Latest Articles
KC-10A Bows Out
September 26th 2024 was an emotional day at Travis Air Force Base, California, when the final KC-10A departed, marking the end of operations with the United States Air Forces (USAF). Westleigh Bushell takes a look back at the operational career of this iconic jet.
The Royal International Air Tattoo 2024
For more than 50 years, the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) has developed and expanded in a fashion few could have managed looking back to the initial events held at North Weald in Essex in the early 1970s. It is now considered one of the best if not the best, military aviation event in the world lasting six days. Aeroresource were on hand all 6 days to report on the event.
The Original BAe 146
AeroResource looks at the original BAe 146 E1001 and its unique history, as well as offering an insight to the role it still performs today.
NATO Tiger Meet 2024
After a 10-year absence Germany played host to the 2024 edition of the NATO Tiger Meet (NTM). Like the meet of 2014, hosting duties fell with Schleswig AB and specifically Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 51 “Immelmann” (TLG 51) who opened their arms to the member units of the NATO Tiger Association (NTA). AeroResource were on hand in the variable north German weather for the 2 spotter days hosted by the NTA and TLG 51 to witness the exercise in full swing.
AIRVG 2024
On May 11, 2024, Zagreb Franjo Tuđman airport hosted AIRVG 2024 in conjunction with the Croatian Air Force to help celebrate the retirement of its last remaining Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed aircraft, and the introduction of its replacement, the Dassault Rafale F-3R. VG stands for the city Velika Gorica where the airport resides. As one might expect, the air show attracted a large public audience as well as aviation enthusiasts from across Europe to witness the nations MiG-21s in particular. AeroResource were present to witness proceedings on the ground and in the air, both of which were very well organised. In [...]
RNAS Culdrose: 814 Naval Air Squadron
Protecting the Royal Navy from surface and sub-surface threats as well as supporting the United Kingdom’s maritime security operations is a role 814 Naval Air Squadron have conducted for many years. AeroResource recently had the unique opportunity to visit this incredible squadron to consider what it is like being a “Flying Tiger’. Cornwall’s Sub Hunters It is late afternoon on a cold and dank winter’s day. Flying conditions are far from ideal with low cloud and poor visibility. Despite this, the four person Royal Navy Merlin HM2 aircrew from 814 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) have quickly hover taxied their already [...]
Iniochos 2024
From April 8-18, 2024, the skies above Andravida Air Base in the northwest of the Peloponnese, Greece reverberated to the sound of fast jets from the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) and a coalition of aircraft from elsewhere in Europe and the Middle East participating in Exercise Iniochos 2024. Ian Harding takes a look at the 2024 edition of exercise Iniochos with the help of Thomas Howe for the supporting images. Home to 117 Combat Wing, the Hellenic Air Force Air Tactics Centre and Fighter Weapons School (FWS), Andravida Air Base has firmly established itself on the global stage as one [...]
Aeronautica Militare retires AMX
Following 35 years of service, the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) formally retired its last remaining AMX A-11 ‘Ghibli’ light combat and reconnaissance aircraft from service on April 5, 2024. The Italian term ‘Ghibli’ derives from the hot dry wind that blows in North Africa. This historic occasion was marked with a formal ceremony and flypast at Istrana Air Base in Northern Italy home to the 51st Wing (51º Stormo) and the last remaining squadron operating the type; 132nd Squadron (132° Gruppo). A special marked AMX aircraft was presented marking the end of an era for this diminutive, robust and [...]
Army Air Corps Apache AH-64D retirement
© Ian Harding | Army Air Corps | Westland Apache AH1 On March 25, 2024 following 23 years of service, the Army Air Corps officially retired the AgustaWestland/Boeing WAH-64D (Apache AH1) from service whilst also declaring the Boeing Apache AH-64E Guardian v6 operationally ready. As has become standard practice nowadays, the Army Air Corps and 4 Regiment, 656 Squadron based at Wattisham in Suffolk, marked this occasion with an extensive farewell tour and flypast. In a tour lasting some ten hours, two Apache AH1’s and two AH-64E’s, flew in formation over various United Kingdom locations relevant to Apache operations. AeroResource co-editor [...]
Northolt Nightshoot XXX
There is always an air of anticipation and excitement when Phil Dawe MBE, Building 27 Restoration Team Manager, and RAF Northolt (Home to 32 Squadron) located in Greater London announce the date, timing and potential attendees for its next ‘RAF Northolt nightshoot’. It was no different on the occasion when AeroResource were present for the 30th edition (RAF Northolt Nightshoot XXX) of this event on March 7, 2024. Pleasingly for everyone, the weather played ball and it did not rain; no mean feat in the current climate! Rather than simply reporting on the event, it is important at times to [...]
Poland AW101 Merlin Mk614
As tension surrounding the invasion of Ukraine by Russia builds, it is no surprise that Poland continues to sign various contracts with European and US companies to strengthen the country’s air defence capability. This process commenced in January 2020 when Poland and the US State department signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance valued at $4.6 billion for the acquisition of 32 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II 5th generation fighters. Latterly, attention has turned to the re-equipment of Poland’s rotary force which includes the acquisition of 32 Leonardo Helicopters AW149 battlefield utility helicopters in July 2022 (valued at 8.25 billion [...]
What a M-STAR!
The sharply painted M-STAR, a 1981 built Boeing 727-2X8 began its final series of flights from Dubai to the Cotswolds on 31st January 2024, for a somewhat unknown future. Westleigh Bushell was on hand at Cotswold Airport to witness what could be the aircraft's final landing. History…. Having always been in the VIP/Business jet role, M-STAR is believed to be the lowest flight hour Boeing 727 still airworthy. The aircraft is line number 1784 and rolled off Boeing's Renton production line in 1981 wearing the test registration N4523N. The first owner flew it as N721MF from 1982 and it stayed with [...]
Royal Navy Dauphin – FOST Mission Support
A familiar sight in skies above Cornwall and Devon but less so elsewhere, AeroResource considers the unique and specialised operations of the FOST Dauphin helicopter which performs an important role on behalf of the Royal Navy. For those living in the United Kingdom’s most western counties, the sight of Hawk T1A’s from 736 Naval Air Squadron (based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, Cornwall) operating alongside Draken Aviation Falcon 20Cs (based at Bournemouth International Airport, Dorset) plus other NATO and foreign participants conducting Fleet Operational Sea Training (FOST) has been a familiar one for many years. Equally familiar in some [...]
Iniochos 2024
From April 8-18, 2024, the skies above Andravida Air Base in the northwest of the Peloponnese, Greece reverberated to the sound of fast jets from the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) and a coalition of aircraft [...]
Aeronautica Militare retires AMX
Following 35 years of service, the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) formally retired its last remaining AMX A-11 ‘Ghibli’ light combat and reconnaissance aircraft from service on April 5, 2024. The Italian term ‘Ghibli’ derives [...]
Army Air Corps Apache AH-64D retirement
© Ian Harding | Army Air Corps | Westland Apache AH1 On March 25, 2024 following 23 years of service, the Army Air Corps officially retired the AgustaWestland/Boeing WAH-64D (Apache AH1) from service whilst also [...]
Northolt Nightshoot XXX
There is always an air of anticipation and excitement when Phil Dawe MBE, Building 27 Restoration Team Manager, and RAF Northolt (Home to 32 Squadron) located in Greater London announce the date, timing and potential [...]
Poland AW101 Merlin Mk614
As tension surrounding the invasion of Ukraine by Russia builds, it is no surprise that Poland continues to sign various contracts with European and US companies to strengthen the country’s air defence capability. This process [...]
What a M-STAR!
The sharply painted M-STAR, a 1981 built Boeing 727-2X8 began its final series of flights from Dubai to the Cotswolds on 31st January 2024, for a somewhat unknown future. Westleigh Bushell was on hand at Cotswold [...]
Royal Navy Dauphin – FOST Mission Support
A familiar sight in skies above Cornwall and Devon but less so elsewhere, AeroResource considers the unique and specialised operations of the FOST Dauphin helicopter which performs an important role on behalf of the Royal [...]
KC-10A Bows Out
September 26th 2024 was an emotional day at Travis Air Force Base, California, when the final KC-10A departed, marking the end of operations with the United States Air Forces (USAF). Westleigh Bushell takes a look back at the operational career of this iconic jet.
The Royal International Air Tattoo 2024
For more than 50 years, the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) has developed and expanded in a fashion few could have managed looking back to the initial events held at North Weald in Essex in the early 1970s. It is now considered one of the best if not the best, military aviation event in the world lasting six days. Aeroresource were on hand all 6 days to report on the event.
The Original BAe 146
AeroResource looks at the original BAe 146 E1001 and its unique history, as well as offering an insight to the role it still performs today.
NATO Tiger Meet 2024
After a 10-year absence Germany played host to the 2024 edition of the NATO Tiger Meet (NTM). Like the meet of 2014, hosting duties fell with Schleswig AB and specifically Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 51 “Immelmann” (TLG 51) who opened their arms to the member units of the NATO Tiger Association (NTA). AeroResource were on hand in the variable north German weather for the 2 spotter days hosted by the NTA and TLG 51 to witness the exercise in full swing.
AIRVG 2024
On May 11, 2024, Zagreb Franjo Tuđman airport hosted AIRVG 2024 in conjunction with the Croatian Air Force to help celebrate the retirement of its last remaining Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed aircraft, and the introduction of [...]
RNAS Culdrose: 814 Naval Air Squadron
Protecting the Royal Navy from surface and sub-surface threats as well as supporting the United Kingdom’s maritime security operations is a role 814 Naval Air Squadron have conducted for many years. AeroResource recently had the [...]
Westland Gazelle AH1 Swan Song
On Monday October 23rd 2023, three 665 Squadron, 5 Regiment Army Air Corps Westland Gazelle AH1s departed RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland for a short tour of UK landmarks. This brings to an end this [...]
Northolt Nightshoot XXIX
As we start the transition from long summer evenings to the shorter, colder winter nights it brings with it the start of the nightshoot season. October 5th 2023 saw one of the first, RAF Northolt [...]
Anatolian Eagle 2023
Held in Konya, central Türkiye, since 2001, Anatolian Eagle exercises have always been well attended, both by participating nations from around the world and aviation enthusiasts alike. 2023’s edition was no exception with visiting participants [...]
Edwards AFB Airshow & Open House 2022
Edwards AFB Airshow & Open House 2022 Edwards AFB Airshow & Open House 2022: In the 13 years since Edwards air force base last hosted an air show, a lot has changed. Fifth generation aircraft [...]
301 Hikotai Phantom II F-4EJ Kai Retirement
The Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) retired its last Phrontline Phantom aircraft at the beginning of December 2020, namely 301 Hikotai and their Phantom II F-4EJ Kai’s. The last 301 Hikotai Phantom II F-4EJ [...]
