RAF Kinloss - 20/11/2008

After the frustrations of the previous day, Thursday looked much more promising with the Tornado GR4s and the Harriers flying non-exercise morning sorties.

After the briefings I was able to get to the runway caravan just in time to catch a 56(R) Sqn marked Tornado F3 performing an overshoot.

The next action came courtesy of a resident Kinloss Wing Nimrod MR2, who taxied out, lined up, powered up, released the brakes, and aborted a short while later.

The bulk of the Harriers recovered next.

They were followed by the four GR4s that were out.

Repositioning further south for the afternoon mission were the pair of 100 Sqn Hawks.

The last of the morning's activity came by way of the sole Harrier that was still out.

All was looking good for the afternoon mission with the Tornado F3s, Falcon 20s, Sentry and Sentinel all getting airborne.

I went out for the main launch with Major Mal Robb from the Air Warfare Centre in the Bird Control Unit wagon. Mal had got his camera with him and he wanted to capture some of the action for himself. We were positioned about 30m from the edge of the runway, on the cross. Pretty much spot on for rotation shots.

The Typhoons taxied, followed by the Harriers and the GR4s. While they held a squall started to push in, bringing with it lots of moisture, some hail, and some extreme crosswinds. We bailed back into the wagon but were already soaked to the skin.

Sure enough, the worst came to the worst and the Mission Commander elected to scrub the launch... Now that really did hurt...