Sunday, July 16, 2006

Fairford 2006

If you've not got broadband, hit the 'back' button now.


When I was 11 or 12, I knew every Brit and American fighter jet off by heart, having studied the Observer's Book of Aircraft and the like. Lightnings, Hunters, Sea Vixens, Buccaneers, Phantoms, Starfighters ...

Now 'they all look the same to me ..'.

I think this is an F18 Hornet.



Whatever it is, it's damn noisy when he wellies it off the runway.


Hang on a min - what's that hiding behind him ? That tailplane looks familiar ...



Tally ho ! Next stop Dortmund !



Not really.



Viva Espana ! And don't mention the War on Terror !

OK, which nation fitted out a Hercules with a samba sound system ? Featured dancing aircrew ? And offered refreshments to visitors ? Especially pretty ones ?

I suppose, as with Argentina, that any nation producing top Formula One drivers will also have some top pilots.



Did you know that the Brazilian Air Force fought in WW2, flying P47 Thunderbolt sorties in Italy ? I didn't.

We watched the presentations of the Flying Scholarships For The Disabled. Moving stuff.


The first ever UK visit by the Pakistan Air Force - a 'thank you' for the international air effort.

"Immediately after the earthquake, Royal Air Force aircraft including C-130 Hercules and C-17s carrying CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopters, departed RAF Fairford to help deliver aid to the devastated region. The Royal Navy and Army also provided vital support.

US helicopters flew more than 3,300 sorties delivering relief supplies to the disaster area and transported over 15,000 people, including around 4,000 needing medical attention. An additional 250 US military and civilian cargo airlift flights delivered in excess of 7,000 tons of medical supplies, food, shelter material, blankets, and rescue equipment to Pakistan.

In March, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz visited Downing Street to thank UK troops involved in the humanitarian relief effort following the earthquake, which claimed 73,000 lives."


All part of that global war on Muslims I read so much about in the Guardian ...

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