RNAS Yeovilton – 6th June – 15 images

My first day off from work in two months of glorious sunshine, and I got my traditional grey clouds and gloom during the morning spent at RNAS Yeovilton.

(1) After arriving at 0915hrs, Cdr Adrian Orchard OBE began proceedings with the RNHF Chippie.

(2) 9 Hawks arrived from Culdrose back in March, the final three left at Yeovilton await their pilots for their taskings on the line.

(3 to 4) XX331 and XX281 taxied out at 0945hrs…

(5) …and lined up for a pairs departure.

(6) The RNHF Chippie returned.

(7 to 8) Then at 1045hrs – the last remnant of FRADU’s Culdrose deployment left RNAS Yeovilton…

(9 to 10) I then switched to Pyle (Church) Lane. Helicopter activity was low, with only a few Sea Kings and Lynx departing/arriving during the morning.

(11 to 12) At 1140hrs Cdr. Orchard OBE, with Cdr. Mike Abbey RNR in the boot, took off in the Sea Fury, bound for Wiltshire to display at the Fly Navy Heritage Trust Charity Golf event…

(13 to 15)…and returned 30 minutes later!

So that’s it, RNAS Yeovilton had now returned to its normal based jet population of three airframes, from twelve, in the space of 3 days.
What about the Grobs? They were quiet also, with only one or two sorties launched.

Thanks to Ralph at FRADU, again, for the info, and to Malcolm for his company down the lane. It was also good to put a face to the UKAR member ‘cessna954’.

Comments as always welcome…

Many thanks for your time.