Handful from today with Hangar 11’s Spitfire PR.XI PL965 out to White Waltham and back; first time I’ve photographed this one for about 18 months after a period of maintenance.
Also noted today that the Russian stars had been removed from the resident L-29 Delfin.
Several of the based jets were busy last week but as I was at Hangar 11 most of the day, I only managed to grab a couple of shots of the yellow Gnat as it returned from the last flight of the day.
Haven’t updated for a while as the weather has been pretty poop and I’ve kind of lost my mojo for it all a bit tbh.
Anyway, the Gnats had three jets up and about yesterday, first time I’ve shot G-FRCE since the restoration was completed.
Then had to wait around for a couple of hours to help Peter put the Russian Spitfire away after his appearances at Abingdon and White Waltham. The sun went in about five minutes before he arrived back overhead and only re-emerged for a 30-second window whilst the aircraft was sat outside, so could only grab one frame quickly.
Also helped tuck the Spitfire to bed last Sunday after the appearance at Old Warden. The sun was shining that day, but the late arrival meant the hangar was casting a shadow over the Spit once she was parked up. Still waiting for that situation to arise where I can get five minutes with it in some nice light to have a walkaround with the small lens.
No idea, sorry. It was taxiing at the JetFest event in 2018 and static the following year, but other than those occasions I’ve not seen it outside. I think it’s probably on the back burner as they’ve recently restored T1 G-FRCE and they also acquired G-NATY from Bournemouth for restoration to flight.
Quick visit today rewarded with Westland Wasp G-RIMM returning to Weald Aviation, though the new Air Ambulance hangar doesn’t make for the best backdrop.
Saturday 12th June
Aero Legends were busy with their two Spitfires, Harvard and Tiger Moths doing pleasure flights, there were some jet flights from the JP and L-29 and Hangar 11 had the bombs back on the new Spitfire to go to Sywell.
Popped over to the market side with a plan to get some shots of it in the air with the underwing stores in place, but hadn’t factored in that he wouldn’t backtrack all the way to the threshold like Aero Legends do in their Spits, so ended up way too far up the runway and just had ground shots again, only they were obscured by the long grass.
Despite all the action, it was one of those days where it was sunny until the minute anything interesting happened, so I’ve binned most of my shots and at the risk of boring you all, only have the following to offer tonight:
Sunday 11th July
Quick visit to pick up the new airfield newsletter that features some of my photos on the back cover (thanks Trevor).
Aero Legends had borrowed a second two-seat Spitfire from ARCo at Duxford, so grabbed some shots of that starting up. Forecast looks better for this weekend so will probably try for some runway shots as I believe Aero Legends will be back in action.
Decent day today. The Russian Spitfire (sans bombs) went off to the show at Ragley Hall, the yellow Gnat was back up after a very busy few days last weekend and finally caught one of the Police helos returning once the sun had swung around.
Sign In
