SPTA logs 2015 SPTA logs 2017
Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA)
Photographic Logs for 2016
Salisbury Plain Training Area
Chinook HC.4s (ZA705 'AN' and ZD981) Pegasus Flight of Odiham Wing (7, 18 and 27 Squadron) in January 2016.

Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Wednesday December 14, 2016 A day on the DZ and for an hour I was kept busy with three Chinooks one of which was especially friendly while the other two kept their distance.
Left to right: Chinook HC.4 (ZD984) using callsign 'Vortex 472' of 18/27 Squadron based at RAF Odiham.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4 (ZD984) using callsign 'Vortex 472' of 18/27 Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4 (ZD984) using callsign 'Vortex 472' of 18/27 Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4 (ZD984) using callsign 'Vortex 472' of 18/27 Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4 (ZA711) using callsign 'Vortex 440' of 18/27 Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area
Chinook HC.4 (ZA680 'AH') using callsign 'Vortex 447' of 18/27 Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4 (ZA680 'AH') using callsign 'Vortex 447' of 18/27 Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4 (ZA680 'AH') using callsign 'Vortex 447' of 18/27 Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4 (ZA680 'AH') using callsign 'Vortex 447' of 18/27 Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Apache AH.1 (ZJ???) callsign 'Panther 83 and Squirrel HT.1 (ZJ253 '53') using callsign 'AA701' of 670 (Training) Squadron.

Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Tuesday November 29, 2016 On the DZ with an the same Apache visiting twice and a C-130 drop later were the only movements until a Chinook was caught late in the day making just one drop in to a confined landing area.
Left to right: Apache AH.1 (ZJ187) callsign 'Panther 80' of 673 (AH Training) Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Apache AH.1 (ZJ187) callsign 'Panther 80'.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Apache AH.1 (ZJ187) callsign 'Panther 80'.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: C-130J-30 Hercules C.4 (ZH875) using callsign 'Jigsaw Flight'.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Boeing CH-47F Chinook HC.6 (ZK558) using callsign 'Vortex 483' with 7 Squadron based at RAF Odiham.
Salisbury Plain Training Area
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.6 (ZK558) using callsign 'Vortex 483' with 7 Squadron.

Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Thursday September 15, 2016 On the DZ taking a nap some of the time, the only reason to take a walk was this Bell 212 which made some approaches and wandered around away from the DZ.
Left to right: Bell 212HP AH.1 (ZJ969 'K') using callsign 'Army Air 735' of 671 Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Bell 212HP AH.1 (ZJ969 'K').

Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Tuesday August 9, 2016 Around the DZ today with a Squirrel and an underslung (USL) load on West Everleigh diverting me away from the para-drop by a special tailed C-130. It was the Merlin in the CCDA which was the highlight of the day.
Left to right: Squirrel HT.1 (ZJ245 '45') using callsign 'AA729' of 670 (Training) Squadron at West Everleigh/Area 20 working with underslung loads.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Squirrel HT.1 (ZJ245 '45') using callsign 'AA729' of 670 (Training) Squadron at West Everleigh/Area 20 working with underslung loads. C-130J Hercules C.5 (ZH883) '50 Years' special on a run in to the DZ for a drop.
Salisbury Plain Training Area
Chinook HC.4 (ZA712 'W') in 18(B) Squadron in 100 years anniversary scheme.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4 (ZA712 'W') using callsign 'Vortex 440' of 18(B) Squadron in 100 years anniversary scheme.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: AgustaWestland Merlin HC.3i (ZJ118 'B') using callsign 'Commando 525' of the Royal Navy. The HC.3i is an interim upgrade between the RAF HC.3 and the future Royal Navy Commando Merlin (HC4). Seven airframes were upgraded to HC.3i standard due to the retirement of the Sea King Commandos. This HC.3i will remain in service until the 'marinised' Merlin HC4s become available in the early 2020s. The HC.3i upgrade includes folding tails, folding main rotors, better salt water-proofing of key components and lashing down points for operations aboard ships). This work was undertaken as part of the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP).
Salisbury Plain Training Area
AgustaWestland Merlin HC.3i (ZJ118 'B') using callsign 'Commando 525' of the Royal Navy.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: AgustaWestland Merlin HC.3i (ZJ118 'B') using callsign 'Commando 525' of the Royal Navy.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: AgustaWestland Merlin HC.3i (ZJ118 'B') using callsign 'Commando 525' of the Royal Navy.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: AgustaWestland Merlin HC.3i (ZJ118 'B') using callsign 'Commando 525' of the Royal Navy.
Salisbury Plain Training Area
AgustaWestland Merlin HC.3i (ZJ118 'B') using callsign 'Commando 525' of the Royal Navy.

Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Thursday August 4, 2016 A very slow day on DD with just the one visitor and the images were blighted by the intense heat haze close to the ground.
Left to right: Agusta-Westland AW-109E Power Elite (ZE416) using callsign 'Tester 113' with the Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS) based at Boscombe Down.

Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Tuesday February 16, 2016 A good amount of the day was spent in four locations within a confined landing area with the Bell 212. On the DZ the Chinook was very entertaining with some 'advanced flying' manouvres.
Left to right: Bell 212 AH.3 (ZK067 'B') using callsign 'Army Air 760' of 671 Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Bell 212 AH.3 (ZK067 'B') using callsign 'Army Air 760' of 671 Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Bell 212 AH.3 (ZK067 'B') using callsign 'Army Air 760' of 671 Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area
Bell 212 AH.3 (ZK067 'B') using callsign 'Army Air 760' of 671 Squadron deep in the forest.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Bell 212 AH.3 (ZK067 'B') using callsign 'Army Air 760' of 671 Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Bell 212 AH.3 (ZK067 'B') using callsign 'Army Air 760' of 671 Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Bell 212 AH.3 (ZK067 'B') using callsign 'Army Air 760' 7 (Training) Regiment Conversion Flight (formally 671 Squadron).
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Bell 212 AH.3 (ZK067 'B') using callsign 'Army Air 760' of 7 (Training) Regiment Conversion Flight (formally 671 Squadron).
Salisbury Plain Training Area
Chinook HC.4 (ZD984) using callsign 'Vortex 225'.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4 (ZD984) using callsign 'Vortex 225' with recently (October 21, 2015) 28(AC) Squadron, Benson Wing throwing it ('advanced flying' according to comms') around on the DZ.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4 (ZD984) using callsign 'Vortex 225'.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4 (ZD984) using callsign 'Vortex 225'.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Apache AH.1 (ZJ193) callsign 'Panther 83' of 673 (AH Training) Squadron. Bell 212 AH.3 (ZK067 'B') of 7 (Training) Regiment Conversion Flight (formally 671 Squadron). returning deep in to the confined landing area for one hour of winch training.

Salisbury Plain Training Area
Puma HC.2 (XW232) with RAF Benson Wing (33/230 Squadron).
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Thursday February 11, 2016 Only three helicopters to shoot today and one of those was missed in the confined landing area before I caught it on EvDZ due to its more earlier start than mine. The extended time with the Apache and the early morning light and mist for the Puma meant that the day was still very rewarding.
Left to right: Puma HC.2 (XW232) with RAF Benson Wing (33/230 Squadron). It was part of the QinetiQ Test Fleet operating from Boscombe Down September 2012 to April 2013 as it was the first Eurocopter HC.2 conversion. It sill shows feint 'KFOR' markings on the side.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Puma HC.2 (XW232) with RAF Benson Wing (33/230 Squadron).
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Merlin HC.3 (ZJ126 'K') using callsign 'Commando 546' of 846 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton (since March 2015) is part of the Royal Navy's Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) since September 2014.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Merlin HC.3 (ZJ126 'K') using callsign 'Commando 546' of 846 Naval Air Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Apache AH.1 (ZJ193) callsign 'Panther 82' of 673 (AH Training) Squadron based at AAC Middle Wallop. It was conducting general handling in this area for around 50 minutes, including landing on a slope in all four directions.
Salisbury Plain Training Area
Apache AH.1 (ZJ193) callsign 'Panther 82' of 673 (AH Training) Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Apache AH.1 (ZJ193) callsign 'Panther 82' of 673 (AH Training) Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Apache AH.1 (ZJ193) callsign 'Panther 82' of 673 (AH Training) Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Apache AH.1 (ZJ193) callsign 'Panther 82' of 673 (AH Training) Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area
Apache AH.1 (ZJ193) callsign 'Panther 82' of 673 (AH Training) Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Apache AH.1 (ZJ193) callsign 'Panther 82' of 673 (AH Training) Squadron.

Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Wednesday February 3, 2016 A busy day on DD but with mutiples of helicopters each time with long gaps in between, so that each busy time you had to choose which helicopter to shoot and which to just watch at a distance. As most helicopters stayed around for quite a while I managed after some walks to get plenty of shots of each. The light and particulalry the couds were awesome today.
Left to right: Gazelle AH.1 (XX449) using callsign 'Gauntlet 31' with QinetiQ - Rotary Wing Test and Evaluation Squadron (RWTES) at Boscombe Down.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Gazelle AH.1 (XX449) using callsign 'Gauntlet 31' with QinetiQ.
Salisbury Plain Training Area
Lynx HMA.8SRU (XZ729 'DT-425') 'HMS Dauntless' 815 RNAS Yeovilton Royal Navy.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Lynx HMA.8SRU (XZ729 'DT-425') using callsign 'Skua 311' from 'HMS Dauntless' 815 RNAS Yeovilton.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Agusta-Westland AW-109E Power Elite (ZE416) using callsign 'Tester 82' with the Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS) based at Boscombe Down.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Agusta-Westland AW-109E Power Elite (ZE416) using callsign 'Tester 82 with the Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS) based at Boscombe Down.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Agusta-Westland AW-109E Power (G-DIDO) using callsign 'Gauntlet 68' on loan from Castle Air to the Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS) based at Boscombe Down.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: AW-109E Power (G-DIDO) using callsign 'Gauntlet 68' on loan from Castle Air to the Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS) based at Boscombe Down.
Salisbury Plain Training Area
Gazelle HT.3 (ZB625) with Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS) departing DD.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Gazelle HT.3 (ZB625) using callsign 'Tester 63' with Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS) based at Boscombe Down.
Salisbury Plain Training Area
Chinook HC.4 (ZA710) using callsign 'Vortex 424' with Odiham Wing arriving at DD from the west.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4 (ZA710) using callsign 'Vortex 424' with Odiham Wing. Vortex 424 was heard entering the Pennings confined landing area before moving to the nearby Sidbury Hill for another confined landing. They then headed off for Imber Village before calling Salisbury Ops' for Depford Down. After they arived two ammunition boxes were placed together on the grass strip as a marker before they departed to the west to circle around and approach from the east and land adjacent to these boxes. This they did four times before collecting the boxes and heading off to the south. The 'desert box' rolling landing technique intended to overcome the dangerous effects of 'brown-out' conditions.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4 (ZA710) using callsign 'Vortex 424' with Odiham Wing.
Salisbury Plain Training Area
Chinook HC.4 (ZA710) using callsign 'Vortex 424' with Odiham Wing touching down next to the box placed there earlier.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4 (ZA710) using callsign 'Vortex 424' with Odiham Wing.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4 (ZA710) using callsign 'Vortex 424' with Odiham Wing.
Salisbury Plain Training Area
Chinook HC.4 (ZA710) using callsign 'Vortex 424' with Odiham Wing dropping down next to their box again.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4 (ZA710) using callsign 'Vortex 424' with Odiham Wing, picking up their box and departing.

Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Tuesday January 19, 2016 Sparkling sunlight and a good variety of helicopters, the highlight being 'Pegasus Flight a pair of Chinooks at the two locations (DD and EvDZ) visited.
Left to right: Bell 212 AH.3 (ZK067 'B') using callsign 'Army Air 735' of 7 (Training) Regiment Conversion Flight (formally 671 Squadron).
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Bell 212 AH.3 (ZK067 'B') using callsign 'Army Air 735' of 7 (Training) Regiment Conversion Flight (formally 671 Squadron).
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4s (ZA705 'AN' and ZD981) Pegasus Flight of Odiham Wing (7, 18 and 27 Squadron).
Salisbury Plain Training Area
Chinook HC.4s (ZA705 'AN' and ZD981) Pegasus Flight of Odiham Wing (7, 18 and 27 Squadron).
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4s (ZA705 'AN' and ZD981) Pegasus Flight of Odiham Wing (7, 18 and 27 Squadron).
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4s (ZA705 'AN' and ZD981) Pegasus Flight of Odiham Wing.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Chinook HC.4s (ZA705 'AN' and ZD981) Pegasus Flight of Odiham Wing.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Apache AH.1 (ZJ180) using callsign 'Panther 90' with 673 (AH Training) Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Apache AH.1 (ZJ180) using callsign 'Panther 90' with 673 (AH Training) Squadron.
Salisbury Plain Training Area
Merlin HM.2 (ZH854 '84' 'Gawaine') using callsign 'Gauntlet 34' with MoD/AFD/QinetiQ at Boscombe Down.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: ex Royal Navy Merlin HM.2 (ZH854 '84' 'Gawaine') using callsign 'Gauntlet 34' currently with MoD/AFD/QinetiQ at Boscombe Down.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Merlin HM.2 (ZH854 '84' 'Gawaine') using callsign 'Gauntlet 34' with MoD/AFD/QinetiQ at Boscombe Down.
Salisbury Plain Training Area
Gazelle AH.1 (XX449) using callsign 'Gauntlet 39' with QinetiQ - Rotary Wing Test and Evaluation Squadron (RWTES) at Boscombe Down.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Gazelle AH.1 (XX449) using callsign 'Gauntlet 39' with QinetiQ - Rotary Wing Test and Evaluation Squadron (RWTES) at Boscombe Down.
Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area Salisbury Plain Training Area
Left to right: Gazelle AH.1 (XX449) using callsign 'Gauntlet 39' with QinetiQ.