Scene around the UK

26 December 2006 - East Midlands Airport

A Cock for Christmas - An-22A UR-09307 arrives at East Midlands late Boxing day afternoon, picking up engines to take to the Airbus factory at Toulouse. A rare visitor to the UK, this is the only An-22 operating on the civilian register and few are left in Russian Air Force service. Picture courtesy Michael Hind

17 December 2006 - Mildenhall

A week of interesting movements at the 'Hall continued with two EP-3E 'Aries II' rotating through - 157316 (left) from VQ-2 arrived while 156528 (below) from VQ-1 departed after arriving yesterday. Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two delivers critical electronic combat information to US forces - its 550 crew members are based at Whidbey Island, Washington alongside VQ-1.

VQ-2's mission is to conduct airborne electronic reconnaissance to obtain information on areas and targets of naval and national interest. The reconnaissance aircraft provide Fleet, Joint, Combined, and National Level Commanders with vital and timely intelligence concerning potentially unfriendly forces. Pictures courtesy Matthew Clements

16 December 2006 - Mildenhall

Another Egyptian Air Force E-2C Hawkeye en-route to the USA for overhaul - this time 164626. Picture courtesy Gary Stedman

14 December 2006 - Bournemouth

Arriving at FRA's Bournemouth facility was Hunter F58 ZZ190/G-HHAE (previously J-4066 with the Swiss Air Force), resplendent in its 'new' RAF camouflage scheme. HHA was awarded UK Ministry of Defence Avp67 Approval to operate its aircraft on Ministry of Defence taskings in July 2006 - HHA is the first and only civilian fast jet operator in the UK to have achieved this major accolade, which acts as an endorsement to the high maintenance and operating standards prevalent within the company. ZZ190 and ZZ191/G-HHAD/J-4058 have been contracted out to FRA for military duties. Picture courtesy Mark Russell

13 December 2006 - Mildenhall

Arriving on the 11th, a long way from home, was C-17A 05-5152 'Spirit of Go For Broke' from the 15th AW/535th AS. Unlike all the other C-17 units the Hawaii ANG unit's tail band is much higher on the tail and incorporates the long tradition of keeping the tail code 'HH' on all of its aircraft based at Hickam. This particular machine participated in the RAAF airshow at Richmond in October, more of which in a forthcoming Air-Scene UK article. Courtesy Jason French

13 December 2006 - Newark

An unexpected airborne visitor making a quick pit-stop at Newark Air Museum’s Southfield site earlier today was Eurocopter Ecureuil II G-JPAL. Registered to JPM Ltd, G-JPAL was piloted by the former racing driver and owner of the Brands Hatch Group of racing circuits, Jonathan Palmer.

The helicopter touched down just after 11:00 hours, stopping over for approximately thirty minutes. Courtesy Howard Heeley/Down To Earth Promotions

12 December 2006 - Mildenhall

Providing some welcome 'colour' was Turkish Air Force C-130E 01947 from 222 Filo. Courtesy Chris Churchard

6 December 2006 - Southend

Nearly Ready For Home - An update on the oldest Boeing 707 still flying. The Qantas Foundation's VH-XBA undertook her second test flight today. She climbed into the clear blue sky above Southend to begin a three hour flight out over the North Sea, including a practice diversion to Wattisham. She is due to depart for home at 0830 on Friday, some eighteen days behind schedule, but the achievement of getting her airborne again is one Qantas should be applauded for. Pictures courtesy Ken Withers

6 December 2006 - Newark

An official handover ceremony for the Saab Viggen AJSH 37, 373918/57 took place at Newark Air Museum’s Winthorpe Showground site on Wednesday 6 December 2006.

In a short ceremony that commenced at 12 noon around thirty guests saw Capt (N) Bo Rask, the Defence Attaché from the Swedish Embassy in London, handed over the Saab Viggen Log Book to Councillor Sylvia Michael, Vice-Chairman of Newark & Sherwood District Council who formally accepted the aircraft on the museum's behalf.

The ceremony took place exactly one year to the day after the museum was first notified that it was to receive a Saab Viggen on loan from the Swedish Air Force. Thanks to the generous assistance of personnel at RAF Cranwell, suitable landing facilities were provided at the Lincolnshire base, which allowed the Viggen land there on 7 February 2006.

The aircraft was stored in under cover accommodation thanks to permission of the Royal Air Force and service contractor Serco, whose staff provided technical assistance when the aircraft was dismantled prior to being moved to the museum by road in June 2006. RAF Cranwell was represented at the handover ceremony by Mr Nick Carr of Serco.

Reassembly of the Viggen was completed in October 2006 and the aircraft is now proudly displayed inside Hangar 2 on the museum’s Southfield Site. Courtesy Howard Heeley/Down to Earth Promotions

4 December 2006 - Mildenhall

Bringing some colour in the winter sun was Israeli Air Force C-130H 102/4X-FBA from No. 103/131 Squadron, normally stationed at Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion IAP/Lod, Israel. Picture courtesy Matthew Clements

3 December 2006 - Brize Norton

Providing some weekend interest were Boeing 757 N610G and Canadian Air Force CC-130 130341. The 757 was suspected of being one of the CIA rendition flights as the government 757s take on various identities but N610G checks out as a leased 757 on the civilian register, although what it was doing at Brize isn't known. Pictures courtesy Mark Rouse

1 December 2006 - Leuchars

A long way from home was KC-130T