30 June 2006 - Brize Norton

VC-10 C1K XV104 returned from Filton with a specially painted tail commemorating forty years of service with the RAF. Sadly the jet didn't make it to this weekend's Waddington Air Show. Picture courtesy Neil Jones

25 June 2006 - Newark

Viggen fuselage moved to Newark Air Museum

Earlier today the fuselage of Saab Viggen AJSH 37, 373 918 - ‘57’ of the Swedish Air Force was finally moved to Newark Air Museum’s Winthorpe Airfield site. The sort journey from RAF Cranwell was undertaken as an escorted wide load by the museum’s preferred aircraft transportation company, Hutchinson Engineering Services Ltd.

The wings were transported to the museum on 20 June and it had been anticipated that the fuselage move would be delayed until early July, whilst a Police/Department of Transport wide load movement permit was granted. The permit was granted earlier than anticipated and the safe arrival of the fuselage means that all the airframe components are now at Winthorpe and the complex reassembly task can be started.

Due to the complex nature of the work that has now to be undertaken to rebuild the Viggen the aircraft has been located inside Display Hangar 2. A temporary assembly area has been created by moving the Canberra B(I)8 and the Gannet outside and during the coming weeks visitors will be able to see the Viggen reassembly in progress.

The Viggen is believed to be the most modern and complex dismantling project the museum has undertaken and this has been a particularly challenging project for the museum’s Restoration Co-ordinator and his team of volunteers. The museum trustees are particularly grateful for their dedication and in the careful and innovative way that they have tackled the whole project.

The trustees would also like to extend special thanks to the Station Commander and staff at RAF Cranwell, staff at Serco, Major Thomas Palmklint, Captain Jonas Haraldsson and the Swedish Air Force and Mr Sven Scheiderbauer, Director of the Norsk Luftfartsmuseum, Bodø, Norway, who have all contributed greatly to enable this project to be completed successfully. Courtesy Howard Heeley/Down to Earth Promotions

22 June 2006 - Lossiemouth

Four Luftwaffe Tornado ECRs are at Lossiemouth, participating in Exercise 'Viking Warrior'. Aircraft noted were 46+39, 46+43 and 46+52, all from JbG 32. Also taking part in 'Viking Warrior' were four Mirage 2000-5s, operating out of Leuchars - 49/2-EA and 65/2-EK from EC 01.002 together with 40/2-FG and 63/2-FQ from EC 02.002. Pictures courtesy Bill Cardno

22 June 2006 - Leuchars

Out and about was ZE735, 56(R) Squadron's 90th anniversary aircraft, recreating the display scheme of a couple of years ago. If only we could have a F3 back on the airshow circuit this year! Picture courtesy Bill Cardno

22 June 2006 - Lakenheath

Making their departure were three F/A-18As and the C-130T of the Blue Angels, after having diverted into Lakenheath the day before due to one of the escort tankers becoming unserviceable. Four Hornets remain and are expected out tomorrow (Friday). Pictures courtesy Tom McGhee

8 - 19 June 2006 - Lossiemouth

Five F/A-18Es from VFA-14, US Navy deployed to Lossiemouth for two weeks to take part in the CQWI running at RAF Leuchars. The aircraft all wore 'USS Nimitz' markings but came straight from the USA. Pictures courtesy Bill Cardno

16 June 2006 - Mildenhall

Always worth a picture is the USAF's C-135 'Speckled Trout', resplendent in its blue, white and silver scheme. Becoming almost a regular sight, 57-2589 was recently seen at Brize Norton in May (see below). Also at Mildenhall was a US Navy C-40A. Pictures courtesy Wayne Button

12 June 2006 - Lakenheath

The first HH-60G of the 56 RQS based at Keflavik in Iceland arrived at its new home of RAF Lakenheath today on board a C-17A Globemaster. The past year has seen the start of the withdrawal of the USAF in Iceland and in recent months the TDY F-15 detachment finishing. This in turn has left HH-60Gs being transferred to RAF Lakenheath where the 48th FW will take control of the Iceland patrols. This picture below shows 26206 being unloaded from 04-4135 C-17A of the 305th AMW. Picture courtesy Jason French

6 June 2006 - Marham

Canberra PR9 XH134 has received special markings to commemorate the phasing out of the type from RAF service at the end of July. It should star at the impending airshows at Cosford, Waddington and RIAT. Picture courtesy Matthew Clements