FINNINGLEY B of B SEPTEMBER 1993
(post is out of annual sequence)
In having to seek out my prints to add to my initial few slides from 1992, I also discovered prints from 1993. Seems a shame to keep them to myself, so a further large photo post on this thread. Unlike 1992, but like 1991, the weather in 1993 was fine and sunny if a little breezy.
Another post to sit back, scroll through and simply enjoy the variety of types and colour schemes around in the early '90s at what, at the time, was considered a decent 'base' air display, although well behind RIAT - but that is another photo heavy story for another thread....sometime.
ZA395/2 Tornado GR.1 of 2 Sqdn
ZG725/J of 13 Sqdn Tornado GR.1, with ZA393/BE a 14 Sqdn code although no unit marks on the tail.
XH672 Handley Page Victor K.2 in 55 Sqdn markings - a year later and this aircraft was in the RAF Cosford museum.
ZD560 Westland Lynx AH.7 in 'raspberry ripple' scheme, operated by the ETPS - Empire Test Pilot's School
XV344 Buccaneer S.2C in 'raspberry ripple' RAE scheme, likely while with the DRA - note the modified nose cone profile.
30149 (G-BRXK) a Soko P.2 Kraguj in former Yugoslavian Air Force markings - a familiar aircraft to some as at one stage it was based at Liverpool Airport.
G-BJAL Casa 1-131E Jangmann
G-BSFV named "Woody's Pusher", it is registered as a Woods Woody Pusher,
G-AVKJ Slingsby T.66 Nipper 3
T-19B-11/35-29 Casa CN.239 Spanish Air Force, operated by Ala.35 based at Getafe
C.15-72/12-30 EF-18A Hornet, also Spanish Air Force, operated by Ala.12 based at Torrejon
33 Super Etendard of the French Navy, unit 17F based at Hyeres
67-120/UH F-111E "The Chief", the 20 TFW Commander's aircraft - within a year the unit and their F-111E's were all back in the USA.
81-954/SP A-10A ThunderboltII from the 510 FS, 52 FW at Spangdahlem
90-0258/LN blue fin tip, F-15 Eagle of the 492 FS, 48 FW at Lakenheath, with two more Eagles beyond from the 57 FS based at Keflavik, Iceland
40087 A Lear Jet C.21A for VIP transport duties, based with the 86th Wing at Ramstein
Line of 6 x F-16s, 2 USAF and 4 Royal Netherlands Air Force
87-226 F-16C of 526FS, 86 Wing USAFE based at Ramstein
J-136 F-16A from the Royal Netherlands Air Force, in special markings for unit 316 Sqdn 40th Jaar (year)
140117 CP-14 Aurora (Orion) from the Canadian Armed Forces, 407 Sqdn at Comox.
Moving on from the static display parks to the several flight-lines with aircraft taking part in the flying display.G-AEBJ Blackburn B.2 a genuine 1935 aircraft, with 'B2458'/R (G-BPOB) Sopwith Camel and 'F8010'/Z (G-BDWJ) Se.5A, both replicas, beyond.
Boeing PT-17 G-IIIG and Boeing N2S-4 Stearman N54922 "Crunchie" wing-walkers
(N167F)/QV:S NA P-51D Mustang. Very few restored Mustangs in the UK have flown in RAF markings, preferring USAAF polished metal schemes.
'Z5722'/WM-Z (G-BPIV) Blenheim IVT (Bolinbrooke), the second restored long-nose Blenheim 'flier' which had only re-flown after extensive restoration May 1993 - later to be badly damaged at Duxford August 2003, subsequently rebuilt with the Mk.1 short nose it flew again Sept 2014.
'HD346'/ND:V (N320SQ) TB-25N Mitchell from Holland, along with 53319/319:RB (G-BTDP) TBM-3R Avenger
XW527/527 Buccaneer S.2B with 208 Sqdn style tail code and 12 Sqdn badge on the air intake.
61-015/GR Boeing B-52H Stratofortress from 668 BS, 416 BW based at Griffiss AFB, New York State - another unit to be disbanded the following year
Not the most amazingly sharp shot, but a record of Spitfire XVI TD248/D (G-OXVI) flying with Tornado F.3 ZE839/AR of 56(R) 'Firebirds', the Tornado F.3 OCU.
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