The RAF Merlin and Chinook displays have taken rotary displays to a new level, catching the sun on bank.

The loadmaster was waving with some England gloves (never mind the World Cup!).

Getting a good shot with the sun on the airframe was difficult as the sun was yet to go round.

Two of the few overseas aircraft in the flying programme were the New Zealand P-3/757 duo who appeared to have travelled the most distance. All was not how it appeared however, they were actually in the UK for a maritime exercise and had made the short journey from Scotland!

The Kiwi P-3K models are rather old now but in the hands of a energetic pilot can certainly be thrown around.

Despite not perhaps being noted for aviation, both Kiwi crews know that airshow photographers appreciate at least one good topside pass! RAF - please learn from their example!!

Introduced last year, it was good to see the FRA Falcon duo back with their tight formation flying with biz jets!

Virtually all the FRA Falcon crews consist of experienced, former military pilots.

Close of one of the two FRA Falcon 20s. The ECM pods which are used on their 'day' job can be seen mounted under the wings.

The memorial flight with two Spitfires rather than a Hurricane as 2006 is the 70th anniversary of the Spitfire.

The Blades are the newest of the UKs growing number of civilian aerobatic teams. They use new Extra 300s with the latest in hi-tech video equipment and three of the four pilots are former Red Arrow pilots.

The RAF Typhoon F2 display was hotly anticipated by all.

The one shot I totally, desperately, wanted at any cost!! If this was the only good pic I got from the show I would have taken it as a worthwhile day.

As it turned out, it wasn't and I even managed to get a sharp one of the fast (and I mean fast!) pass.

No, catching the moon was not intentional! It does make for a interesting picture though.

Further round, showing the afterburners to good effect.

Two of the sqn's groundcrew are named on the nose wheel door which looks rather odd when closed. ASRAAM training rounds are still carried

Final fast pass with burners lit. These shots would have been impossible with the old lens and shows the capability of a image stabilized lens to its best.

One of the two RN 'Black Cats' Lynx's pulling over the top.

A more normal angle for a helicopter. The rounded nose of the earlier HAS.3 has a more streamlined look than the turreted HMA.8

The two Lynx's rotate around each other....

....for a full 360 degrees crowd centre.

A study of one of the two HAS3s. The equipment by the cabin door is a hardpoint for Stingray torpedos or Sea Skua missiles.

The final bow to the crowd.

If given the chance, always try for a topside on a helicopter as it gives a interesting angle.

One of several two-seater Spitfires in the UK. This angle gives the impression that there isn't actually a pilot onboard.

The RAF suffered a number of technical issues at the show - this was meant to be the static C-130J but the flyer went 'tech' prior to the show so they were swapped just before the saturday morning. Then, this one landed with a single engine failure!

It was only to be expected that the Chinook crew would try and upstage the Merlin!

Turned round now, the Chinook from the front nose down...

....and rolling right.

Watching this brought back memories from my Chinook flight a week before!

Lights on, and a nice angle as the Chinook slides sideways along the crowdline.

The badge celebrates 25 years of Chinook service with the RAF and brings a nice spot of colour to a gret airframe.

Yup....they had to do the England hand thing as well - but in vain.

Empty, the Chinook is very manouverable and probably did beat the Merlin for the rotary accolades at the Waddington show.

The two-seat Spit left for another appointment before the show ended.

The second heavy from the Royal New Zealand Airforce, the 757 was even more impressive than the P-3K.

Coming straight at the Waddington crowd and with the undercarriage coming down.

The undersides show how clean the Kiwi's keep their aircraft, both the 757 and the P-3 were immaculate.

Sun glinting of the upper surfaces, the RNZAF demonstrate how to fly a airliner slow and graceful - it was show stopper!

Power on, nose up and climbing away.

The perfect side profile as the 757 keeps slow with the nose up.

And, the topside pass.....thank you!

The RAF display team - 'The Red Arrows'.

In their trademark 'diamond nine' formation.

The perfect formation flying that they are renowned worldwide for.

The blue skies at Waddington contrasted well with the red Hawks and white smoke.

Topside of one the two Synchro aircraft after the cross-over.

A bomburst by five of the Red Arrows.

The underside of the other Syncho Hawk.

Catching a Red Arrows Hawk at speed sharp is not very easy!

Like all Red Arrow Hawks, XX260 is flown during the display with the rear seat empty. Offers from the public have been turned down!

Seconds later...

The final act of a Red Arrows display is the break towards the crowd.

The 2006 Torando GR4 display crew getting airborne for their routine. With the demise of the F-3 display this year, the GR-4 is the only RAF Tornado on the display circuit this year.

Fast pass....

...followed by showing the undersides. No stores except outboard BOZ and Sky Shadow pods.

Final pass and climb out at very high speed.

Newly delivered (leased) A.109 operated by 32 Squadron flying in the VIP roll for the show.

Another helicopter shuttling VIPs about was a Squirrel more usually used for rotary training.

The Harrier had a woeful weekend at Waddington, twice trying his display and going 'tech' on the saturday. Sunday was no better either!

In the hover at close quarters. Part of the routine was flown before landing.

Still in the hover but had to be included as it caught a contrail behind!

Nose on, and the GR7's greater size in comparison to the Sea Harrier in another collection is apparent.

Final bow to the crowd.

The only static shot from the show. This RAF Chinook is configured differently to the one I flew on the week before and is fitted with a FLIR turret under the nose - special forces fit?