31 December 2004 - Manchester Airport

Two unusual Learjets at Manchester Airport on New Year's Eve - United Arab Emirates Type 35 (left) and Irish Air Corps Type 45 (right). The Irish example celebrated its first year of operations on 19 December. Pictures by Carl Sharples.

23 December 2004 - Cambridge

Making its first flight after a lengthy restoration by Hawker Restorations was Hurricane R4118/G-HUPW, owned by Peter Vacher. Piloted by Pete Kynsey it got airborne at Teversham at 14:06 and landed at 14:27, after climbing to 3,000 ft and operating in the local area. Pictures by Damien Burke.

19 December 2004 - Kemble

Today was the day at Kemble for the first (and second) flawless post-repaint flights of the 'Blue Diamonds' Hunter, XL577. See more information here. Pictures by Damien Burke.

15 December 2004 - Prestwick passers-by

First (left) is Omega B707 N707LG, ex-A-7002 of the Indonesian Air Force. The aircraft is being cleaned and having general maintenance done at Prestwick before going Stateside for tanker conversion.

Second is Antonov 124 UR-ZYD of Kiev Aviation Plant. The photo is taken from the cockpit of B707 N707LG. Pictures by Andy Williams.

14 December 2004 - Last Strike Eagles for Lakenheath

A gloomy Lakenheath afternoon saw the latest 2 F-15E Strike Eagles for the 48th FW arrived shortly after 14:00 as Retro 37 and Retro 38, serialled 01-2004 and 01-2003. An old pair are due out to Mountain Home early next year in exchange. It is rumoured these will be the last new airframes for the 48th FW, the final pair from the order for ten airframes placed in 2001, comprising the 227th-236th F-15Es produced at the Boeing St Louis facility. Pics courtesy of Tom McGhee

Newark Air Museum’s seventieth [70th] aircraft, Handley Page Jetstream XX492, started its long journey from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, Cornwall to Winthorpe Airfield in Nottighamshire on Wednesday 8 December 2004.

The two Police escorted loads initially made their way to Ashchurch, Gloucestershire, where they made an overnight stay. The journey north recommenced on Thursday 9 December and the two lorry loads eventually arrived at the museum site at 1230 hours. During the early afternoon the aircraft was off loaded inside the new Display Hangar, where it will be reassembled during the coming weeks.

The aircraft was formerly an multi-engined pilot Trainer with the Royal Air Force and it is believed to have been one of the last of the type to fly out of nearby RAF Cranwell, Lincs on 22 March 2004, when Course 159 was completed. The aircraft is currently the only one of its type to be displayed in a volunteer managed museum in Great Britain and it wears the distinctive light blue Cranwell training band around its fuselage.

Photo & text - Howard Heeley - Down To Earth Promotions

AHA Events Ltd. has donated £4,000 to the Fly Navy Heritage Trust. Its mission is to ensure that the unique British collection of aircraft that is the Royal Navy Historic Flight based at RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset continues to fly long into the future. Their aim is to preserve the nation's aviation heritage so that future generations can understand the nature of those who built, maintained, operated and fought in Naval aircraft of the past by experiencing them first hand.

"There is a huge expense as well as time and effort involved in restoring, maintaining and displaying these historic aircraft. Without financial aid these aircraft wouldn't be flying" says Ralph Patel of AHA Events Ltd.

"Seeing the Sea Fury and Sea Hawk displaying at this year's Air Day was very special. Both these aircraft have undergone substantial restoration over the last few years and it was good to see them making their comeback at Yeovilton. Hopefully, they'll both be fit for a full season next year" says John Beattie of the RNHF.

AHA Events Ltd. are based in Barnstaple, North Devon and are contracted by the Ministry of Defence to organise Air Days at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, Somerset, home of the RNHF.

Pic (left to right): John Beattie - RNHF General Manager, Audrey Huelin - AHA Events Ltd. Director, Eric Young - RNHF Chief Engineer and Ralph Patel - AHA Events Ltd. Director

27 November 2004 - Top airshow award

Air display pilot Denny Dobson received the Hayward Aviation Trophy at the Air Display Association Europe (ADAE) Autumn Symposium held at Cranfield on 27 November. The annual award, sponsored this year by specialist aviation insurers Hayward Aviation, was presented by ADAE President Gerald Howarth MP. It was awarded to Denny for his acclaimed airshow aerobatic performances over the past ten years. In addition to the Trophy he received a cheque for £250. Nigel Foster and the aviation insurance companies that he has represented, have backed this award since 1991. It is given to airshow personalities that have made significant contributions to the air display industry in the UK. Previous winners have been display pilots Robin Bowes, Adrian Gjertsen and Keith Sissons; organiser Jock Maitland; commentator Sean Maffet, and Elly Sallingboe for her tremendous efforts in keeping the B-17 Sally B in the air.