Aviation Video Clips

No Darkroom Photography

Besides photography, my other great passion is aviation.

This page contains a series of video clips which I will be adding to in the future. They are fairly small in size and are mainly in the region of 1 - 3 minutes in length. Please click on the thumbnail to view the video and please be patient while it loads.

For your convenience this page is also available for translation into the languages of French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean or Japanese by clicking the Babel Fish flag

No title

THE INTERNATIONAL AIR TATTOO 2008 at RAF Fairford

Room with a view - 01m:57s

In 2003 my wife and I went on vacation to America. Because it was an early flight we decided to stay in a local hotel at London Heathrow Airport.

This was the view from the window which turned out to be an historical moment.

Nimrod MR2 "Mighty Hunter" - 01m:49s

The Nimrod entered service in 1969 as the MR1 version. Based on the civilian Comet airliner, the Nimrod was, and remains, the only jet powered long range maritime patrol aircraft in military service.

There will be no display of this aircraft in 2005 but it should be appearing in the static park of a few selected air shows.

WARNING-This is a big 15MB file

The Thunderbirds - 05m:56s

Seldom seen in Europe, The United States Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Thunderbirds, provide a precise and breathtaking display. Flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the precision starts on the ground and continues in the air with some very close set manoeuvres.

This 1991 video starts with the walkout and startup. (The music is dropped once airborne.)

British Airways Concorde - 02m:26s

The epitome of good looks, comfort and style. Concorde was a firm favourite with all who saw her and lucky enough to fly in her. Alas, those days have now gone, but maybe one day.....

This footage was shot at West Malling Airfield in 1987 during the annual Great Warbirds Air Display.

Blackburn Buccaneer - 01m:12s

A fairly rare piece of footage of the Blackburn Buccaneer displaying in it's desert colour scheme as seen in the Gulf.

The footage was taken at RAF Upper Heyford in the summer of 1991.

De Havilland Mosquito - 01m:13s

The "Wooden Wonder" De Havilland Mosquito making a few low passes at the Badminton Air Day in 1987.

The footage was taken on some very old equipment including a betamax video camera. I include it for historical reasons as opposed to optical ones.

Avro Vulcan XH558 - 01m:27s

The Avro Vulcan taxiing in after landing at The Fighter Meet Air Show at North Weald.

On this occasion the Vulcan produced her usual immaculate display including ripping up some concrete runway on take off. Whoops!

Red Arrows/F117A Nighthawk - 01m:17s

There was a very special formation at the 2003 International Air Tattoo at Fairford.

The Red Arrows and the F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter.

Alenia C-27J Spartan - 00m:51s

Always a firm favourite is the spirited display by an Alenia C-27J Spartan transport aircraft.

This clip shows a very tight turn and somewhat of a frightening looking landing.

Frecce Tricolori - 00m:43s

The Italian Frecce Tricolori are one of the best aerobatic teams in the world.

This clip shows their finale flypast.

Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit - 00m:27s

The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is one of the most futuristic aircraft around.

With it's amazing shape, there is a real touch of science fiction about this aircraft.

English Electric Lightning - 01m:05s

The English Electric Lightning was the best British aircraft ever made. Fantastic climb rate and always a joy to watch and hear.

This clip was taken at RAF Binbrook, in very drab and wet conditions, just before they were replaced with the Tornado.

Avro Vulcan XH558 - 00m:37s

A firm favourite with air show crowds, the Avro Vulcan is renowned for it's power, agility and noise. But, THE thing that people want to see is the takeoff.

XH558 is due to return to the skies again soon.

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird - 02m:11s

The SR-71 Blackbird was always a firm favourite with air show crowds for it's size, shape and very noisy takeoffs.

It seems strange to think that this futuristic looking aircraft is no longer flying.

Handley Page Victor - 00m:18s

The Handley Page Victor was one of the 'V' force during the sixties. Later they were to see a new life as tankers refueling fighters.

This clip shows a very low pass at RAF Fairford.

Blackburn Buccaneer - 00m:14s

One of the most rugged British aircraft, ever. The Blackburn Buccaneer has given stalwart service to the Royal Navy and later with the Royal Air Force.

The ageing Bucc also played an important role in the Gulf.