Scene around the UK

31 May 2007 - Marham

Another anniversary jet is rolled out - this time it's the turn of II(AC) Squadron, celebrating its 95th anniversary this year. GR4A ZA748/096 has received the obligatory black tail with squadron markings and will hopefully be seen on the airshow circuit in the coming months. Picture courtesy Tom England

25 May 2007 - Aldergrove

A micro-Tiger Meet as Luftwaffe Tornados and Belgian Air Force F-16s arrived for the station's families' day to join the Pumas of 230 Squadron. Pictures courtesy Paul McAllister

24 May 2007 - Warton

BAE Systems appears to have reached an advanced stage in its programme to upgrade the capabilities of Saudi Arabia’s Panavia Tornado interdictor strike aircraft, with flight testing now underway of a trials aircraft carrying MBDA’s Storm Shadow cruise missile. Royal Saudi Air Force Tornados are currently flying from Warton under the 'Tornado Sustainment Programme', part of the wide-ranging Al Yamamah arms deal between the Saudi and UK governments. A source close to the negotiations is thought to have confirmed that Storm Shadow is “Among a number of systems” now being evaluated for possible integration as part of the upgrade. Picture courtesy Martin Sykes

23 May 2007 - Brize Norton

An interesting visitor was this Challenger, 9A-CRO, operated by the Croatian Government. Picture courtesy Peter Snowdon

13 May 2007 - Coningsby

Performing the traditional Sunday flypast over Woodhall Spa for the Dambusters' memorial service were two Tornado GR4s from 617 Squadron, although neither of them wore squadron markings, having been taken from the Lossiemouth pool. Picture courtesy Gary Watson

12 May 2007 - Coningsby

3(F) Squadron held its Families' Day under leaden skies, sharp showers and a gusty breeze. A four-ship flypast was joined by a couple of passes from the BBMF, a solo Spitfire, Tutor and Flt Lt Jim Walls giving a full Typhoon display in a 3(F) Squadron machine.

11 May 2007 - Waddington

54(R) Squadron officially stood up as the ISTAR training unit at Waddington, and to celebrate the occasion the first formation with all three aircraft types overflew the parade ground early in the afternoon.

54(R) Squadron is the Intelligence Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Operational Conversation Unit, training aircrews from the three ISTAR platforms E-3D Sentry AEW1, Nimrod R1 and Sentinel R1. Instructional staff from 23 Squadron Sentry Training Flight have joined with instructors from 51 Squadron and the existing Mission Simulator Flight and certain support elements of the old Mission Support Wing to form the new Squadron. In due course, the instructional elements of 5 (AC) Squadron will also join 54(R) Squadron, and all RAF Intelligence Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance training will be undertaken by one single organisation.

It was hoped that the squadron's former mount, the Jaguar, would join the formation, but the imminent withdrawal of the type prevented this. However, a Jaguar was present on the airfield as T4 XX840/EY diverted in from Coningsby due to temporary problems with its home base's runway. Pictures courtesy Bob Franklin

10 May 2007 - Newark

Film set replica re-assembled

Since the departure of the Auster J/1 Autocrat G-AGOH in April 2007 volunteers at the Newark Air Museum have used the space generated to refit and re-rig the wings to the impressive Lee Richards Annular Biplane Replica BAPC.20.

Based on an original pioneering design, which featured a remarkable annular (circular) wing the Lee Richards Annular Biplane Replica was built as a non-flying replica for the 1965 film Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, where it was one of the ‘aircraft flown’ by the character Harry Popperwell, played by the late-comedian Tony Hancock.

The excellent restoration work on the replica was undertaken by members of the Shoreham Airport Historical Association. Some small amounts of work still have to be completed on the replica’s undercarriage and museum is also looking to locate a replica engine. Once this work has been completed a general tidy up of the surrounding display area will be completed in preparation for the return of the General Aircraft Monospar VH-UTH from Innsworth later in the summer. Courtesy Howard Heeley/Down to Earth Promotions

9 May 2007 - Warton

Another Luftwaffe F-4F in the UK, this time 37+16 from WTD 61, the German Flight Test Centre based at Manching, Germany's equivalent to Warton. Note the orange 'Flight test' band along the fin. Picture courtesy Martin Sykes

3 May 2007 - Coningsby

Arriving on 2 May and operating with 11 Squadron were two Italian Air Force Typhoons, the first foreign examples to visit Coningsby. Pictures courtesy Martin Patch

1 May 2007 - Lossiemouth

Exercise 'Neptune Warrior' was in full swing with participation from four Luftwaffe F-4Fs of JG 71, smoking out the Moray skies. Also seen was Tornado GR4 ZD843, complete with 56(R) Squadron 'zap' from its time when it diverted to Leuchars late last year! Pictures courtesy Bill Cardno