RNAS Yeovilton Air Day is always one of the highlights of my season. Sure, I’m involved in the media side of it but I can assure you I’m not biased – the flying programme’s always interesting and imaginative and it’s recently often featured something that no other UK show of the season has had: the SAA 747 in 2005, the VAAC Harrier in 2008 and the Danish Air Force F-16 last year are three examples that readily spring to mind. Last year’s show in particular had an excellent line-up and even the weather cooperated, so what do the organisers have in store this time around? That question was answered in part at the Air Day Press Launch on 11 March and, while the weather wasn’t on top form at all, an enjoyable and informative couple of hours were spent at the base.
Air Day’s Press events have a standard format, beginning with brief presentations by both those involved in the show itself and representatives of the operational side of RNAS Yeovilton. This approach ensures the gathered press get information on what can be expected at the show alongside details of the base’s commitments to various military campaigns and exercises around the globe. Air Day 2011’s theme is 40 years of the Westland Lynx and so, this time, we heard of No. 815 and No. 702 Naval Air Squadron’s present duties. As far as No. 815 NAS goes, the squadron is currently supporting 13 flights worldwide, from the South Atlantic to the Gulf Region. Particular success has been experienced in anti-narcotics operations and in tackling pirates around the Somali Basin – a task that’s made difficult by the vast stretches of sea involved. Separately, a flight made up entirely of Lynx HAS.3s is deployed on HMS Ocean right now, and that’s significant because it’s the last for this version of the Lynx – the newer HMA.8 about to take its place and, after that, the brand new AW159 Wildcat.
First flown in 1971, the Lynx entered service with the FAA in 1978, so it’s now notched up a 30+ year career. Its achievements will be marked at Air Day by a Balbo of 12 Lynx of various types and, at the Press Launch, a half-sized six-ship formation was staged. I’ve mentioned the weather already but for the record, it was a strange day, with low, bulbous and ominous-looking cloud formations in the constant overhead but excellent visibility – the Lynx could clearly be seen forming up some miles out off to the East. The formation comprised examples of the HAS.3, HMA.8 and AH.7 – the entire FAA Lynx family – and made a single flypast before conducting a wide turn and returning for a spectacularly low and tightly-spaced hover over the runway. That completed, they each moved off sequentially, in processional line astern, to land back on the apron. The sequence, although brief, made for quite a spectacle and the Lynx Balbo will be this year’s opening item: if Friday was anything to go by, it’ll get the party started in some style. After the type’s airshow debut at Air Day 2010, it’s planned for two examples of the AW159 to be present at the show – one static, one flying. Going right back to the beginning, the prototype Lynx will appear in the Static Display, courtesy of The Helicopter Museum, while AgustaWestland is loaning out G-LYNX which, in 1986, smashed the World Helicopter Speed Record at 249.1mph – an achievement that’s not been surpassed since.
The Royal Navy Black Cats will also be performing and, of course, there’ll be extensive Lynx participation in the explosive Commando Assault finale – Yeovilton’s traditional show-closer. This setpiece traditionally features three layers of action – troops working on the ground, resident ‘Junglie’ Sea Kings providing tactical support and fast jets carrying out simulated air to air combat engagements and airstrikes. With the disbandment of the Naval Strike Wing, the involvement of UK-operated Harrier GR.9s in the Assault has now, sadly, come to an end, but it is anticipated that other fast jets will now take their place. Additional Royal Navy participation in Air Day will include a Merlin Mk1 from RNAS Culdrose and the Raiders parachute display team.
On the historic front, there’ll be one newcomer and the return of a very old friend. Both types - the Royal Navy Historic Flight’s Fairey Swordfish LS326 and the ex-North Weald Sea Fury T.20 – were displayed at the Press Launch and I was especially pleased to see the former airborne, after several failed attempts to catch the ‘Fish in the air near the end of last year! As detailed in my previous article on her, LS326 has emerged from a particularly fraught period, so it’s truly wonderful to have her back. It had been close to eight years since I’d last seen a Swordfish of any kind in flight and, to be honest, I’d forgotten just what a sweet rumble of a sound her Pegasus made. It was also a pleasure to be on the receiving end of several banked photo-runs made for the press by Lieutenant Commander Mike Abbey. Talking to him after the flight, he explained that the weather had influenced the shape of the ‘Fish’s display – the idea of venturing up, too high, and essentially just disappearing into the cloud, wasn’t thought to be especially appealing.
The Sea Fury T.20, VX281, is currently on loan to the RNHF, pending the return to flight of the FB.11 VR930. That’s presently awaiting a replacement engine and, potentially, will fly again this year. The T.20’s Press Launch display was a public first and, flown by Lieutenant Commander Chris Gotke, featured several fast passes, bookended by lovely big arcing wingovers. The RNHF only took delivery of VX281 at the start of this month and, as familiarity with it increases in coming weeks, I think we can expect to see more elaborate displays from this aircraft. For now, though, this was an extremely nice introduction. For the record, VX281’s no stranger to the UK warbird scene – it was owned during the mid-1970s by Doug Arnold and, after that, Spencer Flack – but, prior to being worked on at North Weald in recent months, it had been a long-term US resident. With the participation of the RNHF’s Sea Hawk to feature at Air Day, too, the Flight’s involvement in the show will be at its most extensive for some years and, at its home base, that’s pretty significant and very welcome.
As in previous years, Kennet Aviation’s Seafire Mk XVII SX336 will also be taking part, as will the BBMF’s Lancaster. Modern RAF participation will include the Red Arrows and the Tucano and Hawk solos, while the Belgian Air Component F-16 will be returning and there’s the prospect of additional and exciting foreign military fliers joining it. The Royal Jordanian Falcons have proved to be an extremely popular item at recent Air Days and they, too, will be coming back to give another dose of high-tempo aerobatics, Arabian-style. Brendan O’ Brien’s Flying Circus is already confirmed on the civilian front and, hopefully, the Breitling Wingwalkers and gliderFX will feature as well.
The Press Launch’s final flying item was a real aerobatic legend – Pitts Special S-1D G-BIRD. ‘BIRD’s truly been on the scene more years than I’ve been alive. Owned successively by Brian Lecomber, Denny Dobson and, most recently, Pete Metcalfe, it’s now the property of Nick Smith – the son of The Old Flying Machine Company’s Brian Smith. It still wears the US-styled scheme that Rob Metcalfe had applied to it, but Nick told me that there are plans to repaint it at some point in the future. Now based at RNAS Yeovilton – a fact that, being a Pitts devotee, pleases me no end – it gave a nice display, opening with a torque roll and closing with a banked run for the cameras. As with the Swordfish and the Sea Fury, the Pitts joined the static aircraft gathered for the launch, which included examples of all FAA types based at RNAS Yeovilton.
These events always offer the opportunity to have a wander around these static aircraft at their conclusion and it’s an aspect I particularly enjoy, with the chance to shoot from non-standard angles and create unusual compositions from what’s there. Driving back home afterwards, I reflected on what had been a very good morning. I’d hoped, on the way there, that the Swordfish would fly, and it did. While knowing there’d be a Pitts display, I hadn’t known which one – the fact it was G-BIRD was a very pleasant bonus - and the Lynx flypast was a great moment – no question. I now can’t wait for 9 July to come around and, on the evidence presented so far, Air Day’s set to be another very good show. Keep an eye on the participation list in coming weeks as more types are added and let’s hope last year’s weather makes a return visit. After 2008 (monstrous crosswinds, an ever-lowering cloudbase and, eventually, spearing rain) and 2009 (low-level murk, all day), Air Day’s more than earned it.
Since Paul attended the press launch, the Yeovilton Air Day has announced a number of participants which could make this THE event of the year. Most notable of course are contributions from the Polish Air Force and the French Aeronavale. The Polish participation comprises no less than a MiG-29 Fulcrum for the flying display, an aircraft which always gets people's attention and one which UK airshow audiences haven't been able to enjoy on a regular basis for some time. Support should come from a C-130, and the original plan was for the MiGs (there should be a spare too) to be joined by a CASA CN295 and Polish Navy M28 Bryza for the static park.
The Aeronavale meanwhile confirmed attendance from a pair of Dassault Rafales which will fly alongside a pair of Super Etendards in their customary role demonstration. I can vouch for the fact that it is a hugely impressive routine, having seen it in France last year, and as well as adding to the fast jet contingent, could well be a last airshow visit for the Super Es.
Almost the full range of RAF solos will also be on view, including the Tornado GR.4 role demonstration, plus Team Viper's Hunters and also a 2011 UK debut for the Dutch AH-64 Apache demonstration, although as it stands she won't be joined in the display by the Army Air Corps' own AH.1 display, as was initally confirmed but now has been cancelled, much to the crew's disappointment.
With a host of additional items in the flying display including the likes of the Sea Vixen, the Vulcan and of course the traditional Commando Assault to close the show, this really is looking like a superb event - I for one can't wait!
2011-07-07 - Grahame Foskew
*STOP PRESS* The An-2 HA-MKF will be displaying to fill the gap left by the Seafire. If the wind plays ball straight down the runway we will also fill the gap left by the Harriers with a hover!
If you would like to discuss using any of our imagery or feature content please contact us.