On Tuesday I was in Yeovil, which allowed me the opportunity to ‘relax’ at RNAS Yeovilton for a few hours.
Despite reports that the cloud would give way to occasional sunshine, it was a real pea soup sky. Low light and light grey cloud most of the day.
Armed with ear defenders, I had it on good authority that something would happen at 1100hrs, and sure enough, two Hawks from FRADU taxied out for its first sortie of the day. XX337 leading…
…with XX205 behind.
The two line up for a pairs departure…. “on your marks, get set”…
1130hrs, and the second FRADU sortie began the long taxi to Runway 09 from its south-side dispersal, XX157 leading this time with a friendly pilot Lt. Pavey.
…and was joined by XX303 for another pairs departure.
A Royal Netherlands Air Force Fokker 50 was visiting. It did an overshoot as I parked the car, and its subsequent approach which I didn’t hear!
It landed and refuelled. Thankfully I managed to see it in time taxiing up the runway for departure!
XX205 and XX337 then returned back. Never forget your scanner/radio. It helps to know they are coming before they pop over the threshold 🙂
Two Hawks then appeared from RAF Valley for a cup of tea and a slice of cake.
Yeovilton rotary traffic was lighter than usual, a few egg whisks used 09 for their approaches…
Now, this monster from AgustaWestland did a high approach and overshoot. I saw it lining up for another bash.
It approached, hovered, did a 180 and departed again. Apparently VLN lined the test pilots up with a vector to Merryfield! 😀
Taxi cab XX303 returned from RAF Leeming, minus its companion XX157 which had remained in Yorkshire for servicing.
By: stringbag - 3rd April 2011 at 11:55
Thanks to all for your comments. Very much appreciated
Excellent shots Mark,makes me a little envious being so far away! I’d always supposed that there would be little fixed wing activity at VL since we lost the Harriers/Shars; glad to see you’ve proved me wrong. Thanks for posting. Brian S 🙂
It’s quite good from a personal point of view to see FRADU back at VLN, having ‘grown’ up around the Hunters, Canberras and the original Hawks.
Unfortunately, FRADU are only back for a couple of months due to Culdrose’s runway being closed for resurfacing, officially until June 1st.
As soon as it is ready to accept the Hawks, FRADU will move back west, and VLN will return to normality.
By: Flygirl - 2nd April 2011 at 11:53
Cracking shots.
By: bms44 - 2nd April 2011 at 11:40
Excellent shots Mark,makes me a little envious being so far away! I’d always supposed that there would be little fixed wing activity at VL since we lost the Harriers/Shars; glad to see you’ve proved me wrong. Thanks for posting. Brian S 🙂
By: The"Eh"Team - 2nd April 2011 at 11:28
A really good set of images and if I had enough spare green ones I’d settle happily with the lens you have used for that set of shots.The photographer done a good job as-well though as no lens in the world will compose the images.:)cheers..JB.
By: inkworm - 2nd April 2011 at 11:22
Not quite a Harrier but good to see fixed wing still flying from Yeovilton, would be nice to see some fixed wing visits to Merryfield though just for old times sake
By: stringbag - 2nd April 2011 at 08:52
Some excellent pix here Mark even if the weather did not help at all.
The Hawk looks great helped by the compressed perspective of a tele lens. Just curious… EF 100-400?
Thanks 🙂
Yes, the EF 100-400 IS was my lens. I still haven’t a clue how to use all the modes etc. I learn about it, then don’t use the 40D for ages and forget!
By: wiseman - 2nd April 2011 at 05:00
Some excellent pix here Mark even if the weather did not help at all.
The Hawk looks great helped by the compressed perspective of a tele lens. Just curious… EF 100-400?
By: stringbag - 1st April 2011 at 20:28
FRADU’s afternoon schedule then kicked off just as the sun peeked out for 10 minutes, with three quick-fire departures, beginning with XX281.
…and then XX205…
…and finally XX337.
The visiting RAF Hawks departed…
…although the latter did however get caught up in a Grob jam before it departed!
727NAS kicked off its flying programme during the afternoon…
Finally, I shot round to Pyle Lane to catch the final FRADU Hawk sortie taxiing out…
…and departing.
My thanks to Ralph at FRADU for the information. Great to meet you sir, and also to the two chaps that kept me company during the day.
This was my first bash with the 40D since August last year, so it is, as usual, learning the ropes all over again both with the camera and Photoshop!
C&C welcome as always, on board or via PM…
Thanks for looking,
Mark
PS. See part 2 here!
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April 1, 2011 at 8:27 pm