RAF Lossiemouth 1st September, 2021

I left Aberdeen shortly after 7am for my visit to RAF Lossiemouth. 

I drove through some lovely countryside, but with the dual carriageway running out 20 miles outside Aberdeen, it was an anxious journey as I wondered how long it would take. However, I need not have worried, and I ended up arriving at the end of the runway at 0920 just as this BAe 146 arrived from Northolt.

I set up camp for the day with some of the friendly local spotters, and didn't have long to wait until ZK337 and ZK308 both departed:

Welcome as though the Typhoons were, the motivation for the visit was to see the RAF's new Poseidon aircraft. My visit coincided with the opening of the 'Atlantic Building' - where the aircraft are maintained - and 120 Squadron receiving a new Standard. To mark these developments, ZP805 did a flyby with the two Typhoons, with photos being taken by a Hawk: 

After arrival, the Poseidon received a 'wash' to remove any salt from the airframe as a consequence of low flying over the sea:

With the ceremony being over by 1100, the base reverted to normal operations. 

I was hoping that it would mirror Coningsby in terms of activity, but I wasn't to be in luck, with activity being pedestrian at best. However, the highlight of my day arrived early afternoon when this US Navy P-8 arrived from Iceland for a few touch and goes.

With the runway changing at 1500 I decided to move onto Inverness. I enjoyed my visit, and there was a good range of aircraft, but it could have busier! Here is the log:

168755 Boeing 737-8FV (P-8A Poseidon)                 USN - United States Navy

XW231 Westland/Aerospatiale SA.330E Puma HC.2 RAF - Royal Air Force

XX346 British Aerospace Hawk T.1A                         RAF - Royal Air Force

XX348 British Aerospace Hawk T.1A                         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZA705 Boeing-Vertol Chinook HC.6A                         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZA708 Boeing-Vertol Chinook HC.6A                         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZE701 British Aerospace 146 CC.2                         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZJ917 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4                         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZJ923 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4                         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZJ947 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4                         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZK308 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4                         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZK337 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4                         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZK377 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4                         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZK425 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4                         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZK426 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4                         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZK434 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4                         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZM335 Embraer 500 Phenom 100                         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZP801 Boeing 737-800A (Poseidon MRA.1)         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZP802 Boeing 737-800A (Poseidon MRA.1)         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZP803 Boeing 737-800A (Poseidon MRA.1)         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZP804 Boeing 737-800A (Poseidon MRA.1)         RAF - Royal Air Force

ZP805 Boeing 737-800A (Poseidon MRA.1)         RAF - Royal Air Force