BlogGAR – Paul Filmer – Chasing Russian hardware around Moscow
The search for in-service Soviet and Russian aircraft has fast become a challenge during the last few years. Paul Filmer visited Moscow three times in 2015 and reports on the activity here.
Fueling the Fight – The 100th Air Refueling Wing At Trident Juncture
For the fighter pilots participating in the largest NATO exercise since 2002 – Trident Juncture 2015 – aerial refueling tracks with the codenames “STAR 26”, “Texaco”, “Horse” and “IBIZA” amongst others were key to the success of their mission – because NKAWTG! Providing ‘flying gas stations’ that enable the short-legged fighters to extend combat radius and loiter time is a service as vital as ever and heavily in demand. When requesting tanker support in Europe, be it for exercises or real-world operations, quite often the first unit to answer the call is the 100th Air Refueling Wing, the ‘Bloody Hundredth’ based at RAF Mildenhall in the UK. Kevin Jackson writes.
BlogGAR – Rob Edgcumbe – Star Wars Jet Hunting
The visit of a specially decorated airliner caught the interest of Rob Edgcumbe. He tells of trying to get a shot of the Star Wars jet.
Historic Aviation – Hans’ travels with the Great War Display Team
Richie Piper reflects on a weekend in Kent spent with the Great War Display Team and his silent but deadly gunner, Hans.
Airshow Review – San Francisco Fleet Week 2015
San Francisco has a long history with the US Navy. While many of the local naval facilities have now closed down, the city still celebrates Fleet Week every year. Rob Edgcumbe went along for GAR to see the centrepiece of the event, the air show held over the bay. Additional images from Mike Shreeve.
Special Events – Madras A2AX (Air-to-Air Experience)
Late August saw the Erickson Air Museum at Madras, Oregon, hosting an air-to-air photography workshop. Held over four days, the Madras A2AX allows photographers to learn about the planning and execution of air-to-air photo sessions, whilst working with some rare vintage aircraft. Rob Edgcumbe writes.
Battle of Britain 75 – Pt.14 – Goodwood Battle of Britiain Day Commemoration, 15/09/2015
Battle of Britain Day 2015 was marked by a gathering of more than 30 Spitfires and Hurricanes at Goodwood racecourse and aerodrome. Elliott Marsh and Huw Hopkins write. Earlier in the year the Boultbee Flight Academy at Goodwood aerodrome, Sussex, announced plans for...
Military Exercise – Thracian Star 2015
Exercise Thracian Star 2015 saw the Bulgarian Air Force joining its NATO partners at Graf Ignatievo AB to develop interoperability between air forces. Jeroen van Veenendaal writes.
Military Aviation – Hellenic Air Force 117 Combat Wing
The iconic and once prolific McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II now survives with only a handful of the world’s air forces. Global Aviation Resource paid a visit to the Hellenic Air Force’s 117 Pterix Mahis (Combat Wing) at Andravida Air Base, Greece earlier this year to experience first hand the operations of the based 338 “Aris” and 339 “Aias” Mira (squadron). Tom Gibbons writes.
Operation Atlantic Resolve – A-10s & F-22s deployed to Estonia
US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and F-22 Raptors were recently deployed to Ämari Air Base, Estonia, in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve and the European Reassurance Initiative. Jeroen van Veenendaal writes.
Military Aviation News – RAF Long-Range Training Missions to Colorado
The Royal Air Force has been conducting a series of long-range training missions over the last couple of months, and many have been stopping over in Denver, Colorado. Paul Filmer writes.
Airshow Review – Radom Airshow 2015
Radom has established itself as not only Poland’s biggest airshow, but one of the most highly anticipated events on the calendar. The 2015 edition did not disappoint and delivered one of the best modern military line-ups in Europe.
Military Exercise – Italian Blade 2015
Exercise Italian Blade 2015 saw 30 helicopters from seven nations descend on Viterbo, Italy, from 22 June to 3 July. Roelof-Jan Gort and the Dutch Aviation Photo team report for GAR.
Military Aviation – Army Air Corps Lynx AH7 Retirement, AAC Middle Wallop
On Friday 31 July, current and former Lynx aircrew gathered at AAC Middle Wallop to mark the retirement of the last Westland Lynx AH7s from service. Andy Aitchison writes for GAR.
Military Exercise – Red Flag 15-3
The latest Red Flag exercise, Red Flag 15-3, took place for three weeks from 13 to 31 July at Nellis AFB, Nevada. This was a purely US exercise, involving units from the US Air Force, US Navy and US Marine Corps. Nearly 120 aircraft deployed to Nellis, some additional aircraft operated from their home base and a few Nellis-based aircraft also took part. Chris Wood reports from a hot and humid Nevada.
From the Cockpit: Avro Vulcan XH558’s award-winning RIAT weekend
As Avro Vulcan XH558 (G-VLCN) approaches the end of its near eight-year post-restoration flying life in civilian ownership, pilot Bill Ramsey reflects on the aircraft’s award-winning displays at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2015 at RAF Fairford.
Airshow Review – Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2015
The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), held annually at RAF Fairford, has gained itself a reputation like no other airshow in the United Kingdom. Its rich history has provided enthusiasts from all over the world a chance to enjoy a wide variety of exotic aeroplanes and indeed, though the so-called “glory days” may be a ghost of RIAT’s past, the Air Tattoo still attracts impressive aircraft participation that makes the airshow one of Europe’s best. Kieran Lear was on hand to review the 2015 edition.
Airshow Review – RNAS Culdrose Air Day 2015
Building on the success of a superb show in 2014, the RNAS Culdrose Air Day delivered one of the finest and most eclectic line ups of the year. Shaun Schofield reports from sunny Cornwall.
Civil Aviation News – Wragg Fire response
The spate of wildfires in California has been keeping the aerial firefighting teams busy this summer. Rob Edgcumbe tracked down some of the helicopters being used to tackle the fires as they were at work.
Airshow Review – RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2015
Having suffered from a string of cancellations and bad luck in recent years, the RNAS Yeovilton Air Day returned to form in formidable style in 2015. Shaun Schofield reports on an outstanding weekend.
Military Aviation News – Exercise Indradhanush begins
Friday, 17 July 2015 saw the Indian Air Force arrive at RAF Coningsby, Lincs, for Exercise Indradhanush. Gordon Jones was there for GAR.
Aviation News – DHC-4A and MC-130H operations at Eagle County Regional Airport
Eagle County Regional Airport in Colorado was host to a rare aircraft this month when DHC-4A Caribou N600NH visited in support of operations carried out by US Navy Seals.
Airshow Review – RAF Cosford Airshow 2015
With RAF Waddington undergoing runway resurfacing work, 2015 sees just one Royal Air Force airshow. It was the turn of RAF Cosford to step up to the plate and deliver one of the biggest events on the UK calendar. A show that promised so much in the build-up frustratingly suffered a handful of hard-hitting cancellations at short notice, yet still delivered an impressive day out. Dean West reports.
Airshow Review – Merryfield Open Evening 2015
On a beautiful early summer’s evening, Naval Air Station Merryfield once again opened its doors for its annual open evening. Shaun Schofield made the short journey up the road for GAR.
Aviation Event Review – Cold War Jets Open Day
Bank holidays in May have become synonymous with the sound of jet engines as the Cold War Jets Collection at Bruntingthorpe opens its doors for the first of its two annual open days. Shaun Schofield endured the typical bank holiday weather for GAR. Typical...
Civilian Aviation – Britten-Norman Islander G-AVCN Restoration
The East Wight aircraft restoration workshop set up by the Britten-Norman Aircraft Preservation Society (BNAPS) has been a hive of activity as the restoration team made steady progress towards the goal of having the historic B-N Islander G-AVCN ready for “roll out” in time for the “Islander 50” celebration event in June 2015. Bob Wealthy guest reports for GAR.
Aviation History – Britten-Norman Islander 50th Anniversary
13 June 2015 sees the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the Britten-Norman Islander light transport and utility aircraft. The Islander is the most successful British aircraft ever and was created by what could be considered as one of the last British aircraft companies to come into existence, the Britten-Norman Company, or B-N, based at Bembridge Airport on the Isle of Wight. The first flight 50th anniversary will be commemorated by the “Islander 50” event to be held at Bembridge Airport in June, 2015. Bob Wealthy guest reports for GAR.
BlogGAR – Paul Dunn – Fort Worth
The Fort Worth area is home to several interesting airfields. The city is the home of Lockheed Martin’s production facility for the F-16 and F-35, and there are also numerous other airfields with unusual operators and visitors. Paul Dunn has visited the area twice so far this year, and been fortunate enough to catch a wide variety of different aircraft, some of which are ‘local’, plus a few nice visitors.
Aviation Feature – Textron Airland Scorpion
Textron Airland is currently developing their Scorpion aircraft as a light weight and low cost attack and surveillance aircraft. Part of its testing program brought the prototype to Centennial Airport south of Denver. Paul Filmer caught up with the jet and the team there. Rob Edgcumbe provides some background to the project.
BlogGAR – Paul Dunn – Cape Town International Airport
As spring arrives in the UK, the Southern Hemisphere is headed for autumn, but the weather is still fine and warm. Paul Dunn spent an enjoyable couple of hours photographing arrivals and departures at Cape Town International Airport, in some pleasant, late summer...