FighterControl

Last Friday, January the 19th, I drove to Volkel Air Base hoping to catch some of the last Dutch F-16's in the freshly fallen snow. With excellent sunny and blue sky conditions and a small snow layer near the taxitrack and runway some other photographers and I were ready to catch the morning mission...which was cancelled Hoping the afternoon mission would fly some of us waited till after lunch and fortunately engine starts could be heard around 13:00hrs. Most of the snow was already melted but the great lightconditions and the fact not four but six F-16's came out to play made it worth the trip in the end!

1.
Two of the six Vipers from 312 Squadron roling towards the ORP in between, making it possible for the photographers to make some nice head-on shots.

2.
F-16AM J-011 turning left towards it temporarely parking spot prior to its 1,5 mission.

3.
J-516 following its lead. Clearly visable underneath the Sniper targeting pod.

4.
J-011 turning on baseleg towards final for the RWY24R. These shots are only possible late autumn/winter/early spring when the sun stands low (otherwise you'll get black tails).

5.
Last one to land was this J-005, just catching enough light around 15:15.

Hope you'll like 'em, thanks for watching!

Regards, Edwin Schimmel
www.final-approach.nl

Some really good light and nice to see they are still doing some decent flying with the F-16. Well done.

Groetjes,
Bart

Great light on the Dutch stalwarts. Good work.

Thanks Bart and Mike

Lovely light. Thanks for sharing.

Top ‘togging as always, Edwin

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

Very nice

Yes, very nice

Great photos. I shall miss the Falcon / Viper. When will she retire ?

Very nice

Blackcat1 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 23, 2024 5:18 pm

Great photos. I shall miss the Falcon / Viper. When will she retire ?

I believe by the end of the year, as 312 (F-35) Sqn has either started working up. Or the first airframe has arrived.

Blackcat1 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 23, 2024 5:18 pm

Great photos. I shall miss the Falcon / Viper. When will she retire ?

September 27th will be the date.
24 were operational untill last december, this will be reduced to 12 in the next couple of months. With the main runway unservicable from second half of februari until late august we should be able to get some good photography opportunities during that period, especially when the wind is coming from the west.

As far as my info goes dutch F-16's wiil be visiting RIAT for a final time this summer. One of them should be sporting a special (farewell) tail

Thanks for the info the guys , I shall miss her , all the classics are going from my childhood

Fantastic set, wow...

Thank you Ciaranchef!

Best, Edwin

Very nice.

I really like the final shot in the series - great angle showing the top side.