It already seems a long time ago since RIAT 2015. Time flies quickly when you are busy packing models, planning your next airshow visit and getting more products on to the website. Thank you for your kind comments on last week’s Flying Tigers Newsletter RIAT Part 1 and also for being patient on the delay on dispatching some models to you. I was absolutely inundated with orders but now I am pretty well up to date, but will be working hard over the weekend to get completely back up to speed.
The lead picture is one of the Red Arrows. I have taken many pictures of them over the years, but still get excited every time I see them either in the air or on the ground. This shot was taken at the end of the day on Saturday once they had finished for the day.
The shot above is one of two aircraft featured in the Newsletter this week of ex Eastern Bloc aircraft. Above is the SU-22UM-3K Fitter fighter-bomber of the Polish Airforce. These aircraft are currently based at the Polish’s Airforce 21st Tactical Airforce Base and have recently received an upgrade which should keep these aircraft in the air for ten years or more. Let’s hope they make a return visit next year and join the flying display as they did last year ( see Newletter from two weeks ago) .
The Mikoyan Mig 29 is always a fantastic sight at an Airshow ! Fortunately The Polish Airforce still have them on strength and this year one took part in the air display and not just in the static park. This one is just about to take off and I just managed to get it in shot as it passed directly in front of me.The display aircraft at RIAT 2015 comes from the 23rd Tactical Air Base at Mińsk Mazowiecki in East Poland. Upgrades to the Polish MiG-29 fleet mean that current plans do not envisage its retirement until 2028.
Above is the Boeing F-18C Hornet (Finnish Air Force) above with ground crew in preparation for it’s display sequence. This was at the far end of the runway ( control tower on the right).Finland’s small but very professional air force operates a total of 62 Hornets, with between 55 single-seat F/A-18C models and seven two-seat F/A-18D conversion trainers.
The Greek Air Force ZEUS F-16 Demo Hellenic Air Force static prior to its display routine. All F-16 displays are crowd pleasers and this colourful F-16 was no exception. Formed in 2009, the Greek air arm’s solo Fighting Falcon display is unique in using the Block 52+ variant of the F-16C. Aircraft and pilot are provided by 115 Combat Wing at Souda Greece.
A trio of French Air Force Armee de l’air Ramex Delta Dassault Mirage 2000N nuclear strike aircraft in readiness for their display. The French Air Force Mirage 2000N Ramex Delta Display team showed exceptional wing tip to wing tip flying skills. In fighter and conventional strike versions as well as the nuclear-capable 2000N, they form part of the backbone of France’s Forces Aériennes Stratégiques (Strategic Air Forces). Its main weapon in the nuclear strike role is the ASMP medium-range air-to-surface nuclear cruise missile, but the 2000N can also drop conventional weapons, by day or night and in all weathers.
The Airbus Military A400M featured above flew one of the most impressive displays of the day and showed its sheer agility in the skies for such a large aircraft.The first prototype A400M took to the air on 11 December 2009 and has now progressed to the point where production examples are entering service with the French and Turkish air arms. The RAF will get 22 examples of what it has officially named the Atlas C1 for service as part of its air mobility fleet at Brize Norton. A first RAF Atlas delivery is expected later in 2014.
The Vulcan XH558 has made numerous flights around the country in an effort to let as many people as possible see her before entering retirement on the ground. This might be the last time I actually see her in the air. I am sure that when the day comes there will be a lot of very sad aircraft enthusiasts mourning her loss in the air. Until then let’s make the most of it when and where we can.
The Bristol Blenheim Mk1F, operated by the Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford, is the world’s sole airworthy example.It returned to flight last November after completion of repairs and reconfiguration lasting 11 years, the aircraft now appears as a short-nosed Blenheim IF fighter variant. Blenheims made the first RAF bombing raid against Germany during World War II. In 1940 they were active extensively in both the fighter and bomber roles.
Hurricane IIc PZ865 of the BBMF taxiing at RIAT 2015. The last Hurricane ever built (of 14,533), ‘The Last of the Many’ PZ865 rolled off the Hawker production line at Langley, Bucks, in July 1944. To preserve the last Hurricane ever built, Hawkers bought the aircraft back from the Air Ministry and kept it in storage at Langley.Since 2012 this Hurricane has worn a colour scheme, replicating Hurricane Mk IIC HW840, coded ‘EG-S’, of 34 Squadron, South East Asia Command during 1944. This was the personal aircraft of Canadian pilot, Flight Lieutenant Jimmy Whalen DFC.
MODEL NEWS
I recently added all the latest Hobbymaster Aircraft available for Pre-order and many of you have taken advantage.
I had missed the Aircraft below ! HA5001 EA-6B Prowler 164402, VAQ-136 Gauntlets . Please register your interest in having one of these models by clicking on the image below which will take you straight to the model on the website.
The HA4701 North American RA-5C Vigilante 156624, RVAH-6, USS Kitty Hawk,1971 recently landed at Flying Tigers and many of you will now already have received your models. More are going out to you this weekend and all those of you that have pre-ordered your models with Flying Tigers will be receiving yours soon. More stocks will be arriving in September so if you missed out first time round , please Pre-order this model now to avoid being disappointed. I have added some additional images of the actual model and it is a beauty !
That’s it for this week. Keep your eyes peeled for more aircraft being added to the site during the course of next week and please pay a visit to our NEW RELEASES section of aircraft in stock and FUTURE RELEASES for Pre-order models.
Thank you for taking time to read this latest Flying Tigers Newsletter.
Richard.
Flying Tigers.