Fifty Years of French Firebombers - Aix-les-Milles, France

[TonyO]

A handful of shots from a couple of days of celebrations marking 50 years of Securite Civile firebombing from Marseille-Marignane. Huge thanks must go to the pilots of the Securite Civile who gave me lots of access to get these shots and the guys from Plane Sailing Ltd who were also instrumental in helping out with the access and letting me shade from the warm Provence sun underneath the wing of their lovely PBY Catalina.

This might be one of the most relaxed and enjoyable airshows I have ever been to, pity it only takes place every 10 years.

Shots taken at both Aix-les-Milles and Marignane on Saturday, Sunday, Monday June 1-3.

First some flypasts, of the Patrouille Pelican and another representing three generations of firebombers.





Some arrivals...



















The subtle yet lovely 50th anniversary marked CL-415...





Then a few from the display itself, there were other airshow acts, but the primary objective was getting the amphibians and their water bombing passes, a sight to behold.













and then on the Monday back at Marignane, I couldn't quite believe my luck...

[Ledhead27]

That's an amazing set of images, some fantastic aircraft there too! Like the one of the Dash 8-Q400 dropping water!

[Mr Flibble]

Fab shots, Tony.
Hard to pick favorites - looks like the conditions were ideal.
Call me a heretic for picking this over the CL215s but I like the look of the Dash-8-Q400!

[capercaillie]

Great stuff Tony, always like this securite civile stuff, nice anniversary marks on the 415 and lovely shots over the water.

[Macc]

Great set of the shots, particularly like the last few with the waterbombers in action.

[rdchawk]

Superb set of shots - nice one

[Russ]

Great set Tony, smashing clarity on these.

[swingy]

Great set of the shots, particularly like the last few with the waterbombers in action.

Agree.

[Mad Dan]

TonyO squeaked:

This might be one of the most relaxed and enjoyable airshows I have never been to

So, Tony, tell me how you got the pics if you weren't there...



I found it very relaxing too - and I wasn't there either...

[TonyO]

Well spotted, you belligerent old scrote!

[Maisie]

Nice to see a CL-215 there with proper engines! What gear do you use now Tony, 5Dii...?

[TonyO]

Using a 5D Mark II and a 7D.

[Bruno G]

I want to see it at an airshow ...
RIAT ... please....

[Mad Dan]

Well, I don't know about that... They tell me that you have great difficulty getting out of first gear...

And don't call me belligerent you young whippersnapper... I'll have you know I have a GCE...

[APG]

Cracking shots, you couldn't have asked for better WX

Something so wrong and yet so right about the Q400 water drop

[Buccaneer]

Fantastic shots wish I could take a GCSE in taking them like that. Like to know what Mad Dan's GCSE is in, certainly not in replying to e-mails..........................

[Mad Dan]

Buccaneer mumbled:

Fantastic shots wish I could take a GCSE in taking them like that. Like to know what Mad Dan's GCSE is in, certainly not in replying to e-mails..........................

Don't let it go to your head Tony...

What email would that be, Jeff? Don't recall having received anything from you in an awfully long time...and it's a GCE, not a GCSE - there is a difference...

[adamp89]

is it just me or were the 415's just dropping out of 1 tank?
also, what are the kingair and eurocopter for?

[TonyO]

Adam, well spotted, the aircraft were dropping out of one tank so they could demonstrate the different ways they attack. There was no nearby lake any only a handful of aircraft they could use because the others were on duty. The King Air acts as a "Bird Dog" co-ordinate the strikes on the fire like a forward air controller in combat. The Eurocopter is used for search and rescue.

[Joshnatlyd]

What an amazing set - thanks for sharing

[adamp89]

Adam, well spotted, the aircraft were dropping out of one tank so they could demonstrate the different ways they attack. There was no nearby lake any only a handful of aircraft they could use because the others were on duty. The King Air acts as a "Bird Dog" co-ordinate the strikes on the fire like a forward air controller in combat. The Eurocopter is used for search and rescue.

that's what i was thinking, there's something about that dash though...

awesome photos

[RickIngham]

Incredible Tony...and very different! Strange saying this considering the other gems in this set but that Dash 8 looks very photogenic!

[WG655]

Some greatly crafted images of what looks like a super event.

Hard to pick a favourite, though think the ones of the Firecat just steal it for me.

[McG]

Great stuff Tony. Love the Q-400 water drop.

[PhilEAF92]

What a great set, beautiful images, nice to see something different