FighterControl

Afternoon all,

I thought I'd share a review from what has been a pleasingly busy, varied and at times unbelievable year of aviation photography. Whilst military photography has formed the backbone of my year, I've been able to get to a handful of shows, as well as even a spot of Civvy shooting, so I've included them all here for completeness, rather than fill the forum with separate threads. I've tried to keep the number of images from each trip/event small, but there are plenty more on my Flickr for those interested.

My year started back in April with an unforgettable day on Dartmoor. A lot of time spent sat and waiting on hillsides certainly paid off. Undoubtedly, the highlight of the year.

Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion | 163060/23-YS | US Marine Corps | Dartmoor | 18/04/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey | 166723/YS-02 | US Marine Corps | Dartmoor | 18/04/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion | 163060/YS-23 | US Marine Corps | Dartmoor | 18/04/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey | 168666/YS-13 | US Marine Corps | Dartmoor | 18/04/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion | 162001/YS-21 | US Marine Corps | Dartmoor | 18/04/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

There was also a couple of local trips at the end of the month that resulted in a couple of nice catches

Boeing Chinook HC6A | ZA684 | Royal Air Force | Dorset | 22/04/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

AgustaWestland Wildcat AH1 | ZZ521 | Army Air Corps | Mid Devon | 27/04/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

May kicked off with a visit to Old Warden for the Season Premiere

Hispano HA1112 M4L Buchon | YELLOW 10/ G-AWHK | Aircraft Restoration Company | Old Warden | 02/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Bristol F.2B Fighter | B1162/G-AEPH | Shuttleworth Collection | Old Warden | 02/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Sopwith Camel F.1 | D1851/G-BZSC | Shuttleworth Collection | Old Warden | 02/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

De Havilland DH 88 Comet | G-ACSS | Shuttleworth Collection | Old Warden | 02/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Consolidated PBV-1A Canso | 433915/G-PBYA | Plane Sailing | Old Warden | 02/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

My one and only visit to Portland this year (that yielded any images that is...) followed later that month

Westland Puma HC2 | XW209 | Royal Air Force | Portland | 19/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

AgustaWestland Merlin HC4 | ZJ118/B | Royal Navy | Portland | 19/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Westland Sea King HU5 | XV666 | Heli Operations | Portland | 19/05/20 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

AgustaWestland Merlin HC4 | ZJ118/B | Royal Navy | Portland | 19/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Westland Puma HC2 | XW209 | Royal Air Force | Portland | 19/05/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

June kicked off in insane style once again, with another USMC invasion of Devon, this time in support of the G7 summit. I spent as much time as I could at Exeter catching the arrival and subsequent comings and goings of HMX-1 and their support Hercules

Lockheed KC-130J Hercules | 168069/BH | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 04/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey | 168292/04 | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 04/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed KC-130J Hercules | 168071/BH | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 04/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed KC-130J Hercules | 168071/BH | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 04/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey | 168297/05 | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 07/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey | 168297/05 | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 07/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey | 168297/05 | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 07/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey | 168335/11 | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 07/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey | 168297/05 | US Marine Corps | Exeter Airport | 07/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

The week of madness was rounded off with my first trip to LHR for the arrival of AF1 and the associated circus.

Boeing VC-25A | 82-8000 | US Air Force | London Heathrow | 13/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing C-32A | 09-0016 | US Air Force | London Heathrow | 13/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Sikorsky VH-3D Sea King | 159354 | US Marine Corps | London Heathrow | 13/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing VC-25A | 82-8000 | US Air Force | London Heathrow | 13/06/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Onto July, and a return to Shuttleworth, mainly to be reunited with my beloved Junglie

Westland Sea King HC4 | ZA314/WT/G-CMDO | Historic Helicopters | Old Warden | 04/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Westland Sea King HC4 | ZA314/WT/G-CMDO | Historic Helicopters | Old Warden | 04/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Westland Sea King HC4 | ZA314/WT/G-CMDO | Historic Helicopters | Old Warden | 04/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Westland Gazelle HT3 | ZB627/G-CBSK | The Gazelle Squadron | Old Warden | 04/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Westland Sea King HC4 | ZA314/WT/G-CMDO | Historic Helicopters | Old Warden | 04/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

A quick dash to Middle Wallop followed in the hope of catching a bit of history during the Puma 50th Anniversary flypast

Westland Puma HC2 | XW224 | Royal Air Force | AAC Middle Wallop | 07/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Westland Puma HC2 | XW224 | Royal Air Force | AAC Middle Wallop | 07/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Westland Puma HC2 | XW216/G | Royal Air Force | AAC Middle Wallop | 07/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Westland Puma HC2 | Royal Air Force | AAC Middle Wallop | 07/07/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

August was a quiet month, with just a solitary trip to Chard for the sadly weather affected Historic Helicopters Open Day.

Westland Whirlwind HAR10 | XJ729/G-BVGE | Historic Helicopters | Chard | 05/08/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Westland Wessex HU5 | XT761/G-WSEX | Historic Helicopters | Chard | 05/08/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Westland Wasp HAS1 | XT787/G-KAXT | Terry Martin | Chard | 05/08/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Westland Sea King HAR3 | XZ597/G-SKNG | Historic Helicopters | Chard | 05/08/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

I went on a mini aviation binge in September, kicking off with the Victory Show at Cosby

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 'Nellie B' | 549192/G-THUN | Fighter Aviation Engineering Ltd | Cosby | 05/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 'Nellie B' | 549192/G-THUN | Fighter Aviation Engineering Ltd | Cosby | 05/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Supermarine Spitfire FR XIVe | MV268/G-SPIT | Anglia Aircraft Restorations Ltd | Cosby | 05/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Supermarine Spitfire LF IXb | MH415/GAVDJ | Air Leasing Ltd | Cosby | 05/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Hispano HA1112 M4L Buchon | WHITE 9/ G-AWHH | Air Leasing Ltd | Cosby | 05/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

The following day was spent on SPTA en route to Suffolk...

AgustaWestland Merlin HC4A | ZJ992/AB | Royal Navy | SPTA | 06/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA2 | ZZ377 | Royal Navy | SPTA | 06/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

AgustaWestland Merlin HC4A | ZJ992/AB | Royal Navy | SPTA | 06/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA2 | ZZ377 | Royal Navy | SPTA | 06/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

AgustaWestland Merlin HC4A | ZJ992/AB | Royal Navy | SPTA | 06/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Followed by two productive days at Mildenhall and Lakenheath, with the main aim of catching the U-Boat and nailing the Reaper Eagles for probably the last time....

Boeing RC-135U Combat Sent | 64-14849/OF | US Air Force | RAF Mildenhall | 07/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing RC-135U Combat Sent | 64-14849/OF | US Air Force | RAF Mildenhall | 07/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker | 59-1470/D | US Air Force | RAF Mildenhall | 07/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing RC-135U Combat Sent | 64-14849/OF | US Air Force | RAF Mildenhall | 07/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle | 84-0010/LN | US Air Force | RAF Lakenheath | 07/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle | 86-0164/LN | US Air Force | RAF Lakenheath | 08/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle | 00-3003/LN | US Air Force | RAF Lakenheath | 08/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas F-15D Eagle | 84-0044/LN | US Air Force | RAF Lakenheath | 08/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle | 00-3004/LN | US Air Force | RAF Lakenheath | 08/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle | 86-0163/LN | US Air Force | RAF Lakenheath | 08/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

The week was rounded off with a quick trip to Chard to catch a couple of the resident helicopters departing for Abingdon

Westland Wessex HU5 | XT761/G-WSEX | Historic Helicopters | Chard | 11/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Westland Sea King HAR3 | XZ597/G-SKNG | Historic Helicopters | Chard | 11/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Rounding off September was a trip to the excellent Battle of Britain Airshow at Duxford

Big Wing Formation | Duxford | 18/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Westland Wessex HU5 | XT761/G-WSEX | Historic Helicopters | Duxford | 18/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Westland Sea King HAR3 | XZ597/G-SKNG | Historic Helicopters | Duxford | 18/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Vought (Goodyear) FG-1D Corsair | KD345/G-FGID | The Fighter Collection | Duxford | 18/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Supermarine Spitfire Vc | JG891/G-LFVC | Commanche Fighters | Duxford | 18/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Grumman F8F-2P Bearcat | 121714/G-RUMM | The Fighter Collection | Duxford | 18/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Big Wing Formation | Duxford | 18/09/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

October was all about one things- B-1Bs. I made multiple trips to Fairford during the first week of their deployment in the hop of catching them from as many angles as I could. Didn't do too badly...

Rockwell B-1B Lancer | 86-0110/DY | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 12/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Rockwell B-1B Lancer | 86-0140/DY | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 13/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Rockwell B-1B Lancer | 86-0140/DY | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 14/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Rockwell B-1B Lancer | 86-0140/DY | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 14/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Rockwell B-1B Lancer | 86-0140/DY | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 14/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Rockwell B-1B Lancer | 86-0140/DY | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 14/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Rockwell B-1B Lancer | 86-0140/DY | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 14/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Rockwell B-1B Lancer | 86-0140/DY | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 14/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

During that week, my first visit was a non-flying day, so I headed to SPTA, whilst I also managed to catch one of the returning U-2s whilst at Fairford

Bell 212 AH1 | ZH814 | Army Air Corps | SPTA | 12/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Westland Puma HC2 | XW218 | Royal Air Force | SPTA | 12/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA2 | ZZ375 | Royal Navy | SPTA | 12/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

AgustaWestland Merlin HC4 | ZJ122/F | Royal Navy | SPTA | 12/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

AgustaWestland Merlin HC4 | ZJ122/F | Royal Navy | SPTA | 12/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

AgustaWestland Merlin HC4 | ZJ122/F | Royal Navy | SPTA | 12/10/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed U-2S | 80-1083 | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 14/10/20 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

November saw one final return to Fairford in the hope of catching some B-1Bs. Sadly it was a non-flying day, although the departing U-2 provided some consolation. A dash to SPTA wasn;'t much more productive, with a Hercules the only movement I caught that day, bringing an end to my year.

Lockheed U-2S | 80-1085 | US Air Force | RAF Fairford | 04/11/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules C4 | ZH866 | Royal Air Force | SPTA | 04/11/21 by Shaun Schofield, on Flickr

All in all, I can't complain about the year I've had. The USMC helicopters straight off the bat basically meant everything else was a bonus, but it's always a pleasure to be out and about catching what I can. I appreciate there's a lot of images there but hopefully they were of interest.

A happy new year to all of you,

Shaun

Got to be happy with those Shaun, a decent haul from another unconventional year. Nice work

Just 1 to 5 would have been a good year imho, but you obviously managed to bag a great deal more. Must be satisfied with such an excellent collection. Thanks and regards, Bart

Superb captures from a very productive year for you.

Nice one Shaun, enjoyed these thanks for sharing.

Kev

Great set from first too last but the USMC contingent just edge it

Great series

Nice selection of shots, you certainly got around a lot more than I did, hopefully next year I can get out more. Thank you for sharing these and taking the time to put all these up for us.

Hi Shaun

Well, that was 10 mins very well spent perusing those

Impossible to pick a fave, although seeing ‘The King’ again was a highlight for me

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

Fantastic set of shots - very nice indeed. I especially enjoyed seeing the USMC contingent as well as the U-boat. Oh, and the B-1s of course.

Awesome, thanks for sharing.

Great set,thanks for posting

Superb set, certainly worth all the travelling around!

Xmas crackers, great thanks ! Rob

Fantastic, one of the best sets I saw this year !!

Brilliant Shaun - you certainly had one hell of a year - a great resume of 2021

Thanks for posting

Darren

Oh those USMC days...unbelievable...

A good set of shots shaun.,let's hope the aviation world is bigger and better next year.

Lovely set of images mate!

An awesome set of images.

Many thanks for the kind feedback all, much appreciated. Looking back, it's been a good year, from a photography perspective at least. Here's hoping 2022 is just as productive