1974 in retrospect

[Keflavik69]

After having focused this year on this forum on some airshows in 1974, I thought I could repeat my last year's retrospective to post a cross-section of the aircraft I came across in 1974.
I would like to thank everybody who posted a reaction on my posts this year very much. They were all much appreciated and stimulating.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a great 2025.

Volkel 18 January 1974. F-104G D-8091 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Volkel 24 January 1974. TF-104G D-5808 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Laarbruch 5 February 1974. Buccaneer XW528 15sq fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Norvenich 12 March 1974. Do.28D 58-56 JABO33 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Maastricht 28 March 1974. CC-109 109156 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 3 April 1974. F-4D 65-0768/HO 49TFW fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Laarbruch 18 April 1974. Canberra WJ775 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Laarbruch 18 April 1974. Hunter T7 XL568 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 23 April 1974. Atlantic 61-02 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bitburg 23 April 1974. F-4E 68-0476/BT 36TFW fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Liege-Bierset 20 May 1974. C-130H T10-3 301-03 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 30 May 1974. F-4D 66-7615 SP 52TFW fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 30 May 1974. F-4E 69-0239 CR 32TFS fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Norvenich 4 June 1974. C-130E 00991 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Norvenich 4 June 1974. F-104G 20-03 JABO 31 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Laarbruch 5 June 1974. Argosy XR137 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Paris-Le Bourget 8 June 1974. C-130B 23491 V fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Laarbruch 10 June 1974. RF-4C 69-0373 ZR 26TRW fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Laarbruch 10 June 1974. Belfast XR364 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Maastricht 13 July 1974. CT-39G 159362 JM VR-24 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Brussel 25 June 1974. C-130B FAC1003 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Soesterberg 11 July 1074. VC-131D 55-0297 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bordeaux 14 August 1974. T-33A 54439 WI fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bordeaux-Merignac 14 August 1974. Vautour 2B 620 92-AM fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Arcachon-La Teste 19 August 1974. Cessna 206U 2173/JAE fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bordeaux-Merignac 19 August 1974. Vautour 2B 636 92-AW-fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Farnborough 6 September 1974. SR-71A 17972 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Norvenich 11 September 1974. Dp.28D 58-50 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cambra-Epinoy 15 September 1974. Mirage 4A 32 BE and 34 BG fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cambrai-Epinoy 15 September 1974. G-91T 34-02 LeKG42 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Cambrai-Epinoy 15 September 1974. Super Mystere B2 99 12-YJ fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Etampes 21 September 1974. Noralpha 25 NZ fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Toussus-Le Noble 21 September 1974. Navajo 925 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Toussus-Le Noble 21 September 1974. C-47D 13835 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Orleans-Bricy 22 September 1974. T-33A 16834 314-WG fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Creil-Senlis 29 September 1974. Mirage 3C 89 10-RS fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Creil-Senlis 29 September 1974. Noratlas 76 62-WD fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Evreux 29 September 1974. Broussard 226 OW fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Evreux 29 September 1974. DC-6B 45473 64-PL fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Wildenrath 4 December 1974. Canberra WH948 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Wildenrath 4 December 1974. Pembroke XL954 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bruggen 5 December 1974. F-4M XV396 228sq fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bruggen 5 December 1974. F-4M XV462 17sq fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Wildenrath 9 December 1974. Harrier XV793 fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Wildenrath 13 December 1974. Harrier T XW269 TB fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bruggen 16 December 1974. F-4M XV413 14sq fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bruggen 16 December 1974. Lightning XN726 N 92sq fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

Bruggen 16 December 1974. Lightning XN773 E 92sq fc by arnold booy, on Flickr

I hope these pictures were of interest to you.

Kind regards,
Arnold

[Gordsmith]

Superb Arnold, (as ever).
Seasons greetings to you and yours, Gordon.

[TimFoo]

Always look forward to your posts Arnold, quality from start to finish.....

[MKR]

So many great photos Arnold . Hard to pick a favourite. Thanks for posting

[MADWOP]

Interest?? What a fantastic collection and what memories you must have.
Thank you.

[jpickers56]

Wonderful selection of aircraft and great locations as well, 1974 definitely a good vintage. Always look forward to your postings Arnold and look forward to many more.

Thanks for sharing and happy Christmas.

[eLaReF]

Great selection - I think many of us will have that SR-71 shot!
1974 was a great year for me - My first visit to the US, Tucson and what was then MASDC
But you probably all know that
But I started the year off still with my 40mm fixed lens Rangefinder and only just managed in time to buy a 2nd hand SLR with an extra 135mm lens for the trip

[david14]

Great stuff and considering it was 50 years ago quality images too

[KeBul]

Jam packed full of lovely classics - very nice.

Enjoyed these, thanks for sharing.

Kev

[Unknown74]

Wow, lovely to see what Aircraft types were in service in the Year I was born. Lovely.....

Have a great Christmas everybody.....

[matt e]

great set

[dragonchaser]

An excellent collection of some old favourites, fantastic post, already looking forward to more.

[Mustang531]

Thanks Arnold,
Once again you've provided us with a wonderful and varied selection of images. I know I've enjoyed viewing these and it's safe to say, many others will have also done. Thanks for sharing these with us,
Seasons Greetings.

[Sparky 119]

Classic collection of frames,excellent post.

[daggerfan]

Gee, what a way to end the year Arnold! A lovely selection of superb pictures, as always.

Merry Christmas to you, and all the best for the New Year.

Regards, Terry.

[Nighthawke]

Fabulous - every one a gem either type, operator or both. All the best for the festive season and hope to see more next year please.

[paddyboy]

Hi Arnold

All the thanks should be in your direction, not ours, for taking the time and trouble to entertain us all with such wonderful, nostalgic, gems

You also saved the finest till last, imho

Lightning F2A’s: the best of the best

Paddyboy

[hvaneupen]

Again a wonderful post Arnold. Being in this hobby since the sixties youre collection is so divers! Hope to see more of it next year but for now a merry christmas to you and your family!

[raptor9]

Great!!!. A lovely reminder of times when it was worth going to Air Displays!!.

[Petepilot]

What a great selection, you certainly got around a lot in 1974 Arnold! I can almost hear the howl of those 104s!!
Many thanks for sharing, "more please in 2025", have a very happy Christmas!