Aviation Photography - Low level Flying

Low-Level Flying Photography
Photographic Logs for 2022
(For all these shots I used a Canon EOS 5D Mk IV and EOS R5 with the following lenses;
Canon EF 400mm f2.8 L IS Mk II, Canon EF 300mm f2.8 L with and without a x1.4 Extender Mk.III and a Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS).

F-15C Eagle (84-0015) callsign 'Gator Flight' with 493FS, 48FW. One of the last F-15C Eagle passes EVER in the Mach' Loop, replaced by F-35A Lightning IIs, January 20, 2022.

Wednesday December 14, 2022 Sub-zero temperatures in the Lake District added to the challenge to the long walk along the shores of Ullswater and hours of waiting. The final day of the year for many RAF squadrons perhaps increased the chances of some low passes. Well RAF Coningsby did not let me down with a single ship, with a four ship and and a late and missed signle ship pass of Typhoons. Earlier a single F-15E passed north to south and around 750 feet AGL was a pointless (photographically) surprise pass mid-morning.
Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (91-0303) skipping across the hill tops.
Typhoon F.2 (ZK364 '364') singeton, callsign missed it is based at RAF Coningsby.

Left to right: Typhoon F.2 (ZK364 '364').
Typhoon F.2 (ZJ913 '913') using callsign 'Triplex 31' it is with 29(R) Squadron based at RAF Coningsby. Flight lead of four ship.

Left to right: Typhoon F.2 (ZJ929 '929') using callsign 'Triplex 32' it is with 29(R) Squadron based at RAF Coningsby.

Left to right: Typhoon F.2 (ZK424 '424') using callsign 'Triplex 33' it is with 29(R) Squadron based at RAF Coningsby.

Left to right: Typhoon F.2 (ZJ937 '937') using callsign 'Triplex 34' it is with 29(R) Squadron based at RAF Coningsby.

Thursday September 15, 2022 Another bright day in the Lakes. I was nearly caught out by the early pass of the single Typhoon arriving on the hill top seconds before it crested the valley entrance. It was not till early afternoon did a pair of Typhoons finish off my day.
Left to right: Typhoon T.3 (ZK379 '379') single ship at 09:50, it was to return as part of a two-ship (Rogue Flight) at 14:35.

Left to right: Typhoon T.3 (ZK379 '379') as 'Rogue 21'.

Left to right: Typhoon FGR.4 (ZK315 '315') as 'Rogue 22'.

Wednesday September 14, 2022 A bright but cloudy day in the Lakes with just a four-ship of F-16s and a pair of Osprey in the late after afternoon. Unfortunately only one of the F-16s was low.
Left to right: Lockheed-Martin F-16CM Fighting Falcon (88-0425 'AV') callsign 'Fury 21' of 510th Fighter Squadron 'Buzzards' (31 OG) based at Aviano AB, Italy. This was the flight leader of four F-16s which were operating out of RAF Lakenheath.

Left to right: F-16CM Fighting Falcon (88-0425 'AV') callsign 'Fury 21' of 510th Fighter Squadron.

Left to right: Bell CV-22B Osprey (10-0052) with the 7th Special Operations Squadron, 352 Special Operations Wing based at RAF Mildenhall.

Left to right: Bell CV-22B Osprey (08-0049) with the 7th Special Operations Squadron, 352 Special Operations Wing based at RAF Mildenhall.

Left to right: CV-22B Osprey (08-0049) with the 7th Special Operations Squadron.

Wednesday March 23, 2022 A hazy day in the Lakes with just a handful of passes.
Left to right: F-16D Fighting Falcon (90-0800 'AV') using callsign 'Snarl 11' it is with the 510 Fighter Squadron (Buzzards), 31 Fighter Wing based at Aviano in Italy, deployed to RAF Lakenheath.

Left to right: F-16D Fighting Falcon (90-0800 'AV') using callsign 'Snarl 11' it is with the 510FS, 31FW.

Left to right: BAE Systems Hawk Mk167 (ZB133 QA003) Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) based at RAF Leeming.

Left to right: Hawk Mk167 (ZB135 QA005) Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF).

Left to right: AH-64E Apache Guardian (ZM712) using callsign 'Ugly 02' it is with 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps (AAC), 1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team based at Wattisham Flying Station.

Tuesday March 22, 2022 A bright but hazey day in the Lakes with 13 passes. However the first Typhoon was too early for me passing as I climbed the hill and others were quite high, never-the-less a fantastic day. The highlights being my first Qatari Hawks, the Aviano F-16CM flight and my first AH-64E Apache Guardian.
Left to right: Hawk T.2 (ZK016 'G') using callsign 'Obi 3' with IV(AC) Squadron.

Left to right: BAE Systems Hawk Mk167 (ZB133 QA003) Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) based at RAF Leeming.

Hawk Mk167 (ZB132 QA002) with 11 Squadron (Qatar), Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) based at RAF Leeming.
This Squadron will train up to 20 Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) pilots alongside RAF student pilots utilising new BAE Systems Hawk Mk167s. The first four Qatari student pilots began Hawk training in October 2021 and will progress to the Qatar Joint Typhoon Squadron, 24 Typhoons are due for delivery in 2023 to form 12 Squadron based at RAF Coningsby.
The Squadron will aim to train eight QEAF pilots a year, with RAF student pilots joined the Squadron in 2022. Qatar has ordered nine Hawk Mk167 aircraft, serials ZB131 (QA001) to ZB139 (QA009).

Left to right: Hawk Mk167 (ZB132 QA002) with 11 Squadron (Qatar), Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) based at RAF Leeming.

Left to right: Hawk Mk167 (ZB133 QA003) with 11 Squadron (Qatar), Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) based at RAF Leeming.

Left to right: General Dynamics F-16CM-40E Fighting Falcon (89-2011 'AV') using callsign 'Fury 13' it is with the 510 Fighter Squadron (Buzzards), 31 Fighter Wing based at Aviano in Italy, deployed to RAF Lakenheath.

Left to right: General Dynamics F-16CM-40E Fighting Falcon (88-0411 'AV') using callsign 'Fury 14' it is with the 510 Fighter Squadron (Buzzards), 31 Fighter Wing based at Aviano in Italy, deployed to RAF Lakenheath.

Left to right: F-16CM-40E Fighting Falcon (88-0411 'AV') using callsign 'Fury 14' it is with the 510FS, 31FW based at Aviano in Italy, deployed to RAF Lakenheath.

Left to right: Hawk Mk167 (ZB132 QA002) Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) based at RAF Leeming.

Left to right: Typhoon FGR.4 (ZK435 '435') using callsign 'Typhoon 46'. On departing RAF Coningsby it climbed to 30,000 feet before descending to low level over Morecombe Bay and passing low over Windermere and on to Thirlmere.

Left to right: Typhoon FGR.4 (ZK435 '435') using callsign 'Typhoon 46'.

Leonardo Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian (ZM706) using callsign 'Ugly 02' it is with 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps (AAC), 1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team based at Wattisham Flying Station.
The AH-64E Apache Guardian has been remanufactured from WAH-64D Apache Longbow AH1s. The precise nature of the remanufacturing process has not been disclosed. It is understood that some of the existing systems will be transferred to the new Apache Guardian airframes. The WAH-64D's Rolls-Royce RTM 322 engines will be replaced, most likely by the standard US Army General Electric T-700-GE-701D powerplant. First of 50 on order arrived at Wattisham Flying Station in November 2021, for 662/663 Squadrons, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps (AAC), 1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team.

Left to right: Leonardo Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian (ZM706) using callsign 'Ugly 02' it is with 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps (AAC), 1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team based at Wattisham Flying Station.

Left to right: AH-64E Apache Guardian (ZM706) using callsign 'Ugly 02' it is with 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps (AAC), 1st Aviation Brigade Combat Team based at Wattisham Flying Station.

Left to right: Hawk T.2 (ZK028 'FD') of 25(F) Squadron.

Thursday March 17, 2022 Overcast with rain sweeping in from the west. So would that prevent the Aviano based F-16 that was heading to the Aberporth bombing range from dropping into low level before returning to RAF Lakenheath. Visibility had reduced to less than a mile when the pilot was heard 'dropping' ordnance from medium level. Then has the visibility dramatically improved he requested LFA7 and it was 'game on'
Left to right: General Dynamics F-16CM-40E Fighting Falcon (89-2011 'AV') using callsign 'SCOFF 11' it is with the 510 Fighter Squadron (Buzzards), 31 Fighter Wing based at Aviano in Italy, deployed to RAF Lakenheath.

Left to right: F-16CM-40E Fighting Falcon (89-2011 'AV') using callsign 'SCOFF 11' with 510 FS, 31 FW based at Aviano and deployed to RAF Lakenheath.
On each wing tip pylon: CATM-120 (Captive Air Training Missile) which is an inert store to simulate a AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) Air Intercept Missile for training purposes.
Starboard side outer pylon: CATM-9M to simulate a AIM-9M Sidewinder.
Starboard chin station: AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod.
Centreline: AN/ALQ-131 Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) pod.
Inner wing pylons: Two 370 gallon external drop fuel tanks.
Port side outer pylon: P5 Combat Training System (CTS/TCTS) and Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation (ACMI) pod to record the aircraft's in-flight data.

Thursday January 20, 2022 Overcast with the sun breaking through later in the day in the Welsh valleys. RAF Lakenheath provided most of the low level entertainment for the day with multiple passes from F-15C/D Eagles and the deployed Seymour Johnson F-15E Strike Eagles and for me the first time Lakenheath F-35 Lightnings.
Left to right: Puma HC.2 (ZJ954 'W') using callsign 'Vortex 248' with RAF Benson pool (28, 33 and 230 Squadrons).

F-15D Eagle (84-0044) now devoid of 493FS and 48FW markings as they will be returning to the US in the coming weeks.

Left to right: F-15D Eagle (84-0044) using callsign 'Reaper Flight'.
At 10:00 with Swanwick Central they were squawking 6405 passing through 20,000 feet to 28,000 feet over SAPCO (Hinckley) routing to the north Wales military training area (NWMTA). They later descended to low-level in to LFA7.

F-15D Eagle (84-0046 'LN') with 493FS and 48FW markings.

Left to right: F-15D Eagle (84-0046) using callsign 'Reaper Flight'.

F-35A Lightning II (19-5473 'LN') with 495FS 'Valkyries' 48FW.
To protect the stealth technology by concealing their true radar signature, the F-35 Lightning II is equipped with removable Luneburg lenses radar reflectors (see small devices in front of tail planes). These radar deflectors exaggerate their real radar cross section (RCS) to make the F-35 visible to radars. These devices are installed on the aircraft on the ground prior to ferry and training flights and operative missions that do not require to be stealthy or when the aircraft operate close to the enemy using ground or airborne radars with intelligence gathering sensors.

Left to right: Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II (19-5473 'LN') with 495FS 'Valkyries' 48FW.

Left to right: F-35A Lightning II (19-5473 'LN') with 495FS 'Valkyries' 48FW.

F-35A Lightning II (19-5476 'LN') with 495FS 'Valkyries' 48FW.

Left to right: F-35A Lightning II (19-5476 'LN') with 495FS 'Valkyries' 48FW.

Left to right: F-15D Eagles (84-0044 and 84-0046 'LN') as callsign 'Reaper Flight', higher this time around.

F-15C Eagle (86-0164 'LN') callsign 'Gator Flight' with 493FS, 48FW.

Left to right: F-15C Eagle (86-0164 'LN') callsign 'Gator Flight' with 493FS, 48FW.

F-15C Eagle (86-0165) callsign 'Gator Flight' with 493FS, 48FW.

Left to right: F-15C Eagle (86-0165) callsign 'Gator Flight' with 493FS, 48FW.

F-15C Eagle (86-0178 'LN') callsign 'Gator Flight' with 493FS, 48FW.

Left to right: F-15C Eagle (86-0178 'LN' and 84-0015) callsign 'Gator Flight' with 493FS, 48FW.

F-15C Eagle (86-0164 'LN') callsign 'Gator Flight' with 493FS, 48FW.

Left to right: F-15C Eagle (86-0164 'LN') callsign 'Gator Flight' with 493FS, 48FW.

F-15C Eagle (86-0165) callsign 'Gator Flight' with 493FS, 48FW.

Left to right: F-15C Eagle (86-0165) callsign 'Gator Flight' with 493FS, 48FW.

F-15C Eagle (86-0178 'LN') callsign 'Gator Flight' with 493FS, 48FW.

Left to right: F-15C Eagle (86-0178 'LN') callsign 'Gator Flight' with 493FS, 48FW.

F-15C Eagle (84-0015) callsign 'Gator Flight' with 493FS, 48FW.

Left to right: F-15C Eagle (84-0015) callsign 'Gator Flight' with 493FS, 48FW.

McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle (89-0492 'SJ') callsign 'Atlas 61' with the 336 FS 'Rocketeers' 4 FW based at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina deployed to RAF Lakenheath.

Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (89-0492 'SJ') callsign 'Atlas 61' with the 336 FS, 4 FW. The four-ship entered the NWMTA for 2v2 air to air combat training before requesting "LFA7 for ten mikes" (minutes).

F-15E Strike Eagle (87-0176 'SJ') callsign 'Atlas 62' with the 336 FS, 4 FW.

Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (87-0176 'SJ') callsign 'Atlas 62' with the 336 FS, 4 FW.

F-15E Strike Eagle (88-1673 'SJ') callsign 'Atlas 64' with the 336 FS, 4 FW.

Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (88-1673 'SJ') callsign 'Atlas 64' with the 336 FS, 4 FW.

F-15E Strike Eagle (89-0492 'SJ') callsign 'Atlas 61' with the 336 FS, 4 FW.

Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (89-0492 'SJ') callsign 'Atlas 61' with the 336 FS, 4 FW.

F-15E Strike Eagle (87-0176 'SJ') callsign 'Atlas 62' with the 336 FS, 4 FW.
The 4th Fighter Wing comprises four fighter squadrons; 333rd 'Lancers' (red), 334th 'Eagles' (blue), 335th 'Chiefs' (green) and the 336th 'Rocketeers' (yellow).
Yellow became the official color of the 336th prior to the Korean War. But it was not until 2020 that the rule to keep the HGU-55/P helmets as grey was changed to allow its aviators to wear yellow helmet wraps.

Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (87-0176 'SJ') callsign 'Atlas 62' with the 336 FS, 4 FW.

F-15E Strike Eagle (88-1671 'SJ') callsign 'Atlas 63' with the 336 FS, 4 FW.

Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (88-1671 'SJ') callsign 'Atlas 63' with the 336 FS, 4 FW.

Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (88-1673 'SJ') callsign 'Atlas 64' with the 336 FS, 4 FW.

Left to right: Texan T.1s (ZM323 and ZM327) with 72 Squadron based at RAF Valley.

Left to right: Hawk T.2 (ZK023 'N') with IV(R) Squadron based at RAF Valley.

Left to right: Texan T.1s (ZM340 and ZM341) with 72 Squadron based at RAF Valley.

Thursday January 13, 2022 Today it was cold and misty down to ground level in the Welsh valleys, delaying low flying till late morning. A four-ship of 48FW F-15Es started the day off nicely, followed by another Strike Eagle four-ship, this time too high to shoot. What we were waiting for were the Seymour Johnson 4FW F-15Es operating from RAF Lakenheath. Initially I was excited to hear that a two-ship of SJs was on its way. However the pair blasted through in shadow from the low cloud and the shots consequently spoiled.
Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (97-0218 'LN') callsign 'Steak Flight' with 492FS, 48FW.

Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (98-0131 'LN') callsign 'Steak Flight' with 492FS, 48FW.

Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (91-0605 'LN') callsign 'Steak Flight' with 492FS, 48FW.

Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (91-0303 'LN') callsign 'Steak Flight' with 492FS, 48FW.

F-15E Strike Eagle (91-0303 'LN') callsign 'Steak Flight' with 492FS, 48FW.

Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagles (91-0326 and 91-0310 'LN') callsign 'Claw Flight' with 494FS, 48FW.

Left to right: Texan T.1 (ZM327) callsign 'VYT97' with 72 Squadron based at RAF Valley.

Left to right: Hawk T.2 (ZK018 'I') with IV(R) Squadron.

Left to right: Hawk T.2 (ZK028 'FD') with XXV Squadron.

Left to right: Hawk T.2 (ZK019 'J') with IV(R) Squadron.

Left to right: Hawk T.2s (ZK010 'FN' and ZK028 'FD') with XXV Squadron.

Left to right: Hawk T.2s (ZK019 'J' and ZK010 'FN') with IV(R) and XXV Squadron.

Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (90-0230 'SJ') callsign 'Bubba 21' with 4FW based at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina currently deployed to RAF Lakenheath.

Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (90-0230 'SJ') with 4FW based at Seymour Johnson AFB.

Left to right: F-15E Strike Eagle (88-1671 'SJ') callsign 'Bubba 22' with 4FW based at Seymour Johnson AFB.