RAF Northolt Photshoot IV – 03Sep09

After the visit to RAFM Hendon and following some intake of food in central London, I made my way during the evening rush hour on the Central line to the suburbs of west London and South Ruislip Tube Station. It’s then a short walk to the White House Gate entrance of RAF Northolt for ‘Night Shoot IV’.

Following registration and the issue of passes, we congregated at the entrance to the pan and were given a safety briefing by the project officer Flt Lt Jim Bradshaw before being let loose airside. Unfortunately some of the aircraft that had planned to participate were tasked differently, or broke, so were unable to attend. A slightly different format from before as the ‘Night Shoot’ started just before the sun went down but gradually got darker and fortunately the weather held as while I was at Hendon, a rain front had passed through.

A ‘Navy 100’ Hawk from RNAS Culdrose, No.208 (R) Sqn Hawk from RAF Valley and a Tucano from RAF Linton-on-Ouse had made it to the line up along with the resident 32(TR) Sqn BAe125 and 3x Agusta 109s. The RAF Hawk departed during the event on a night navigation exercise. The Metropolitan Police Air Support Unit Eurocopter EC145 based at Lippitts Hill, Loughton dropped in for a short visit. An added bonus was the arrival of a Brazilian Air Force Embraer VC-99B, based at Brasilia, dropping off some passengers and after permission from the aircraft captain, who apparently was only to happy that we wanted to photograph his aeroplane, it was added to the line up.

Many thanks to the Station Commander Gp Capt van den Berg and every one at SERCO, and for the lift to and from the gate gentlemen, and especially Phil & Lee and their band of volunteers for an enjoyable evening and roll on ‘Night Shoot V’ in December.

Brian