RAF Leuchars Airshow 2010

The RAF says farewell to the F3 Tornado in this 70th anniversary year of the Battle of Britain. The weather was perfect for video, clear air, some dramatic clouds and enough moisture for vortices and compression bursts around the fast jets; the Tornado tactical attack was breathtaking. Reflections off the sea especially on the Vulcan undersides added a further visual treat.

The theme was the history of air defence. The organisers delivered an incredile line-up from SE5a through Spitfire and Hurricane, early jets like Vampire, Sabre, Saab J29 making its UK mainland debut and most especially the newly equipped Viper Team with 4 Hunters. F16, Gripen and Typhoon represented today’s front line but all the emotion was centred around the imminent retirement of the stalwart Tornado F3. The base put up a 4 ship and the Spiitfire-F3-Typhoon formation was a unique sight. There was much more to the show not least the Vulcan and Red Arrows.