The T-X image looks like a single engined Hornet hybrid, which for a dual control Cockpit would be pretty much off the shelf. Mating it to an all new single engined rear half would be the costly part.

The static has been in decline for a few years, most notably due to commitments and the lack of spare airframes that could be parked up. The RAF contingent is of course due to type withdrawals as well.
The most obvious regular attender missing this years from the Static was a B52. I can’t remember the last time there wasn’t one (though there may not have had one year they had a B1 on Static).
The LC130 Ski-Herc that was on the static list, would have gone some way to fill the spaces. It was a pity that the PdF were leaving as their Transall would have added some variety if parked in a viewable position (though on seeing it take off later in the day, it perhaps wasn’t their best looking airframe).

2 F16 displays in one day has becomes a bit of a trademark of Leuchars, even putting them at opposite ends of a full display always seem to close together. Both displays were sufficiently different though and I agree both excellent.

Like you after all the faffing about in the morning, to Launch the Gripen just at the worst of the weather seemed strange. Even just holding for 20 mins whilst the worst passed, would have made all the difference.

The display teams were all excellent, the first time I’d seen the RV8tors, as I missed East Fortune earlier in the year, a good tight little 2 ship display. The Blades, although similar to previous years displays were as always very sharp in their performance. The PdF are always a thrill, as previous years an excellent display.
Finally the Reds. A totally gutsy display in the circumstances, performed and commentated on with much emotion, a very fitting tribute.

Lets hope that if 2012 is the final show that it goes out with Full Static Parks and a few very special visitors, and a flying disiplay that lives long in the memory.

The Tristar on it’s emergency landing is a nice catch. Was the second image from a missed approach or did it fly back out again after checks?

Regardless of source, it’s the stunning clarity of the images as presented here, that really grabs the attention.
Some truly beautiful aircraft as well.

It looks like an incredible work, I look forward to watching it.

I take it the Barge is one of the semi-submersible efforts, that take in half the North Sea as Ballast to lower the platform deck (Sorry I’m not very Nautical with terminology) into the water and allow the section to float off ?

Possibly not as I’m sure that EDI would be listed as an emergency divert for Leuchars so would make sense that from time to time a typhoon or 2 did fly a few approaches. Not so sure about doing a touch and go mind you.

I remember back in my youth during the school holidays, standing in my grandparents back garden in the same village watching Nimrods fly approaches to EDI on long finals. 3 or 4 approaches at 30 minute intervals…probably the same aircraft circling around. This would usually happen for 3 or 4 days straight.

Don’t know about a few days ago but maybe 3 weeks ago on the Saturday morning, there was a Typhoon that flew up from the South on the normal airliner pattern turning onto finals around 10 miles out (which is where I live) for 06.

I have to say though, it wasn’t the smoothest piece of flying I’ve ever seen, as the Typhoon didn’t seem to want to settle down after the turn.
I might have put it down to turbulence but the previous aircraft, that was still visible had cut the corner and joined finals much shorter ( 7 or 8 miles) than where the Typhoon was.