RNAS Yeovilton shrouded in mist and the immiment retirement of the Lynx HMA8.

The 2016 Yeovilton airshow celebrated the imminent retirement of the elegant Lynx HMA8SRU from service with the Navy. This post just covers some of the arrivals and departures with a few of those Lynx's captured during Mondays flying operation. The early morning weather on Monday helped give a different dimension to the images. 

50+67 C-160D Transall LTG63 60th Anniversary of the Luftwaffe marks.

XX453 Gazelle AH.1 Boscombe Down, today stored at Bourne Park.

Conningsby Typhoon FGR4, with no unit marks.

ZK344 Typhoon FGR4 no unit markings.

J-201 F-16AM 322 Sqn RNLAF.

J-871 F-16AM RNLAF.

FB-21 F-16BM BAF

ZH839/83 EH101 HM1 MK111, Merlin Cormorant RN.

ZF347 and ZF204 Tucano T.1 RAF.

Noticeable RAF cutbacks two planes one engine?

1017 PL. M-28B Bryza 1R 44BLotM/sie. PolNavy, Special colour scheme.

013 Casa 295M 8BLtr PolAF.

45+09 Tornado IDS TLG33 GAF.

XX205/842 CU Hawk T.1 RN.

97-0046 C-17 Globemaster 111 437AW/315/AW/AMC/AFRC.

185 Falcon 10MER FN Special marks '100 years 1910-2010, Marine Nationale Aeronautique Navale.'

6 Rafale M 12F FN.

50+67, C-160D Transall, LTG63 GAF, performing its run and break for landing.

The Scorpion was nice to see as it continued its sales evaluation tour.

99+18 OV-10B Bronco, WGAF, civil as G-ONAA.

ZF563/VL-312 Lynx HMA8 SRU RN.

Nice to see before it was retired to Goodwood.

ZF563/VL-312 Lynx HMA8 SRU RN.

XZ689/314 Lynx HMA8 SRU RN. 

ZZ515 Wildcat HMA2 815NAS.

Not as elegant as the Lynx but however the future.

RNAS Yeovilton Commando Assault demonstration

After my last post, I looked closely at the" Commando Assault" demonstrations that had brought a close to this great show throughout the years. I immensely enjoyed 2016 with the arrival of the CHF Merlin Helicopters at Yeovilton. Sadly, the iconic (Junglie) Seakings had been retired by the time of the 2016 air show.

I have found through the years that by the time of this fabulous finale, the Sun and, very often, the weather are not conducive for photography. 2016, I spent several days photographing the rehearsals for this exciting climax.

Participating were the Culdrose-based Hawk as seen below, although on the airshow day, XX159 flew the mission, six Merlins, one an HC.3A and the other five all HC.3. The Army Air Corps supplied two Wildcat AH.1s and an Apache AH.1 from the ADHT.

Hawk T.1 XX205/842 CU RN getting airborne for a rehearsal day.

ZJ118/B Merin HC.3 846Sqn, RN.

ZJ995/AD Merin HC.3a RAF on the airshow day, they used ZJ994/AC.

ZJ130/O and ZJ118/B preparing to drop Commandos.

ZJ994/AC HC.3A RAF pouring on the power.

ZJ130/O Merlin HC.3 RN disgorging troops of 40 Commando.

ZZ510 Wildcat AH.1 652 Sqn AAC.

ZZ410 Wildcat AH.1 652Sqn AAC.

ZZ410 Wildcat AH.1 652Sqn AAC  low pass.

ZJ223 Apache AH.1 ADHT arrives to offer support.

ZJ118 Merin HC.3 846Sqn, RN.

ZJ995/AD Merlin HC.3A, RAF.

ZJ125/J Merlin HC.3 846 Sqn, RN.

ZJ137/W arrives first, followed by ZJ132/Q with the trailer.

ZJ137/J with the Landrover.

ZJ137/W leaving the drop zone.

ZJ132/Q leaves low and fast, having delivered the trailer.

ZJ131/P 846 Sqn RN was not used on airshow day, ex RAF 28 Sqn at Benson, and today it is upgraded to an HC.4 in the grey paint scheme.

ZJ995/AD, RAF ZJ118/B, ZJ130/B RN and ZJ223 Apache AH.1 AAC.

ZJ223 leaving the formation.

ZJ130/O Merin HC.3 RN and ZJ995/AD HC.3A RAF.

All six Merlins.

ZJ131/P Merlin HC.3 RAF surrounded by the senior service

! 

Mission over.

ZJ223 Apache AH.1 leaves us chewing grass.

Last, XX159/842 CU RN lands back at Yeovilton in a photograph that could have been the scene there ten years earlier when active Sea Harriers used that taxiway, not museum aircraft!

Happy Days!