RAF Lakenheath - 6th September 2007

With my mate Paul Filmer having a free day during his trip from the States and the prospect of 06 departures at LN, we headed down there in the hope of capturing some nice pics of the Gripens and Norwegian F-16s that were in. It didn't quite go to plan!

First launch of the Gripens saw two pairs go at 0830 in nice light (we arrived at 0832 and caught the last pair).

The Eagles started soon after and I think they put about a dozen up, but the sky was getting greyer by the minute.... So much so that I've not got any shots from that launch that I'm willing to share!:

The Gripens flew again just after lunch, again in very grey conditions. A real shame as they'd got the idea of banking right on departure, offering the top surfaces to the camera....

The Eagles didn't get going again until 1600 (when the sun - that had been absent until that point - was in the most awkward position of the whole day, straight down the runway), and even then they only put up a four-ship... The Norwegians launched at the same time, along with three of the Gripens again, but the former RTBed to Mildenhall.

A few overshoots by a 100th ARW KC-135 and a NATO E-3A in really nice light did at least provide a few nice opportunities in a day of frustrations.

We hung around till 1930 in the hope (and expectation) of night flying, but nothing had moved by then, so with Skippy not having seen Mildenhall since circa 1985, we headed over there to see how it had changed. We couldn't resist the opportunity to shoot this:

As it rapidly becoming the norm, another very frustrating day all told. If it's not the weather it's a distinct lack of action....

Prints of most of the shots above are available for purchase from this Photobox Gallery