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.

Koksijde Air Show 1993

Last but not least, we rolled into Koksijde with its bars and restaurants, all selling Moule and Frites with any variation of sauce and beers with Alcohol levels "staggeringly" high. We quickly found the Duvel (Devil) at a whopping nine per cent.

Some time ago, while having a beer with a great Dutch guy, Fred, we talked about the Koksijde airshow. He said it marked the start of the European summer holidays, the first weekend in July or thereabouts. I agree with him, as every trip I made there had the feeling of people having a great time, and the weather was so relaxing and enjoyable.
   

My favourite position for photography was on that little lane called the "Burgweg", great for taxiing shots and landings and take-offs on runway 29 and Corn Crakes in the Nettles with their frog-like call.

The Koksijde airshow is a whole weekend event. Hence, the  80th anniversary of the Koninklijke Luchtmacht at Eindhoven airbase across the border in the Netherlands actually clashed with the Saturday at Koksijde, so after leaving Eindhoven, we drove to Koksijde for the Saturday evening party.
We had a great day at the Sunday airshow, seeing many friends and the Monday departures.

 Because of the proximity, both airbases shared some display aircraft. 

Let's move on to the photos (all on Fuji Velvia slide film).

A-7P was assigned to 302/304 Attack Squadrons of the PoAF at Monte Real in the Centro Region of Portugal, or 137 kilometres North of Lisbon.

5536 A-7P prepares for take-off for Monte Real airbase 

5534 A-7P lines up for take-off alongside 5536.

E25 7-PK Jaguar E EC2/7 FAF.

E22 7-PI Jaguar E EC2/7 FAF.

E15 7-PF Jaguar E EC2/7 FAF, landing back at Koksijde.

43+73 Tornado MFG-1 GN

43+73 Tornado MFG-1 GN, burners on.

At the end of its display 43+73, Tornado made a low approach to runway 11 before landing back on 29.

9013 SU-25K 30 BILP Special colours CzechAF.

9207 MiG29A 11 SLP CzechAF prepares for its demonstration. 

9207 MiG-29A 11SLP CzechAF.

Koksijde was just incredible. A 300mm lens gave you a full frame on the runway.

5414 and 9207 MiG29A's 11 SLP prepare to depart from Koksijde.

0004 L-39MS 2 LETKA CzechAF.

1407 TU-134AK CzechAF prepares to leave Koksijde airbase ahead of the Czech fast jets.  

4011 and 0103 Mil 24D's 51VRP CzechAF.

0103 Mil 24D 51 VRP CzechAF.

CH-05 C-130H 21 Sm BAF.

FA-10 and FA-53 349 Sm BAF.

Taken over the fence close to Langeleedstraat.

37+34 F-4F JBG35 GAF.

Again taken close to  Langeleedstraat.

37+34 F-4F JBG35 GAF. Preparing to enter runway 29.

37+34 F-4F JBG35 lands back at Koksijde.

37+44 F-4F JBG35 taxis from its weekend static appearance.

37+34 F-4F departs for home.

511 2-FH Mirage 2000B EC2/2 FAF.

BR13 Mirage 5BR 42 Sm BAF.

BR23 Mirage 5BR 42 Sm BAF.

BR22 Mirage 5BR 42 Sm BAF.

BR14 Mirage 5BR 42Sm BAF.

This had to be one of the best viewings of this iconic aircraft; I visited Bierset airbase for their demise, but sadly, on that latter occasion, the weather disappointed.

Mission on before returning to their home base.

16+25 HFB.320ECM JBG32 GAF.

16+25 HFB.320ECM JBG32 GAF, departing on Monday morning.

XV260 Nimrod MR.2P (CXX) 120 Sqn Special marks RAF, departing Koksijde airbase for RAF Kinloss Scotland.

What an iconic-looking aircraft.

XX230 Hawk T.1A 92 Sqn RA is seen departing for home. 

XX281/O Hawk T.1A RAF.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

J-193 and J-624 F-16As 311Sqn of the RNlAF in their 1993 unique colours of the F-16 solo demonstration team.

FA-10 and FA-53 F-16As 349Sm BAF both participating as the BAF F-16 solo display
 team.

E.25-28 79-28/12 CASA 101 Ala 79 AME.

Britain's Red Arrows with their Hawk T.1 jets taxiing for their display slot.

XV197/197 Hercules C1K LTW RAF prepares for departure.

VP981 Devon C.2 BoB Flight departing for RAF Conningsby.

MT-14 here and MT-30 CM.170R's 33Sm Special colours BAF, denoting their display status.

AT-19 and AT-33 Alpha Jet A's 9 Wing carried special marks for the 1993 display season.  

Happy days!