Leuchars in the Autumn light - 24/10/13

Photos of operational aircraft from bases, airports and "spotter" outings
Post Reply
User avatar
Marky Mc
Posts: 122
Joined: Sun 24 Aug 2008, 8:45 pm
Location: Near Leuchars

Leuchars in the Autumn light - 24/10/13

Post by Marky Mc »

I decided to have a day off work on Thursday to photograph the Leuchars Typhoons as the base enjoys its last autumn before closure. The forecast was good and the wind was blowing in the "right" direction, so a trek down to the beach was in order. The sun and clouds played ball for the morning's action, with 1 and 6 Squadrons both launching a handful of jets, whilst the four visiting Tucanos from Linton were very active, each making several sorties throughout the day. Of the visiting Danish F-16s, only E-074 and E-075 flew a morning mission. E-074 would fly again on a solo mission later in the afternoon. Here's a few shots of the day's action, no apologies for them being Typhoon heavy!

The morning waves prepare to launch:

Image

Image

Image

Image

On recovery, the first pair of Canopeners performed a pairs GCA; first time I've snapped 6 Squadon jets doing this:

Image

Image

"Fox Quebec" is added to my collection:

Image

ZK302 has returned to 6 Squadron (still yet to receive a new code), and it recovered in beautiful light, performing several low approaches, “surfing” the tree line as it did so:

Image

Image

Image

"DAF3260A and B" prepare to depart for their morning sortie:

Image

Image

Image

The Tucanos were very active, wearing a variety of markings, including ZF339 which carried the CFS crest and the inscription "Central Flying School - 100 Years of Excellence":

Image

Image

Image

It got quite cloudy in the afternoon, but I decided to stick it out down at the beach and enjoy the banter. Gaps were appearing in the clouds as sunset approached so I decided to wait under the approach lights for the afternoon wave from both resident Typhoon Squadrons to return. Just minutes before the jets recovered, the setting sun bathed the approach in the most amazing glow, making this a very memorable day at my beloved Leuchars.

Image

Image

Thanks to Mark MkII and Graeme for their company throughout the day.

User avatar
LN Strike Eagle
UKAR Staff
Posts: 11191
Joined: Mon 21 Jul 2008, 3:29 pm

Re: Leuchars in the Autumn light - 24/10/13

Post by LN Strike Eagle »

Excellent. First shot of ZK302 in the evening light and the first Danish F-16 for me.

Nice to see you posting pics again. :biggrin: :kiss:
"You really are an oafish philistine at times!"

Harry_Imp
Posts: 491
Joined: Sat 26 Jun 2010, 12:37 pm

Re: Leuchars in the Autumn light - 24/10/13

Post by Harry_Imp »

Really cracking shots, excellent clarity and nicely processed.

Harry

Unknown74
Posts: 2560
Joined: Thu 23 Jul 2009, 12:55 pm

Re: Leuchars in the Autumn light - 24/10/13

Post by Unknown74 »

No need to apologise Marky Mc regarding this being Typhoon Heavy, reckon you need to get as many Leuchars Typhoons as you can before they move up North to Lossie so we have as many memories of them being based at Leuchars as we can, remember promising myself to get as many as possible either at the remaining Airshows and on spotting days as possible when I heard about the closure, so at least I could have good memories.

Great pictures of the Tucano's and Danish F-16's. Is that a special tail marking on E-075?

User avatar
alanp
Posts: 329
Joined: Mon 01 Sep 2008, 7:22 am
Contact:

Re: Leuchars in the Autumn light - 24/10/13

Post by alanp »

Beautiful set. I've always been scuppered by heat haze shooting threshold shots there, but the stiff breeze and cold has given you perfect conditions which you've exploited to the full.

User avatar
Mr Flibble
UKAR Staff
Posts: 1163
Joined: Wed 23 Jul 2008, 6:49 am
Location: Bristol
Contact:

Re: Leuchars in the Autumn light - 24/10/13

Post by Mr Flibble »

Great to see some shots posted from you Mark.
Excellent stuff too, especially the sunset shots.

User avatar
Vixen1
Posts: 471
Joined: Wed 03 Sep 2008, 9:23 pm
Location: Nottingham. UK.
Contact:

Re: Leuchars in the Autumn light - 24/10/13

Post by Vixen1 »

A lovely set of shots there. Looks like you had a heck of a lot more action than I had at Lossie. :smile:

Craig_85
Posts: 313
Joined: Mon 13 Jun 2011, 3:08 pm

Re: Leuchars in the Autumn light - 24/10/13

Post by Craig_85 »

Nice, sharp and well exposed. I went to Leuchars as a kid and love it, but if you can handle the drive to Lossie at least they are moving to what appears to be the most photogenic base in the country :smile:

User avatar
elderforest
Posts: 461
Joined: Sun 24 Aug 2008, 9:09 pm
Location: Oxfordshire

Re: Leuchars in the Autumn light - 24/10/13

Post by elderforest »

The 6 Sqn pairs shot is very nice indeed :cool:
Ian.
(elderforest).

Frank B
Posts: 46
Joined: Thu 27 Sep 2012, 7:22 am

Re: Leuchars in the Autumn light - 24/10/13

Post by Frank B »

I really like this set, congratulations.
Seems like the danish Vipers are equiped with a new type of ejection seat - F35 style ?

Frank

stratocaster
Posts: 2717
Joined: Fri 13 Aug 2010, 11:37 am

Re: Leuchars in the Autumn light - 24/10/13

Post by stratocaster »

Superb set! Evening shots are just brilliant. :rock:
Card carrying aviation addict!

User avatar
onemac
Posts: 573
Joined: Mon 01 Sep 2008, 8:21 am
Location: EGQS

Re: Leuchars in the Autumn light - 24/10/13

Post by onemac »

Cracking set Mark. Single burner overshoot is rare and good catch on the F-16's. Last two are special though.

Al
When in Athens.......

Post Reply