Hi all,
Two years ago, I lost the faith and didn’t bother to go to the British Balloon Museum & Library inflation day. To be fair, it was forecast to be fairly high winds and I just didn’t think anything much would happen. When I saw the list of envelopes that had appeared out of their bags, I soon regretted that decision. The lead up to this years event was again showing unfavourable weather conditions, this time lots of rain.
The Friday night forecast for Cambridgeshire was showing one rain front in the morning, then being dry for most of the day until another wet front passed through during the evening. As it looked to at least be dry for the BBML event, Jet and I set off from Abingdon at 04:15 and arrived at Luton for 05:45, just in time to catch the start of the Wizz Air UK departures. It was very wet and cold here and I could only hope that the forecast held true and that this front would pass through.
I needed some of the Wizz Air UK fleet and many of the Wizz Air Malta that arrive here early in the morning. You can capture all this lot by being here just before 06:00 and then you are done by 08:30. 16 frames and 10 scrapes made getting up early, very worthwhile….
Pond (Stand 16):
9H-RMD, Cessna Citation Excel (560-5249)
9H-VIC, Bombardier Global 7500 (70058)
9H-XOB, Cessna Citation XLS (560-5621)
D-CASH, Embraer Phenom 300 (50500398)
N112QS, Bombardier Global 5000 (9710)
N656FX, Gulfstream Aerospace G650 (6095)
T7-ROYAL, Bombardier Global 5000 (9370)
YR-TRC, Bombardier Challenger 300 (20261)
Signature Ramp (Stand 54):
9H-BOD, Cessna Citation CJ2+ (525A0506)
9H-VCA, Bombardier Challenger 350 (20513)
9H-VJU, Bombardier Global 6000 (9724)
9H-XFX, Embraer Legacy 500 (55000027)
CS-PHM, Embraer Phenom 300 (50500471)
G-OLIV, Raytheon Aircraft Company King Air B200 (BB-1835)
LX-TRO, Embraer Legacy 650 (14501126)
N522NR, Boeing 737NG 8ZE/W BBJ (42215)
Northwest Corner (Stand 56):
9H-VCO, Bombardier Challenger 350 (20642)
9H-VJK, Bombardier Global 6000 (9619)
G-KGKG, Embraer Legacy 600 (14500986)
G-NOCM, Cessna Citation CJ2 (525A0239)
N613LF, Gulfstream Aerospace G550 (5535)
OE-LEO, Gulfstream Aerospace G650 (6278)
Signature Ramp (Stand 58):
D-AJET, Embraer Legacy 650 E (14501227)
G-GAAL, Cessna Citation XLS+ (560-6119)
N66ZG, Gulfstream Aerospace G650 ER (6303)
N785QS, Gulfstream Aerospace G550 (5157)
Outside TUI hangars:
EI-DWY, Boeing 737NG 8AS/W, Ryanair (33638)
EI-EBR, Boeing 737NG 8AS/W, Ryanair (37530)
EI-IJG, Boeing 737MAX 8 200, Ryanair (67107)
G-TAWH, Boeing 737NG 8K5/W, TUI Airways (38107)
G-WUKR, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Wizz Air UK (10871)
G-WUNA, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Wizz Air UK (11591)
G-WUNE, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Wizz Air UK (11983)
Stand 81:
N604GB, Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G600 (73082)
Stand 80:
LX-ICE, Gulfstream Aerospace G650 ER (6452)
Cargo Ramp (Stand 71):
D-AEAA, Airbus A300 B4-622R(F), DHL Air (743)
G-LOBX, Bombardier Global 7500 (70053)
M-LWSG, Bombardier Global 6000 (9583)
N915BD, Gulfstream Aerospace GV (690)
TC-ATA, Gulfstream Aerospace G550, Government of Turkey (5346)
VT-HMA, Bombardier Global Express XRS (9317)
VT-HVV, Dassault Falcon 8X (432)
VT-IAH, Airbus ACJ319 115X (2837)
Harrods Ramp (Stand 62):
9H-PRO, Bombardier Global 6500 (60029)
G-LOBY, Bombardier Global 7500 (70171)
G-ULFM, Gulfstream Aerospace G450 (4359)
LY-GVS, Dassault Falcon 2000S (706)
M-YULI, Airbus ACJ319 115CJ (5040)
N51VE, Gulfstream Aerospace GV (586)
N828CJ, Raytheon Aircraft Company King Air B350 (FL-406)
VP-CGN, Gulfstream Aerospace G650 (6112)
VT-ASR, Bombardier Global 7500 (70129)
VT-DHA, Bombardier Global Express (9111)
VT-NKS, Embraer Legacy 650 (14501206)
VT-PRI, Bombardier Global 7500 (70133)
Terminal stands:
EI-DPV, Boeing 737NG 8AS/W, Ryanair (35551)
EI-EGA, Boeing 737NG 8AS/W, Ryanair (38490)
EI-HGE, Boeing 737MAX 8 200, Ryanair (62311)
G-EZAJ, Airbus A319 111, easyJet UK (2742)
G-EZBJ, Airbus A319 111, easyJet UK (3036)
G-EZDJ, Airbus A319 111, easyJet UK (3544)
G-EZTM, Airbus A320 214, easyJet UK (4014)
G-EZTT, Airbus A320 214, easyJet UK (4219)
G-EZUL, Airbus A320 214, easyJet UK (5019)
G-EZUR, Airbus A320 214, easyJet UK (5064)
G-EZUT, Airbus A320 214, easyJet UK (5113)
G-POWM, Airbus A320 232, Titan Airways (2564)
G-UZHU, Airbus A320 251NSL, easyJet UK (8681)
G-UZLF, Airbus A320 251NSL, easyJet UK (9103)
G-UZLK, Airbus A320 251NSL, easyJet UK (9504)
G-WUKM, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Wizz Air UK (10283)
G-WUKP, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Wizz Air UK (10357)
G-WUNB, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Wizz Air UK (11655)
G-WUNC, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Wizz Air UK (11715)
South Stands (Stands 20-22):
EI-IGO, Boeing 737MAX 8 200, Ryanair (62350)
G-EZDF, Airbus A319 111, easyJet UK (3432)
G-EZFI, Airbus A319 111, easyJet UK (3888)
Movers:
9H-WBJ, Airbus A320 232SL, Wizz Air Malta (6001)
9H-WBO, Airbus A320 232SL, Wizz Air Malta (7695)
9H-WBP, Airbus A320 232SL, Wizz Air Malta (8183)
9H-WBQ, Airbus A320 232SL, Wizz Air Malta (8355)
9H-WDC, Airbus A320 232SL, Wizz Air Malta (6576)
9H-WDG, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Wizz Air Malta (11499)
9H-WDT, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Wizz Air Malta (11457)
9H-WNE, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Wizz Air Malta (11828)
9H-WNI, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Wizz Air Malta (11877)
9H-WZW, Airbus A320 232SL, Wizz Air Malta (8311)
D-AEAK, Airbus A300 B4-622R(F), DHL Air (670)
G-EZDV, Airbus A319 111, easyJet UK (3742)
G-UZLD, Airbus A320 251NSL, easyJet UK (9036)
G-WUKT, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Wizz Air UK (10672)
G-WUND, Airbus A321 271NXSL, Wizz Air UK (11792)
HA-LTB, Airbus A321 231SL, Wizz Air (8271)
HA-LTE, Airbus A321 231SL, Wizz Air (8325)
HA-LXJ, Airbus A321 231SL, Wizz Air (7316)
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Manor Farm, Pidley
Leaving Luton around 08:25, it then took just over 1 hour to drive to Pidley. I knew that the briefing for the British Balloon Museum & Library inflation day was to to start at 08:30 and there was a risk that I would miss some inflations, and so it turned out. Fortunately for me, none of the missed ones were needed. Just to show the age of some of the balloons (and me), I have also shown where I first saw them – 15 were new to me…..the weather stayed dry from my arrival around 09:30 through to the last inflation around 15:30. Big thanks to the organisers of this event and those who volunteered to help run it on the day. Even bigger thanks to the crews based around each basket, that made sure there the envelopes kept coming – I don’t think most people realise how much hard work doing that, is. I thanked some of them personally and I hope I wasn’t the only one. For those of you who met Jet, the black and white English Springer Spaniel, he finally ran out of steam and has been zonked all this Sunday.
Pictures of most of these can be seen at;
https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums/72177720316552267
British Balloon Museum & Library inflation day:
G-BAYC, Cameron O-65 (68), Cranfield 02-Jul-1994
G-BBOD, Thunder O-5 (013), Lakeside Lodge, Pidley 28-Apr-2018
G-BCAN, Thunder & Colt Ax7-77 (015), Cardington 15-Feb-1997
G-BCAS, Thunder & Colt Ax7-77 (018), Parham 15-Jun-1997
G-BCFC, Cameron O-65 (116)
G-BCZI, Thunder & Colt Ax7-77 (037), Donnington Grove Country Club, Newbury 04-Jan-2020
G-BEEE, Thunder & Colt Ax6-56A (070), Folly Dog Leg, Hungerford 10-Nov-1990
G-BENN, Cameron V-56 (278), Kelmarsh Hall 22-Apr-2006
G-BHUR, Thunder & Colt Ax3 Maxi Sky Chariot (277), Middle Wallop 13-Apr-2002
G-BIBZ, Thunder & Colt Ax3 Maxi Sky Chariot (290)
G-BIET, Cameron O-77 (674)
G-BJLY, Cremer Cracker (15.709 PAC), Warren Farm, Savernake 24-Sep-2005
G-BKIZ, Cameron V-31 Air Chair (842), Warren Farm, Savernake 03-Jan-1993
G-BKWR, Cameron V-65 (970), Ashton Court, Bristol 12-Aug-1989
G-BLKU, Thunder & Colt Flame 56SS (572), Ashton Court, Bristol 12-Aug-1989
G-BRPJ, Cameron N-90 (2071)
G-BRZC, Cameron N-90 (2227), Ashton Court, Bristol 11-Aug-1990
G-BSIU, Thunder & Colt 90A (1774)
G-BUUT, Interavia 70TA (0450992)
G-BVCN, Thunder & Colt 56A (2445), Sackville Lodge/Riseley 27-Sep-2008
G-BWHC, Cameron N-77 (3647), Longleat 07-Apr-1996
G-BXLP, Sky 90-24 (084), Chambley/Bussières 28-Jul-2003
G-BYRK, Cameron V-42 (4662), Kelmarsh Hall 22-Apr-2006
G-ERMS, Thunder & Colt AS-33 Hot Air Airship (A.1), Lakeside Lodge, Pidley 28-Apr-2018
G-EZVS, Thunder & Colt 77B (063)
G-GGGG, Thunder & Colt Ax7-77 (162), Folly Dog Leg, Hungerford 10-Nov-1990
G-HENS, Cameron N-56 (740)
G-HONY, Lilliput Type 1 Series A (L-01), Warren Farm, Savernake 07-Jan-2006
G-LIOT, Cameron O-77 (2378)
G-MAGL, Sky 77-24 (164), Echternach 28-Jul-2005
G-OSVO, Cameron Hopper Servo 30SS (3077), Southampton Common 03-Jul-1993
G-PIES, Thunder & Colt Ax7-77Z (263), Cardington 15-Feb-1997
G-PIZZ, Lindstrand LBL-105A (629)
G-PUBS, Thunder & Colt Beer Glass 56SS (037), Cardington 15-Feb-1997
G-PUTT, Cameron Golfball 76SS (2060), Cardington 15-Feb-1997
G-RCML, Sky 77-24 (148)
G-SKOT, Cameron V-42 (4813)
G-SWPR, Cameron N-56 (829), Ashton Court, Bristol 08-Aug-1992
G-ZETA, Lindstrand LBL-105A (952)
OO-BPE, Cameron O-65 (125), Kelmarsh Hall 22-Apr-2006
OY-BOW, Thunder & Colt 77A (014), Cardington 15-Feb-1997
PH-WTP, Cameron V-77 (874)
Ones that had inflated and been packed away before I got there – waited for one Wizz too many.
G-BOTW, Cameron V-77 (1761), Attingham Park, Atcham 18-Sep-1993
G-ODAY, Cameron N-56 (551), Warren Farm, Savernake 03-Jan-2004
G-PERR, Cameron Bottle Bottle 60SS (699), Folly Dog Leg, Hungerford 10-Nov-1990
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As I was passing near to RAF Alconbury on my way home, I thought I’d take a quick look for old times sake. The gate is still intact but there has been a lot of change to the old airfield itself. Still on display at the gate is the replica F-5E Tiger II, (BAPC.336)/01532/32. My last visit to here before flying stopped in 1995, was the air show held during August 1992. I fondly remember the years when I saw the resident F-5E, TR-1A & A-10As operating from here.
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Last stop of the day was my local, Kidlington. I believe the Challenger with no engines to be ex-N404HG which has been cancelled to the Isle of man register but not actually appeared on it.
2-ANVL, Dassault Falcon 8X (491)
2-DIVT, Leonardo AW.109 S Trekker (22734)
2-OOOX, Dassault Falcon 2000 (75)
2-SWIS, Bombardier Challenger 604 (5463)
2-YOLO, Cirrus Jet Vision SF50 G2 (0233)
9H-VCK, Bombardier Challenger 350 (20592)
CS-PHH, Embraer Phenom 300 (50500270)
D-CBBS, Embraer Phenom 300 (50500343)
G-AVSI, Piper PA-28 140 Cherokee (28-23148)
G-AYJP, Piper PA-28 140 Cherokee B (28-26403)
G-AYJR, Piper PA-28 140 Cherokee C (28-26694)
G-BCGN, Piper PA-28 140 Cherokee F (28-7425323)
G-BKAM, Slingsby T.67 160 Firefly (1999)
G-BNNT, Piper PA-28 151 Cherokee Warrior (28-7615056)
G-BTGO, Piper PA-28 140 Cherokee D (28-7125613)
G-BXDB, Cessna U206F Stationair (U20602233)
G-BYCA, Piper PA-28 140 Cherokee D (28-7125223)
G-CEZR, Diamond Aircraft Diamond Star DA40D (D4.343)
G-CMCG, Tecnam P.2010 TDI (146)
G-CTCB, Diamond Aircraft Twin Star DA42 (42.083)
G-CTSO, Diamond Aircraft Diamond Star DA40 NG (40.N188)
G-DOGR, Airbus Helicopters EC135 T3H (H135) (2228)
G-DSKY, Diamond Aircraft Twin Star DA42 (42.084)
G-EMDM, Diamond Aircraft Diamond Star DA40 (40.009)
G-ETET, Piper PA-46-600TP M600/SLS (4698107)
G-FBWH, Piper PA-28R 180 Cherokee Arrow (28R-30368)
G-FIAT, Piper PA-28 140 Cherokee F (28-7425162)
G-JADN, Pilatus PC-12 47E NGX (2339)
G-JNRE, Cessna Citation CJ2 (525A0043)
G-LDGA, Diamond Aircraft Twin Star DA42 NG (42.N053)
G-LDGB, Diamond Aircraft Diamond Star DA40 NG (40.N296)
G-LDGC, Diamond Aircraft Diamond Star DA40D (D4.252)
G-LDGF, Diamond Aircraft Twin Star DA42-VI (42.N257)
G-LDGH, Diamond Aircraft Diamond Star DA40 NG (40.N559)
G-MINJ, Diamond Aircraft Twin Star DA42 (42.246)
G-MPLF, Cessna 182T Skylane (18282102)
G-OBBO, Cessna 182S Skylane (18280534)
G-OXFB, Piper PA-34 220T Seneca V (3449480)
G-OXFC, Piper PA-34 220T Seneca V (3449481)
G-OXFF, Piper PA-34 220T Seneca III (3449485)
G-PDSI, Cessna 172N Skyhawk (17270420)
G-PFTA, Reims/Cessna F152 (1715)
G-PFTB, Tecnam P.2008 JC (1240)
G-PFTC, Tecnam P.2008 JC (1241)
G-PFTD, Tecnam P.2008 JC (1242)
G-PFTE, Tecnam P.2008 JC (1243)
G-SADK, Diamond Aircraft Diamond Star DA40D (D4.371)
G-SENS, Eurocopter EC135 T2+ (0833)
G-TAAB, Cirrus Design SR22 G2 GTS (1769)
G-ZAZU, Diamond Aircraft Twin Star DA42 (42.187)
M-AJOR, Airbus Helicopters MBB-BK 117 D-2 (H145) (20343)
M-LJCR, Dassault Falcon 7X (59)
M-NREN, Embraer Phenom 300 E (50500557)
M-OLOT, Bombardier Challenger 604 (5382)
M-YSPC, Cessna Citation CJ1 (525-0117)
(N404HG), Bombardier Challenger 601 3A (5017)
N411VR, Cessna Citation CJ1 (525-0411)
N725CS, Bombardier Global 5500 (60059)
N850BG, EADS SOCATA TBM 850 (367)
N940DM, DAHER TBM 940 (1375)
VQ-BTA, Boeing 737NG 7P3/W BBJ (29188)
Photo credits: Grant Robinson
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Best regards,
Grant Robinson
https://www.facebook.com/groups/oxfordaviationgroup
https://www.flickr.com/photos/62861611@N08/albums