My favourites from 2018

[Yunglee]

I’d like to share some of my favourite images from 2018. Starting with one of my favorite of all-time and here’s why.

During October I had to sit and watch the news and photos rolling in of the US Navy and US Air Force at RAF Lakenheath with F/A-18's and F-22's. Due to work commitments I couldn’t make it down from Yorkshire until the 25th October, by which time they'd all departed.

Determined to have a day away from the rat race I went there simply with idea of simply sitting it out, having some peace and quiet and hopefully seeing a bit of aviation.

I’d like to think the aviation gods rewarded my patience with this little beauty!

C-2 Greyhound at RAF Lakenheath
'ROMEO GULF' | Grumman C-2A Greyhound

Here’s my best from the rest of the year…

Late start to the military year with a trip to RAF Coningsby in April and seeing the Typhoon 100 year tail
Typhoon 100 year tail

Doncaster airport seems to manage to attract a good variety of military aircraft and living right next to the field has a few benefits. The early part of the year included:

BAe 146-100 Statesman
RAF Bae 146-100 Statesman

Kittyhawk49 on stand
Kittyhawk49 on stand

Hercules training
C-130J Hercules

BAe 146-100 Statesman, 100 year tail
RAF Bae 146-100 Statesman

May ended on a realy high with eight A-10’s from Michigan Air National Guard's 107th Fighter Squadron arrived at RAF Mildenhall after the Atlantic crossing including this special paitn scheme
Red Devils A-10C (Special)
Red Devils A-10C (Special)

Doncaster helped with some mid summer favourites in the shape of…

USAF C-17 from the North Carolina Air National Guard, landing at Doncaster airport, 14th August 2018. First visit by a USAF C-17 to Doncaster airport or in it's former life as RAF Finningley
USAF C-17

Then less than a week later we had the second visit to Doncaster by a USAF C-17 with this one from the Memphis ANG, 19th August
Memphis C-17


At the end of August I managed a trip over to RAF Waddington to catch the Italian Air Force EF-2000’s arriving for exercise Cobra Warrior & Volcanex and bagged the German Air Force A310 arriving with equipment and/or personnel
MM7291 (4-11)

10+23

At the same time I caught up with a couple of the resident aircraft

Sentinel R.1

Shadow R.1 (ZZ418)

Mid September saw a great couple of weeks with the German Air Force at RAF Coningsby for Exercise Cobra Warrior. Here’s a couple landing in formation
Harpoon flight

As this is in the 'current military aviation' section I haven't included any of the airshow pictures. But below are links to my Cosford and RIAT albums:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmoVZXGi

https://flic.kr/s/aHskCSxL9o

Hope you like them as much as I’ve enjoyed taking them.

Lee

[Punkrunner62]

Very fine set of images Lee, some nice catches there. I made the long trip to Mildenhall from Aberdeen but unfortunately did not manage to get the "special" A-10C leaving but was happy with the rest.
Cheers.

[paddyboy]

Hi Lee

You have some absolute corners in there

Thanks for all your posts during the year

Paddyboy

[PeterR]

A very nice selection of excellent shots
I look forward to seeing more again next year.
PeterR

[XR713]

Very nice.