Action stations, the Cold War returns to Yorkshire, 16th October 2015

About this event

Cameras at the ready for a ‘Heavy Metal’ session at the Yorkshire Air Museum with Victor Lusty Linda, GR4 Tornado XZ631, Mirage IIIE 538 and the Hawker Hunter FGA.78. From sunset to darkness you are assured of some pretty unique photo opportunities as we go up close and personal with some of the best in Cold War history.

We are delighted to be returning to the Yorkshire Air Museum this autumn for what will be our second event there during 2015. Building on the successes of our WWII Halifax evening last March, we are fast-forwarding to a no lesser period in history that is now thankfully also just a memory. Featuring some of the most iconic jets to have graced the Cold War period we hope many of our aircraft photographers/enthusiasts will want to join us for what we hope will be another benchmark evening in Yorkshire.

Main Photography features:

The Handley-Page Victor K.2 tanker evolved from the original Victor B.2, ‘V’-bomber, which entered service with the Royal Air Force in October 1961. The first K.2 flew at Woodford on 1 March 1972. XL231 joined 139 Squadron on 1 February 1962, returning to Handley-Page for conversion to a B(S.R) Mk 2 in November 1963 and joining the Wittering Wing in July 1964. It was converted to become the prototype K.2 Tanker on 23 January 1972 and saw service in the Falklands War, in support of the ‘Operation Black Buck’ Vulcan raid on Port Stanley, and later in the Gulf War. It was flown into retirement at Elvington in November 1993. The aircraft is owned and kept in ground operational condition by Andre Tempest and his ground crew.    

Tornado XZ631, which arrived at Elvington on 22 March 2005, first flew on 24 November 1978 as pre-series aircraft P15 and was the prototype for the conversion work to GR.4 standard carried out by British Aerospace at Warton, Lancashire. The Yorkshire Air Museum is the first independent museum in the United Kingdom to acquire a Tornado, and is the first museum in the country to display the current front-line GR.4 version.

Developed in the early 1950s to a French Air Force requirement, the Mirage III first flew in November 1956. Successive developments included the Mirage IIIB two seat pilot training version, the Mirage IIIE for tactical nuclear strike and conventional attack, and the Mirage IIIR for reconnaissance. In addition to the large numbers built for the French Air Force, versions were exported throughout the world. Total Mirage IIIE production was over 1200 and it served in 15 countries. The Mirage III remained in production until 1984. Mirage IIIE 538, was presented to the Museum by the French Air Force. It had been flown in 1972 by Museum member, Colonel Denis Turina, whose father flew from Elvington in the Second World War. The aircraft last flew in 1993.

The Hawker Hunter was initially designed as a short-range day interceptor and the prototype flew on 20 June 1951. The Hunter FGA.78 was a single-seat ground attack fighter, armed with four 30mm cannon, plus bombs or rockets. It was powered by a Rolls-Royce Avon 207 turbojet, delivering 10,050 lb thrust. Rate of climb was 17,200 feet per minute and its ceiling was 53,400 feet. Maximum speed was 710 mph at sea level. The Museum’s aircraft was originally a Mk 6, built under licence in Holland and served with the Royal Dutch Air Force before conversion to an FGA.78. It was with the Qatar Air Force for ten years, coming to the Museum in 1992 and is currently under going a repaint back into its Qatari Emiri Air Force livery.

Event cost £55.00 per person, including a burger or hot dog and hot drink from the Naafi.

Images courtesy of Ian Finch.

Event requirements