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Some RAF Harriers found somewhere on an old hard drive

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Zonan
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Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2018 9:02 pm

Some RAF Harriers found somewhere on an old hard drive

Post by Zonan » Wed Jun 26, 2019 6:10 pm

Hello,
So in 2008 there was the "Weeze airport festival" at my home field Weeze.
It was to celebrate 5 years of the airport (as it started in 2003).
Weeze is a former RAF base which was called RAF Laarbruch, until it had closed down in 1999.
Several jets used to fly there, including Harriers and Tornado's, both of which were present at the airshow.
I knew I had these pics somewhere, but I never really looked them up.

So recently, my dad had repaired an external hard drive, which couldn't be read by our computers.
He made it an internal one and made sure it could be read, and there they were: the 2008 and 2013 Weeze photos, as well as the "luchtmachtdagen" 2013 and 2014 at Volkel and Gilze-Rijen. (photos of those will follow soon).
Something I loved about the pics, was that there wasn't just one, but four Harriers! :thumb: :thumb:

Enjoy the pics here.
They aren't the best of qualitiy, but what do you expect from a 7 year old :P
(some pics are actaully made by my mom)

1. ZJ922 Eurofighter Typhoon. No pic of the full aircraft, but the cockpit will do
ImageZJ922 by Zonan Adolfse, on Flickr

2. FX-52, one of the two F-104s (the other being KG+101) that was stored in the hangars of Weeze. They were moved after the owner had some issues with the airport director in 2013 I believe.
ImageFX-52 by Zonan Adolfse, on Flickr

3. FX-52 from the front
ImageFX-52 by Zonan Adolfse, on Flickr

4. 44+70, a german tornado was present at the static as well.
Image44+70 by Zonan Adolfse, on Flickr

5. Now for the best part: ZD410, with the 95 years tail, just after being pulled out of the hangar.
ImageZD410 by Zonan Adolfse, on Flickr

6. ZD410 and ZD403 starting up for the demo.
ImageZD403 and ZD410 by Zonan Adolfse, on Flickr

7. All of the four Harriers starting.
ImageZD403, ZD410, ZD435 and ZD438 by Zonan Adolfse, on Flickr

8. ZD410 taxiing out to runway 09.
ImageZD403 and ZD410 by Zonan Adolfse, on Flickr

Hope you liked those, at least I did :cool: :whistle:
Pics from the 2013 show will follow soon, as well as the luchtmachtdagen photos. :roll:

Does anyone know which squadron these Harriers flew for? The registrations were ZD403, ZD410, ZD435 and ZD438. Thanks in advance!

Regards, Zonan

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paddyboy
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Re: Some RAF Harriers found somewhere on an old hard drive

Post by paddyboy » Thu Jun 27, 2019 3:48 am

Hi Zonan :P

Wonderful shots there :thumbs:

Think you would get even more peeks and replies if these were posted under WR&N :)

Thanks for posting :thumb:

Paddyboy :clap:
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The Phantom
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Re: Some RAF Harriers found somewhere on an old hard drive

Post by The Phantom » Thu Jun 27, 2019 6:19 am

I wish these were current military :lol:

Snoop 95
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Re: Some RAF Harriers found somewhere on an old hard drive

Post by Snoop 95 » Thu Jun 27, 2019 7:08 am

Very nostalgic for better times as far as military aviation is concerned. Thanks.

NickB
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Re: Some RAF Harriers found somewhere on an old hard drive

Post by NickB » Thu Jun 27, 2019 10:31 am

Hi Zonan
Nice to see some pics from my old base - I was there from 1996 to 99.
Did you attend the airshow in June 1998? There was quite good attendance with a variety of FJs although sadly no flying.
I saw a recent picture of my old office at Laarbruch - Ops Wing HQ (long thin building very near ATC) - it was looking really quite run down; sad to see.
All the best
Nick

Zonan
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Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2018 9:02 pm

Re: Some RAF Harriers found somewhere on an old hard drive

Post by Zonan » Thu Jun 27, 2019 1:44 pm

NickB wrote:
Thu Jun 27, 2019 10:31 am
Hi Zonan
Nice to see some pics from my old base - I was there from 1996 to 99.
Did you attend the airshow in June 1998? There was quite good attendance with a variety of FJs although sadly no flying.
I saw a recent picture of my old office at Laarbruch - Ops Wing HQ (long thin building very near ATC) - it was looking really quite run down; sad to see.
All the best
Nick
Hi Nick,
I wasnt born yet in '98 so sadly I wasn't there.
Weeze is the nearest airport to my house so whenever something visits I am there.
In fact I'm currently at the airport as we speak, due to a Hungarian A319 visit.
The building you talk about is no longer in use, that's why it's left to rot, sad to see.
Same with a lot of the shelters, some are being rented, others are just left here.

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reheat module
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Re: Some RAF Harriers found somewhere on an old hard drive

Post by reheat module » Thu Jun 27, 2019 2:53 pm

My tour at Laarbruch was 86-89, with the 4 Tornado Sqns (2AC having changed from Jag), 15, 16 and my old 20 Sqn on the far side.
Great days; busy but fabulous.
UK ONS CPI Rate checker for Sept every year... :whistle:

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Blackcat1
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Re: Some RAF Harriers found somewhere on an old hard drive

Post by Blackcat1 » Sat Jun 29, 2019 4:34 pm

Classics certainly are the best!!

Lovely selection
Gareth

6 Sqdn Canopeners
Oculi exercitus
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Jaguar Force Excellance! 2nd July 07.

Hendon Chipmunk
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Re: Some RAF Harriers found somewhere on an old hard drive

Post by Hendon Chipmunk » Sat Jun 29, 2019 7:16 pm

Zonan wrote:
Wed Jun 26, 2019 6:10 pm
Does anyone know which squadron these Harriers flew for? The registrations were ZD403, ZD410, ZD435 and ZD438. Thanks in advance!
Great photos, thank you for sharing them!

Red and black with yellow lightning flash are the colours of No 4 Sqn RAF (though I realise one of your aircraft is unmarked).

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