Scene around the UK

11 August 2008 - Cranwell

Two new King Air B200s have been received by 45(R) Squadron, both equipped with full 'glass cockpits', more representative of current types such as C-130J, C-17A and Sentinel. On the civilian register as G-RAFD and G-RAFX, the two machines will gain military serials in the near future. Picture courtesy Guy Harvey

4 August 2008 - St Mawgan

1 August was a significant date in the handover process at RAF St Mawgan - Newquay Airport. All operations at the airfield are now funded by the Local Authority including Air Traffic Control and Fire Services; however these will continue to be provided by the MOD until December 2008 while construction of a new Control Tower and Fire Station takes place across the Runway. A visible sign of this milestone on the day was the replacement of standard MOD Crash Trucks (RIV and MFV) with brand new civilian vehicles. The majority of the fire crew will be transferring to the new operation but until December they will still be employed by the MOD. Similarly Air Traffic Control will still be undertaken by RAF Staff.

Military flying has all but ceased at the airfield and virtually all of the ground equipment (boarding ladders, Ground Power Units, etc.) have been removed. A consequence of the recent change is that the MOD will be charged a fee to use the runway and facilities. Another consequence for what remains of RAF St Mawgan is that the MoD now has to rely on fire cover from civilian (including retained) firefighters from Newquay and St Columb.

Late July saw two final detachments to RAF St Mawgan. Two Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16s were based here for the RNAS Culdrose Air Day, the aircraft arrived on 29 July and stayed for two nights. Although the pilot managed a practice display at Culdrose on the 29th, low cloud over HMS Seahawk during air day itself resulted in the F-16 remaining on the ground at St Mawgan. The final detachment was three Grob Tutors from 3 AEF - these aircraft remained after 1 August, flying ATC Cadets from the Devon and Cornwall area; an agreement was reached that no fees would be levied, whether or not this arrangement will continue remains to be seen. Courtesy Peter Mitrovich

4 August 2008 - Mildenhall

The Turkish Air Force detachment to the USA that transited here on 13 July returned, supported by three KC-135s. Pictures courtesy Gary Stedman

3 August 2008 - Eastleigh

The Skeeter sixtieth commemoration was held at Fleming Park, not far from Southampton Airport (Eastleigh). The two-seat military light helicopter was designed and built the Cierva Autogiro company at Eastleigh in 1948, then produced by Saunders-Roe at Eastleigh and Cowes, the company also famous for the flying boats in the 'golden age' of flight.

Nine helicopters arrived from afar, including the Army Air Corps Historic Flight and four Skeeters, three of which were complete with one just a cockpit on a trailer. Courtesy Andrew Hare

31 July 2008 - Cambridge

Out on engine runs was Hercules W2 XV208, formerly known as 'Snoopy', but now minus all its weather sensors, fitted with the engine and propeller destined for the new Airbus A400M, a Europrop International TP400-D6 engine with Ratier-Figeac/ Hamilton Sundstrand eight-blade prop. With the A400M prototype destined to fly in the next few months, a 'first flight' for Snoopy can't be too far away. Courtesy Gavin Mills

24 July 2008 - Newark

The first 801 Royal Naval Air Squadron markings have now been applied to Blackburn Buccaneer S1 XN964, which is displayed at the Newark Air Museum in north eastern Nottinghamshire.

These markings reflect the time between January 1964 and June 1965 when XN964 operated with 801 Squadron on the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious that

Details of a formal unveiling ceremony are expected to be announced on the museum website at a later date. Courtesy Howard Heeley - Down To Earth Promotions

15 July 2008 - Farnborough

Amongst the visitors during Farnborough week was this highly-polished A319 from the Czech Air Force. One of two operated by the Czechs, the first was delivered in January 2007. Picture courtesy Garry Lakin

13 July 2008 - Mildenhall

Some consolation for spotters decamping from the cancelled RIAT was the arrival of a mini-Turkish invasion at Mildenhall consisting of the Turkish Stars support C-130, 141 Filo F-16s and 101 Filo KC-135s. Pictures courtesy Neil Evans

10 July 2008 - Duxford

Ahead of this weekend's Flying Legends, the Fighter Collection's recently restored Gladiator II N5903/G-GLAD is prepared for its first test flight. With B-17G 'Liberty Belle' already at Duxford, this year's show should be a belter - pity it clashes with RIAT...Picture courtesy Gavin Mills

2 July 2008 - Duxford

Four helicopters from the Swiss Air Force arrived at Duxford on 1 July, the culmination of a navigation exercise for student pilots.

They arrived in two flights, the first group in the morning consisting of AS332UL Super Puma T-332 acting as support with A-259 Alouette III V-259 carrying special markings. At around 16:00 another two Alouette IIIs arrived - all come from Alpnach-based LT Staffel 8 of LT Geschwader 2. They are expected to leave on 3 July. Courtesy Gavin Mills

17 June 2008 - Waddington

It's rare to catch a P-3 at Waddington - this aircraft arrived on the 13th and spent the rest of the following week on the ground before departing on the 20th. The aircraft is from VX-1 'Pioneers', the test squadron based at NAS Pax River, Maryland. Courtesy Ken Withers

16 June 2008 - Heathrow

'Air Force One' at rest at Heathrow as President Bush makes his last visit to Europe. Picture courtesy Matthew Clements

14 June 2008 - London

The Queen's birthday and RAF 90th anniversary flypast went ahead in fine weather, the biggest flypast since the Jubilee in 2002. Element 1 was the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, with the Lancaster leading two Spitfires and two Hurricanes. The pilot of the Lancaster was Flight Lieutenant Mike Leckey, and one of the Spitfires was being flown by Group Captain Stuart Atha, Station Commander of RAF Coningsby and the Typhoon Force Commander.

Element 2 consisted of a Hercules from RAF Lyneham, accompanied by two King Airs from 45(R) Squadron, based at the RAF College at Cranwell, the first time these aircraft have participated in the Queen’s birthday flypast.

Element 3 was nine Typhoons, representing each of the four squadrons based at RAF Coningsby. The flypast leader was Wing Commander Johnny Stringer, Officer Commanding 29 (R) Squadron.

Element 4 was led by a VC-10 from 101 Squadron flanked by two Tornado F3 fighter aircraft representing 43(F) and 111(F) Squadrons based at RAF Leuchars, closely followed by a Sentry AEW1 simulating in-flight refuelling. The Sentry was flown by Wg Cdr Stu Reid, better known as 'Bomber Leader' with the BBMF, training pilots to fly the Lancaster and the Dakota; this is his ninth season with the BBMF.

Element 5 was a diamond-nine formation of Tornado F3s, led by Wg Cdr Peter Cracroft, OC of 111(F) Squadron.

Element 6 (main pic): One of the RAF’s five C-17 Globemaster llls was flanked by two further Leuchars-based Tornado F3s. A sixth C-17 is expected to join the fleet imminently.

Element 7 was a Nimrod MR2 from from 201 Squadron, RAF Kinloss, escorted by two more Tornado F3s from RAF Leuchars.

Element 8: A Lockheed Tristar from 216 Squadron, based at RAF Brize Norton, was flanked by two BAe 125s from 32 (TheRoyal) Squadron, based at nearby RAF Northolt, Middlesex. Both types have served extensively in the Middle East, the Tristar refuelling other aircraft and transporting troops, and the 125s providing high speed transport for senior military personnel.

Element 9: The final element was a sixteen-strong formation of Tornado GR4s representing all four of the squadrons based at RAF Marham. Among the formation was Air Commodore Phil Osborn, the Station Commander at RAF Marham until the previous day, and his successor, Gp Capt Colin Basnett. Pictures courtesy Bob Franklin

13 June 2008 - Mildenhall

An interesting and rare arrival was this 89th AW C-20C. Although looking like a normal Andrews-based aircraft, this machine is equipped for 'special missions' and was visiting in conjunction with President Bush's weekend visit. On landing the aircraft taxied to the end of the runway and straight into one of the hangars on the southside of the base. Courtesy Ken Withers

12 June 2008 - Lakenheath

Ten F-15s, five A and five C models, from the 122nd FS, 159th FW/Louisiana ANG, arrived en-route to Grafo in Bulgaria to take part in Exercise 'Mako Javelin'.

The unit's nickname is 'Bayou Militia', denoting its base at New Orleans - 'Bayou Country' is most closely associated with Cajun and Creole cultural groups native to the Gulf Coast region, generally stretching from Houston, Texas, to Mobile, Alabama, with its centre in New Orleans, Louisiana. Pictures courtesy Gary Stedman & Gavin Mills

11 June 2008 - Waddington

A welcome 'fast jet' invasion as 208(R) Squadron has decamped en-masse for a week's exercise, rekindling the memories of the good old ACMI days. Picture courtesy Ken Withers

11 June 2008 - Spalding

The planned rehearsal for the Queen's birthday flypast on Saturday went ahead without a hitch, with all formations except the BBMF flying over Waddington, which was playing 'Buck House' for the day.

Most formations flew direct to Spalding from Southwold, where they turned toward the final run-in to Waddington. The exception was 'Albert & King Air' combine, which appeared from the south some ten minutes before the rest of the formation.

Sixteen Tornado GR4s from Marham brought up the rear, proving that rumours of serviceability are wide of the mark!

8 June 2008 - Biggin Hill

Occasional Air-Scene UK contributor, retired fire-fighter and aviation enthusiast Bill Turner sadly passed away suddenly at the Biggin Hill airshow, his young son Wesley at his side. Bill was in his chair next to Biggin's main runway ready for a day's photography when he started experiencing some chest pains. Wesley called the paramedics, who were on scene in a few minutes, but Bill died a short while later.

His funeral service will be held in the Ogden Chapel, Hanworth crematorium, at 14:15 on Monday 16 June. As Bill was not really into flowers, anyone wishing to pay their respects can make a donation there, the money collected will be donated to the Vulcan to the Sky Trust. One of Bill's wishes was to take Wes to Waddington this year to see the old girl back in the air.

Read Bill's article on Concorde here

7 June 2008 - Mildenhall

Signifying the start of the US President's tour of Europe is E-4B 75-0125, as the type is always forward-positioned before the transit of Air Force One. Picture courtesy Michael Lennon

7 June 2008 - Newark

The repainting of the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23M 'Flogger' 024003607 /07 at Newark Air Museum has just taken a major step forward with the application of the main Polish national markings.

The work is being undertaken by a group of local aviation enthusiast who are painters by trade, working for a company based in Nottingham. The final phase of the project will see the re-application of the diverse array of smaller stencil markings.

Information received via one of the web-forums seems to indicate this airframe is an early production airframe, which is very difficult to view outside of the former USSR. The aerial fit around the air intakes seems to indicate the airframe used the R-23R (a medium range missile) attached to the fuselage's belly; with pre-launch data being provided by a small antenna on the fuselage. Courtesy Howard Heeley/Down to Earth Promotions

5 June 2008 - Norwich

Sentinel R1 ZJ694 fresh from the Air Livery PLC paint shop - the third to be delivered, it signifies the build-up of 5 Squadron is gaining pace with just two more to be delivered later this year. Picture courtesy Keith Bilverstone