Event Reports
Ethiopia’s Black Lion Airshow
Between the 23rd and 27th January 2026, the Ethiopian Air Force celebrated its 90th anniversary at the Debre Zeit airbase near the town of Bishoftu, about an hours drive south of Addis Ababa. It was titled the Black Lion Airshow and from advanced information it was known the event would run from the 23-27th January but only the 24th and 27th would see flying activity and that would only be from 1600-1730. Chris Lofting made the visit to experience what turned out to be quite a show!
A Year Late, But Worth the Wait: Mirage 2000 Hits 40 Plus
Base Aérienne 116 Luxeuil Saint-Sauveur (BA 116) provided the setting for the official commemoration of 40 years of the Mirage 2000 in service with the Armée de l’air et de l’espace. Among the invited press and aviation photographers were AeroResource’s Mark Empson and Nicholas Thompson, who travelled to eastern France to witness first-hand both the celebrations and the pride of those who continue to operate and maintain Dassault’s enduring delta. Nicholas provides the following debrief of the Mirage 2000 in French service and September’s celebrations, a piece arriving only slightly less delayed than the celebrations themselves!
Northolt Nightshoot XXXIII
Thursday, 2nd October 2025 marked the 33rd edition of the RAF Northolt nightshoot, once again attended by AeroResource editors Mark Empson and Nick Thompson. Photographers enjoyed favourable conditions—despite some cloud cover, the skies remained dark and free from London’s light pollution, with mild temperatures and no wind or rain. A [...]
The Royal International Air Tattoo 2025
The COVID-19 pandemic curtailed any opportunity for the Royal International Air Tattoo to mark its 50th anniversary with the scale of celebration it deserved. In 2025, however, RIAT was presented a new occasion for commemoration: the 40th anniversary of its first show at RAF Fairford, now firmly established as the Air Tattoo’s modern-day home. We look at this year’s show and also reflect on the event’s future in light of the discussions that have dominated the post-show discourse. Over the course of the show weekend, the AeroResource team was on the ground in Gloucestershire.
AIRVG 2025
AIRVG24 was all about the passing of the Mikoyan MiG-21 in Croatian Air Force service, then AIRVG25 was all about the acceptance into service of the Dassault Aviation Rafale. The unique presence of the entire fleet of 12 Rafales (ten single-seat and two twin-seat aircraft) in one row in front of the crowd line was really the focal point of the whole event. Chris Lofting was present to record this truly historic event for the Croatian Air Force and its adoring public. Chris also provides his unique insight into the origins and service of Croatia’s Rafale fleet now in service.
Northolt Nightshoot XXXII
On Thursday, March 6, 2025, the 32nd edition of the RAF Northolt Nightshoot took place under near-perfect conditions. Attendees enjoyed a clear night with no rain, wind or cloud cover - even the temperature was kind! The entire AeroResource team was present to witness the impressive line-up of aircraft Phil Dawe MBE, RAF Northolt Station Commander and the event volunteers had secured for the event.
AeroResource 2024 Review
With the UK weather Gods providing just a few moments of relief from the grey skied gloom that seems to have engulfed us this winter, the AeroResource team have taken time to look back at 2024’s highlights. 2024 saw the first full year of the new writing and editorial team at AeroResource and we hope that the increased output, both here on the site and across social media haven’t gone un-noticed. We’ve covered a number of events both at home and abroad and hope to provide more articles through the coming year.
Turkish Air Force Phantom’s turn 50!
Over the weekend of November 16/17, 2024, the Turkish Air Force (Türk Hava Kuvvetleri) celebrated the 50th anniversary of their F-4E Phantom Terminator 2020 in service at the Ist Main Jet Base Eskişehir; the operational home base for 111 Filo and the test unit 401 Filo. With aviation press and enthusiasts in attendance, what transpired was a truly exceptional event and Chris Lofting was there for AeroResource to provide his own personal experience of proceedings.
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.
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 XXIX Nightshoot. Mark Empson and Nick Thompson were on hand to report on the event. [...]
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 including Azerbaijan and Pakistan drawing in plenty of enthusiasts to capture the action. This year’s [...]
The Air to Air Photography Experience
Look at the front cover of most aviation magazines, and the majority of the time the cover photograph will be an air-to-air image of some sort. Whilst photographing aircraft from the air is still predominantly the domain of experienced, professional photographers, the last few years have seen a shift [...]
Bourne Park Nightshoot
October 23 saw the first nightshoot hosted by the Gazelle Squadron at their rather picturesque home of Bourne Park near Andover. Mark Empson was there with his camera and tripod for AeroResource. With the night’s drawing in, the autumn/winter period always proves popular with organisers offering the chance of [...]
NATO Tigermeet 2007
Fighter Control Forum member Tony Osborne attended this years Nato Tiger meet for Artic Tigers 2007. This was the first time a Tiger Meet had been hosted in Norway. Despite the goings on in the worlds war zones involving Nato nations. Over one thousand personel from Twenty One squadrons represented [...]