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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2012 |
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The Show |
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It was more
than 20 years since I had attended an Air day at Yeovilton. In normal
years they tend to coincide with the Flying Legends Airshow at Duxford.
However, 2012 being the year of the Olympic games in the UK, all the
airshows were scheduled on a different date than usual so the two
airshows were held on different dates.
In
addition 2012 was the 30th anniversary of the Falklands so it promised
to be special. |
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Westland Lynx
HAS. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland Lynx
HAS. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland Lynx
HAS. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland Lynx
HAS. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
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Westland Lynx
HAS. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland Lynx
HAS. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland Lynx
HAS. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland Lynx
HAS. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
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Fairey Swordfish
Mk.1 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland Aoache
AH.1. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland Sea
King HAS.5. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland Sea
King HAS.5. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
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Bae Hawk T.1 (Picture courtesy
Urs Schnyder ) |
Shorts Tucano
T.1 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
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Royal Marines & Black Cats |
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On the Friday
before the airshow when the whole program is rehearsed, there is a
possibility for enthusiasts to have access to the airfield and stay in one
of the VIP enclosures. I decided to attend it which proved to be a good
idea.
In fact, late
afternoon on Friday proved to be the only time when there was a bit of
sunshine. Friday was also the possibility to see all the aircraft arriving
that would be displayed in the static.
The program
for Air day promised to be interesting with many unique Aircraft on static
or flying display. The Saudi Hawks were starting their UK tour 2012 at
Yeovilton. I guess the weather must have been an experience compared with
what they are used to at home. Their display showed some familiarity to the
Red Arrows which is not surprising as one of their instructors is an ex Red
Arrows Pilot. |
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Westland Lynx
HAS. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland Lynx
HAS. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland Lynx
HAS. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland Lynx
HAS. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
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Guests |
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One of the
highlights would be the Sea Vixen which however didn’t show up. Instead
there were a Meteor Tr.7 and a Vampire Trainer that reminded me of the late
RAF Vintage Pair of the 1970’s and 80’s.
The French
Rafale also just appeared in the static. The flying participant that was
announced didn’t make it to the show. A surprise
visitor was an Antonov 124 that made a flypast over the airfield. |
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Westland Lynx 83
+ 06 Gernam Navy (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland Lynx 83
+ 06 Gernam Navy (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Dassault Falcon
10MER French Aéronavale (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
PLZ M28 Bryza
Polish Navy (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
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PLZ M28 Bryza
Polish Navy (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Antonov (Picture courtesy
Urs Schnyder ) |
USAFE BlackHawk
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
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Historic planes |
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Fortunately
the day was dry except for 2 short rainshowers. But it was extremely cold
with an icy wind blowing the whole day. The clouds were thick and low which
was a pity because grey camouflage doesn’t really show that much against the
clouds. This shows its effectivenes, but didn’t help photography much. The
formation of the Fairey Swordfish and four Lynx is something really unusual
and would have deserved some sunshine. |
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Hawker Harrier
T.4N (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) |
Hawker Sea
Harrier FA.2 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) |
Hawker Hunter T
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) |
Bac Jetptovost T.1 (Picture courtesy
Urs Schnyder) |
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Bac Jetptovost
T.1 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) |
Gloster Meteor
T.7 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) |
Gloster Meteor
T.7 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) |
Westland Wasp
HAS.1 (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) |
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Royal Saudi and Red Arrows |
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Royal Saudi Hawk
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) |
Royal Saudi Hawk
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) |
Royal Saudi Hawk
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) |
Royal Saudi Hawk
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) |
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Royal Saudi Hawk
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) |
Royal Saudi Hawk
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) |
Royal Saudi Hawk
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) |
Royal Saudi Hawk
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) |
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Royal Saudi Hawk
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) |
Royal Saudi Hawk
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder) |
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Red Arrows (Picture courtesy
Urs Schnyder) |
Red Arrows (Picture courtesy
Urs Schnyder ) |
Red Arrows (Picture courtesy
Urs Schnyder ) |
(Picture courtesy
Urs Schnyder) |
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The Assault |
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As one of the
topics of the show was the 30th anniversary of the Falklands campaign, the
show ended with the display of a commando action. I had last seen this in
the years after the Falklands, and the number of Sea King and Wessex
helicopters that took part war amazing. Add to that Sea Harriers doing
ground attack runs, it really was something to remember. I was therefore
looking forward to how it would work out today after the reduction in
strength of the FAA.
The Harriers
were replaced by Hawks and there were a number of Sea Kings that landed
troops and airlifted Motor transport and guns. A new feature was an Army
Apache helicopter that gave gunship support. And the staged explosions
nearly caught up with it.
To sum up,
there were interesting and unique participants and a good display.
Unfortunately the weather was dreadful. In spite of the weather there seemed
to be a good attendance by the public.
Just to mock
us, the sun was shining again on Sunday.
I wish to
thank Mr. Ralph Patel for providing press facilities. |
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Westland
Commando HC.4(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland
Commando HC.4(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland
Commando HC.4(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland
Commando HC.4(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
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Westland
Commando HC.4(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland
Commando HC.4(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland
Commando HC.4(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland
Commando HC.4(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
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Westland
Commando HC.4(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland
Commando HC.4(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland
Commando HC.4(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland Aoache
AH.1. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
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Westland
Commando HC.4. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
Westland
Commando HC.4. (Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder ) |
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