Daz Curtis Aviation Photography

RIP Sir.

ZZ 333, gear down.
RAF Brize Norton is home to the Voyager MRTT Fleet and are owned by Airtanker Services. The RAF ordered 14 which are permanently stationed at the Oxfordshire base. 7 are KC2 and 7 are KC3 model frames. Some frames are "wet-leased" out when not required for RAF tasking.

OV-10 Bronco flown by the "Bronco Demo Team" from Belgium
The agility of this Aircraft was there for all to see at the Abingdon Air Fete 2023.

Just chillin in the sunshine.
The Hellenic AF F4E Phantom II waiting for clearance through French airspace.

XX 177 backtracks past the Station Commanders House at Brize Norton

Belgian F16 giving us a full topside on departure.

MK356 is a MkIX Spitfire painted in a desert camouflage to commemorate 92 Squadrons hard fought battles in North Africa during WW2. It honours the brave pilots and stoic ground crews of the successful campaign.

She is seen here she touching down at RIAT 22.

The last B1b Lancer from the 9EBS departs RAF Fairford after a successful deployment from Dyess AFB, Texas.

Lockheed U2 80-1079 Dragonlady returns to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after a mission.
This particular aircraft was built as TR-1A in 1985 but has been upgraded to 'S' spec.
The Four Cross Patee on the tail are a Symbol that represents the Beale AFB legacy and the four campaigns the reconnaissance sqns took part in during WW1.

Apache AH-64E ZM717 (Award 72) conducting approach drills on Abingdon Airfield
28/04/23
This is the latest version of the Apache featuring new engine, drive train, main rotor blades and avionics. These will replace the AH Mk 1 based at Wattisham with 3AAC.

Lunchtime lift from RAF Conningsby
31/01/23

RiP Carolyn Grace...Blue Skies

The arrival of 3 F15E's from RAF Lakenheath to RAF Brize Norton after a divert, probably due to weather. Managed to catch their arrival in the fading light.

A great sight.
A400 - ZM414 and C17 - ZZ175 practicing formation flying for the Queens Platinum Jubilee flypast which took place on the 2nd of June.

A single Aermacchi MB-339-A from the Frecce Tricolori (Tricolour Arrows)
The Italian Aerobatic Demonstration Team has used this airframe since 1982 and is currently the worlds largest aerobatic team with 10 aircraft.

EADS (CASA) 295M
Finnish Air Force.

The FiAF operates 3 C-295s in an Electronic Warfare role, with an option for 4 more.
This one is seen on approach to RIAT 2022

PS853 taxiing into Brize Norton for the festival in 2022

PS853 is owned by Rolls Royce and is one of 79 unarmed, high altitude reconnaissance MkXIXs built at Supermarine, Southampton.
It is powered by the Griffon 65 (or 66) pushing it to 446mph.
It was bought by Rolls Royce in 1996 and is and awesome sight (and sound).

Lockheed U2s (Dragon Lady)
80-1076.

The U2 and its easily distinguishable profile first flew in 1955. 1076 is one of the latest models and entered service in the 1980s. 104 U2s were built and over 30 still remain in service.

The U2 is notoriously difficult to fly and the controls are designed for high altitude flight which makes landing very difficult. A "Chase Car" is employed to give low level altitude reports so that the pilot can initiate a stall to land.

1076 is part of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, currently deployed to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

GREEN ON !! SMOKE ON !!
The RAF Falcons Display Team exiting their Dornier 228.

FAF A330-243 MRTT 044 on approach to runway 25 at Brize Norton.

These will replace their KC135, C135, A319 and A340 fleet.