Aviation Photography - 24, 70 and 206 Squadrons RAF

A400M Atlas C.1 in Action
Brize Norton Transport Wing (24, 70 and 206 Squadrons)
RAF Brize Norton

Low Flying Action

Airbus A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM415) using callsign 'Ascot 431' in mid Wales in October 2017.

Left to right: A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM401) using callsign 'Ascot 494' low through LFA17 in September 2021.

Left to right: A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM406) using callsign 'Comet 451' through LFA 17 in September 2021.

Left to right: A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM419) using callsign 'Comet 453' in July 2018.

Left to right: Airbus A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM417) in mid Wales using callsign 'Comet 454' in July 2018.
A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM406) using callsign 'Ascot 491' in LFA17 in December 2021.

Left to right: Airbus A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM415) using callsign 'Ascot 431' in mid Wales in October 2017.

Left to right: Airbus A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM409) assigned to 70 (LXX) Squadron but using a 'Boscombe' callsign for this the third low-level (evaluation?) flight through the Lakes in as many weeks as seen on November 23, 2016.

Left to right: Airbus A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM409) through the Lake District in November 2016.

Left to right: Airbus A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM409) using callsign 'Ascot 452' it is with 70 (LXX) Squadron, it has a specially marked tail inscribed 'Airborne 16 - 75 years of the Airborne Brigade' in April 2017.

A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM417) using callsign 'Comet 456' in April 2018.

Left to right: A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM417) using callsign 'Comet 456' in April 2018.

Left to right: A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM416) using callsign 'Comet 456' in April 2018.

Left to right: A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM417) low through mid-Wales in May 2018.

Natural Surface Operations (NSO) Test and Evaluation Complete

Left to right: A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM416) using callsign 'Comet 452' with Brize Norton Transport Wing (24, 70 and 206 Squadrons), September 17, 2020.
Since 2018, 206 Squadron, the RAF's Heavy Aircraft Test and Evaluation Squadron, has undertaken extensive NSO capability trials for the A400M Atlas C.1. 206 Squadron is responsible for training the RAF's strategic Air Mobility Fleet. Now that the NSO capability trials have been completed for the A400M Atlas the transport aircraft has officially been handed over to the Air Mobility's Operational Conversion Unit (OCU), XXIV Squadron. Wing Commander Neil Philp, Officer Commanding Number 206 Squadron said; "This milestone demonstrates the fantastic tactical airlift capability of the A400M and has the potential to make an immediate impact to operations. The handover of the capability to XXIV Squadron is the culmination of several years of test and evaluation and has been a true team effort to deliver."

Three afternoons had been reserved for the final beach landing trials at Pembrey. For technical reasons day one training was cancelled. Day two at 13:30 A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM416) made its first approach for a touch and go from the west. Four touch and goes were followed by a landing and back track for a take-off. This sequence of touch and goes and landings continued until 15:30 when the A400M departed. As the day two trials were so successful day three was not required.

SPTA Paradrop training

Left to right: A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM417) using callsign 'Comet 451' with Brize Norton Transport Wing (24, 70 and 206 Squadrons). This was the first container delivery system (CDS) drop since the record breaking drop in November 2018, when 24 x 1 tonne containers were dropped in a single pass.
Officer Commanding 206 Squadron said of this sortie: "These were arguably the most complex Air Dispatch (AD) sorties yet flown on the platform. This has enabled the Force to regain crew currency, qualify a new crew and commence the handover of the capability from Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit (JADTEU) to the Front Line and is key to further developing capability on the A400M. Furthermore, it has also brought a great boost to morale for those involved with developing the capability."
The JADTEU is a tri-service unit with the Air Warfare Centre based at RAF Brize Norton, their mission is; "To enable the delivery by air of personnel, machines and material through development, trials and training, in order to enhance defence capability."

Left to right: A400M Atlas C.1 (ZM416) using callsign 'Comet 452' of 24 Squadron during three hours of paradrop training during which there were two drops and countless low runs in and passes on Salisbury Plain in March 2018.

On Base Action