Throwback to 2020, when British Airways was very sadly disposing of its 747s. This one, G-CIVK, flew into St Athan for scrapping in September of that year.

A Royal Danish Air Force F-16 at the Danish Air Show in 2022. The type was retired from Danish service on the weekend. Just Belgium remains of the “original” European F-16 operators.

A JGSDF UH-2, based on the Bell 412EPX. These utility helicopters are slowly replacing the much older UH-1Js in Japanese Army service.

G-OSRB at Cardiff recently. Very much a dying breed, it’s always great to see and hear a Boeing 727.

Red Bull’s lovely DC-6, launching from Zeltweg in 2022.

A Polish Navy AW101 Merlin. Love the colours on these things.

Couteau Delta from a few years ago. Always love seeing the classic Dassault Mirage 2000 design.

More CV-22B Osprey action from last week. Amazing to see no less than five Ospreys at RAF Fairford.

The awesome E-4B “Nightwatch” at RIAT in 2022.

Another of the social operations units moving quietly about the U.K. this week. This C-146A Wolfhound was doing various runs between Mildenhall, Fairford, and Scotland in support of the Bella I / Marinera seizure mission.

More from RAF Fairford this week, including this mission-fitted U-2 doing some circuit work. We’ve got to make the most of these Cold War legends, as their retirement is reported to take place this fiscal year.

AFSOC and other special forces units practicing hovering and rope training recently at RAF Fairford. Not something I’ve seen before!

The Bundesheer Tiger back at AirPower 2022. The EC665 is a great looking helicopter.

One of the JASDF F-15J demos, flying from the test and development wing at Gifu AB.

A favourite of mine from June 2025, which saw a rare airshow at the French navy base at Hyères, including a chance to see their fantastic-looking Dauphins and Panthers, three of the latter are seen here.

RIAT 2023. What a machine. The Polish Su-22 “Fitter” fleet was retired this year. Sad to see such an iconic and charismatic jet hang up its spurs.

One of the Akeno-based UH-60JAs of the JGSDF.

A Royal Canadian Air Force CH-147 Chinook in some nice looking camouflage at RIAT 2017.

Another of the colourful Aggressor Eagles of the JASDF.

A Polish C-130H at Radom Airshow in 2023. Very cool to see a C-130 dumping flares like this.

Another look at G-HAWC; a Hawk T.1A, formerly XX342, now flying as a classic jet and still wearing its former “Raspberry Ripple” colours reflecting its life as a test and development aircraft of the ETPS at Boscombe Down.

A shot I’ve posted several times before, but is always a happy memory! Croatia was Europe’s last MiG-21 operator, before they were replaced by Dassault Rafales. The type is synonymous with the Cold War. It’s a shame to see them now absent from European skies.

The Embraer KC-390 demonstrator in its Brazilian Air Force colours.

As a big fan of airshows, it’s naturally really cool to see different countries’ display teams. The Japanese “Blue Impluse” is one I had always wanted to see. Their Kawasaki T-4s are quite nimble for what they are, though the display is different to the traditional European display teams.

Avro Shackleton WR963 at one of its last engine run night shoots in 2022 before disassembly ahead of her move away from the airport, which is now earmarked for closure.

The Philippine Navy AW159 Wildcat. A good day in Yeovil several years ago prior to its delivery. Just two of these were built (though there are rumours of a further order), both now serving the Ph Navy, and unlikely to be seen this side of the world again!

Great to see Hawk T.1A, formerly XX342, now flying as a classic jet (which feels odd to say!) - it’s registered as G-HAWC and still wears its former “Raspberry Ripple” colours reflecting its life as a test and development aircraft of the ETPS at Boscombe Down.

A (now ex-)JASDF Kawasaki C-1 transport aircraft. 68-1019 is seen here taxiing for what was likely its last flight in November 2023 before scrapping. It was spotted recently without a tail, and with its engines being taken off as part of its dismantling process.

Radom saw some of the nicest light I’ve ever shot the Patrouille Suisse in!

A Republic of China Air Force Mirage 2000EI launching from Hsinchu

The Patrouille Suisse, and their lovely F-5E Tiger IIs.

One of two Landivisiau-based Rafale Ms. Sadly they weren’t as dynamic as I remembered, but two fast jets beating up an airfield will always be a spectacle! I believe that this was Flotille 17F

Another of the Aeronavale’s brand new H160B. A type leased from Airbus Helicopters whilst the full military-spec H160M version finishes development. Whilst the design itself is a bit marmite, I think it looks great in French Navy marks!

One of my rarer catches - a Brazilian Navy Lynx

A JASDF Mitsubishi F-2A in its awesome operational “ocean” camouflage.

Probably the last of a very distinct era of helicopter types operated by the U.K. military, along with the Sea King, Lynx, Gazelle etc. 2025 saw the retirement of RAF Pumas after a whopping 50+ years of service.

One of the pair of Austrian EF2000s performing their outstanding QRA demo in 2022.

Another excellent RIAT participant last year. Great to finally see a French Air and Space Force Mirage 2000-5F!

The Komatsu-based “Fighting Dragons” of 303 Hikotai launching at sunset. This unit has now begun the transition from its F-15Js to the F-35A. Image taken from the co-located civilian airport’s viewing deck.

I’ve said it before, but I still smile when I look at this! I can still hear the little popping noises the flares make as they’re ejected. Quite a spectacular sight! A RDAF C-130 at the Danish Airshow in 2022.

One of Couteau Delta from a few years ago.

Another shot of that AS565 Panther stack up from Hyères.

The Czech Republic operates JAS-39s from Sweden on a lease. This one, at @rafcosfordairshow in 2019, was painted in 2018 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Vzdušné síly Armády České Republiky (Czech Air Force), combining with 211 Taktická Letka’s (211 Tactical Sqn) NATO Tiger status.

A B-1B on approach to RAF Fairford, taken a few years ago.

As the saying goes; “Fear God, honour the King”. This is ZA298, the so called “King of the Junglies” on account of it nearly being shot down three times and sustaining significant battle damage. This helicopter is now preserved at the Fleet Air Arm Museum at its old home base of RNAS Yeovilton

A Romanian AF IAR-330, and its punchy camo. Great machines to see!

The Polish AF MiG-29 at the RAF Cosford Airshow in 2018, the last time the U.K. saw a MiG-29 display.

The lovely RDAF F-16 solo display rocking it @airtattoo.bsky.social

One of the supporting jets for the Polish Air Force contingent at RIAT this year. Great to finally see the “Raven” special scheme.

Although not a huge fan of the scheme myself, the “Alien Tiger” Mi-24/35 certainly looks striking. Especially against the background of mountains in Austria.