While Mallorca is mostly famed for being a major holiday destination (which it indeed is) there's still a few bits of military aviation to be had on the island. Over all my visits each day seems to have what I've come to call a 'what on Earth is that doing here?' movement, these can be either hugely rewarding if you're in the right place to get a photo, or hugely frustrating if you're not!
06-07-2012
As we were walking to the 06L photography point we spotted this sitting at anchor in Palma bay, not exactly what you expect to see on your holiday but a lovely sight
Just to show how far away it was I used a 100-400 @ 400mm with a 1.4X tele-converter on a 1.6X crop body!
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) by QSY on-route, on Flickr
This FAE Casa 295 was also in during the day...
T.21-13 (35-51) by QSY on-route, on Flickr
07-07-2012
The next morning they were again on 06 so another walk to the photography point, by this time Ike had left which we hoped might mean we'd get something visiting from her....
162171 Arriving In Palma From The Ike by QSY on-route, on Flickr
165351 by QSY on-route, on Flickr
When we went round to shoot 24R departures in the evening we could hear a large amount of humming appearing from the military ramp....
USN Greyhound 162171 departing back to the IKE by QSY on-route, on Flickr
165351 (RU) by QSY on-route, on Flickr
09-07-2012
A visit up to the north of the Island to Port de Pollenca to see the CL215T
UD.13-22 (43-22) by QSY on-route, on Flickr
12-07-2012
One of the based Casa 212's turning short finals on 06L, these are now operated alongside a Casa 235 in the SAR role on the island.
D.3B-3 by QSY on-route, on Flickr
14-07-2012
Caught this Bolkow lifting out on a tasking, sadly not the best shot as I wasn't expecting it!
HU.15-92 (09-120) by QSY on-route, on Flickr
16-07-2012
We fancied another trip out to the north of the island again to Port de Pollenca, and a different CL215T, this aircraft had a very busy 24 hour period after we saw it with 7 separate wild-fires breaking out on the island.
UD.13-21 (43-21) by QSY on-route, on Flickr
There had been a FAE 707 in the airport that morning & seeing as we were passing we thought we'd stop by & ask if it had already departed. We were told that it should be leaving in about 15 minutes & sure enough it did! What a catch for me as I don't do much military it's likely the last time I'll see a 707 with real engines fly
T.17-3 (47-03) by QSY on-route, on Flickr
T.17-3 (47-03) by QSY on-route, on Flickr
Hopefully the shots are of interest! It's something a bit different from the GA 'tins' I'm normally taking pictures of
Cheers,
