Location: WTN / RAF Waddington, England

Date: 21 July, 2004

For a number of years Waddington hosted detachments of fast jets from European air forces using the North Sea air combat range. This, however, was the last time this would happen. Spanish and Swiss Hornets mixed with French Mirage 2000s is a recipe for a great afternoon's photography. The weather wasn't the best but it's not everyday you get to spend an afternoon at the runway side with fighters just feet away.


  • Swiss Air Force F/A-18C Hornet J-5016.

  • F/A-18C Hornet J-5233.

  • J-5233

  • EF/A-18A Hornet C.15-57/12-15 of the Spanish Air Force.

  • C.15-57/12-15 and EF/A-18B CE.15-08/12-71.

  • Mirage 2000C 94/12-YI from the French Air Force.

  • Mirage 2000B 530/12-YM.

  • A pair of Mirage 2000Cs - 111/12-KN and 121/12-KC.

  • 111/12-KN and 121/12-KC

  • Mirage 2000C 114/12-YK.

  • Swiss F/A-18C Hornet J-5013.

  • F/A-18C Hornet J-5014.

  • J-5014

  • Spanish EF/A-18A Hornet C.15-60/12-18.

  • F/A-18C Hornet J-5006.

  • Interesting arrival in the form of US Air Force C-135E Stratotanker 57-2589 painted in VIP colours.

  • C.15-57/12-15

  • EF/A-18A Hornet C.15-58/12-16.

  • J-5016

  • J-5233

  • J-5233

  • CE.15-08/12-71

  • French Air Force Alpha Jet E30/7-PV was another visitor.

  • J-5014

  • 94/12-YI