As usual I've done a brilliant job of being behind the drag curve in getting my photos up quickly, but better late than never!
So as was widely publicised in the media, November saw dozens of delegations from across the globe descent on Scotland to take part in discussions as part of COP26. Whilst I did find some of the flights somewhat questionable, given that it was a climate conference, the likes of most of these movements are likely to never be seen in Scotland for quite some time. On top of all the military movements were a smattering of biz jets, but I'll put those in a separate post at some point.
Unfortunately the time of year precluded seeing some of the movements, notably the likes of the Australian Air Force KC-30A and the Indian Air Force 777-300ER, and work prevented me from seeing Air Force One (and C-32A) make a much anticipated visit to Edinburgh Airport. But regardless of this, it has to be one of the most enjoyable couple of days spotting I've had for a good couple of years. Hope you enjoy (these are also the first photos I've posted on here with my 'new' Canon EOS 70D so please do shred me to pieces).
1) A couple of weeks prior to COP26 kicking off in earnest, the JASDF sent one of their two 777-3SBERs on a proving flight direct from Tokyo. This involved a whistle-stop tour of Edinburgh, Prestwick and Glasgow before heading back to Japan in the evening.
Japanese Air Self Defence Force Boeing 777-3SBER 80-1112 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
2) The USAF also sent an almost ridiculous number of C-17s to several airports in Scotland in anticipation of President Biden's visit, including one in absolutely minging weather at Edinburgh a couple of days before COP26 kicked off.
USAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III - 03-3126 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
3) Sunday 31st October saw a large wave of arrivals across all three of the main airports in the Central Belt. I decided to plump for Edinburgh due to the pretty foul forecast, but it remained largely ok (apart from when I absolutely stacked whilst walking down the mound).
Government of Nambia Dassault Falcon 7X V5-GON by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
4) Government of Serbia Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 600 YU-SRB by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
5) Government of Niger Boeing 737-75U(BBJ) 5U-GRN by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
6) Rossiya Special Flight Squadron Dassault Falcon 7X RA-09007 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
7) For me this had to be the stand-out movement over the entire period. No it doesn't smoke like an old Antonov, nor does it make a biblical amount of noise, but it is exceptionally rare to see a -148 in the UK. (I also think it looks pretty hideous, but that's just my humble opinion).
Ukraine Government Antonov An-148-100B UR-UKR by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
8) Ukraine Government Antonov An-148-100B UR-UKR 2 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
9) I can't imagine travelling from Vilnius to Edinburgh in the back of a C-27J Spartan was a particular relaxing experience for the Prime Minister of Lithuania.
Lithuanian Air Force Alenia C-27J Spartan - 07 Blue by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
10) The following day I decided to have a stab at Prestwick, due to the far more favourable weather and to also catch some of the exotica that was parked on the Northern Apron.
Honduran Air Force Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 600 - FAH-001 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
11) Japanese Air Self Defence Force Boeing 777-3SBER - 80-1111 2 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
12) Japanese Air Self Defence Force Boeing 777-3SBER - 80-1111 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
13) Dropping in for a quick splash n' dash was Alleycat3, which had spent the morning shadowing President Biden and his motorcade as they travelled from Edinburgh to Glasgow.
Royal Air Force Aerospatiale Puma SA.330 HC.2 - ZJ954 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
14) As a bit of a spur of the movement decision, it was decided to hop in the car and blast up the road to Glasgow Airport in order to get the 'other' Air Force One. I was quite keen on getting the Korean Air Force 747, as this was rumoured to be the aircraft's last international mission.
Republic of Korea Air Force Boeing 747-4B5 - 10001 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
15) The rest of the Puma detachment was also found to be residing on the Gama apron, nice to see 4 of them up here (although I'm pretty sure one of them was absolutely buggered).
Royal Air Force Aerospatiale Puma SA.330 HC.2 - XW213 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
16) Czech Air Force Airbus A319-115X(CJ) - 3085 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
17) Everybody loves a classic A340. Even better when it's a dinky -200 series as well.
Government of Egypt Airbus A340-212 SU-GGG by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
18) Royal Danish Air Force Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 - C-172 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
19) Slovenian Air Force Dassault Falcon 2000EX - L1-01 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
20) Hungarian Air Force Airbus A319-112 - 604 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
21) There's a Thunderbirds pun in there somewhere.
Government of Bolivia Dassault Falcon 900EX EASy FAB-001 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
22) Albanian Government Airbus A319-115X(CJ) TC-ANA by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
23) I appreciate this is really pushing it in terms of 'modern military'
National Police Air Service Vulcanair P.68R Victor G-POLV by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
24) Back to Edinburgh for the last handful of photos, with these caught towards the end of the COP26 summit.
USAF Boeing C-40C - 02-0201 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
25) USAF Boeing C-40C - 02-0202 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
26) USAF Boeing C-40C - 05-4613 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
27) And whilst these two had absolutely nothing to do with COP26, it was great to see a pair of Lossiemouth-based Typhoons blast over Murrayfield Stadium a couple of weeks ago for Scotland's final Autumn International match of 2021.
RAF Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK374 & ZK435 by ledwooddaniel, on Flickr
COP26 a Load of This! (PICTURE HEAVY)
- Ledhead27
- UKAR Staff
- Posts: 2210
- Joined: Tue 20 Dec 2011, 6:49 pm
- Location: Inverness (and occasionally 20,000ft - if the aircraft can make it that high)
COP26 a Load of This! (PICTURE HEAVY)
"PostMan, FuelMan, SpamCan, NoPlan, CivviMan, Dan"
UKAR Party Plane Captain
4 out of 5 baguettes
UKAR Party Plane Captain
4 out of 5 baguettes
- Alpha Delta 210
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Sun 12 Aug 2012, 3:57 am
Re: COP26 a Load of This! (PICTURE HEAVY)
Absolutely fantastic selection. Thanks very much for sharing.
Re: COP26 a Load of This! (PICTURE HEAVY)
What a great set - you clearly had a brilliant couple of days.
Is it me, or does the An-148 have more than a passing resemblance to a BAe 146?
Andy
Is it me, or does the An-148 have more than a passing resemblance to a BAe 146?
Andy
-
- Posts: 3520
- Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 10:17 am
Re: COP26 a Load of This! (PICTURE HEAVY)
Great to see, thanks for posting. Not just good spots but some great photos.
My two spots that weekend were the Niger 737 that flew over the house and AF1 (oh and it's accompanying 757) at Edinburgh.
My two spots that weekend were the Niger 737 that flew over the house and AF1 (oh and it's accompanying 757) at Edinburgh.
Re: COP26 a Load of This! (PICTURE HEAVY)
Good stuff Dan, and you even got some sunshine!
Re: COP26 a Load of This! (PICTURE HEAVY)
These are awesome. Not everyday you see military stuff from Ecuador is it?!
"There's only one way of life, and that's your own"
- capercaillie
- Posts: 9336
- Joined: Mon 01 Sep 2008, 3:04 pm
- Location: Leominster
Re: COP26 a Load of This! (PICTURE HEAVY)
What am I missing?
Fabulous selection Dan, I dare say you made an excellent Korea move. Lovely shots all round.
Re: COP26 a Load of This! (PICTURE HEAVY)
Hi Dan.
thank you for a wonderful selection of pictures from the COP26 conference, also a big thank you for providing details of the aircraft concerned, as many of us are not as good as we should be in recognizing these modern aircraft.
thank you for a wonderful selection of pictures from the COP26 conference, also a big thank you for providing details of the aircraft concerned, as many of us are not as good as we should be in recognizing these modern aircraft.
Per Ardua ad Astra
- Ledhead27
- UKAR Staff
- Posts: 2210
- Joined: Tue 20 Dec 2011, 6:49 pm
- Location: Inverness (and occasionally 20,000ft - if the aircraft can make it that high)
Re: COP26 a Load of This! (PICTURE HEAVY)
Thanks for all the kind words folks, much appreciated!!!
"PostMan, FuelMan, SpamCan, NoPlan, CivviMan, Dan"
UKAR Party Plane Captain
4 out of 5 baguettes
UKAR Party Plane Captain
4 out of 5 baguettes
- LN Strike Eagle
- UKAR Staff
- Posts: 11191
- Joined: Mon 21 Jul 2008, 3:29 pm
Re: COP26 a Load of This! (PICTURE HEAVY)
These are great, Dan. There are some really smart liveries; US C-40s are very tidy, as is the Niger BBJ but the Korean 757 is brilliant.
"You really are an oafish philistine at times!"