Norway (2013)

Norway 2013

NATO Tiger meet

Norway 2013

For the second year in a row the NATO Tiger Meet was held at Ørland in Norway, and for the second year in a row we took a group of enthusiasts there for the spotters day and air show.

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19 June 2013

In 2013 the Norwegian Air Force was responsible for organising the NATO Tiger Meet for the second year in a row, again at the air base of Ørland near Trondheim. The 2013 Tiger Meet was promising to be a large one, with hardly any cancellations and 4Aviation headed North like last year. This time the group consisted of 25 participants. Contrary to last year we chose for three days near the base, instead of two in 2012. This meant that, apart from the spotters day and the air show there was time to visit the base during a regular operational day. The majority of the group arrived at the airport of Værnes near Trondheim. Two Japanese, a Hungarian and three other Dutch participants had arrived here on separate flights. After having to wait a short time for the luggage of two participants we were soon heading for our hotel in Åfjord, a 2,5 hour drive by coach. This drive included very scenic views and a nice half hour ferry transfer. We arrived at our hotel in the evening and were able to experience the phenomena that the sun would not set.

20 June 2013

The next day (20 June) there was even time to enjoy a relaxed breakfast before heading for Ørland at around 7 AM for ‘a day at the fence’. It took about 1,5 hours from the hotel to Ørland. From the fence we could clearly see that the base was packed with aircraft from all sorts and that was a very promising sight. Unfortunately there was a cloudy area around the base which would be around for the major part of the day. Around 10.30 AM the first aircraft started their engines and not long after that all hell broke loose with a first wave of around sixty aircraft! After the last take-off we left our spot alongside the runway and positioned ourselves in the approach area. Around 1 PM the first wave had returned and the spectacle was rerun around 3 PM. We could therefore not leave the base until 5.30 in the afternoon. Satisfied with the day we headed back for to Åfjord.

21 June 2013

On Friday 21 June the spotters day would take place. We left our hotel in Åfjord very early to be in time for the crowded spotters day. We were the first in line and the check-in was very smooth. Just as the day before the first wave took off at 11 AM and we were lucky to have some (milky) sunshine. That was rather fine actually, since you are facing the sun on base during the afternoon. The photo location alongside the runway was very good and awesome shots could be taken from there. The afternoon mission began with a large formation of all participating Tiger squadrons after which most of the other tigers also took to the air. The weather had deteriorated in the afternoon and the mission returned at the end of the afternoon in pouring rain.

22 June 2013

On Friday it had become clear that the weather forecast for Saturday (22 June) was worrying, to say the least. Unfortunately the forecast appeared to be spot on. We were on base as one of the first visitors and therefore able to capture most aircraft without people and ribbons before it really started to rain hard. The major part of the air show that was scheduled for the afternoon was cancelled. Only two Norwegian F-16s and a Sea King, an AWACS, a Rafale and a Czech Mi-35 chose to take to the air that afternoon. Somewhat disappointed we returned to our hotel that evening to spend our final night.

23 June 2013

Our flight home on Sunday (23 June) was scheduled to depart at the end of the afternoon and we decided to leave the hotel in time so we could do some sightseeing under way. The clear sunshine and comfortable temperatures on this day were a bit frustrating, but in the end we all were very content and happy when we said goodbye to the first people of the group at the end of the afternoon. But only after visiting the nearby train station of the town called Hell where numerous snapshots were taken. A couple of hours later the group returned at Schiphol where the rest of the nice and sociable participants said goodbye to each other.

Norway 2013

Norway 2013

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Norway (2013)

Norway 2013

Norway 2013

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