Your Year in Five

[DeanW]

It's nearly December, so it's likely the aviation year is over for the majority of us. So share 5 images of your 2012, whether its a display highlight, a rare visitor or just a pretty picture. Post away!

I'll start with Linkoping-Malmen. My first foreign show and the first time I was to see these classic beauties fly since the 90s..


Then some VC-10 hunting at Brize..


The Black Eagles have to be one of the season's highlights..


The Tornado Role Demo was hugely impressive..


And a few events were lucky to be graced with the presence of the mighty F4. While I'm really looking forward to Wittmund next June it'll be sad to see 'em go..

[PeterR]

Very tough to cut down such an excellent year to just five shots but here goes...

It should have been a sight to see in the UK, but sadly paperwork stopped it this year. But seeing Art Nalls Sea Harrier FA2 rocking Thunder over Michigan in the US has to be a highlight for me.

SHAR. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

The Balbo at Flying Legends is always impressive, though this years show seemed to have been 'toned down' it still featured many beautiful and rarely seen warbirds.

Armada. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

This year's RIAT was one of the best in recent memory, and the Polish MiG-29 demonstration was one of the highlights of a star-filled flying display.

MiGnificent Burners. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

Loosing warbirds is always sad, but the loss of a pilot is tragic. Sadly Bob Odegaard was killed flying this Super Corsair 'Race #74' in September.

#74 by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

Finishing off the selection with some Fireworks from Oshkosh. The Saturday night airshow was simply amazing.

Explosive Prowler. by Peter Reoch Photography, on Flickr

Here's to an even better 2013!

[Hatstand]

I don't claim these photos to be anything special, but they represent some of the 2012 airshow highlights from my point of view:

1. 2012 was the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, so we saw some lovely commemorative paint schemes:


2. Patrouille Cartouche Dore made their UK mainland debut, and jolly good they were:


3. In 2012, I made my first-ever visits to Old Warden. They won't be my last...


4. 2012 gave us our first and only opportunities to see these two in the air:


5. 2012 saw the last of the excellent Hawk T1 displays:

[DerekF]

Only 3 shows this year.

Farnborough


Fairford





Southport





I might try for some better edits of these.

[Macc]

1. April was my first chance to see the new P-8.

P-8A Poseidon by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

2. Something for rarity value, an E3 Topside.

Eyes in the sky! by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

3. Can't beat a MiG-29, highlight of the whole season.

Fulcrum topside by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

4. A couple of Typhoons taxi-ing in after a Joint Warrior mission.

Mission accomplished by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

5. One of my locals, can't get sick of them.

Burn, burn by Maccphoto.co.uk, on Flickr

[Kenny]

Is this only airshow related or anything aviation?

[DeanW]

Is this only airshow related or anything aviation?

Anything aviation related from 2012 mate!

[Kenny]

Oh, yay. Saw it in airshows and my heart sank. Didn't do a single show this year

[adamp89]

some awesome shots, please keep 'em coming

[NIDarby]

heres my 5, 5 is just not enough. This year hs been great. A classic RIAT, Snafu at Legends and Miss demeanour in some great pair ups, and the loop (although i missed it!)..heres my 5..

Bucaneer roll out


Manhatten dolls at Legends (Sarah's my favourite!!!)


Meteor display at Dunsfold


Albatros at Duxford (shame its now at Hendon)


You always get one shot that stands out above the rest....


Neil

[Domvickery]

I'll start my 5 at Cosford with my first crossover shot



Cosford 812 by Dominic Vickery, on Flickr

Then onto Waddo, I dont know why I like this but I do!


Waddington '12 700 by Dominic Vickery, on Flickr

For the rarity (I hadnt been this close to a flying Herk since the RAF role demo!)


Waddington '12 736 by Dominic Vickery, on Flickr

Then Riat finished my year off nicely!


Fairford show '12 159 by Dominic Vickery, on Flickr


Fairford show '12 035 by Dominic Vickery, on Flickr

[J Cox]

Very hard to just select 5! Here's my offerings

'The Magnificent 7' as described by Mike Ling, very respectful display, looking forward to all 9 aircraft in 2013


First time up close to a Harrier, not where it should be though....


One of the many highlights of this year


A great local airshow for me, Sywell, home to The Blades


And a stealthy RIAT

[TonyO]

Always enjoy this thread...

I hope I haven't had my last day snapping of the year, but I am increasingly running out of time to get out and do some snapping. But anyway, here are a few of my favourites from the year.

This Hornet was the highlight of my day at NAF El Centro in February.



It was great to see a ROKAF T-50 at the FIDAE Airshow in Chile.



This Lynx Mk8 was the start during the Ten Tors support operation down in deepest Dartmoor.



The Orca Haze at Fairford, what a machine, delighted to have finally snapped one of these!



What a privilege to shoot a Wildcat in the wild...

[FarnboroJohn]

An interesting year but blimey what appalling weather.

My highlights (BTW I am back row far left as you view)


Dave's Stag Do by FarnboroJohn, on Flickr


Central Band of the RAF and Military Wives - Lest We Forget by FarnboroJohn, on Flickr


Little Friend by FarnboroJohn, on Flickr


Farnborough_Airshow_2012 Wet Wet Wet by FarnboroJohn, on Flickr


Farnborough_Airshow_2012 A380 Farnboro residents view by FarnboroJohn, on Flickr

Happy 2013 when it arrives

John

[Niallxg]

Here's my contribution.

2012's Tigermeet was in Norway - Orland to be exact. "It's nice in Norway in the summer" they said... Four seasons in one day more like - Rain, Snow and Sun - despite all the layers we still froze. But hey, the result were shots like this and great access, so it was more than worth it.


US ANG, 122 ARW, 57-1486, Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker by nxgphotos, on Flickr


Arctic Tiger 12 - 'Feel the cold' by nxgphotos, on Flickr

After Norway it was a long drive and a short flight to the next event on the calendar - JG-71's Rhino safari. Brilliant day, looking forward to the final event next year.


JG-71, 38+24, F-4F Phantom II by nxgphotos, on Flickr

First time to visit Bruntingthorpe, so it had to be in my top five. Hard to pick a favourite but I guess the Victor wins. Personally my favourite of the V-bombers.


XM715, H.P. Victor K.2 by nxgphotos, on Flickr

As said elsewhere, RIAT was the best in years - despite natures best attempts to turn it into a mudfest. Polish MiG-29 and the Black Eagles were the stand out acts, but this one I'll always remember.


OV-10 Bronco fairwell by nxgphotos, on Flickr


Roll on 2013.

Niall

[IanOlder]

Five that stand out for me...

Northolt. Thanks as ever to Phil for tirelessly working on these events for us all



Bruntingthorpe for some cold war noise, XW544's shiny new clothes



North Weald for the Norwegian F-16 in anniversary markings. Nice quiet morning and a friendly staff member kindly escorted me for some close ups.



Duxford and the superb Tornado role demo (from the field with the good views)



Beachy Head and possibly my show highlight of the year? The magnificent Vulcan.
Made an effort to see her as much as possible this year, hoping she can make one more season before retirement.

[KAM68]

Five from me

Albacete in February



East Kirkby in March



Wanaka in April



Zhukovsky in August



Nellis in November

[Chris P]

Not done many airshows this year as in years gone by.. did spend a lot of time at various bases though
RAF Linton training for the Olympic security


2
Spadeadam Dutch Chinook


3
Tebay GR4


4
RAF Leeming Turkish F16


5
RAF Leeming Polish F16


cheers
Chris

[Blackbird]

Some super shots so far. My contribution:
I managed to get to the Luftwaffen Museum at Gatow.

The best RIAT for some years with the the excellent Koreans

Norwegian Wings at North Weald

It seems that the immaculate Albatross and RE8 weren't just favourites of mine.

An(other) excellent nightshoot at Northolt


Early festive greetings to all, and roll on 2013.

Andy

[Sven]

My five from a good year. Highlights were definitely RIAT and the Brunty open days.


The year started off with a flypast by the FAAM jet up in northern Finlabd;



I was lucky enough to be able to help TBAG out for the Brunty open days this year. Here's one to illustrate the weather during the practice days.



Reassembling the Jag at Brunty;



Lindy's grandmother over in Vancouver



I moved down to south Wales this time last year and was a bit disappointed to hear that there are no museums or collections anywhere near, until this lot turned up in February. Hopefully they'll all be flying soon.



Sven

[sylvancatharsis]

Hard to pick just five, but here are my faves from 2012. Interesting year, with standout events being Hamilton, RIAT, and Thunder over Michigan. Sadly the organizers of Thunder have decided to host their show the same weekend as Hamilton in 2013, which is going to make for a tough choice.

So, starting with one from my new place of employment, Pittsburgh International Airport:


One from Hamilton:


The show in Latrobe, Pennsylvania was horribly organized with myriad logistical issues, but the flying wasn't too bad:


Off across the Pond for RIAT... bye-bye, Vicky


And lastly, one from the heat of Michigan:


Also attended the Doolittle Raiders 70th Reunion, Andrews AFB, Cleveland, and the Golden Age Air Museum fly-in. Not a bad year at all.

[rjlaker]

Had a quiet one this year, but here's my 5...

Air to air with the HAC Hurri...

_DSC2911lr by rjlaker, on Flickr

I was pleased to see the Jug back in the air at Legends:

_DSC4403lr by rjlaker, on Flickr

A different viewpoint at Farnborough... I thought the day would be a washout, but I was pleased with these 2:

_DSC6755lr by rjlaker, on Flickr


_DSC7181lr by rjlaker, on Flickr

But the real highlight in my view was seeing XH558 low down at Beachy Head

_DSC7694lr by rjlaker, on Flickr

[HOLTY]

Very tough to choose as its been a fairly busy year, but these are my top 5:

Fairford:


ROKAF T-50's (Explored) by Mark Holt Photography, on Flickr

Southport:


ZK327 by Mark Holt Photography, on Flickr

Leeming:


Polish F-16 by Mark Holt Photography, on Flickr

Coningsby:


29Sqn Flightline by Mark Holt Photography, on Flickr

Warton:


ZJ699 (IPA1) by Mark Holt Photography, on Flickr

[MikeCooper1990]

There were definitely too many great moments this year but I have managed to narrow it down to five.

1) The Black Eagles at RIAT.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater

2) "Snafu" at Flying Legends
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater

3) F-16s & Vampires at Duxford
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater

4) Albatros D.VA & RAF RE.8 Replicas at Duxford
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater

5) "Ferocious Frankie" & "Miss Demeanour"
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater

[duxfordhawk]

Here are five of mine

Meteor T7 Duxford May 2012

Meteor T7 by Martin D Stitchener, on Flickr

Vulcan Duxford September 2012

Vulcan by Martin D Stitchener, on Flickr

Albatros Duxford September 2012

IMG_4362 by Martin D Stitchener, on Flickr

Blackburn Monplane Old Warden October 2012

1912 - Blackburn monoplane Type - 'D' by Martin D Stitchener, on Flickr

Hurricane at Goodwood Revival September 2012

Croydon Hurricane BW by Martin D Stitchener, on Flickr