Scene around the UK

22 May 2008 - St Mawgan

The end of an era as the last fast jet deployment leaves St Mawgan. Arriving on Thursday 15th, 15(R) Squadron sent a detachment of four Tornado GR4s three staying for one week, conducting training sorties across the South-West. The RAF will hand over the military side of the airfield to Newquay Airport on 30 June, and will be completely withdrawn by August. Culdrose will now take up all military activities in Cornwall. Pictures courtesy Mike Kerr

21 May 2008 - Brooklands

Ex-RAF Jetstream T1 XX499 survives to live another day - it was delivered to Brooklands Museum where it is to be kept on behalf of the Brooklands College. Courtesy John Downey

16 May 2008 - Derwent Water

Commemoration of 65th Anniversary of Dambusters Raid

The Battle of Britain Flight commemorated the 65th Anniversary of the Dambuster Raids with a short service led by Reverend Sqn Ldr John Ellis at 10:00 at the memorial at Derwent Dam in Derbyshire, where 617 Squadron practised the approach they would take against the dams in Germany. The service was followed by several flypasts from the Lancaster, two Tornados from today's 617 Squadron, the Flight's Hurricane, Spitfire and Dakota. The Lancaster was cleared down to 100 ft for this special occasion, the first time since 1993 that the anniversary has been celebrated in such style.

13 May 2008 - Cambridge

A Swedish Air Force Grumman Gulfstream G4 G-1159C, which is designated as the S102B as the Signal Inhämtnings System (SIS). The aircraft is dedicated to the SIGINT role in Swedish service, and is quite a rarity outside of its native airspace. 102003 is one of two S102B Gulfstreams operated by F17M from Malmslatt (Linkoping-Malmen). Courtesy Robert Bowman

9 May 2008 - Mildenhall

Looking splendid in the scorching May sunshine was P-3C 161765, looking like something from the seventies with its full-colour stars and bars. Picture courtesy Roger Cook/Pynelea Photo Bureau

7 May 2008 - Waddington

Bigger, better, louder...the RAF's Role Demonstration underwent its Display Authorisation in front of top brass at a fabulously sunny and warm Waddington. This year's routine is certainly more dynamic than last year, with almost constant fast jet action and the addition of an Army Air Corps Apache to illustrate the inter-force co-operation of today's battlefield. Sqn Ldr Andy Pawsey, the Role Demo's director, said "Everything went very well - we're now go for Cosford on 1 June!" Let's just hope that the 2008 airshows enjoy similar weather... Pictures by Gary Parsons and courtesy Bob Franklin

6 May 2008 - Coningsby

Vulcanmania hits Lincolnshire!

The roads around Coningsby were packed as Vulcan XH558/G-VLCN made its third test flight of 2008, this time alighting at the former V-bomber base for a three-day stay. It was testament to the popularity of this aeroplane that the public turned out in force, filling the back roads and overwhelming the usually generous spotters' car park. It is due to leave Friday.

Staff and volunteers at the Newark Air Museum are currently very busy in the southern corner of Hangar 1, where several interesting light aircraft rebuild projects are ongoing.

Perhaps the most illustrious project currently underway is the General Aircraft Monospar VH-UTH, which is now having major components refitted to the fuselage framework. Most recently this has seen the additional long-range fuel tank that was installed for its epic flight from Australia in 1962, refitted into the rear cockpit area.

Work is progressing nicely on Museum, Clutton FRED (Flying Runabout Experimental Design) Series 2 G-BJAD. Since its reassembly in the autumn, work has progressed at a steady pace and the glass-fibre engine cowling has recently been cut and fitted.

Work is also nearly complete on the assembly and rigging of the unusual Maxair Hummer G-MJCF single seat microlight, which is going to be displayed in an elevated position at the rear of the display space in Hangar 1. How the volunteers currently working on the project wish that the manufacturer's “Estimated set-up time of 10-20 minutes” could be achieved in the confines of Hangar 1!

Courtesy Howard Heeley/Down to Earth Promotions