Scene around the UK

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

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