United Kingdom II 2026
There was great disappointment when it was announced that the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford would not be going ahead. 4Aviation had arranged a number of coaches for the one- and two-day trips, as well as two minivans that were primarily intended for the RIAT but would also visit a few other bases. There was still sufficient interest in the latter group to organise a lovely tour to the United Kingdom together.
No sooner said than done: after agreeing on a lovely route, the group crossed the Channel in mid-July.
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No RIAT, No problem
Unfortunately, the 2026 edition of RIAT was cancelled this year. The reason for this was related to the prevailing tensions in the Middle East. Therefore, 4Aviation put together an alternative trip to the UK, visiting several airfields in the south and center of England. The choice fell on the week preceding the original RIAT, and that worked out perfectly. The weather forecast was excellent, and several special movements were planned, such as the departure of the Raptors from Fairford.
After all participants were picked up in the Netherlands and Belgium on Sunday 11 July 2026, we arrived in Calais well ahead of time. We passed through customs and the crossing smoothly, after which we set course for Fairford. Right becomes left here, and we kept that up until back in Dover. We had a hot meal by the river in authentic Lechlade before driving on to RAF Fairford, where the Lancers and Raptors are stationed. The aircraft looked beautiful in the evening sun and were easy to photograph. The fence along the field turned out to be a step too high for most of us, even with the ladders we brought along. Luckily, we have one ladder that just makes it, and we take turns climbing up for a few nice shots.
Dragons & Raptors
Heading to the airfield early on Monday 12 July 2026, as the Raptors are leaving for Langley, USA today. We start at the east side of the field where the F-22s spent the night in lines. Flying begins with a northeasterly wind from 09. The group splits: a few want to photograph the aircraft wheels-up, while the others opt for the planes taxiing and during takeoff. The weather is still cloudy, although more and more gaps are appearing in the cloud cover. Eventually, 10 aircraft depart; one F-22 is left behind, damaged. In between, a U-2S takes off. This powered glider is a difficult aircraft to fly, particularly the landing, which is very critical with only main landing gear. The Dragon Lady performs some practice laps and approaches, which is no easy task in a choppy force 4 wind. Meanwhile, we hear B-1Bs starting up. After half an hour, two of them start moving. Almost within reach, they turn onto the runway and depart in an easterly direction with blue-purple colored afterburners. What an overwhelming start to this trip!
After this, we drive to RAF Brize Norton. Expectations are not high, as it was already known that part of the southern taxiway was under maintenance. Nevertheless, the A400 is flying, and we see a number of Atlases during takeoffs and landings. Because we want to be at Shawbury early the next day, we drive to picturesque Telford in the late afternoon. We end the day at the excellent grill restaurant Hickory’s Smokehouse.
Junos, you know
Today, Tuesday 13 July 2026, the Junos at RAF Shawbury are first on the program. It is difficult to find a good spot because the distance to the platform is quite long and there is backlight. We make a sweeping movement through the field and end up on the east side of one of the two runways. We are lucky: most of the H135s from this helicopter training field depart to the northeast, so we have the sun nicely on the aircraft. Eventually, the entire platform has flown out and we count .. Junos.
Initially, RAF Valley was on the program for the second half of the day. This field is located all the way on the west coast of Wales and means a long drive. A bushfire is raging along the approach route and it is unclear whether the road is closed. The group decides to save the Hawks and Texans from Valley for another time and drive east via the Midland Air Museum in Cosford. Cosford is a beautiful museum where you can admire the three V-bombers. Several Grobs are also flying here, which we capture briefly against the backdrop of stored Jaguars.
Then it’s full throttle to RAF Coningsby, where we hope to catch the recovery of the afternoon wave of Typhoons. Despite the traffic jams around Birmingham, we arrive just in time for the landing at Coningsby. The soft evening light provides us with beautiful shots, especially when they briefly pull the historic Dakota ZA947 out of the hangar.
We drive to our hotel in Lincoln via Waddington. Two RC-135s are parked there, but otherwise there is little to see. Hopefully, we will see more activity tomorrow morning.
The Lions roar
Today, Wednesday 14 July 2026, we start at RAF Waddington. Unfortunately, the WAVE (the official spotter parking lot) turns out to be closed. At another spot near the parked Vulcan, we are rather unfriendly sent away by security. Furthermore, one of the two Rivet Joints has left and we see no other activity whatsoever. Possibly we are too early, so we decide to explore RAF Cranwell and RAF Barkton Heath. It is far too quiet at Cranwell, but at Barkston Heath, a neat line of Grob Prefect T.1s is already standing in the morning sun. These civilian-registered aircraft are not of interest to everyone. In consultation with the group, we decide to head early to the Royal Air Force’s only true fighter town: RAF Coningsby. That it was a good choice is evident from the number of flying Typhoons; in total, we count 27 in two days. The group splits up: a few people want to stand on the southeast side, the rest stay on the west side and end up in the cornfield on the north side. This evening the English national team is playing against Argentina, with the result that the last Eurofighters are already returning at half past four. We reunite and, via the very poor roads in this part of England, we make our way to the next hotel near Mildenhall.
Over the moon
Thursday 15 July 2026. After first briefly capturing KC-135s from U.S. Air Force’s 100th Air Refueling Wing by the Mildenhall fence, we drive to Lakenheath to drop off two team members. The rest continue on to RAF Marham in the hope of scoring the RAF’s F-35Bs. There is no more flying from Marham on Fridays, so it has to happen now. Initially, we gamble on a spot near the taxiway and see two Cranwell Phenoms flying circuits in the distance. We decide to move to the western end of the runway so we can photograph these aircraft without heat haze. We have positioned ourselves well when suddenly an F-35B turns in. Mission accomplished! Fairly soon after, two more Bs follow, gliding past while hovering and roaring. Meanwhile, we keep in touch with our travel companions at Lakenheath, where the 10 F-35As that departed earlier are already back home. The group then reunites at Lakenheath for the afternoon mission. Unfortunately, this never gets off the ground, fitting the pattern of little to no activity this week. There appears to be a connection with the Combat Archer exercise, which is primarily a ground exercise for weapons handling.
We decide to move to RAF Mildenhall, and that turns out well. At the campsite on the west side, you can park on a trailer for a small fee. From here, you have an excellent view of the activities on the field and landing aircraft.
The MV-22s are hard at work. One is even performing sling exercises on the field in front of the tower. A KC-135 and an MC-130J depart. The sun sets below the horizon, and we finish with an evening snack at the Half Moon bar, after which we prepare for a good night’s rest.
Galaxy and beyond
The last full day, Friday 16 July 2026, in the UK starts at the gate at Lakenheath. Quite a few rumours are circulating about the arrival of Holloman F-16s, but that turns out not to be happening. However, 12 F-35s are departing for Jordan, and one is flying locally. They bank nicely upwards to the left in front of us. Given the experience of the previous day, we decide to leave for Mildenhall earlier. We drive around the airfield and see a C-5, a C-17, and a C-40C Clipper standing on the paddocks. The locally based Stratotankers are very active; one ends up breaking down, which causes a lot of commotion among emergency services on the ground. Meanwhile, an innocent-looking C-146A sneaks in, but it is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The so-called Wolfhound is a Dornier 328 deployed for clandestine operations. When it turns out that the C-5 is still going to depart, we wait a while. We while away the time chatting with fellow spotters, both familiar and less familiar, all en route because the RIAT was cancelled. Very enjoyable!
It was briefly uncertain whether the Galaxy would actually depart, as a hydraulic problem had been reported. Apparently, they managed to fix it, and at exactly 6 o’clock, the behemoth set sail for the States. With this impressive conclusion, we set course for our final hotel with satisfaction.
Up early on the morning of Saturday 17 July. We are scheduled for the 12 o’clock crossing. Despite a half-hour wait at customs, we are able to take an earlier ferry to the European mainland. The return journey goes smoothly, and around 5 pm we reach the final boarding point in Prinsenbeek near Breda. With this, we conclude a very enjoyable and (flying) by trip.
