Sun 'n' fun at Fairford

[Macc]

After a few last minute arrangements, me and my Dad came down for the Fairford weekend ahead of Indradhanush at Coningsby. Somehow the weather, despite forecasts changing between aircraft maneuvers, managed to come up trumps over the weekend. Looking at BBC weather on the drive down and seeing rain for all of sunday and instead managed to be sunburnt was a nice change. With tickets already sold out, we headed to Rhymes Farm and it spent two great days there with also great company.

It was one of the best RIAT flying displays I've enjoyed, up there with 2012 and 2007 which were both fantastic also.

1. Patrulla Aguila opened both days like in 2011, although this time they managed to fly..
Patrulla Aguila by Chris Milne, on Flickr

2.
Patrulla Águila by Chris Milne, on Flickr

3. The Apache demo was also excellent, nice with two aircraft!
AHDT by Chris Milne, on Flickr

4.
AHDT by Chris Milne, on Flickr

5.
AHDT by Chris Milne, on Flickr

6. The Kawasaki P1 was definitely the highlight for many, great albeit short demo. It sure has performance!
Japanese P-1 of VX-1 displaying at Air Tattoo 2015. by Chris Milne, on Flickr

7.
Kawasaki P-1 by Chris Milne, on Flickr

8.
Ramex by Chris Milne, on Flickr

9. The Osprey was a superb little demonstration, the fast pass in the beginning caught me out!
DSC_5375 by Chris Milne, on Flickr

10.
Swiss Formation by Chris Milne, on Flickr

11.
Untitled by Chris Milne, on Flickr

12.
Untitled by Chris Milne, on Flickr

13.
Untitled by Chris Milne, on Flickr

14. The Vulcan on Saturday was unbelievable.
Vulcan XH558 by Chris Milne, on Flickr

15.
Vulcan XH558 by Chris Milne, on Flickr

16.
Vulcan XH558 by Chris Milne, on Flickr

17.
Vulcan XH558 by Chris Milne, on Flickr

18.
Vulcan XH558 by Chris Milne, on Flickr

19. Great to see a Hind back in the flying too, especially after missing its demo in Switzerland.
Mil Mi-35 'Hind' by Chris Milne, on Flickr

20.
Mil Mi-35 'Hind' by Chris Milne, on Flickr

21.
Mil Mi-35 'Hind' by Chris Milne, on Flickr

22. Red Arrows flypast with the Vulcan was a nice touch.
Red Arrows with Vulcan XH558 by Chris Milne, on Flickr

The weather on Saturday then deteriorated and we left shortly after the synchro pair, we returned on sunday and the clag rolled in shortly after the flying. After checking BBC weather multiple times and the closer it got to twelve still disbelieving that it would break by then - and suddenly it did and it was a glorious day. Especially compared to how it had been forecast!

23.
Patrulla Aguila by Chris Milne, on Flickr

24.
DSC_6129 by Chris Milne, on Flickr

25.
A400M by Chris Milne, on Flickr

26.
A400M by Chris Milne, on Flickr

27. Shame about the birdstrike but carrying on with one aircraft was much better than cancelling the whole demo, so kudos!
Deux Mille by Chris Milne, on Flickr

28. Swiss team were polished, both the aircraft and their routine!
Swiss Pilatus team by Chris Milne, on Flickr

29.
Swiss Pilatus team by Chris Milne, on Flickr

30.
Swiss Pilatus team by Chris Milne, on Flickr

31.
Swiss Pilatus team by Chris Milne, on Flickr

32.
Swiss Pilatus team by Chris Milne, on Flickr

33. If only the sun favoured the naughty field..
Kawasaki P-1 by Chris Milne, on Flickr

34. Not as vigorous as Saturday but another great take off!
Vulcan XH558 by Chris Milne, on Flickr

35.
Hind! by Chris Milne, on Flickr

36. Yeah..
DSC_6546 by Chris Milne, on Flickr

37. Yeahhh!
Mil Mi-35 'Hind' by Chris Milne, on Flickr

38.
Red Arrows with XH558 by Chris Milne, on Flickr

39. Red Arrows against a dark blue sky was fantastic!
Red Arrows by Chris Milne, on Flickr

40.
Red Arrows by Chris Milne, on Flickr

41.
Red Arrows by Chris Milne, on Flickr

42.
Red Arrows by Chris Milne, on Flickr

43.
Belgian F-16 Solo by Chris Milne, on Flickr

44.
Fulcrum by Chris Milne, on Flickr

45.
AHDT by Chris Milne, on Flickr

46.
AHDT by Chris Milne, on Flickr

47.
Untitled by Chris Milne, on Flickr

48. Finnish F-18C was one of the best fast jet displays I've seen in a long time.
Finnish F/A-18C by Chris Milne, on Flickr

49. Spotted this Britannia at Kemble on the way back to the hotel.
Britannia at Kemble by Chris Milne, on Flickr

50. This probably won't happen again for a while..
DSC_7111 by Chris Milne, on Flickr

51.
DSC_7167 by Chris Milne, on Flickr

52.
Red Arrows by Chris Milne, on Flickr

53.
Scorpion by Chris Milne, on Flickr

54.
See. Sense. Sting. by Chris Milne, on Flickr

55.
SF-5BM by Chris Milne, on Flickr

56.
DSC_7505-2 by Chris Milne, on Flickr

57.
Spinners by Chris Milne, on Flickr

58.
German Navy P-3C by Chris Milne, on Flickr

59.
Breitling Dakota by Chris Milne, on Flickr

60.
Kawasaki P-1 by Chris Milne, on Flickr

And that was that, another year done. Had a belter - hopefully back next year!

Chris

[LN Strike Eagle]

Some really brilliant shots in amongst this lot Chris, and above all else, terrific variety.

Vulcan/Reds silhouette is probably the best shot I've seen of that formation. Class.

[MarkL]

Totally amazingly brilliant.

[Agg]

Very interesting set, sometimes it's nice to see something more from a show than just the aircraft

[ChrisShaw]

Very good set nice to see something different

[Airwolfhound]

Loving the Reds/Vulcan formation over water, lovely composition

[Macc]

Thanks everyone, appreciate the comments.

Very interesting set, sometimes it's nice to see something more from a show than just the aircraft

That is one of the reasons I would have liked to have been inside too, I'd love to photograph the people side of it too. Also, I was shooting 200mm on an FX body so I didn't have the reach to shoot much of the displays - most jet photos are 50% crops.

[Richmate]

Excellent selection of images

[umea4]

Amazing selection of images! And such variety. Wonderful set.

Anthony.

[DanBeeden]

I really like the variety of angles and perspectives here - tonnes of atmosphere. It's hard to pick a favourite however the close-up of the RAF Atlas with all those blades spinning really stands out for me. Fantastic work.

[FarnboroJohn]

Stunning, and the Vulcan overhead with the Reds is something else!

Thanks for posting

John

[richyrara]

Great set