Arctic Tiger Meet 2012, Ørland/Norway

[Joerg]

Hello!

Here´s a couple of pictures from the very well organized spotterday for NTM12 at MAS Ørland/Norway – nothing like last year in Cambrai, when we still were queing outside the gate when the first planes took off. There were 2 different photo locations provided by the Luftforsvaret for take-off and taxying shots, with buses taking you from one location to the other.
Participation was a little less than in previous years, mainly due to the financial turmoil Europe is in right now. Sadly missed this year were participants from Spain, Portugal, Greece, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. But there was still a nice selection of aircraft from Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, NATO, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK, with support from 2 Ohio ANG KC-135s. Tiger painted aircraft were seen in old (2 RNoAF F-16s from 2004(!) and 2007 and last years Luftwaffe Tornado ECR and Swiss Hornet), modified (BAF F-16) and new schemes (FAF Rafale, 2 TuAF F-16s, RNethAF F-16, R NoAF F-16 – sadly U/S, Luftwaffe Tornado IDS). Best new schemes were IMHO the Rafale and the 2 Turkish Vipers.
Rumour has it, that next year Norway will have to step in again and take over NTM13 from Greece. If it turns out to be true, I will be there again, as Norway is just an utterly beautiful country.
On with the pics!

Cheers,
Joerg

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[Maisie]

Superb, Would of (should of gone) but work got in the way! Thanks for posting.

[IanOlder]

A nice selection of Tigers
Shame the UK let the side down although I have to say the Tiger meet for me is about fast jets so you didn't miss much.

[DanBeeden]

Lovely selection - my vote goes to the Turkish Vipers - terrific artwork.

[eirik]

Thank you for sharing these beautiful shots!

If you are correct in that NTM13 takes place in Norway, I will be there

Eirik

[GME-AirFoto]

Very nice set, great photos. Our Bavarian ECR Tonkas for me. 321 Tigers!
Servus

[Niallxg]

Excellent shots of a great, if very cold, day.

[Vixen1]

Arguably the best set I've seen from the event. Hard to pick a favourite but it is probablty the Rafale o r the Turkish F16s.

[Paultojo]

Very good set, how nice is that Rafale

Paul

[Mister Tee]

Oh dear 230 Sqn didn't do what the spotters wanted. Perhaps there was a reason that you don't know about. If you are that concerned, which you don't seem to be, get in touch with the squadron yourself instead of bitching about on here.

Mr Tee
230 Sqn (1978-1972)

[swingy]

nice shots

[RickIngham]

Looked a great event! Well shot.

[RickIngham]

The worst performance was by 230Sqn/RAF, who did not care to do even a single flypast for the approximately 500 spotters! Wouldn´t even have noticed if they didn´t participate at all. Anybody with connections to 230Sqn, please go and tell them.

I'll pass that on to the crew for you! I think they did well to come all that way for your entertainment. I know the aircraft went u/s on the way home so maybe it was connected? Either way 230sqn should be congratulated for turning up, maybe after reading this they won't bring a Puma next year.

[IanH]

The worst performance was by 230Sqn/RAF, who did not care to do even a single flypast for the approximately 500 spotters! Wouldn´t even have noticed if they didn´t participate at all. Anybody with connections to 230Sqn, please go and tell them.

I'll pass that on to the crew for you! I think they did well to come all that way for your entertainment. I know the aircraft went u/s on the way home so maybe it was connected? Either way 230sqn should be congratulated for turning up, maybe after reading this they won't bring a Puma next year.

A lovely set of photos but I have to say I`m with Rick and the other chap and can`t quite believe your comment made about 230 SQN. It was a great effort to get there and right in the middle of Olympic preparations as well as all the other many current military ops this Sqn and other UK sqns have presently....unlike some others which were present with a dozen aircraft! Plus you have no idea what was going on. To be honest Joerg, I think your comment is below the belt, out of context and best removed. Hope you have no plans to visit Benson soon!

Note for the mods: Any chance you can moderate this sort of comment. I understand it takes place when people comment about aircraft landing on the slant etc but not now. Given the ops the UK are involved in at this time and the impact it has on those involved, this kind of comment on the RAF on a UK site shouldn`t be tolerated.

[Joerg]

The worst performance was by 230Sqn/RAF, who did not care to do even a single flypast for the approximately 500 spotters! Wouldn´t even have noticed if they didn´t participate at all. Anybody with connections to 230Sqn, please go and tell them.

I'll pass that on to the crew for you! I think they did well to come all that way for your entertainment. I know the aircraft went u/s on the way home so maybe it was connected? Either way 230sqn should be congratulated for turning up, maybe after reading this they won't bring a Puma next year.

A lovely set of photos but I have to say I`m with Rick and the other chap and can`t quite believe your crass comment made about 230 SQN. It was a great effort to get there and right in the middle of Olympic preparations as well as all the other many current military ops this Sqn and other UK sqns have presently....unlike some others which were present with a dozen aircraft! Plus you have no idea what was going on. To be honest Joerg, I think your comment is below the belt, out of context and best removed. Hope you have no plans to visit Benson soon!

Note for the mods: Any chance you can moderate this sort of crass comment. I understand it takes place when people comment about aircraft landing on the slant etc but not now. Given the ops the UK are involved in at this time and the impact it has on those involved, this kind of comment on the RAF on a UK site shouldn`t be tolerated.

Guys,

I am sorry if my comment was too harsh. Probably it was more due to the fact that I was really disappointed that we did not get a single chance for a decent pic of the Pumas. Actually when we got there and heard who is attending after all the cancellations I was pretty enthusiastic about the Pumas, as I have not taken any good pics of them yet and you don´t see them flying too often - at least not at the airshows I normally attend. Also they had not attended the previous 3 Tiger Meets. Taking this into account, I was rather sad that altough they did fly several times during the day the never flew by close enough to take pics - well at least not if you don´t have a 1500mm lens. Every other participating squadron showed itself to the spotters during the take-off and while taxying back, some even caring to sweep their wing or deploy airbrakes/refueling booms/etc..
So, again, I am sorry if I hurt your feelings, which I did not plan on and I will edit my original text and erase the remarks about 230Sqn.

Joerg

[IanH]

Apology accepted and pleased you`ve removed the comment. I know this squadron and the considerable efforts made to attend.

Regards, ian

[RickIngham]

I am sorry if my comment was too harsh. Probably it was more due to the fact that I was really disappointed that we did not get a single chance for a decent pic of the Pumas. Every other participating squadron showed itself to the spotters during the take-off and while taxying back, some even caring to sweep their wing or deploy airbrakes/refueling booms/etc..
So, again, I am sorry if I hurt your feelings, which I did not plan on and I will edit my original text and erase the remarks about 230Sqn.

Joerg

One of my friends who brung the Puma to Orland has a picture with all his colleagues posing in the well-known 230sqn Tiger scarves around the Puma which had some tiger art on the nose...I presume that's not friendly?... I'm sure they did the best they could/were allowed to do.

Accept the apology but criticising a British squadron on a British forum is probabaly not the best idea...last I will say on the matter. As I said, a nice strong set!

[TonyO]

I don't think you were being harsh Joerg, its very typical of the RAF these days unfortunately. Tiger Meets are much more than an exercise, its a community and one which appreciates its fans and spotters alike. This relationship is appreciated by most of the squadrons who take part, but if the RAF don't show any interest its their loss. Perhaps 230 needs to review its Tiger status?

Was 814 NAS there, did they play ball?

Great set of photos, liking the Gripen departure!

[IanH]

I don't think you were being harsh Joerg, its very typical of the RAF these days unfortunately. Tiger Meets are much more than an exercise, its a community and one which appreciates its fans and spotters alike. This relationship is appreciated by most of the squadrons who take part, but if the RAF don't show any interest its their loss. Perhaps 230 needs to review its Tiger status?

Was 814 NAS there, did they play ball?

Great set of photos, liking the Gripen departure!

Hi Tony, I didn`t expect this but then I know you like to be a bit controversial. What is typical or not has to be put into context and I feel strongly this is inappropriate at an operational level. There is a big difference between this and what you are inferring to in your opening line. Sadly my friend, the world has changed and frankly the sqn should be applauded for going so far given the current operational circumstances. Other countries didn`t attend for understandable economic reasons whilst one major country sends twelve aircraft which says more about what they are not doing elsewhere operationally. Any comment on this? If the RAF should reconsider its Tiger association then others should do also. Perhaps its not economically viable any more in its current form. What is typical or not typical is frankly all irrelevant at the moment. A quick visit to QEH in Birmingham will confirm where the UK priorities lie at the moment and its not pleasant viewing.

I`m sure the guys had no intention of disappointing 500 photographers by not flying past in the right place.

Regards, Ian

[TonyO]

If 230 Sqn or indeed any other unit felt their workload was too much in the run up to or during the Tiger Meet then they wouldn't have been in attendance. I understand EC.7 pulled out at the last minute and their Rafales remained firmly in France. There may well be operational reasons why they couldn't have made an appearance in front of the spotters, ATC, timings, fuel, weather, whatever, but if the other helicopters managed it, there is no reason the RAF couldn't have done. This isn't just an typical exercise or a press day, this is the Tiger Meet, everyone pulls together and makes an effort for the Tiger fans, that's why it manages to attract 250 spotters to a remote corner of Norway.

[IanH]

Tony, everyone pulls together for a Tiger Meet! Important I know in normal times but current circumstances are hardly normal. Given the number of countries who didn`t attend this time for economic reasons, was it really a Tiger Meet? I am pleased that Norway picked up the banner at short notice to keep things going but economic growth in Norway, Sweden is out of sync with the rest of Europe and hence they are one of the few countries who could take it on plus they don`t have the level of commitments overseas the UK have presently. Well done for the 250 who attended and yes it would have been nice if they had flown past but.........it would also be nice if other countries sent aircraft/personnel to help alleviate UK efforts overseas......but they don`t.

How about a Costa????????

Regards, Ian

[KevinJ]

I think it was just an ATC issue, as the Pumas departed directly east to keep well clear of the fast jet launches. They were the only Helo sqn there. Also, the Tiger Meet is not just a glorified piss up, Surely that misapprehension was buried years ago! It's a large NATO exercise and no natiion would attend unless it was felt it provided a good training oppportunity. That we are invited in is a bonus and the moan about 2 Puma's not flying past is a bit out of proportion to the great access the hosts afforded us.

Great shots btw!