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F-16's in winter conditions @ Volkel

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Reaper02
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F-16's in winter conditions @ Volkel

Post by Reaper02 » Sun Jan 21, 2024 11:38 am

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! :thumb:

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

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

4.Image
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.Image
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

bvdbogaert
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Re: F-16's in winter conditions @ Volkel

Post by bvdbogaert » Sun Jan 21, 2024 12:11 pm

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

Groetjes,
Bart

mikee115
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Re: F-16's in winter conditions @ Volkel

Post by mikee115 » Sun Jan 21, 2024 1:09 pm

Great light on the Dutch stalwarts. Good work.

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Reaper02
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Re: F-16's in winter conditions @ Volkel

Post by Reaper02 » Sun Jan 21, 2024 4:49 pm

Thanks Bart and Mike :thumbs:

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Blue Diamond
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Re: F-16's in winter conditions @ Volkel

Post by Blue Diamond » Sun Jan 21, 2024 5:41 pm

Lovely light. Thanks for sharing.
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paddyboy
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Re: F-16's in winter conditions @ Volkel

Post by paddyboy » Mon Jan 22, 2024 4:44 am

Top ‘togging as always, Edwin :thumbs:

Thanks for posting :thumb:

Paddyboy :clap:
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SW Sky Blue
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Re: F-16's in winter conditions @ Volkel

Post by SW Sky Blue » Mon Jan 22, 2024 10:28 am

Very nice :thumb:

Ridge Runner
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Re: F-16's in winter conditions @ Volkel

Post by Ridge Runner » Mon Jan 22, 2024 2:58 pm

Yes, very nice

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Blackcat1
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Re: F-16's in winter conditions @ Volkel

Post by Blackcat1 » Tue Jan 23, 2024 5:18 pm

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

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Vulcanone
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Re: F-16's in winter conditions @ Volkel

Post by Vulcanone » Tue Jan 23, 2024 6:00 pm

Very nice

Vulcanone
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Re: F-16's in winter conditions @ Volkel

Post by Vulcanone » Tue Jan 23, 2024 6:01 pm

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.

bvdbogaert
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Re: F-16's in winter conditions @ Volkel

Post by bvdbogaert » Tue Jan 23, 2024 6:17 pm

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

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Blackcat1
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Re: F-16's in winter conditions @ Volkel

Post by Blackcat1 » Tue Jan 23, 2024 6:43 pm

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

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


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Reaper02
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Re: F-16's in winter conditions @ Volkel

Post by Reaper02 » Tue Feb 20, 2024 8:14 am

Thank you Ciaranchef! :thumb:

Best, Edwin

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Seacat192
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Re: F-16's in winter conditions @ Volkel

Post by Seacat192 » Tue Feb 20, 2024 4:19 pm

Very nice.

PitchAxis
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Re: F-16's in winter conditions @ Volkel

Post by PitchAxis » Wed Feb 21, 2024 10:11 am

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

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