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RAF Scampton - The Red Arrows

^^Gord^^

^^Gord^^

^^Gord^^

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Joined
20 Oct 2002
Posts
1,968
Location
Nottingham
Got the chance earlier in the week to go visit RAF Scampton, the home of The Red Arrows. Thanks as usual to Martin Keen (CAG), the MCO of RAF Scampton and Sqn Leader Jas Hawker (Red 1) especially for allowing us to sit in on the transit briefing.

I have to say they were very welcoming and even gave us all a goodie bag (Red Arrow Hawk jelly sweets went down very well with me!).

The Red Arrows were departing for a private display at Rolls Royce's factory (the jet engine people not the car people). They were flying as a nine ship (eight for display). This is one down on the usual number as Red 3 has broken his hand :(

This wasn't the only bit of bad luck as Red 1 "The Boss" suffered a bird strike on take off and had to land. There was no visible damage to the Hawk but it now can't be flown until it's being cleared by the engineers. The Boss jumped into the spare on the flight line and took off for the second time to catch up with the rest of the team.

I've been sat on these photos for a few days as I'm not 100% happy with them so I would welcome construct feedback; especially about the Red tint.

Anyhow, enough talk.....

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Liking them, I think my favourite would have to be the second one, I really like it how you have captured some sense of scale between the ground crew and the actual jets.
 
I can't pick fault with any of those shots. Thanks for posting them, and the story that goes with them. Very interesting.

Andrew McP
 
Thanks guys, glad you think they look ok. The red paint is a lot harder to get right than the grey I'm use to shooting.

Sadly, I can't get any time off next week and have a friend's wedding at the weekend so it's looking like I'm going to miss RIAT :(

Make sure you bring back some photos of the F-117A, it's the last chance you will get to see it fly!
 
^^Gord^^ said:
Make sure you bring back some photos of the F-117A, it's the last chance you will get to see it fly!
Click to expand...

I'm probably going to lose a whole heap of spotter brownie points, but the F-117 has always left me cold. All technology, no soul... a bit like the Raptor, which I've described as an F-15 after an appearance on Pimp My Ride.

The F-117's big stealth sister, the B2, is a different matter... that thing just hangs in the sky like something out of an alien invasion movie. It gives me the creeps! Which makes it a great aircraft to see in the flesh. Once seen, never forgotten!

Still, I hear F-117s make great over-the-fireplace ornaments in Serbia, so at least they're good for something. :-) I may well aim my camera at it just because -- as you say -- that'll probably be the last time I see it. No doubt I'll regret being so dismissive in a few years' time.

Andrew McP
 
Andrew_McP said:
I'm probably going to lose a whole heap of spotter brownie points, but the F-117 has always left me cold. All technology, no soul... a bit like the Raptor, which I've described as an F-15 after an appearance on Pimp My Ride.
Click to expand...

Don't use the S word! :eek: ;)

The reason I like the F-117A is that it breaks the mould of that a modern aircraft should look like; all those angles. :cool:
 
Great photos, I'm going to RIAT next week (Sunday), after seeing some of your photos I'm really looking forward to going, can't wait. I saw the Red Arrows a few weeks ago at Goodwood (only 8 of them then).
 
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