Fairoaks, 20th June, 2021

My weekend ended - like so many - with a quick stop at Fairoaks.

I have visited this airfield too many times to see along list of new aircraft, but there are always some high end turbos here, such as G-ERGP:

Unfortunately, the weather had spoilt Sunday, and probably scared off a few visitors to Turweston on Saturday, but it had been a good two days away. Here is the final log of the trip:

2-YELL Piper PA-28R-201 Cherokee Arrow
G-BDSB Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-BFOE Reims/Cessna F152
G-BIOB Reims/Cessna F172P Skyhawk
G-BJCW Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP
G-BMVB Reims/Cessna F152
G-BOKA Piper PA-28-201T Turbo Dakota
G-BWMI Piper PA-28RT-201T Cherokee Arrow
G-BXWO Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-BXWO Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-BYFA Reims/Cessna F152
G-ERGP Pilatus PC-12/47E
G-EVTO Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-FLXI Pilatus PC-12/47E
G-GASP Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-JOYZ Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-KARE Pilatus PC-12/47E
G-LKVA Tecnam P2010 Ptwenty - Ten
G-NTWK Aerospatiale AS355 F2 Ecureuil 2
G-OARA Piper PA-28R-201 Cherokee Arrow
G-RATV Piper PA-28RT-201T Turbo Arrow IV
M-ARTY Pilatus PC-12/47E
M-YBLS Pilatus PC-12/45
N122DR Cirrus SR22T Turbo
N61AY Beech 200 King Air
N677CD Cirrus SR22
N866C Cirrus SR22

Farnborough, 20th June, 2021

After Blackbushe, my next stop was at the biz-jet mecca of Farnborough.

It had been a long day, so I stopped for a short rest. This Legacy was looking good:

The highlight of my stop though was this Austrian registered Gulfstream 100:

2-AERO Embraer 135                                             Aero Technologies Inc
2-TEAM Cessna 525B CitationJet CJ3                     One Team One Dream Ltd
9H-VCL Bombardier Challenger 350                     Vistajet Malta
9H-VJC Bombardier Global 6000                             Vistajet Malta
9H-VJN Bombardier Global 6000                             Vistajet Malta
9H-VJO Bombardier Global 6000                             Vistajet Malta
C-GWHF Bombardier BD700 Global Express XRS    Bombardier Inc
CS-DLK Dassault Falcon 2000EXEASy             NetJets Transportes Aereos
CS-LTE Cessna 680A Citation Latitude             NetJets Transportes Aereos
CS-LTN Cessna 680A Citation Latitude             NetJets Transportes Aereos
G-ESNA Embraer 550 Legacy 500                     Air Charter Scotland Ltd
G-MATO Dassault Falcon 7X                                     Air Charter Scotland Ltd
G-VTLY Bombardier Global 6000                             Gama Aviation (UK) Ltd
HS-KVS Gulfstream G650ER                             King Power International
I-GEFD Dassault Falcon 2000                             Sirio SpA
LX-GVI Gulfstream G650                                     Soldano Ltd
M-INTY Gulfstream G280                                     Ineos Aviation LLP
M-USIC Gulfstream G550                                     Ineos Aviation LLP
N313AG Gulfstream G650ER                             Bank of Utah Trustee
N437GA Gulfstream 4SP                                     Aircraft Guaranty Corp
N700KJ Bombardier BD700 Global Express XRS    JFW Leasing II LLC
N892SS Gulfstream G650ER                             TVPX Ars Inc Trustee
OE-GKW Gulfstream 100                                     Tyrol Air Ambulance
OH-ADM Bombardier Challenger 350                     JetFlite OY
T7-ELL Bombardier BD700 Global Express     Eagle Logistics Ltd
VP-BZF Gulfstream G650                                     Zanoshfa Capital Ltd
ZS-KDR Bombardier BD700 Global Express     Fortune Air (Pty) Ltd

Blackbushe, 20th June, 2021

After Denham, it was back onto familiar territory with a stop at Blackbushe, one of my favourite airports.

There is often a biz jet or two on the apron, and it was great to see M-ODUS:

D-GJBA Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II
G-ATEF Cessna 150E
G-AVSF Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee
G-AWFZ Beech A23-19A Musketeer Sport III
G-BBRC Fuji FA-200-180 Aero Subaru
G-BCIR Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior
G-BDFW Rockwell International Commander 112A
G-BHXA Scottish Aviation Bulldog Srs.120 Model.1210
G-BICW Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-BIJV Reims/Cessna F152
G-BOJI Piper PA-28RT-201 Cherokee Arrow
G-BOWY Piper PA-28RT-201T Cherokee Arrow
G-BPBM Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II
G-BZEA Cessna A.152
G-BZEB Cessna 152
G-BZEC Cessna 152
G-CDTX Reims/Cessna F152
G-CICG Comco-Ikarus C42 FB80
G-CKYJ Piper PA-28RT-201 Arrow IV
G-DANL Beech 76 Duchess
G-EGLK Czech Aircraft Works PS-28 Cruiser
G-ESSL Cessna 182R Skylane/Porche FTB
G-FLXY Piper PA-28-181 Archer III
G-FPSA Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-ILHR Cirrus SR22
G-JARY Piper PA-24-260 Comanche
G-JEOL Slingsby T.67C Firefly-3
G-JJAN Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-LKAM Sonaca S200
G-LKSM Sonaca S200
G-RCMP Piper PA-28RT-201T Cherokee Arrow IV
G-RECW Piper PA-28-181 Archer II
G-UCAN Tecnam P2002-JF Sierra
G-WOWSCirrus SR22T Turbo
M-ODUS Dassault Falcon 50EX
N115MD Commander Aircraft Company Commander 114TC
N147LK Cirrus SR22 GTS
N9432B Cessna 175

Denham, 20th June, 2021

After Brize, it was a drive down the M40 to Denham.

My first visit here was rewarded with several US registered aircraft including N235PF:

And PA-23 N4422P:

There are often a few PC-12s here, but today, the only example of the type was M-JJTL:

A worthwhile visit - here is what I saw:

G-ARYR Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee B
G-AXIO Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee B
G-BAGX Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee
G-BHCM Reims/Cessna F172H Skyhawk
G-BIBA SOCATA TB-9 Tampico
G-BMTJ Cessna 152
G-BNHJ Cessna 152
G-BNSN Cessna 152
G-BOJS Cessna 172P Skyhawk
G-BOPA Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-BRBP Cessna 152
G-BSDP Cessna 152
G-BSFP Cessna 152
G-BUFY Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-BYEM Cessna R182 Skylane RG II
G-BYSP Piper PA-28-181 Archer II
G-CICC Cessna 152
G-CXSM Cessna 172R Skyhawk
G-EMLS Cessna T210L Turbo Centurion
G-FAIT Eurocopter AS350 B3 Ecureuil
G-GFIG Cessna 152
G-HRND Cessna 182T Skylane
G-JACA Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II
G-JAMP Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior
G-LREE Grob G 109B
G-MELS Piper PA-28-181 Archer III
G-NYKS Cessna 182T Skylane
G-OONE Mooney M20J-205
G-OWAR Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-SHBA Reims/Cessna F152
G-UILT Cessna T.303 Crusader
G-WACY Reims/Cessna F172P Skyhawk
G-WARV Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-WHIP AgustaWestland AW119Kx Koala II
M-JJTL Pilatus PC-12/47E
N1012P Mooney M20R Ovation 2
N13243 Cessna 172M Skyhawk
N139LC Cirrus SR22T Turbo
N166BZ Robinson R66 Turbine
N235PF Piper PA-28-235 Cherokee Pathfinder
N4422P Piper PA-23-160G Vecta Geronimo
N715BC Beech A36 Bonanza
N747MM Piper PA-28R-200 Cherokee Arrow II
N982CD Cirrus SR22

RAF Brize Norton, 20th June, 2021

Brize Norton was next on the agenda after Oxford - the base was becoming a regular port of call!

By now it had stopped raining, but I got soaked from wet grass getting a photo of Atlas ZM408: 

G-VYGK         Airbus A330-243                                         AirTanker/RAF - Royal Air Force

G-VYGM         Airbus A330-243                                         AirTanker/RAF - Royal Air Force
ZH866         Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules C.4 RAF - Royal Air Force
ZH867         Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules C.4 RAF - Royal Air Force
ZH875         Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules C.4 RAF - Royal Air Force
ZM408         Airbus A400M Atlas C.1                                 RAF - Royal Air Force
ZZ171         Boeing C-17A Globemaster III                 RAF - Royal Air Force
ZZ336         Airbus A330-243 Voyager KC.3                 RAF - Royal Air Force

Oxford, 20th June, 2021

After Enstone, I travelled to Oxford.

I find Oxford frustrating, as there can often be interesting aircraft at the airport, but they can be difficult to see and impossible to photograph. However, M-AJOR was willing to pose for a photo:

And PC-24 LX-DCC taxied past the crash gate on departure:

It was just a pity that the Belgian DA40, Nigerian King Air and the several Guernsey registered biz jets remained out of camera range!

2-GDEJ British Aerospace 125 Hawker 800XPi
2-LATE Canadair CL601-3A Challenger
2-LCXO British Aerospace 3112 Jetstream 31
2-LVLY Bombardier Challenger 604
2-NAPA British Aerospace 125 Hawker 800XPi
2-OOOX Dassault Falcon 2000
2-RBLE British Aerospace 125 Hawker 800XPi
2-RBTS Dassault Falcon 2000Easy
5N-TAK Beech 350 King Air
9H-ART Canadair CL601-3A Challenger
CS-DSC Dassault Falcon 7X
CS-DSD Dassault Falcon 7X
G-LDGB Diamond DA40NG Star
G-MPLE Cessna 182T Skylane
G-MPLE Cessna 182T Skylane
G-OXFB New Piper PA-34-220T Seneca V
G-PEGI Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II
G-SPRE Cessna 550 Citation Bravo
G-TAAB Cirrus SR22
LX-DCC Pilatus PC-24
LX-JFE Pilatus PC-12/47E
M-AGIK Dassault Falcon 900LX
M-AJOR Airbus BK117 D-2/H145
N113MH Swearingen SA226T Merlin III
OO-STU Diamond DA40D Star

Enstone 20th June, 2021

 

My plan for the Sunday was to aim to leave Turweston mid afternoon, and drive home via a few airfields en route. 

However, I woke at my hotel to discover heavy rain. I delayed my departure in the hope that it would clear, but by 1000am it was clear that it was set for a while longer, so I decided to scrub going to Turweston and start my journey home. This was a wise move, as I later leant that the second day of the fly in had been cancelled.

My first stop was at Enstone - it was raining so hard I didn't get out of the car, but I managed a snap of G-EORG in its 'BA World Tails' scheme: 

G-ATOR         Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee

G-AVEO         Reims/Cessna F150G
G-AXPF         Reims/Cessna F150K
G-AZLN         Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee
G-BEFA         Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior
G-BGXT         SOCATA TB-10 Tobago
G-BHRW         Jodel DR221 Dauphin
G-BJSZ         Piper J-3C-65/L-4H Cub
G-BNVE         Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-BODO         Cessna 152
G-BPDT         Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II
G-BRBV         Piper J-4A Cub Coupe
G-BSCY         Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior
G-BTCE         Cessna 152
G-BUJM         Cessna 120
G-EORG         Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk
G-JIMB         Beagle B.121 Pup 1
G-JMKE         Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP
G-OHAC         Reims/Cessna F182Q Skylane
G-OWOW Cessna 152
G-SION         Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk
G-XSFT         Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F
N2177G         Cessna 182A Skylane
N8968H         North American Navion
XX764         SEPECAT Jaguar GR.1

Hinton in the Hedges, 19th June, 2021

After leaving Turweston, I stopped at Hinton in the Hedges.

I always enjoy a wander around here, and met several other spotters who had also been at Turweston. G-UKPS was on paradropping duties:

And of the lighter aircraft, G-RVFT was clearly trying to pass itself off as a military aircraft in this livery:

Here is the log:

G-ARVO Piper PA-18-95 Super Cub

G-ASCM Isaacs Fury II
G-BGPI Plumb BGP-1 Biplane
G-BLXH Fournier RF.3
G-BORK Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-BPCD Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander
G-BWWF Cessna A185A Skywagon
G-BXVO Van's RV-6A
G-BZRV Van's RV-6
G-CEPW Alpi Pioneer 300
G-CHIH AeroPro Eurofox
G-CHXV Schleicher ASK-13
G-CJHF AeroPro Eurofox
G-DESU Schleicher ASK-21
G-GFOA Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II
G-KWET Cessna 150L
G-RVFT Van's RV-8
G-SARV Van's RV-4
G-UKPS Cessna 208 Caravan I
HA-ANG WSK-PZL Antonov AN-2P

Turweston, 19th June, 2021

The Air Britain Fly In is one of my favourite events, and with the 2020 edition being cancelled, I planned to visit both days of the event.

It is always great to be welcomed to enjoy a day wandering around a busy airfield, and my visit started well with Cessna 414 N44NE:

A slightly more colourful US aircraft was N85LB: 

Access to one of the hangars was allowed, where I found Stampe G-BNYZ: 

There were several vintage aircraft around including this1921 vintage Gipsy Moth G-ABDA:  

Back outside, and 2-MCLN was being prepared for a flight:

So onto the fly in proper (rather than the Turweston residents) and TB-9 G-JUFS did its best to try to brighten up a dull day:

An attractive scheme on G-BHDE:

After touring the hangars and the 'static', I spent most of the rest of the day watching the arrivals:

This Hungarian registered former French Army Gazelle was one of the highlights for many visitors: 

Firefly G-SKYO bought my visit to an end:

I enjoyed my visit - it was certainly great to be back at a busy fly in again, but the dull weather had no doubt deterred visitors, and the weather was very cold for June so I was pleased to get back to the car!

Here is the log: 

2-MCLN Cirrus SR22T Turbo

2-SKYZ Cirrus SR22
F-GITZ American-General AG-5B Tiger
G-ABDA De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth
G-AHHT Auster J/1N Alpha
G-AHUG Taylorcraft Auster I
G-AIXN Benes-Mraz M.1C Sokol
G-AJWB Miles M.38 Messenger 2A
G-AKSY Taylorcraft Auster AOP.V
G-AOCU Taylorcraft J Auster 5
G-AOJK De Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth
G-AOSK De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk
G-ARDZ SAN Jodel D140A Mousquetaire
G-ASCM Isaacs Fury II
G-ASHX Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee B
G-ASSS Cessna 172E Skyhawk
G-ASZB Cessna 150E
G-ATVF De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk
G-ATZM Piper J-3 Cub
G-AVDF Beagle B.121 Pup 1
G-AWXZ SNCAN Stampe SV-4C
G-AXDI Reims/Cessna F172H Skyhawk
G-AXRR Auster AOP.9
G-AXXW SAN Jodel D.117 Grand Tourisme
G-AYKW Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee
G-AYPG Reims/Cessna F177RG Cardinal
G-AZTM Glos Air Ltd Glos-Airtourer 115/T2
G-BAJN American Aviation AA-5 Traveler
G-BALJ Robin DR.400/180 Regent
G-BAXZ Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee
G-BBLU Piper PA-34-200 Seneca
G-BBMR De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk
G-BCYM De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk
G-BDBD Wittman W.8 Tailwind
G-BDIE Rockwell International Commander 112A
G-BEAH Auster J/2 Arrow
G-BEER Isaacs Fury II
G-BGBE SAN Jodel DR1050
G-BGBN Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk
G-BGOG Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-BHDE SOCATA TB-10 Tobago
G-BHFK Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior
G-BIYK Isaacs Fury II
G-BJCN Cessna 337H Super Skymaster
G-BKSK QAC Quickie Q2
G-BNGE Auster AOP.6
G-BNMB Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior
G-BNYZ SNCAN Stampe SV-4C
G-BOKA Piper PA-28-201T Turbo Dakota
G-BOKX Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-BPHG Robin DR.400 Regent
G-BPOB Tallmantz Sopwith Camel F.1 (Replica)
G-BRPH Cessna 120
G-BRWR Aeronca 11AC Chief
G-BSRR Cessna 182Q Skylane
G-BTDE Cessna C-165 Airmaster
G-BUCK CASA C.1-131E Jungmann Series 1000
G-BXGP De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk Mk.22
G-BYHI Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II
G-BYSJ De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk
G-BZIT Beech 95-B55 Baron
G-BZLC PZL-110 Koliber 160A (Rallye 110ST)
G-BZRV Van's RV-6
G-BZUY Van's RV-6
G-BZXZ Scottish Aviation Bulldog T.1
G-CBCB Scottish Aviation Bulldog Srs.120 Model.121
G-CBEZ Robin DR.400/180 Regent
G-CCRK Luscombe 8A Silvaire
G-CGDI Evektor EV-97 TeamEuroStar
G-CIIC Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub
G-CIRI Cirrus SR20 GTS
G-CJWW Supermarine Aircraft Spitfire Mk.26 (Replica)
G-CLAC Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-CLGG AutoGyro Europe/Rotorsport UK Cavalon
G-CPCD CEA Jodel DR221 Dauphin
G-DUDZ Robin DR.400
G-EGBJ Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II
G-EHGF Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-ELRT Sopwith Scout
G-ELSR Robin DR.400/180R Remorqueur
G-FEWG Fuji FA-200-160 Aero Subaru
G-GBVN Robin DR.400/180 Regent
G-GHZJ SOCATA TB-9 Tampico
G-GTWL AeroPro Eurofox
G-HILS Reims/Cessna F172H Skyhawk
G-HUPW Gloster Hurricane I
G-IDID Scottish Aviation Bulldog Srs.120 Model.121
G-IFLP Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II
G-INNY Slingsby ( Replica Plans) SE5A Replica
G-ISAC Isaacs Spitfire
G-JKEL Van's RV-7
G-JUFS SOCATA TB-9 Tampico
G-KLUB Scheibe SF-25C Rotax-Falke
G-LOWE Monnett Sonerai I
G-MACC Cub Crafters CCK-1865 Carbon Cub EX
G-MASF Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-NCUB Piper J-3C-65/L-4H-PI Cub
G-NILT Evektor EV-97 TeamEuroStar SL
G-NJOY Piper PA-28-181 Archer II
G-OCAM Gulfstream-American AA-5A Cheetah
G-OCFD Bell 206B Jet Ranger III
G-OPWS Mooney M20K-231
G-PLJR Pietenpol Aircamper
G-PLOP Magni M-24C Orion
G-RAFT Rutan Long-Ez
G-RATE Gulfstream-American AA-5A Cheetah
G-RUES Robin HR.100/210 Safari
G-RVLC Van's RV-9A
G-SAPI Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-SEDC Fairchild 24 W46
G-SKYO Slingsby T.67M Firefly 200
G-SRWN Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-SYFW WAR FW-190 (Replica)
G-TAJB Airbus BK117 D-2/H145
G-TATR Travel Air R (Replica)
G-TDVB Dyn Aero MCR01 ULC
G-TOPP Van's RV-10
G-WLGC Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-XCAP Avions Mudry Cie CAP 232
G-YAKH Yakovlev Yak-52
G-ZERO Grumman-American AA-5B Tiger
G-ZOOL Reims/Cessna FA152 Aerobat II
HA-HSG Aerospatiale SA.342M Gazelle
N214CL Cirrus SR22
N2366D Cessna 170B
N340GJ Cessna 340A
N44NE Cessna 414 Chancellor
N834CD Cirrus SR22
N85LB Cessna 340A

Fairoaks, 13th June, 2021

As is usually the case, after leaving Heathrow I stopped at Fairoaks to see what was around.

This US registered King Air was looking good as the sun started to set:

Here is the long to the end of an enjoyable day:

2-YELL Piper PA-28R-201 Cherokee Arrow

G-BDSB Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer             Testfair Ltd
G-BEDG Rockwell International Commander 112A    G-BEDG Ltd
G-BGIB Cessna 152 Redhill Air Services Ltd
G-BIUY Piper PA-28-181 Archer II
G-BJCW Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP
G-BPIU Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-BXWO Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-BYFA Reims/Cessna F152                             Redhill Air Services Ltd
G-CCYY Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior
G-ELZY Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior     Redhill Air Services Ltd
G-ERGP Pilatus PC-12/47E Solid Rock Aviation     GP Ltd
G-EVTO Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior     Redhill Air Services Ltd
G-FLXI Pilatus PC-12/47E                                     Flexifly Aircraft Hire Ltd
G-GASP Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer             G-GASP Flying Group
G-GDER Robin R.1180TD Aiglon                             Berkshire Aviation Services Ltd
G-GPAT Beech 76 Duchess                                     UK Flying Clubs Ltd 
G-JOYZ Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer
G-LKVA Tecnam P2010 Ptwenty - Ten                     Kirill Yurovskiy
G-MCOX Fuji FA-200-180AO Aero Subaru
G-OARA Piper PA-28R-201 Cherokee Arrow     Synergy Aircraft Leasing Ltd
G-RATV Piper PA-28RT-201T Turbo Arrow IV     Tango Victor Ltd
G-WNCH Beech B200 King Air                             Synergy Aircraft Leasing Ltd
M-ARTY Pilatus PC-12/47E                                     Crestron (UK) Ltd
M-ARTY Pilatus PC-12/47E                                     Crestron (UK) Ltd
N14EF Piper PA-46-350 Malibu Jetprop DLX Conversion
N61AY Beech 200 King Air                                     Frami Corp
N677CD Cirrus SR22
N866C Cirrus SR22

London Heathrow, 13th June, 2021

After my visit to Brize Norton, it was a quick drive down the M40 to get to Heathrow for the Air Force One show.

I arrived at the Urban Farm at 1130. My arrival wasn't a moment too soon, as I found it incredibly busy, and I secured one of the last 'nose in' parking spots and settled down for what the day would bring. 

The airport was still far from busy, and Iran Air's A330 is nowhere near as enigmatic as the A310s and A300s they have replaced:

It was good to see a 737 from Egyptair rather than the more normal 777:

If Egyptair were operating a smaller than usual aircraft, Swiss went the other way, with a widebody operating their Zurich service rather than the more normal A320 series: 

At 3pm everything went quiet, as arrivals moved to the northern runway to keep the southern one sterile ahead of the main event. However, by now the parking area was way busier than I had ever seen it before: 

At around 330 the two US Marine helicopters - one of which would be taking the President to Windsor Castle - along with several other helicopters - arrived from Northolt. 

An hour later, the peace and quiet of the Urban Farm was broken with a cacophony of radios announcing the arrival of the VC-25. Most of us had been tracking the aircraft on Flight Radar, so while its arrival may not have been a surprise, it was certainly a special moment when that most famous of call signs called up on Heathrow Tower, and the controller cleared Air Force One to land some 12 miles out:

Five minutes or so later the support C-32 arrived from Newquay:

With nothing now happening for the next few hours, most of the spotters present relocated to the spot by the Esso garage to capture the departure:

With nothing happening on the runway in front of us, most were keeping an eye on overflights. A strange shape appeared that was not on any of the tracking apps - once it got closer it was apparent that it was a cluster of balloons that must have escaped from their owner:

The helicopters returned from Windsor at around 1845. They routed south of the airport so we could only hear them, but Air Force One had already called for start before they arrived, and it was only a few minutes later that the traffic was literally bought to a halt as the 747 left for Brussels:

Being followed just a couple of minutes later by the supporting C-32:

And then this was followed shortly after by another C-32 taking the First Lady back to Andrews AFB:

A lot of the people present then started to leave, but many of us stuck around for an extra few minutes to see the helicopters return to Northolt. It was good to get a close up of the Presidential VH-3, albeit unfortunate that it was back lit:

The helicopters pulled a tight turn back over the airport to get to Northolt - as well as the two VH-3s, there were two RAF Pumas, a Police EC145 and - not visible in the photo - an Army Air Corps AS365:

That was the end of the day's activity, so it was time to return home. 

All in all, an excellent day - here is the log:  

09-0016 Boeing 757-2Q8(C-32A)     USAF - United States Air Force

159354 Sikorsky VH-3D Sea King USMC - United States Marine Corps
159356 Sikorsky VH-3D Sea King USMC - United States Marine Corps
4X-EDK Boeing 787-9                         El Al Israel Airlines
82-8000 Boeing 747-2G4B(VC-25A) USAF - United States Air Force
90-0002 Boeing 757-2G4(VC-32A) USAF - United States Air Force
A6-BMB Boeing 787-10                         Etihad Airways
A6-EPV Boeing 777-300ER                 Emirates
A7-BEG Boeing 777-3DZER                 Qatar Airways
A7-BEM Boeing 777-300ER                 Qatar Airways
A7-BHC Boeing 787-9                         Qatar Airways
A9C-FE Boeing 787-9                         Gulf Air
B-1132 Boeing 787-9                         Hainan Airlines
B-6545 Airbus A330-243                 China Eastern Airlines
B-LJM Boeing 747-867F                 Cathay Pacific Airways
D-AEAJ Airbus A300B4-622R(F)         EAT/DHL Worldwide Express
D-AINA Airbus A320-271N                 Lufthansa
D-AINC Airbus A320-271N                 Lufthansa
D-AINW Airbus A320-271N                 Lufthansa
EC-MKI Airbus A330-202                 Iberia
EI-DEK Airbus A320-214                 Aer Lingus
EI-DVL Airbus A320-214                 Aer Lingus
EI-GAL Airbus A320-214                 Aer Lingus
EP-IJB Airbus A330-243                 Iran Air
G-CLAA Boeing 747-446F                 Cargologicair
G-DBCD Airbus A319-131                 British Airways
G-DBCE Airbus A319-131                 British Airways
G-DBCG Airbus A319-131                 British Airways
G-DBCH Airbus A319-131                 British Airways
G-DBCK Airbus A319-131                 British Airways
G-EUOE Airbus A319-131                 British Airways
G-EUPD Airbus A319-131                 British Airways
G-EUPJ Airbus A319-131                 British Airways
G-EUPZ Airbus A319-131                 British Airways
G-EUUD Airbus A320-232                 British Airways
G-EUUG Airbus A320-232                 British Airways
G-EUYO Airbus A320-232(SL)         British Airways
G-EUYP Airbus A320-232(SL)         British Airways
G-EUYR Airbus A320-232(SL)         British Airways
G-EUYU Airbus A320-232(SL)         British Airways
G-MIDS Airbus A320-232                 British Airways
G-MPSB Eurocopter EC145 C-2         National Police Air Service
G-NEOR Airbus A321-251N                 British Airways
G-NEOU Airbus A321-251N                 British Airways
G-ROYM Robinson R44 Raven II         HQ Aviation Ltd
G-STBO Boeing 777-300ER                 British Airways
G-TTNH Airbus A320-251N                 British Airways
G-TTNI Airbus A320-251N                 British Airways
G-TTNL Airbus A320-251N                 British Airways
G-TTNO Airbus A320-251N                 British Airways
G-TTOE Airbus A320-232                 British Airways
G-VIIE Boeing 777-236ER                 British Airways
G-VJAM Airbus A350-1041                 Virgin Atlantic
G-VPRD Airbus A350-1041                 Virgin Atlantic
G-VSXY Airbus A330-343E                 Virgin Atlantic
G-VTEA Airbus A350-1041                 Virgin Atlantic
G-ZBJG Boeing 787-8                         British Airways
G-ZBKA Boeing 787-9                         British Airways
G-ZBKL Boeing 787-9                         British Airways
G-ZBKP Boeing 787-9                         British Airways
HB-JMC Airbus A340-313X                 Swiss International Air Lines
JA731J Boeing 777-346ER                 Japan Airlines
JA787A Boeing 777-381ER                 All Nippon Airways
N719AN Boeing 777-323ER                 American Airlines
N795AN Boeing 777-223ER                 American Airlines
OH-LVL Airbus A319-112                 Finnair
SE-ROZ Airbus A320-251N                 SAS-Scandinavian Airlines System
SU-GEM Boeing 737-800WL                 EgyptAir
VQ-BEG Airbus A321-211                 Aeroflot Russian Airlines
XW214 Westland Puma HC.2         RAF - Royal Air Force
XW216 Westland Puma HC.2         RAF - Royal Air Force
YU-APE Airbus A319-132                 Air Serbia
ZJ783 Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin Army Air Corps