Shaun's 2021 Aviation Review- Picture Heavy

Photos of operational aircraft from bases, airports and "spotter" outings
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Seamus
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Shaun's 2021 Aviation Review- Picture Heavy

Post by Seamus »

Afternoon all,

I thought I'd share a review from what has been a pleasingly busy, varied and at times unbelievable year of aviation photography. Whilst military photography has formed the backbone of my year, I've been able to get to a handful of shows, as well as even a spot of Civvy shooting, so I've included them all here for completeness, rather than fill the forum with three separate threads. I've tried to keep the number of images from each trip/event small, but there are plenty more on my Flickr for those interested.

My year started back in April with an unforgettable day on Dartmoor. A lot of time spent sat and waiting on hillsides certainly paid off. Undoubtedly, the highlight of the year.

ImageSikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion | 163060/23-YS | US Marine Corps | Dartmoor | 18/04/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBell Boeing MV-22B Osprey | 166723/YS-02 | US Marine Corps | Dartmoor | 18/04/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageSikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion | 163060/YS-23 | US Marine Corps | Dartmoor | 18/04/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBell Boeing MV-22B Osprey | 168666/YS-13 | US Marine Corps | Dartmoor | 18/04/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageSikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion | 162001/YS-21 | US Marine Corps | Dartmoor | 18/04/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

There was also a couple of local trips at the end of the month that resulted in a couple of nice catches

ImageBoeing Chinook HC6A | ZA684 | Royal Air Force | Dorset | 22/04/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAgustaWestland Wildcat AH1 | ZZ521 | Army Air Corps | Mid Devon | 27/04/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

May kicked off with a visit to Old Warden for the Season Premiere

ImageHispano HA1112 M4L Buchon | YELLOW 10/ G-AWHK | Aircraft Restoration Company | Old Warden | 02/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBristol F.2B Fighter | B1162/G-AEPH | Shuttleworth Collection | Old Warden | 02/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageSopwith Camel F.1 | D1851/G-BZSC | Shuttleworth Collection | Old Warden | 02/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageDe Havilland DH 88 Comet | G-ACSS | Shuttleworth Collection | Old Warden | 02/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageConsolidated PBV-1A Canso | 433915/G-PBYA | Plane Sailing | Old Warden | 02/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

My one and only visit to Portland this year (that yielded any images that is...) followed later that month

ImageWestland Puma HC2 | XW209 | Royal Air Force | Portland | 19/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAgustaWestland Merlin HC4 | ZJ118/B | Royal Navy | Portland | 19/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageWestland Sea King HU5 | XV666 | Heli Operations | Portland | 19/05/20 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAgustaWestland Merlin HC4 | ZJ118/B | Royal Navy | Portland | 19/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageWestland Puma HC2 | XW209 | Royal Air Force | Portland | 19/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

June kicked off in insane style once again, with another USMC invasion of Devon, this time in support of the G7 summit. I spent as much time as I could at Exeter catching the arrival and subsequent comings and goings of HMX-1 and their support Hercules

ImageLockheed KC-130J Hercules | 168069/BH | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 04/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBell Boeing MV-22B Osprey | 168292/04 | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 04/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageLockheed KC-130J Hercules | 168071/BH | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 04/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageLockheed KC-130J Hercules | 168071/BH | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 04/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBell Boeing MV-22B Osprey | 168297/05 | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 07/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBell Boeing MV-22B Osprey | 168297/05 | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 07/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBell Boeing MV-22B Osprey | 168297/05 | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 07/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBell Boeing MV-22B Osprey | 168335/11 | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 07/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBell Boeing MV-22B Osprey | 168297/05 | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 07/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

The week of madness was rounded off with my first trip to LHR for the arrival of AF1 and the associated circus. I also got a bit of civvy spotting in while waiting for the main event

ImageBoeing VC-25A | 82-8000 | US Air Force | London Heathrow | 13/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing C-32A | 09-0016 | US Air Force | London Heathrow | 13/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageSikorsky VH-3D Sea King | 159354 | US Marine Corps | London Heathrow | 13/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing VC-25A | 82-8000 | US Air Force | London Heathrow | 13/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAirbus A319-131 | G-EUPJ | British Airways | London Heathrow | 13/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing 777-300ER | A7-BEG | Qatar Airways | London Heathrow | 13/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAirbus A350-1041 | G-VJAM 'Queen of Hearts' | Virgin Atlantic | London Heathrow | 13/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAirbus A340-313 | HB0JMC | Swiss International Airlines | London Heathrow | 13/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Onto July, and a return to Shuttleworth, mainly to be reunited with my beloved Junglie :heart_eyes:

ImageWestland Sea King HC4 | ZA314/WT/G-CMDO | Historic Helicopters | Old Warden | 04/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageWestland Sea King HC4 | ZA314/WT/G-CMDO | Historic Helicopters | Old Warden | 04/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageWestland Sea King HC4 | ZA314/WT/G-CMDO | Historic Helicopters | Old Warden | 04/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageWestland Gazelle HT3 | ZB627/G-CBSK | The Gazelle Squadron | Old Warden | 04/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageWestland Sea King HC4 | ZA314/WT/G-CMDO | Historic Helicopters | Old Warden | 04/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

A quick dash to Middle Wallop followed in the hope of catching a bit of history during the Puma 50th Anniversary flypast

ImageWestland Puma HC2 | XW224 | Royal Air Force | AAC Middle Wallop | 07/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageWestland Puma HC2 | XW224 | Royal Air Force | AAC Middle Wallop | 07/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageWestland Puma HC2 | XW216/G | Royal Air Force | AAC Middle Wallop | 07/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageWestland Puma HC2 | Royal Air Force | AAC Middle Wallop | 07/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

August was a quiet month, with just a solitary trip to Chard for the sadly weather affected Historic Helicopters Open Day.

ImageWestland Whirlwind HAR10 | XJ729/G-BVGE | Historic Helicopters | Chard | 05/08/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageWestland Wessex HU5 | XT761/G-WSEX | Historic Helicopters | Chard | 05/08/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageWestland Wasp HAS1 | XT787/G-KAXT | Terry Martin | Chard | 05/08/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageWestland Sea King HAR3 | XZ597/G-SKNG | Historic Helicopters | Chard | 05/08/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

I went on a mini aviation binge in September, kicking off with the Victory Show at Cosby

ImageRepublic P-47D Thunderbolt 'Nellie B' | 549192/G-THUN | Fighter Aviation Engineering Ltd | Cosby | 05/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRepublic P-47D Thunderbolt 'Nellie B' | 549192/G-THUN | Fighter Aviation Engineering Ltd | Cosby | 05/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageSupermarine Spitfire FR XIVe | MV268/G-SPIT | Anglia Aircraft Restorations Ltd | Cosby | 05/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageSupermarine Spitfire LF IXb | MH415/GAVDJ | Air Leasing Ltd | Cosby | 05/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageHispano HA1112 M4L Buchon | WHITE 9/ G-AWHH | Air Leasing Ltd | Cosby | 05/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

The following day was spent on SPTA en route to Suffolk...

ImageAgustaWestland Merlin HC4A | ZJ992/AB | Royal Navy | SPTA | 06/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAgustaWestland Wildcat HMA2 | ZZ377 | Royal Navy | SPTA | 06/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAgustaWestland Merlin HC4A | ZJ992/AB | Royal Navy | SPTA | 06/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAgustaWestland Wildcat HMA2 | ZZ377 | Royal Navy | SPTA | 06/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAgustaWestland Merlin HC4A | ZJ992/AB | Royal Navy | SPTA | 06/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Followed by two productive days at Mildenhall and Lakenheath, with the main aim of catching the U-Boat and nailing the Reaper Eagles for probably the last time....

ImageBoeing RC-135U Combat Sent | 64-14849/OF | US Air Force | RAF Mildenhall | 07/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing RC-135U Combat Sent | 64-14849/OF | US Air Force | RAF Mildenhall | 07/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing KC-135R Stratotanker | 59-1470/D | US Air Force | RAF Mildenhall | 07/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing RC-135U Combat Sent | 64-14849/OF | US Air Force | RAF Mildenhall | 07/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageMcDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle | 84-0010/LN | US Air Force | RAF Lakenheath | 07/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageMcDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle | 86-0164/LN | US Air Force | RAF Lakenheath | 08/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing F-15E Strike Eagle | 00-3003/LN | US Air Force | RAF Lakenheath | 08/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageMcDonnell Douglas F-15D Eagle | 84-0044/LN | US Air Force | RAF Lakenheath | 08/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBoeing F-15E Strike Eagle | 00-3004/LN | US Air Force | RAF Lakenheath | 08/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageMcDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle | 86-0163/LN | US Air Force | RAF Lakenheath | 08/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

The week was rounded off with a quick trip to Chard to catch a couple of the resident helicopters departing for Abingdon

ImageWestland Wessex HU5 | XT761/G-WSEX | Historic Helicopters | Chard | 11/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageWestland Sea King HAR3 | XZ597/G-SKNG | Historic Helicopters | Chard | 11/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Rounding off September was a trip to the excellent Battle of Britain Airshow at Duxford

ImageBig Wing Formation | Duxford | 18/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageWestland Wessex HU5 | XT761/G-WSEX | Historic Helicopters | Duxford | 18/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageWestland Sea King HAR3 | XZ597/G-SKNG | Historic Helicopters | Duxford | 18/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageVought (Goodyear) FG-1D Corsair | KD345/G-FGID | The Fighter Collection | Duxford | 18/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageSupermarine Spitfire Vc | JG891/G-LFVC | Commanche Fighters | Duxford | 18/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageGrumman F8F-2P Bearcat | 121714/G-RUMM | The Fighter Collection | Duxford | 18/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageBig Wing Formation | Duxford | 18/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

October was all about one things- B-1Bs. I made multiple trips to Fairford during the first week of their deployment in the hop of catching them from as many angles as I could. Didn't do too badly...

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer | 86-0110/DY | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 12/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer | 86-0140/DY | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 13/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer | 86-0140/DY | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 14/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer | 86-0140/DY | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 14/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer | 86-0140/DY | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 14/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer | 86-0140/DY | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 14/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer | 86-0140/DY | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 14/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageRockwell B-1B Lancer | 86-0140/DY | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 14/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

During that week, my first visit was a non-flying day, so I headed to SPTA, whilst I also managed to catch one of the returning U-2s whilst at Fairford

ImageBell 212 AH1 | ZH814 | Army Air Corps | SPTA | 12/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageWestland Puma HC2 | XW218 | Royal Air Force | SPTA | 12/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAgustaWestland Wildcat HMA2 | ZZ375 | Royal Navy | SPTA | 12/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAgustaWestland Merlin HC4 | ZJ122/F | Royal Navy | SPTA | 12/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAgustaWestland Merlin HC4 | ZJ122/F | Royal Navy | SPTA | 12/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageAgustaWestland Merlin HC4 | ZJ122/F | Royal Navy | SPTA | 12/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageLockheed U-2S | 80-1083 | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 14/10/20 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

November saw one final return to Fairford in the hope of catching some B-1Bs. Sadly it was a non-flying day, although the departing U-2 provided some consolation. A dash to SPTA wasn;'t much more productive, with a Hercules the only movement I caught that day, bringing an end to my year.

ImageLockheed U-2S | 80-1085 | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 04/11/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

ImageLockheed Martin C-130J Hercules C4 | ZH866 | Royal Air Force | SPTA | 04/11/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

All in all, I can't complain about the year I've had. The USMC helicopters straight off the bat basically meant everything else was a bonus, but it's always a pleasure to be out and about catching what I can. I appreciate there's a lot of images there but hopefully they were of interest.

A happy new year to all of you,

Shaun
My shots on Flickr and Airliners

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Tommy
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Re: Shaun's 2021 Aviation Review- Picture Heavy

Post by Tommy »

Belters, mate. Too many highlights to mention, but those ‘53s are absolute monsters. Very jealous!

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GeorgeP
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Re: Shaun's 2021 Aviation Review- Picture Heavy

Post by GeorgeP »

A very nice set! My faves are those from OW. Gotta get there one day...
Cheers,

George

Melbourne, Australia.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/30699732@N05/albums

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jalfrezi
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Re: Shaun's 2021 Aviation Review- Picture Heavy

Post by jalfrezi »

Good stuff as always Shaun, looks like you had good weather for the most part too!

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Seamus
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Re: Shaun's 2021 Aviation Review- Picture Heavy

Post by Seamus »

Thanks chaps, much appreciated. Here's hoping for another productive 2022 :)
My shots on Flickr and Airliners

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LN Strike Eagle
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Re: Shaun's 2021 Aviation Review- Picture Heavy

Post by LN Strike Eagle »

Some incredible shots here, and so much variety. Superb.
"You really are an oafish philistine at times!"

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pako-2008
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Re: Shaun's 2021 Aviation Review- Picture Heavy

Post by pako-2008 »

That's an incredible set there Shaun, what a year you've had.

Think I agree with your summary of the USMC on Dartmoor though, they are just outstanding, what an experience.
Cheers
Aaron

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