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Search found 61 matches

by dotwatcher01
Fri Mar 22, 2024 6:14 pm
Forum: The Fighter Control Mess
Topic: 50th Anniversary Scheme for GAF Tornado
Replies: 21
Views: 1732

Re: 50th Anniversary Scheme for GAF Tornado

The Italians did paint one in their three different colour schemes for the 40th at Ghedi a year or so ago... I'd try to dig out a photo but doubtless the moderators would remove it so maybe I won't bother.
by dotwatcher01
Thu Dec 28, 2023 9:37 am
Forum: The Fighter Control Mess
Topic: Red Arrows in Turmoil ?
Replies: 239
Views: 37711

Re: Red Arrows in Turmoil ?

Disband, rebrand, what kind of message does that send to the British public, young R.A.F. pilots (regardless of whatever) and the rest of the world? A dozen brand new Hawks and a full team of nine is the only sensible move, for morale, for ambition, for industry & of course, for the spotters.
by dotwatcher01
Tue Dec 26, 2023 8:01 am
Forum: The Fighter Control Mess
Topic: Luftwaffe not happy with A400
Replies: 7
Views: 2148

Re: Luftwaffe not happy with A400

.......but the R.A.F. does have something they don't, the C-17A. Presumably when it absolutely positively has to be there overnight they use something cheaper & more reliable (cleft sticks?).
by dotwatcher01
Sat Nov 11, 2023 4:35 pm
Forum: Italy, Malta & Mainland Greece
Topic: Small log Milan Linate 5.11.23
Replies: 2
Views: 906

Re: Small log Milan Linate 5.11.23

Your F-104 should be MM6525, coded 3-01 on left, 3-30 on right
by dotwatcher01
Tue Jul 04, 2023 5:38 am
Forum: European Airshows
Topic: Italian Airforce 100th anniversary 2023
Replies: 129
Views: 28808

Re: Italian Airforce 100th anniversary 2023

"F-104S MM6804/51-07"
Almost certainly MM6750, trucked down from Istrana (& for some older viewers, the real Star of the show :clap: )
by dotwatcher01
Fri May 19, 2023 10:41 am
Forum: The Fighter Control Mess
Topic: F111 & F15 changeover at Lakenheath
Replies: 17
Views: 2171

Re: F111 & F15 changeover at Lakenheath

Ah, the good old days.
Can't help with the above discussion but remember potting double digit West Coast Starlifters at the Heath, probably just a few days before the first Swingers arrived!
by dotwatcher01
Tue Mar 28, 2023 8:17 pm
Forum: European Airshows
Topic: Italian Airforce 100th anniversary 2023
Replies: 129
Views: 28808

Re: Italian Airforce 100th anniversary 2023

7 x F-35, OMG one must've got lost before passing over Piazza del Popolo!
by dotwatcher01
Wed Jan 11, 2023 10:51 am
Forum: Current Military Photography
Topic: Garden spotting OTT'ers
Replies: 1422
Views: 594684

Re: Garden spotting OTT'ers

Just passed westbound over Tel Aviv so watch out Mildenhall in about five hours (15.30Z?) there really is an RC-135 at the head of the trail!
Image RC-135 24131 by Dotan Watchman, on Flickr
by dotwatcher01
Tue Nov 01, 2022 7:51 am
Forum: Current Military Photography
Topic: Friendly Crews - Post Your Pics
Replies: 318
Views: 291907

Re: Friendly Crews - Post Your Pics

Three from the media day at Blue Flag 21, Ovda AFB (LLOV) Israel. Unfortunately, Covid travel restrictions meant foreign press couldn't attend, all that should be behind us in '23. Our Greek pilot seems doubly happy to be back on terra firma! https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52469588849_1fb486ac0...
by dotwatcher01
Mon Oct 31, 2022 6:00 am
Forum: Current Military Photography
Topic: Garden spotting OTT'ers
Replies: 1422
Views: 594684

Re: Garden spotting OTT'ers

RCH335 KC-135R 10292 (ex 100th ARW!) first of two expected in Ben Gurion this week landing over Tel Aviv a few moments ago
Image10292 by Dotan Watchman, on Flickr
by dotwatcher01
Fri Sep 02, 2022 2:49 pm
Forum: Warbirds, Replicas and Nostalgic Photography
Topic: Israeli AF visitors Waddington 2001
Replies: 23
Views: 2440

Re: Israeli AF visitors Waddington 2001

At the annual IAF pilots graduation ceremony (last Thursday in June) we get lots of flares, unfortunately the F-15I was quite a way off (unlike the F-15Ds & C-130J this year). So apologies for the journeyman nature of these shots from Hatzerim 2022, but they may bring back some happy memories: https...
by dotwatcher01
Wed Aug 31, 2022 12:07 pm
Forum: The Fighter Control Mess
Topic: Red Arrows in Turmoil ?
Replies: 239
Views: 37711

Re: Red Arrows in Turmoil ?

However dotwatcher, you are right about Hawker Siddeley working on what became the HS1182 using company funds, and was eventually selected over the rival BAC P.59 offering as the Hawk. So, whilst we are both right, you are most definitely not wrong! Wow, glad Wikipedia actually got something right ...
by dotwatcher01
Fri Aug 26, 2022 10:43 am
Forum: The Fighter Control Mess
Topic: Red Arrows in Turmoil ?
Replies: 239
Views: 37711

Re: Red Arrows in Turmoil ?

The Hawk project was funded by Hawker Siddeley Aviation as a private venture, in anticipation of possible RAF interest. How the world has moved on since then. Can you imagine the bean-counters running, umm, just about everything, allowing a company to invest on-spec? What, imho, BAe should've done w...
by dotwatcher01
Sat Mar 05, 2022 12:05 pm
Forum: Current Military Photography
Topic: TLP 1-22 F-15E
Replies: 4
Views: 1806

Re: TLP 1-22 F-15E

Will24 you cannot begin to understand how pleased I am I had no idea :clap: :clap:
by dotwatcher01
Sat Mar 05, 2022 8:33 am
Forum: Current Military Photography
Topic: TLP 1-22 F-15E
Replies: 4
Views: 1806

TLP 1-22 F-15E

Couple of Lakenheath birds enjoying some winter sun. The 204 quite special to me, just one reqd now!! can someone explain the "Chum Bucket" artwork? The 221 appears to have R2D2 in the back seat ... or the commander's kid :unsure: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51919619540_2327d81cde.jpg 221 by...
by dotwatcher01
Thu Jan 27, 2022 6:55 pm
Forum: The Fighter Control Mess
Topic: USN F35c landing mishap/pilot ejection
Replies: 48
Views: 9082

Re: USN F35c landing mishap/pilot ejection

Bringing it a little back on track, Flight (bless 'em) report "Performance updates to the Pratt & Whitney F135 represent the best path to satisfying future increased power and efficiency requirements for the Lockheed Martin F-35". I'd've though a full review of Thunderbird 4s performance might be th...
by dotwatcher01
Sun Jan 23, 2022 1:36 pm
Forum: Current Military Photography
Topic: 493rd The Grim Reapers ‘Special Tail’
Replies: 7
Views: 1310

Re: 493rd The Grim Reapers ‘Special Tail’

1977-2022 F-15 A-B-C-D

15 Years In Europe

OMG both Geography & Maffs out the window now
by dotwatcher01
Sun Jan 23, 2022 10:27 am
Forum: Current Military Photography
Topic: Garden spotting OTT'ers
Replies: 1422
Views: 594684

Re: Garden spotting OTT'ers

MMF44 A330MRTT T-058 E/b 13.45 OTT TLV on Monday 17th Jan descending through' 150 towards Amman

ImageT-058 by Dotan Watchman, on Flickr
by dotwatcher01
Sun Jan 23, 2022 9:59 am
Forum: Current Military Photography
Topic: Special F-15C Both Sides
Replies: 20
Views: 4138

Re: Special F-15C Both Sides

Just in case some of our younger viewers are feeling out of it ....

ImageShhh, top secret by Dotan Watchman, on Flickr
by dotwatcher01
Sun Jan 23, 2022 7:41 am
Forum: Current Military Photography
Topic: Special F-15C Both Sides
Replies: 20
Views: 4138

Re: Special F-15C Both Sides

I may be showing my lack of geographical skills here, but regarding shot number 3, shouldn’t the 57 FIS in Iceland have got a mention, or is that not in Europe? 🤔 The 57th FIS weren’t part of USAFE, they reported directly to Tactical Air Command then Air Combat Command. The badge does not actually ...

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