Don't like the adverts?  Click here to remove them

RAF Leuchars - Air Force Day - Battle of Britain Anniversary

Gary Stockton

Super Moderator
Supporter
Joined
Sep 10, 2012
Messages
4,072
Garage
Country Flag
zimbabwe
So I was fortunate enough to get tickets to go to the annual Air show at RAF Leuchars near St. Andrews, a short 90 minute drive north of home, over the stunning Firth of Forth bridge. Well, it should have been a 90 minute drive, but we’ve had torrential rain and some of the routes were flooded out causing massive tailbacks, and to add to the misery some guy on a motorbike tried to overtake the tailback on a blind rise and got taken out completely by oncoming traffic. So after a 4 hour wait in the traffic jam I got to Leuchars just as the Red Arrows were in their stride, at 14h30 instead of the 10h15 I had planned on. Pity, because I missed the Vulcan supersonic bomber, and the Army display parachute team as well as the helicopters ...

RAF_Leuchars187.jpg


The Red Arrows ...

RAF_Leuchars003.jpg

RAF_Leuchars006.jpg

RAF_Leuchars015.jpg

RAF_Leuchars018.jpg

RAF_Leuchars020.jpg

RAF_Leuchars023.jpg

RAF_Leuchars024.jpg

RAF_Leuchars032.jpg

RAF_Leuchars036.jpg

RAF_Leuchars040.jpg



Anyway, it turned into a stunning day – the huge thunderclouds dropped some of their rain on us and then went away, leaving a stiff breeze but sunny skies.

With this being the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain (lots of stuff on TV about that) we were treated to an extra special display – the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight of Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane and Avro Lancaster bomber ..... a humbling, inspiring sight ... and the sound of those piston engines just awesome ...
RAF_Leuchars105.jpg

RAF_Leuchars106.jpg

RAF_Leuchars107.jpg

RAF_Leuchars108.jpg

RAF_Leuchars122.jpg

RAF_Leuchars124.jpg


And some individual stuff from the Hurricane and Spit:

RAF_Leuchars141.jpg

RAF_Leuchars149.jpg


And the Lanc:

RAF_Leuchars159.jpg

RAF_Leuchars165.jpg

RAF_Leuchars166.jpg

RAF_Leuchars185.jpg



Then we had a Saab Grippen – mind blowing stuff – hauling ass down the tarmac to take off really quickly with full after-burners going – clearly visible against the dark skies.

RAF_Leuchars045.jpg

RAF_Leuchars046.jpg


And straight into a Cobra !!
RAF_Leuchars047.jpg


RAF_Leuchars095.jpg


RAF_Leuchars048.jpg


RAF_Leuchars068.jpg



So for next year, I’ll plan on getting there the night before and camp, and by then Father Christmas will have delivered my Sony Alpha 580 dslr, so all my big Minolta lenses will be reused ? Just not enough lens yesterday. Some of the camera kit on display was as awesome as the planes ?
The static display was impressive – the Vulcan, a B52 – fantastic stuff, USAF KC130 refueller, Hercy-bird, RAF VC10 refueller ....

RAF_Leuchars246.jpg


RAF_Leuchars083.jpg


RAF_Leuchars378.jpg

RAF_Leuchars379.jpg



The Dam Busters were there too ...

RAF_Leuchars084.jpg


Just not Lancasters anymore ?

RAF_Leuchars085.jpg

RAF_Leuchars087.jpg


And some helos on display – the mighty Chinook ...

RAF_Leuchars088.jpg


RAF_Leuchars091.jpg


An awesome F-16 ...

RAF_Leuchars188.jpg


Chucking out chaff..
RAF_Leuchars194.jpg

RAF_Leuchars212.jpg


RAF_Leuchars199.jpg


Cobra ...
RAF_Leuchars203.jpg



The B-52
RAF_Leuchars211.jpg

RAF_Leuchars214.jpg

RAF_Leuchars216.jpg

RAF_Leuchars218.jpg

RAF_Leuchars255.jpg

It’s just too damn big to get decent pics of ...


The noisy-end of a Phantom ...
RAF_Leuchars219.jpg

RAF_Leuchars220.jpg


More static displays..
RAF_Leuchars224.jpg


The Red Arrows parked up ...
RAF_Leuchars225.jpg

RAF_Leuchars229.jpg

RAF_Leuchars234.jpg


The Grippen:
RAF_Leuchars232.jpg


The humble Yak:
RAF_Leuchars236.jpg



Then, for me, the highlight – a flight of Hawker Hunters – what an awesome, memorable flight – brought tears to my eyes, and a fond remembrance of the Rhodie Airforce Hunters doing their thing ....

RAF_Leuchars249.jpg

RAF_Leuchars250.jpg

RAF_Leuchars258.jpg

RAF_Leuchars281.jpg

RAF_Leuchars293.jpg

RAF_Leuchars261.jpg


Closing off with some nice G3 Typhoons
RAF_Leuchars313.jpg

RAF_Leuchars314.jpg

RAF_Leuchars315.jpg

RAF_Leuchars351.jpg



The Red Arrows saying farewell ...

RAF_Leuchars319.jpg

RAF_Leuchars323.jpg

RAF_Leuchars329.jpg

RAF_Leuchars334.jpg


And the Spit and Hurricane ..
RAF_Leuchars361.jpg

RAF_Leuchars360.jpg

RAF_Leuchars368.jpg


Farewell from the Typhoons
RAF_Leuchars389.jpg

RAF_Leuchars390.jpg

RAF_Leuchars391.jpg

RAF_Leuchars392.jpg


Found them parking up...
RAF_Leuchars414.jpg

RAF_Leuchars419.jpg


I wasn’t able to get any decent pics of the Harrier G4 doing its reverse flight and bow – was amazing to watch though!

So sorry for the pic quality – I still managed to take some 420 photos though – the joys of digital!!!
 

Attachments

  • RAF_Leuchars187.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars187.jpg
    67.1 KB · Views: 51
  • RAF_Leuchars003.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars003.jpg
    23.5 KB · Views: 38
  • RAF_Leuchars006.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars006.jpg
    19.4 KB · Views: 41
  • RAF_Leuchars015.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars015.jpg
    17.5 KB · Views: 56
  • RAF_Leuchars018.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars018.jpg
    23.5 KB · Views: 59
  • RAF_Leuchars020.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars020.jpg
    25 KB · Views: 46
  • RAF_Leuchars023.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars023.jpg
    17.9 KB · Views: 47
  • RAF_Leuchars024.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars024.jpg
    16.3 KB · Views: 42
  • RAF_Leuchars032.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars032.jpg
    18.5 KB · Views: 53
  • RAF_Leuchars036.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars036.jpg
    46.2 KB · Views: 53
  • RAF_Leuchars040.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars040.jpg
    26.2 KB · Views: 32
  • RAF_Leuchars105.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars105.jpg
    44.7 KB · Views: 51
  • RAF_Leuchars106.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars106.jpg
    25.9 KB · Views: 41
  • RAF_Leuchars107.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars107.jpg
    13.6 KB · Views: 52
  • RAF_Leuchars108.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars108.jpg
    15.4 KB · Views: 49
  • RAF_Leuchars122.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars122.jpg
    12.3 KB · Views: 46
  • RAF_Leuchars124.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars124.jpg
    11.7 KB · Views: 46
  • RAF_Leuchars141.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars141.jpg
    31.5 KB · Views: 43
  • RAF_Leuchars149.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars149.jpg
    24 KB · Views: 51
  • RAF_Leuchars159.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars159.jpg
    22.2 KB · Views: 43
  • RAF_Leuchars165.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars165.jpg
    18.9 KB · Views: 39
  • RAF_Leuchars166.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars166.jpg
    20 KB · Views: 42
  • RAF_Leuchars185.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars185.jpg
    69.3 KB · Views: 41
  • RAF_Leuchars045.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars045.jpg
    49.9 KB · Views: 46
  • RAF_Leuchars046.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars046.jpg
    43 KB · Views: 48
  • RAF_Leuchars047.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars047.jpg
    34.4 KB · Views: 47
  • RAF_Leuchars095.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars095.jpg
    41 KB · Views: 48
  • RAF_Leuchars048.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars048.jpg
    15.6 KB · Views: 45
  • RAF_Leuchars068.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars068.jpg
    27.8 KB · Views: 45
  • RAF_Leuchars246.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars246.jpg
    76.5 KB · Views: 44
  • RAF_Leuchars083.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars083.jpg
    52.6 KB · Views: 38
  • RAF_Leuchars378.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars378.jpg
    87.1 KB · Views: 51
  • RAF_Leuchars379.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars379.jpg
    94.2 KB · Views: 43
  • RAF_Leuchars084.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars084.jpg
    56.3 KB · Views: 38
  • RAF_Leuchars085.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars085.jpg
    49.6 KB · Views: 58
  • RAF_Leuchars087.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars087.jpg
    46.6 KB · Views: 47
  • RAF_Leuchars088.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars088.jpg
    63.2 KB · Views: 43
  • RAF_Leuchars091.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars091.jpg
    54.4 KB · Views: 43
  • RAF_Leuchars188.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars188.jpg
    22 KB · Views: 43
  • RAF_Leuchars194.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars194.jpg
    43.7 KB · Views: 56
  • RAF_Leuchars212.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars212.jpg
    27.5 KB · Views: 42
  • RAF_Leuchars199.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars199.jpg
    22.7 KB · Views: 48
  • RAF_Leuchars203.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars203.jpg
    15.1 KB · Views: 52
  • RAF_Leuchars187.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars187.jpg
    67.1 KB · Views: 45
  • RAF_Leuchars003.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars003.jpg
    23.5 KB · Views: 43
  • RAF_Leuchars006.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars006.jpg
    19.4 KB · Views: 45
  • RAF_Leuchars015.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars015.jpg
    17.5 KB · Views: 37
  • RAF_Leuchars018.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars018.jpg
    23.5 KB · Views: 31
  • RAF_Leuchars020.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars020.jpg
    25 KB · Views: 35
  • RAF_Leuchars023.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars023.jpg
    17.9 KB · Views: 44
  • RAF_Leuchars024.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars024.jpg
    16.3 KB · Views: 46
  • RAF_Leuchars032.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars032.jpg
    18.5 KB · Views: 46
  • RAF_Leuchars036.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars036.jpg
    46.2 KB · Views: 45
  • RAF_Leuchars040.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars040.jpg
    26.2 KB · Views: 48
  • RAF_Leuchars105.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars105.jpg
    44.7 KB · Views: 38
  • RAF_Leuchars106.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars106.jpg
    25.9 KB · Views: 41
  • RAF_Leuchars107.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars107.jpg
    13.6 KB · Views: 35
  • RAF_Leuchars108.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars108.jpg
    15.4 KB · Views: 44
  • RAF_Leuchars122.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars122.jpg
    12.3 KB · Views: 36
  • RAF_Leuchars124.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars124.jpg
    11.7 KB · Views: 43
  • RAF_Leuchars141.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars141.jpg
    31.5 KB · Views: 48
  • RAF_Leuchars149.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars149.jpg
    24 KB · Views: 42
  • RAF_Leuchars159.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars159.jpg
    22.2 KB · Views: 48
  • RAF_Leuchars165.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars165.jpg
    18.9 KB · Views: 39
  • RAF_Leuchars166.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars166.jpg
    20 KB · Views: 48
  • RAF_Leuchars045.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars045.jpg
    49.9 KB · Views: 48
  • RAF_Leuchars185.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars185.jpg
    69.3 KB · Views: 45
  • RAF_Leuchars046.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars046.jpg
    43 KB · Views: 40
  • RAF_Leuchars047.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars047.jpg
    34.4 KB · Views: 38
  • RAF_Leuchars095.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars095.jpg
    41 KB · Views: 39
  • RAF_Leuchars048.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars048.jpg
    15.6 KB · Views: 40
  • RAF_Leuchars068.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars068.jpg
    27.8 KB · Views: 51
  • RAF_Leuchars246.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars246.jpg
    76.5 KB · Views: 53
  • RAF_Leuchars083.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars083.jpg
    52.6 KB · Views: 50
  • RAF_Leuchars378.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars378.jpg
    87.1 KB · Views: 41
  • RAF_Leuchars379.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars379.jpg
    94.2 KB · Views: 51
  • RAF_Leuchars084.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars084.jpg
    56.3 KB · Views: 41
  • RAF_Leuchars085.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars085.jpg
    49.6 KB · Views: 48
  • RAF_Leuchars087.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars087.jpg
    46.6 KB · Views: 48
  • RAF_Leuchars091.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars091.jpg
    54.4 KB · Views: 47
  • RAF_Leuchars088.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars088.jpg
    63.2 KB · Views: 47
  • RAF_Leuchars188.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars188.jpg
    22 KB · Views: 47
  • RAF_Leuchars194.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars194.jpg
    43.7 KB · Views: 40
  • RAF_Leuchars212.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars212.jpg
    27.5 KB · Views: 40
  • RAF_Leuchars203.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars203.jpg
    15.1 KB · Views: 37
  • RAF_Leuchars199.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars199.jpg
    22.7 KB · Views: 51
  • RAF_Leuchars211.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars211.jpg
    59.5 KB · Views: 33
  • RAF_Leuchars214.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars214.jpg
    59.7 KB · Views: 42
  • RAF_Leuchars216.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars216.jpg
    50.9 KB · Views: 43
  • RAF_Leuchars218.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars218.jpg
    85.6 KB · Views: 50
  • RAF_Leuchars255.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars255.jpg
    64.4 KB · Views: 31
  • RAF_Leuchars219.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars219.jpg
    69.2 KB · Views: 45
  • RAF_Leuchars220.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars220.jpg
    98.1 KB · Views: 48
  • RAF_Leuchars224.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars224.jpg
    95.3 KB · Views: 39
  • RAF_Leuchars225.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars225.jpg
    73.6 KB · Views: 47
  • RAF_Leuchars229.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars229.jpg
    69.5 KB · Views: 34
  • RAF_Leuchars234.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars234.jpg
    71 KB · Views: 39
  • RAF_Leuchars232.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars232.jpg
    111.4 KB · Views: 43
  • RAF_Leuchars236.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars236.jpg
    97 KB · Views: 37
  • RAF_Leuchars249.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars249.jpg
    17.6 KB · Views: 41
  • RAF_Leuchars250.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars250.jpg
    18.3 KB · Views: 32
  • RAF_Leuchars258.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars258.jpg
    21 KB · Views: 35
  • RAF_Leuchars281.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars281.jpg
    13.7 KB · Views: 42
  • RAF_Leuchars293.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars293.jpg
    12.4 KB · Views: 35
  • RAF_Leuchars261.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars261.jpg
    14.6 KB · Views: 50
  • RAF_Leuchars313.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars313.jpg
    19.4 KB · Views: 46
  • RAF_Leuchars314.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars314.jpg
    13.8 KB · Views: 43
  • RAF_Leuchars315.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars315.jpg
    13.6 KB · Views: 42
  • RAF_Leuchars351.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars351.jpg
    17.6 KB · Views: 40
  • RAF_Leuchars319.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars319.jpg
    50.1 KB · Views: 55
  • RAF_Leuchars323.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars323.jpg
    19.1 KB · Views: 49
  • RAF_Leuchars329.jpg
    RAF_Leuchars329.jpg
    19.7 KB · Views: 37
Cracking photos mate
particularly love the 2nd Chinook pic. Top work.

I was planning on going to Leuchars Air Show but I went to look at an 80 series for sale up in Turriff. Wish I had done the air show now to be honest :roll:
 
Thanks Gary, some nice pics there. :cool:
 
And before an eagle-eyed plane spotter, those are not Typhoons but Tornades ... :oops:
 
Gary Stockton said:
And some helos on display – the mighty Chinook ...

RAF_Leuchars088.jpg
The ultimate off-road vehicle?
Some fantastic pics there Gary :cool: .
Chas
 
Don't like the adverts?  Click here to remove them
There's some great photos there but for me that first Chinook pic is fantastic :thumbup: :mrgreen:
 
Back
Top