Expectations for the 2001 RAF airshow at RAF Waddington had been running high. By the time aircraft began their arrivals, the atmosphere amongst spotters and photographers alike had reached a frenzy of rumour. In fact, unlike today, this is a rumour that really has become folklore.
This is how I remember people telling it. The then prime minister of Britain, Tony Blair, had been briefed that an Israeli Air Force detachment of F-15s, Boeing KC-707s and C-130 Hercules were airborne from Isreal and headed for the UK. In reply to his shocked response, he was informed they were participating in the RAF Waddington Airshow on Saturday, June 30th and Sunday, July 1st 2001.
Whether that is true or an old wife's tale, there is no disputing that they certainly did appear and what a great moment for all of us enthusiasts.
The RAF Waddington airshow team had once again pulled off a mega coup. Still, as time had proved, 2001 would have a mass of great military aircraft types that would produce USAF B-2Bs E-8A, Spanish Navy AV8s, Greek and French mirage 2000's P-3 Orions from Norway and the Netherlands and more and then more, a truly memorable moment in UK airshows.
It is all captured here on the Fuji Velvia slide film.
267 F-15I 'Ra'am' 69 Sqn Israeli Air Force.
267 F-15I 'Ra'am' 69 Sqn Israeli Air Force.
269 F-15I 'Ra'am' 69 Sqn Israeli Air Force.
244 F-15I 'Ra'am' 69 Sqn Israeli Air Force.
264/4X-JYH KC-707 'Re'em' 120 sqn Israeli Air Force.
314/4X-FBI C-130E 'Karnaf' 103/131 Sqn Israeli Air Force.
314/4X-FBI C-130E 'Karnaf' 103/131 Sqn Israeli Air Force.
275 KC-707 Re'em 120 sqn Israeli Air Force.
275 KC-707 Re'em 120 sqn Israeli Air Force.
EMB312F's 477/312-JU and 489/312-UH, AdlA.
WJ874 "VN799" Canberra T4 39 (1PRU) Sqn. RAF.
ZH554 Tornado F3 F30EU. RAF.
ZA595/V111 Tornado GR4 13Sqn. RAF.
46+44 Tornado ECR JBG32 "Tiger C/S" GAF.
3299 P-3C Orion 333Skv NorAF.
44+42 Tornado IDS AG-51 GAF.
304 P-3C Orion MARPAT RNAF.
86-0096/EL B-1B 37th BS, "37BS" USAF.
58-0040 KC-135E 150th ARS 'NJ' ANG.
201 Mirage 2000BG 331 MPK, HAF.
"The beasts of Marsan"
663/330-AU Mirage 2000D leads 524/330-AZ Mirage 2000B Adl.
663/330-AU Mirage 2000D prepares to depart home to Mont de Marsan in the Southwest of France.
524/330-AZ Mirage 2000B, both showing their Tiger sqn Marks.
J-020 and J-511 F-16AM 313Sqn RNAF prepare for departure.
FA-116 F-16A BAF 31Sqn special marks, 50 years of 31Sqn and a Tiger Sqn.
XS728/E Dominie T1 from 55 (R) Sqn. RAF.
3299 P-3C Orion from 333Skv NorAF.
3299 P-3C Orion from 333Skv NorAF.
44+42 and 44+20 Tornado IDS AG-51 GAF departing home to Schleswig-Jagel.
30 Falcon 50 SURMAR from 24F at Lorient/Lann-Bihoué.
30 Falcon 50 SURMAR from 24F at Lorient/Lann-Bihoué.
477/312-JU and 489/312-UH EMB312F from DV05.312 at Salon de Provence.
477/312-JU Embraer EMB312F Tucano AdlA.
J-5014 F-18C Flst II Swiss Air Force.
J-5024 F-18C Flst II Swiss Air Force.
"Stars of ROTA"
(VA.1B-26) 01-914 AV-8B Esc009 Spanish Navy.
(VA.1A-21) 01.909 AV-8B Esc009 Spanish Navy.
U.20-1/01-914 Ce550 Esc004 Spanish Navy. Support aircraft for the AV-8s.
95-0121/WR E-8C 16th ACCS USAF.
86-0096/EL B-1B 37th BS "37BS" USAF.
86-0096/EL B-1B lines up for departure.
86-0096/EL B-1B shaking the ground at RAF Waddington.
58-0040 KC-135E 150th ARS NJ ANG.
58-0040 KC-135E 150th ARS NJ ANG.
Another great show from the bygone days.
I hope you enjoyed the retreat down memory lane.
Hope it was of interest.
Happy days!
