Another year gone and nearly another year older, but what a year its been. I haven't had as many trips out as I would have liked but the trips I've had out have always been spent in good company, I've also dabbled in a little bit of base photography as well which is gradually growing on me, it still doesn't come close to photographing LL though. A few of the trips that have really stood out this year for me have been the epic road trip to Scotland with three great mates and a day on the exit in September were everything just seemed to come together, the light, jets & some of the best passes of the year. Yes Scotland gets a special mention, we may not have done what we had planned but the place just has so much charm, the light up there is just superb and the memories and laughs I've taken away from our trip will stay with me for a long time!
Anyway on with the photos, yes there are quite a lot so if you get bored half way through I won't be surprised! This year has by far been the best for me since starting photographing low level in 2009.
Lastly a big thank you to all of my mates who have kept me sane during the long hours on the hill when there has been no activity. I'm looking forward to next year already.
First trip of the year was a new place for me, the Lake District. I wasn't dissapointed with two Tornado GR4's and a 29 Squadron twin stick Typhoon.
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2 Squadron Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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II Squadron Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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29 Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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29 (R) Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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617 & 12 Squadron Marked Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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617 Squadron Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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617 Squadron Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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BAE Hawk T1 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
A trip to the plain was next, plenty of Lynx's buzzing around all day and an Apache made an appearance as well.
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AAC Westland Lynx AH.7 XZ605 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Westland Lynx AH.7 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
Another trip to the plain resulted in some rather nice Apache shots in the field to the rear of Deptford Down
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AgustaWestland Apache Helicopter by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Army Westland Apache Attack Helicopter by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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RAF Merlin HC.3 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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RAF Agusta Westland Merlin HC.3 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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RAF Merlin HC3 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
Another rather unique togging oppurtunity when Sherman 1 & 2 dropped into Halfpenny Green for a refuel. A quick word with the pilots on the way out by Ellins resulted in one of my favourite shots of the year.
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AgustaWestland Apaches by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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AgustaWestland Apaches by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
A bleak day spent on the exit in rather dull conditions
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RAF Hercules C-130J by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
Then off to Wales again for a two day trip. Filled with Hercs, Tonkas, Typhoons and Eagles!
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Hawk T1 Diving In by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Hercules C-130J by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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3 Sqn Eurofighter Typhoon by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Pulling Out! by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Eurofighter Typhoon by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Up Close And Personal by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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15 Squadron Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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15 Squadron Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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15 Squadron Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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208 Squadron Hawk T1 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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F-15E Strike Eagle "Ginis Flight" by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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F-15E Strike Eagle 'Ginis Flight' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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F-15E Strike Eagle "Ginis Flight" by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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USAF F-15E Strike Eagle 'Ginis Flt' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
Whilst in Wales for Morleys stag do we rushed back from Go Karting to get a few snaps off Ben flying his Christen Eagle (On a weekend)
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Christen Eagle II 'Raging Bull' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Christen Eagle II 'Raging Bull' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Christen Eagle II 'Raging Bull' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
Back to the loop again, another great day with the 41 Squadron Special Tail putting in a great pass and a superb 67 pass from Marham 35.
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DHFS Squirrel by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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41 Squadron 95th Anniversary Special Tail Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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41 Squadron 95th Anniversary Special Tail Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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"Marham 35" Tornado GR4 '67 Heaven' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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"Marham 35" Tornado GR4 '67 Heaven' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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USAF F-15E Strike Eagle by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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F-15E Strike Eagle by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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F-15E Strike Eagle by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
It was then off to a personal tour of RAF Coningsby, an awesome day. Having a tour of 41 & 17 Squadrons hangar & the BBMF was excellent and to round off the day we got to spend 30 minutes shooting from the caravan.
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41 Squadron Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Eurofighter Typhoon by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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BBMF Lancaster by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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3 (F) Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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XI Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
Once again it was back to the loop, a 3 day trip with the highlight being the HH-60 Pavehawks
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3 (F) Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Fluffing Up! by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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29 Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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F-15E Strike Eagle "Tahoe Flt" by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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USAF Sikorsky HH-60 Pave hawk by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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USAF Sikorsky HH-60 Pave hawk by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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AAC AgustaWestland Apache by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
Back to the loop for a day trip, highlights were two passes from 29 Squadron twin stick Typhoons and a Hercules in lovely golden light.
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29 Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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29 Squadron Twin Stick Typhoon by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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29 Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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RAF Hercules C-130J by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Hercules C-130J by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
Ended up getting up a little late bit still decided to risk it, lucky I did. Managed to catch A Typhoon a couple of great F-15E Strike Eagle passes.
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XI Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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208 Squadron Hawk T1 Cockpit by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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F-15E Strike Eagle 'Pyro12' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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F-15E Strike Eagle 'Pyro12' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Arty Farty Eagle by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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F-15E Strike Eagle 'Pyro13' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
A trip up to Cad W proved to be fruitful, I bagged my first 6 Squadron Typhoon and a great Tonka pass.
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Tornado GR4 'Lossie 91' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Tornado GR4 'Lossie 91' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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6 Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Hercules C-130J by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
A dash up to the loop before I went to RIAT for the last low level flight to be flown by the Tornado F3, a rather sombre moment.
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Panavia Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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QinetiQ Tornado F3 'Tester04' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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QinetiQ Tornado F3 'Tester04' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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USAF F-15D by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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USAF F-15D by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
I had a bit of break after RIAT so this was my first trip out in 4 weeks, it didn't dissapoint!
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USAF F-15E Strike Eagle by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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3 Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 'Getsum 11' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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11 Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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11 Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Panavia Tornado GR4 30 Year Special 'Vampire 2' by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
With the low sun now starting to affect Cad and the Exit being the only place during the winter months were this is useable light all day it was back up there for my best loop trip of the year, not purley for jet but for the company and laughs!
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31 Squadron Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Swept Wing Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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3 (F) Squadron 100 Year Anniversary Special Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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3 (F) Squadron Typhoon FGR4 Special Tail by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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3 (F) Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
Then off to bonnie Scotland, as I've already said a truly memorable trip.
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1,000,000 Hours Special Tail Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Feel The Burn! by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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1,000,000 Hour Special Tail Tornado GR4 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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Cobham Aviation Dassualt Falcon 20 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
Off to Cad East to catch Miss Demeanour
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Miss Demeanour Hawker Hunter F58A by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
Probably the last loop trip of the year for me, spent half a day on the mill and the next on the exit.
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RAF Chinook HC2 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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IV Squadron Hawk T2 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
A couple of shots from the Plain as well..
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Boeing Chinook HC2 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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AAC Bell 212 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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RAF Boeing Chinook HC.3 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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AAC Westland Lynx AH7 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
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AAC Bell 212 by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
If you've stuck with it this far then fair play!!
