RAF Coltishall 14th June 2005

This trip was only the second outing for me with the EOS 350D and having been stuck at RAF Valley with no English manual I was eager to learn a little more about the camera and take some better pictures. I obtained an electronic copy of the manual online and worked my way through it with the help of Phil Jones. By the time I got to Coltishall I felt ready to switch out of "sports" mode which I had used on my first and previous trip to RAF Valley and hopefully gather some better results.

Jaguar Gr.3 XZ114/"EO" in 6 Sqn markings lining up on RAF Coltishall's runway. Notice the aircraft is armed with CBLS dispensers that contain blue practice bombs.

Fitter SU-22M4 "9616" on short finals.

Another Jaguar sortie ends with a perfect landing back at Coltishall.

Notice the nose and fuel tank art on this SU-22M4 "Fitter", bort number "8206".

Qintetiq's Alpha Jet XJ645 was a welcome visitor, seen here arriving in the morning.

SU-22M4 "8206" taxying onto Coltishall's runway to start a joint sortie with a Jaguar Gr.3

A further view of Jaguar Gr.3 XZ114/"EO" as she accelerates down the runway with afterburners blazing.

The now defunct 16 Squadron lives on in the form of this Jaguar which was specially marked for the unit's disbandment several months prior to my visit.

SU-22M4 "8310" specially marked with a large yellow "7" on the vertical tail returns to Coltishall after a midday sortie.

Jaguar Gr.3 XZ117/"FB" marked in 41 Squadron colours lines up to depart with a SU-22M4 "Fitter" following close behind.

54 Squadron's legacy in the form of Jaguar XZ112 seen here armed with a TIALD pod on the centerline weapons pylon.

A further image of Alpha Jet XJ645 on short finals.

A 6 Squadron Jaguar returns from a practice bombing sortie, presumably at one of the nearby weapons ranges.

An inert sidewinder armed 41 Squadron Jaguar Gr.3 taxying toward the active runway.

SU-22M4 "8310" approaches during one of the many dull periods of the day!

Another Jaguar returns, this time in the form of a 41 Squadron machine arriving loaded with CBLS bomb dispensers.

One of 41 Squadron's Jaguar T.4s spews fuel from its vent pipe as the brakes are released and the afterburners lit for another loud take off.

This "Fitter" landed a little longer than normal, touching down just after the "piano keys".

Jaguar GR.3 XZ107 "FH" lines up, armed with an ECM pod, fuel tanks and a CBLS pod. Also loaded on the starboard outer wing pylon was a Phimat chaff/flare dispenser.

A further view of the 54 Squadron disbandment scheme aircraft as she accelerates down the runway.

SU-22M4 "3509" just passes over the runway threshold. "Hi" to the other photographer on the other side of the runway!

The 41 Squadron "Special" scheme aircraft seen leading a Jaguar T.4 onto the main runway for a pairs departure.

Alpha Jet ZJ645 departed late in the afternoon, this time with just a single crew member.

Loud! The single engine of the "Fitter" is easily as loud as the twin Adours fitted to the Jaguar. Here one of the Polish jets get going down Coltishall's runway.

A 41 Squadron "twin tub" lines up and prepares for another sortie.

A pairs landing, with 16 Squadron's "Special Scheme" aircraft in the lead.