EX. "Priory 3/81" BINBROOK 26-28th Oct 1981

[3Greens]

As previously mentioned the 'Priory' series of air defence exercises usually brought an abundance of European based aircraft across to the U.K..
'Priory 3/81' was no exception with a substantial detachment from the Belgian Air Force turning up at Binbrook - 4 x F16A, 4 x T/F-104G, 8 x Mirage VBA/D
Mirages and Starfighters were just my favourites and sadly missed.
I found some of my old b&w negs so have also included one of two, so hope it works.
A number of the based Lightnings were positioned out on the ORP next to the caravan at the end of Runway 03.
Enjoy

F-16's lead out






Next the Mirage 'convoy' begins
























Next up the Starfighters














What a howl !!


The Lightnings follow






Replacement F-16 arrives from Belgium


The return from the missions

[PhilE]

Brings back lots of memories, thanks for posting. Phil

[dennis273]

What a fantastic day!

An awesome parade of Belgiques - especially the 104s

[haveblue]

Fantastic set, especially the Mirage parade. Great fan of the camo scheme on the Belgian Mirages and F104s, always stood out from the rest in a positive way.

[paulh]

Thank you for posting Keith - the good old days of proper exercises, look at those smokey 104"s

Paul

[david14]

Great stuff, thanks for posting - excellent captures given it's so long ago

[Mustang531]

These are awesome, thank you for sharing these. Wish I'd been there this day as I would have been in heaven watching these parade past. Wonderful shots.

[F3]

Terrific set. Looks like about half the BAF were there. Those F-16s look brand spanking new so guessing their first exercise outing. However it is the F-104s that really take the limelight. Definitely an air force in transition. Don't think they were around much longer.

[paddyboy]

Hi Keith

Awesome set there

Hooters & Frightnings

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy

[warferry]

Thanks for digging them out.Real WRN shots.

[CLPSLFBT]

Hi Keith, WOW! Thanks for putting these up, I love the lot of em! . The Belgian Mirages look fantastic especially the shot of the 5 taxying out. I remember this was the first time I saw an F-16 close up and was in awe at how much more modern they looked against the Starfighters, Mirages and Lightnings, they look straight out of the box in your snaps. Great days, even greater memory jerkers those are.

Thanks for putting these up Keith

Regards Glenn

[Blue Diamond]

And to think this was repeated at numerous bases throughout the eastern UK. Superb set. Thanks for sharing.

[3Greens]

Thanks to all for the comments, pleased that you enjoyed this trip down 'memory lane'.
Best regards
3Greens