AMI F3s @ Coningsby Jun '97

[F3]

Re - the question about an Italian F3 @ Leuchars raised in another thread in this forum:- the Italians wet leased 24 RAF F3s which were surplus to requirements after disbandment of 23 Sqn. in '93, enough to equip 2 units 12 Gruppo 36 Stormo @ Goia del Colle & 21 Gruppo 53 Stormo @ Cameri. An RAF jet in Italian mks appeared in the static @ Fairford in '95 but was nt part of the lease. The Italian crews were trained by 56 Sqn. @ Coningsby and in June '97 during the Brilliant Foil Ex I was lucky enough to catch a pair of 53 Stormo jets, 53-01 + 53-12 which had been ZE208 + ZE205 which had both previously served with 29 + 56 Sqns. - in fact the latter had worn 29 Sqn's 75 th. Ann scheme. All 24 jets were returned to the UK in '03/'04 except for one which was assigned for display in the AMI museum and whilst went into storage @ St.Athan prior to being scrapped a couple returned to service with 56 Sqn. @ Leuchars.

AMI F3s - 53 - 12 (1) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

AMI F3s - 53-12 (2) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

AMI F3s - 53-12 (4) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

AMI F3s - 53 -12 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

AMI F3s - 53-01 by Michael Britton, on Flickr

AMI F3s - 53-01 (1) by Michael Britton, on Flickr

[paddyboy]

Hi Michael

Always nice to see shots of the 'forgotten' Tonka

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[jaybee]

Good to see those Mick. Not sure if I have 1 shot of any of them, you've started me searching through my shoe box collection..