Aviation Gallery http://windyair.fotopic.net/ 8 rows en-gb 60 RN Centenary Flypast on the River Mersey http://windyair.fotopic.net/c1774611.html The Royal Navy aircraft carrier and flagship, HMS Illustrious paid a visit to Liverpool in October 2009, and as a part of the visit there was a flypast of Royal Navy aircraft and helicopters along the River Mersey on the afternoon of Friday the 23rd of October. The Fly Past consisted of arpound 40 present and historic Navy aircraft and helicopters, which included Merlins, Sea Kings, Lynxs and Squirrel helicopters, along with Falcon and Hawk jets, 2 GR9 Harriers, 4 Firefly’s and - classic Naval favourites - the iconic Sea Vixen, Seafire and Sea Fury (according to the RN News website that is) RN News also said that the aircraft flew in a fomation known as a 'Balbo' – a large mixed formation of aircraft, named after the Italian General, Italo Balbo, who on several occasions flew large groups of flying boats across the Atlantic in the early 1930’s, and that His Royal Highness the Duke of York KG, the Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, was the guest of honour onboard the Carrier as the formation flew overhead. Pictures of the visit of HMS Illustrious can be found in my Maritime Gallery, only pictures of the flying display, and a later display in front of Albert Dock by the 'Black Cats' helicopter display team are included here. Nice one RN, just wish I had 500mm lens so I could take a few more close ups, my 300mm lens was struggling a little bit trying to keep up!:-) Friday 23 October 2009: The Royal Navy aircraft carrier and flagship, HMS Illustrious paid a visit to Liverpool in October 2009, and as a part of the visit there was a flypast of Royal Navy aircraft and helicopters along the River Mersey on the afternoon of Friday the 23rd of October. The Fly Past consisted of arpound 40 present and historic Navy aircraft and helicopters, which included Merlins, Sea Kings, Lynxs and Squirrel helicopters, along with Falcon and Hawk jets, 2 GR9 Harriers, 4 Firefly_s and - classic Naval favourites - the iconic Sea Vixen, Seafire and Sea Fury (according to the RN News website that is) RN News also said that the aircraft flew in a fomation known as a 'Balbo' _ a large mixed formation of aircraft, named after the Italian General, Italo Balbo, who on several occasions flew large groups of flying boats across the Atlantic in the early 1930_s, and that His Royal Highness the Duke of York KG, the Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, was the guest of honour onboard the Carrier as the formation flew overhead. Pictures of the visit of HMS Illustrious can be found in my Maritime Gallery, only pictures of the flying display, and a later display in front of Albert Dock by the 'Black Cats' helicopter display team are included here. Nice one RN, just wish I had 500mm lens so I could take a few more close ups, my 300mm lens was struggling a little bit trying to keep up!:-)

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]]> Fri Oct 23 2009 Manchester Airport - August 22nd 2009 http://windyair.fotopic.net/c1745830.html After a break of several months, and a break from chasing steam locos and diesels around, it was back to the airport at Manchester again, this time in bright sunlight for a change. The reason for the visit this time was partly to visit the first ever "Under the wings of Concorde" Aviation & Transport Enthusiasts Fair at the new Concorde Conference Centre at the Aviation Viewing Park there, and as billed it really did take place underneath this beautiful and sadly no longer flying aircraft. Before the event though, it was off to the southern side of Runway 23 Left, since that was in use that morning, and the Sun was in the prefect position for taking pictures of the aircraft lifting off from there. After about 11am when the aircraft switched back to using Runway 23 Right for take offs, we then visited the Transport Fair and I took a number of shots of the vintage buses, Airport Fire Tender, and the old and venerable RAF 'Green Goddess', before spending some time on the viewing park's 'mound' photographing the newly landed aircraft as they taxied in to the terminals. Later on it was back over the 'other side' again, so take a few more shots of aircraft taking off from 23 Right. The shots of the Fire tenders and buses will be found in the appropriate galleries ('Bus & Coach', and 'Emergency Vehicle' Galleries) as soon as I can get them uploaded there, so do check those if you would like to see what they look like. Lots of interesting aircraft types seen, notable ones were the Virgin Jumbo, the Pakistani 777, and several impressive liveries from Abu Dhabi and the Emirates. Also amongst the many European scheduled services were a lot of Easy Jet and Jet2.com "Chav Chariots", which were no doubt transporting many of the local hoodies, chavs and chavesses off to the Costas for 10 days of sunburn, lager, egg & chips and unprotected sex!:-) All in all a very enjoyable day, and as per usual I took way too many pictures, but when the light is that good you just have to sit back and enjoy it don't you! Saturday 22 August 2009: After a break of several months, and a break from chasing steam locos and diesels around, it was back to the airport at Manchester again, this time in bright sunlight for a change. The reason for the visit this time was partly to visit the first ever "Under the wings of Concorde" Aviation & Transport Enthusiasts Fair at the new Concorde Conference Centre at the Aviation Viewing Park there, and as billed it really did take place underneath this beautiful and sadly no longer flying aircraft. Before the event though, it was off to the southern side of Runway 23 Left, since that was in use that morning, and the Sun was in the prefect position for taking pictures of the aircraft lifting off from there. After about 11am when the aircraft switched back to using Runway 23 Right for take offs, we then visited the Transport Fair and I took a number of shots of the vintage buses, Airport Fire Tender, and the old and venerable RAF 'Green Goddess', before spending some time on the viewing park's 'mound' photographing the newly landed aircraft as they taxied in to the terminals. Later on it was back over the 'other side' again, so take a few more shots of aircraft taking off from 23 Right. The shots of the Fire tenders and buses will be found in the appropriate galleries ('Bus & Coach', and 'Emergency Vehicle' Galleries) as soon as I can get them uploaded there, so do check those if you would like to see what they look like. Lots of interesting aircraft types seen, notable ones were the Virgin Jumbo, the Pakistani 777, and several impressive liveries from Abu Dhabi and the Emirates. Also amongst the many European scheduled services were a lot of Easy Jet and Jet2.com "Chav Chariots", which were no doubt transporting many of the local hoodies, chavs and chavesses off to the Costas for 10 days of sunburn, lager, egg & chips and unprotected sex!:-) All in all a very enjoyable day, and as per usual I took way too many pictures, but when the light is that good you just have to sit back and enjoy it don't you!

Published in Aviation Gallery

]]> Sat Aug 22 2009 RAF Cosford Air Museum http://windyair.fotopic.net/c1671898.html I had my first visit back to the excellent Cosford Museum in five years, and it was nice to see the new 'Cold War' Hall, finished and in use now, and looking very impressive indeed. Always lots of interesting aircraft and exhibitions on display here, and I really liked the way that some of the aircraft have been hung from the ceiling of the building, this really made them look a lot more interesting than in just the usual static display position on the ground. Always well worth a visit, and I would strongly recommend a day out there, and best of all now, like many museums in the UK, admission is completely free! Wednesday 18 March 2009: I had my first visit back to the excellent Cosford Museum in five years, and it was nice to see the new 'Cold War' Hall, finished and in use now, and looking very impressive indeed. Always lots of interesting aircraft and exhibitions on display here, and I really liked the way that some of the aircraft have been hung from the ceiling of the building, this really made them look a lot more interesting than in just the usual static display position on the ground. Always well worth a visit, and I would strongly recommend a day out there, and best of all now, like many museums in the UK, admission is completely free!

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]]> Wed Mar 18 2009 Various Aircraft seen at Manchester Airport March 2009 http://windyair.fotopic.net/c1671132.html I've been badly neglecting the aviation side of the hobby over the past couple of years, so it was nice to again pay a visit to Manchester International Airport (Ringway to us), and get a few more shots of some of the aircraft there. The conditions weren't very good, with a lot of mist and haze making visibility very poor, but then again it didn't rain, which is unusual for Manchester, so who I am to complain!:-) Monday 23 March 2009: I've been badly neglecting the aviation side of the hobby over the past couple of years, so it was nice to again pay a visit to Manchester International Airport (Ringway to us), and get a few more shots of some of the aircraft there. The conditions weren't very good, with a lot of mist and haze making visibility very poor, but then again it didn't rain, which is unusual for Manchester, so who I am to complain!:-)

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]]> Mon Mar 23 2009 Military Helicopter Images http://windyair.fotopic.net/c1339049.html Most of these shots were taken at the 1998 Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, though several of the shots were taken elsewhere, or at different times. These alternate locations are indicated on the individual images. All were taken on 35mm prints or slides, and scanned into digital format. Thursday 2 August 2007: Most of these shots were taken at the 1998 Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, though several of the shots were taken elsewhere, or at different times. These alternate locations are indicated on the individual images. All were taken on 35mm prints or slides, and scanned into digital format.

This shot was taken at an airshow at RAF Valley in Wales, 1988 I think! Again at the RAF Valley Airshow in 1988, these SAR helicopters are based there. This was also taken at RAF Fairford, but in the late 80s if I recall right. The theme that year was Search & Rescue.

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]]> Thu Aug 2 2007 Airport Vehicles & Buildings http://windyair.fotopic.net/c1338039.html Aircraft are interesting to look at but so are some of the airport vehicles and buildings as well, so I thought I would include a few of them here in a separate gallery. Most of the ones displayed were taken at Manchester Airport, and show the ATC and Ground Control Towers, and a number of the baggage and service vehicles in use there, but there are also several older shots which were taken at Newcastle Airport on a visit there in 1992. I also took a number of shots of the airport buses, but these will be displayed in a separate page on my Bus & Coach Gallery, which can be accessed from the link on the left-hand side of the main page. Tuesday 31 July 2007: Aircraft are interesting to look at but so are some of the airport vehicles and buildings as well, so I thought I would include a few of them here in a separate gallery. Most of the ones displayed were taken at Manchester Airport, and show the ATC and Ground Control Towers, and a number of the baggage and service vehicles in use there, but there are also several older shots which were taken at Newcastle Airport on a visit there in 1992. I also took a number of shots of the airport buses, but these will be displayed in a separate page on my Bus & Coach Gallery, which can be accessed from the link on the left-hand side of the main page.

ATC Tower Newcastle Airport 1992 Main terminal Newcastle Airport 1992 The Airport Railway Station is shaped like an aeroplane Terminal 2 Maintenance Hangar ARC Tower ATC Building ATC Tower & Radar Control Tower Ground Control Tower Ground Control Tower Airport Fire Service Testing their equipment

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]]> Tue Jul 31 2007 Manchester Airport 31st July 2007 http://windyair.fotopic.net/c1338022.html After a fairly miserable Summer, the Sun finally appeared, so I took the opportunity to make my first visit of the year to Manchester International Airport, and get a few more pictures. All of these shots were taken from the roof of the multi-storey car park at the airport. Nothing too unusual was seen, mostly just the usual schedule and charter aircraft flying off to various holiday destinations in Europe. Tuesday 31 July 2007: After a fairly miserable Summer, the Sun finally appeared, so I took the opportunity to make my first visit of the year to Manchester International Airport, and get a few more pictures. All of these shots were taken from the roof of the multi-storey car park at the airport. Nothing too unusual was seen, mostly just the usual schedule and charter aircraft flying off to various holiday destinations in Europe.

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]]> Tue Jul 31 2007 Manchester Airport July & September 2006 http://windyair.fotopic.net/c1077353.html This section contains a number of photographs taken at Manchester International (Ringway) Airport in July & September 2006. The 'sunny' images were taken in July, the others in September. Friday 8 September 2006: This section contains a number of photographs taken at Manchester International (Ringway) Airport in July & September 2006. The 'sunny' images were taken in July, the others in September.

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