most grateful to Phil Dawe, the rest of my Team and the flying participants for making this 6th photoshoot happen. However, these events mean nothing unless they are attended by enthusiasts such as GAR. Collectively you have clearly been grasped by our idea of preserving National Heritage: the Sir Keith Park Building. On behalf of our President, Air Vice-Marshal Steve Hillier, we are most grateful, as will be, in years to come, our successors. The financial contributions you have generously given will allow us to bring to life this icon of the Battle of Britain in its 70th Anniversary year. With a fair wind blowing (which would be better than the weather last Thursday) after the next events in June, we should have sufficient funds to finalise works for an opening in time for The Few who will visit the Station during the Battle’s ‘84 days’. Moreover, what is really appreciated is your active belief in what we are doing is right. Thank you sincerely for all of your support."
You don't really need me to say this but please continue to support to Phil and these events; they are for a fabulous cause and will play a vital part in restoring and maintaining a vital piece of history. If you haven't been to one yet, just like I hadn't prior to last week, then do give the next one a go - you won't regret it.
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.2010-04-05 - Karl Drage
Hi Roger,
There are no special requirements. As I said in one of my blogGAR pieces back in February, if anyone's interested in being added to Phil Dawe's (the organiser) email list to drop us a line through the 'Contact Us' link and we'll ensure it gets passed on.
I'll forward your details on to Phil, as I already have with Rob and Peter who have already commented.
Cheers,
Karl
2010-04-05 - Roger Newark
The question that many photographers must be asking is how does one get an invitation to one of these shoots? Is it by selective invitation, does one need particular credentials etc? Would appreciate further info. if at all pos.
Many thanks
2010-04-01 - Peter Fleetwood
Another excellent article. I spotted some Hawk photos from this event on Flickr recently, and had seen others from several months ago, so if there is any chance of going on a list - just in case I can wangle a free evening - I would really appreciate it.
There is excellent coverage of the process of painting XX 263 as the 4 FTS anniversary Hawk on the Valley Aviation Society web site, in case that is of any interest to anyone.
Once again, I must say I really enjoy seeing GAR in my e-mail inbox.
Best wishes to all,
Peter Fleetwood
2010-03-31 - Karl Drage
Rob - I've passed on your details to Phil Dawe who runs the Northolt events.
I'm more than happy to do the same for anyone else interested in being added to the list.
Cheers,
Karl
2010-03-31 - Rob Howe
Very nice article, well written. One thing that amazes me is how you get to hear of all these shoots. I'd give anything to go on a night shoot or a base visit. As ever the shots are fantastic.
Keep up the good work.
Rob
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