Airshow Review – Duxford VE Day 70 Anniversary Airshow 2015
In a year of significant anniversaries, IWM Duxford kicked off its season commemorating the events of 70 years ago, when Victory in Europe was achieved. Shaun Schofield reports for GAR.
Airshow Review – Shuttleworth VE Day 70 Anniversary Airshow 2015
It’s finally the season to be jolly again as the airshow season returns, kicking off in sensational style with the Shuttleworth Collection, based at Old Warden, just west of Biggleswade. Commemorating 70 years since Victory in Europe, the season premiere event was a thoroughly enjoyable day out despite Mother Nature’s best efforts to scupper the flying programme. Kieran Lear donned the suncream…and the anorak, and writes for GAR! With photographs by James Wheeler.
Military Aviation – VE Day 70 Anniversary Parade 2015, Moscow
The 2015 Victory In Europe Day marks 70 years since the end of World War II, and to mark the event celebrations and memorials were held in many countries, including the Victory Day Parade over Moscow. Paul Filmer was there for GAR.
Military Aviation – Great Patriotic War 70 Anniversary Victory Parade 2015, Kazakhstan
The Great Patriotic War Victory Parade was held in the Kazakh city of Astana on 7 May 2015, and was heralded by the Astana Times as the largest military parade to be held in the country’s history, commemorating and celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Soviet defeat of the Nazis in World War II. Steve Comber reports from Kazakhstan.
Military Aviation – 18(B) Squadron Centenary Chinook on Salisbury Plain
GAR’s Tom Gautier caught 18(B) Squadron’s Centenary Chinook on Salisbury Plain last week – and we thought you would like to see the result.
Battle of Britain 75 – Pt.7 – The new meets The Few with Spitfire and Typhoon synchro display
This summer the Royal Air Force will once again display a Supermarine Spitfire and a Eurofighter Typhoon together, to commemorate the Battle of Britain. Gareth Stringer travelled to RAF Coningsby to meet the team. Images as credited.
Aviation News – EA-6B Prowler delivered for Wings Over the Rockies Museum in Colorado
On Tuesday 19 May 2015, an EA-6B Prowler from the US Navy was delivered to the Denver area for further delivery on to the Wings Over the Rockies Museum. Paul Filmer was there to see it.
Airshow feature – Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon Display 2015
Global Aviation Resource travelled to RAF Coningsby to meet Flt Lt Jonny Dowen, the 2015 Eurofighter Typhoon Display Pilot for the Royal Air Force. Words Gareth Stringer, images as credited.
Exercises and Deployments – Exercise ARIES Tor 2015
Traditionally, the second weekend of May plays host to the famous Ten Tors Challenge, providing Royal Navy helicopter crews with an important and thorough training exercise in support of the event. Shaun Schofield braved the blustery conditions on Dartmoor for GAR.
Airshow Review – Chino Planes of Fame Airshow 2015
The Planes of Fame Air Museum holds its annual airshow at Chino in California every May. It is a popular show for the variety of warbirds it attracts and the unusual aircraft that the museum has on display. GAR has made previous trips to Chino for the show – this year, Rob Edgcumbe makes his first visit with additional images from Kevin Jackson.
Military Aviation News – Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet at Manchester Airport
On 11 May 2015 NAF 975, the second of a batch of four Alpha Jets bound for the Nigerian Air Force, arrived at Manchester direct from Reykjavik on part of a long ferry flight from the United States of America. John Higgins writes.
Aviation Video – A-10C Close Air Support
This new A-10 video, courtesy of the 25 Fighter Squadron, flying out of Osan Air Base, South Korea, is one of the best we have seen in some time.
Airshow Review – Dream Machines 2015
Spring on the northern California coast is time for a gathering of vehicles with both wings and wheels. Rob Edgcumbe headed to Dream Machines for GAR to see what this year would bring.
Civilian Aviation – The A380 Turns Ten
Ten years ago this week the Airbus A380 made its first flight. Rob Edgcumbe takes a look at the way the programme has progressed in its first decade.
Military Aviation – The Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) Program
The Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) Program at Sheppard AFB, TX, is the largest multi-national training scheme in the world, with most of the NATO alliance members participating. Paul Dunn takes a look at this well established joint venture.
Airshow Review – Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2015, Malaysia
The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) is a major trade show boasting a diverse flying programme of rare military types. Paul Filmer reports from Malaysia.
Military Exercise – Red Flag 15-2
With only a two-week gap after the end of Red Flag 15-1, Red Flag 15-2 started on 2 March at Nellis AFB, Nevada. Unlike 15-1 this was a two-week exercise, and involved around 90 aircraft which had deployed to Nellis. As well as the US Air Force, there were aircraft from the US Marine Corps and from NATO, Norway and the United Arab Emirates. Chris Wood reports.
Aviation Feature – Ali Machinchy: World Class RC pilot
Gareth Stringer didn’t realise you could enjoy the thrill of flight quite so much without ever leaving the ground – and then he met Ali Machinchy and saw a true master at work.
Military Aviation – USS Theodore Roosevelt visits the UK
A potent symbol of American military power slipped into UK waters on 22 March 2015, when the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, CVN 71, anchored in Stokes Bay, off Gosport in Hampshire. Chris Wood writes for GAR.
Military Aviation – XV Squadron marks its centenary as the Tornado GR4 flies on
Gary Parsons talks to the commanding officer of the RAF’s Tornado GR4 training unit, XV(R) Squadron, as it celebrates its centenary. Additional info by Gareth Stringer, with images as credited.
Aviation News – 846 NAS returns home to RNAS Yeovilton
On Thursday 26 March 2015 a formation of six Merlins flew from RAF Benson to RNAS Yeovilton, with flypasts along the way over the Salisbury Plain Training Area and the AgustaWestland plant in Yeovil. This event formally marked the return home to Yeovilton of 846 NAS from a three year stint based at RAF Benson.
Aviation News – Royal Air Force BAe 125 retirement
This week saw another type of aircraft bow out of service with Britain’s Royal Air Force. Chris Wood looks back on the service of the BAe 125 as the RAF’s last few examples retire from No 32 (The Royal) Squadron at RAF Northolt.
Aviation News – Centenary markings for 29(R) Squadron Typhoon
Today, 29(R) Squadron based at Royal Air Force Coningsby, Lincolnshire, revealed a striking new paint scheme to mark the 100th anniversary of its formation.
Airshow News – RAF Cosford Air Show 2015 launches in style
As the only active Station to open its doors to the general public this year, RAF Cosford’s Air Show will fly the flag for the Royal Air Force in 2015. Gareth Stringer was at the event’s press launch to learn more.
Aviation News – Centenary tail art for XI Squadron at RAF Coningsby
Today, XI Squadron based at Royal Air Force Coningsby, proudly unveiled a new paint scheme to commemorate their 100th anniversary.
Aviation News – End of an era as final 32 Sqn BAE125 returns from ops
A Royal Air Force BAe125 aircraft has returned from operations for the final time, marking the end of an era for 32 (The Royal) Squadron which has operated the aircraft type for more than 40 years.
Aviation History and Nostalgia – Luke AFB and the F-16
Operated by nearly 30 countries worldwide, the F-16 Fighting Falcon is one of the most successful fighter aircraft ever designed. Even today it is still the backbone of the United States Air Force. Erik Roelofs travelled to Luke AFB, one of the largest F-16 bases in the world, to experience flying the “Viper” first hand.
Aviation Event Review – RAF Northolt Night Photoshoot XVIII
RAF Northolt Night Photoshoot XVIII, the latest in the series of twice-yearly events at the historic west London station, took place during the first week of March 2015. As ever, it was organised by the irrepressible Phil Dawe and his team, and raised money for the restoration of RAF Northolt’s Battle of Britain Operations Room. Chris Wood reports.
BlogGAR – Gareth Stringer – RIAT 2010, a Raptor retrospective
Gareth Stringer takes a look back at one day at RAF Fairford, as RIAT 2010 was about to get under way.
Aviation Feature – the Tornado F3 Air Defence Variant (ADV)
To commemorate the release of his new book about the aircraft, former RAF navigator Dave Gledhill tells the story of the Tornado ADV.