Location: RAF Brize Norton, International Airspace on-board ZD952
Date: 29th April, 2009
A dream come true. Thanks to a chance phonecall from a contact on 216 Squadron, I was able to join a Tristar on a tanking misssion over the North Sea during Exercise Wycombe Warrior. After taking some shots of the aircraft being prepared (to follow later), we departed Brize bang on time for an hour's transit to our allotted area. Our first trade was a pair of Typhoon s from Coningsby. These were followed by a pair of French Air Force Rafales - a fantastic sight. But, just when I thought it couldn't get any better up popped a pair of Mirage F1s. These were a little late arriving and so, when the next pair were early I was treated to the awesome view of three of these great-looking aircraft bobbing alongside us for some time as the shuffled from left to right in sequence. Next up was just one of a planned pair of Mirage 2000Ds before a break for us to reposition.
My aircraft (literally!) for the day - Tristar KC1 ZD752..
ZD952
ZD952
Flyglobespan B767-300 G-CEOD on pushback.
Tristar KC1 ZD953.
ZD952
ZD952
ZD952
Postioned at then end of the runway to start rolling for take-off.
Roller Power.
Typhoon F2 ZJ921/QO-H of 3 Squadron.
ZJ921
Our first trade was this Typhoon FGR4 ZJ933/DF of 11 Squadron.
French Air Force Rafale B 325/113-HX from St Dizier waits its turn.
Rafale Bs 325/113-HX and 306/113-IB in formation prior to breaking formation.
Three Mirage F1s: 662/112-NF, 253/132-OU and 132-OE.
A pair of Mirage 2000Ds was planned, but in the end only 610/3-XX arrived.
610
610
