RAF Northolt Charity Photocall 2008 Title Image

RAF Northolt Charity Photocall 2008 Review

Sunday 8th June

The RAF Northolt Charity Photo call took place on one of those all too rare days it seems this year; a glorious and sunny one! However it wasn't only the sun that greeted those fortunate enough to attend this excellent event which was held the day after the base families' day on Sunday 8 June 2008. Now into its third year, this 'annual' event is fast gaining a reputation for unimpeded photographic access to a varied and certainly interesting selection of civil and military aircraft from the UK and overseas. It certainly did not disappoint in either respect with aircraft from seven overseas countries participating; Germany, Ireland, Poland, France, Holland, Canada and the United States, alongside excellent support once again from the UK. Whilst some similar events have struggled for participation, the same cannot be said here and RAF Northolt and Phillip Dawe in particular, once again pulled out all the stops in securing an outstandingly varied line up which was displayed on the south side dispersal area this year. Everyone involved in this special event must be commended for their considerable efforts in this respect and importantly in helping to raise funds for worthy causes.

Ian Harding reports for UKAR. Additional photography from Nick Challoner.

With close on 30 frontline aircraft on display, there were many individual highlights and aircraft were well spread out with no fences to give everyone a chance to photograph during the three hours the base was open. The strong Polish connection with RAF Northolt was again evident and their military support for this event was excellent with no less than three variant PZL Mielec M-28 from three individual services present; Air Force, Navy and for the first time, Border Guard. 'Sandwiched' between these aircraft, a PC-9M from the Irish Air Corp Flight Training School at Baldonnel was a welcome addition.

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Perhaps special mention and the award for the rarest aircraft on display should go to the 36.Specialny Pułk Lotnictwa Transportowego (36.SPLT) PZL-Swidnik Sokol W-3T twin-engine, multipurpose helicopter which was an outstanding first time attraction. Bright colours were also very much evident on the ground and resplendent in this respect were a French Securite Civile Canadair CL-415 from its home base of Marignane, a Dutch Air Force AB-412SP from 303 Squadron, Martin Baker's Meteor T7 now in silver and dayglo and a privately owned Strikemaster in striking Singapore Air Force markings.

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Steps were also well positioned to provide elevated photographic vantage points for other aircraft highlighted, which included a pristine Canadian Air Force CC-144B from 412 Squadron and the 19 Squadron special marked Hawk. Aerial views were also available for an impressive line up of three 'home-based' 32 Squadron Augusta Power A-109E helicopters which was a very nice touch. Despite the fact the Photo call shared the weekend with the Biggin Hill show, the RAF came out in force to support the event with many frontline types on display including Tucano, Hawk, Tornado GR4 and F3, Harrier GR7A and Merlin HC3.

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Much credit must go to the organisers of this excellent event. This is one Photo call not to miss.

Overseas participation:

  • 71+18 UH-1D LTG-63 GAF
  • 86+29 Bo105P1 HFVS 910 German Army
  • 263 PC-9M FTS Irish Air Corps
  • 270 EC.135P2 302 Sqn Irish Air Corps
  • 0211 PZL-Mielec M-28TD 13.eltr Polish AF
  • SN-60YG PZL-Mielec M-28-05 Sky truck Polish Border Guard
  • 1114 PZL-Mielec M-28B-1R 30.3lMW Polish Navy
  • 0415 Sokol W-3T 36 SPLT Polish AF
  • 31/F-ZBFP CL-415 Securite Civile
  • 1204/CZV SA330B French Army
  • 144615 CC-144B 412 Sqn CAF
  • R-02 AB-412SP 303 Sqn KLu
  • 0-24584 UH-60 SHAPE
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UK participation:

  • ZF417 Tucano T1 1FTS RAF
  • ZF205 Tucano T1 1FTS RAF
  • ZA447 Tornado GR4 41(R) RAF
  • ZE206/UI Tornado F3 Bae Warton RAF
  • ZD376/29A Harrier GR7A NSW RAF
  • ZD408/37A Harrier GR7 NSW RAF
  • XX222/CI Hawk T1 100 Sqn RAF
  • XX174 Hawk T1 208(R) RAF
  • XX184 Hawk T1 RAF '19' Squadron Special marks
  • WL419 Meteor T7 Martin Baker
  • ZJ131/P Merlin HC3 28/78 Sqn RAF
  • ZR321 A109E 32(R) RAF
  • ZR322 A109E 32(R) RAF
  • ZR323 A109E 32(R) RAF
  • G-RAFP Be200 45(R) RAF
  • 'XS111'/G-TIMM Gnat T1 (really XP504)
  • XR538 Gnat T1
  • G-BXRS Scout AH1
  • 311/G-MXPH Strikemaster Singapore Air Force markings
  • XM479 Jet Provost T3 'G-BVEZ'