Colchester Military Festival & Lowestoft Seafront Airshow
28th July 2006

Two local events a few weeks apart. I've never been to the Colchester Military Festival before and infact, had never heard of it until a few days before hand. I had no idea what to expect but found it great fun with a large collection of re-enactment groups and displays from virtually all Army trades. The static Apache display is covered elsewhere so this folder contains images from 16 Air Assault Brigade's open day. Lowestoft Seafront Airshow celebrated it's tenth anniversary this year and I've attended everyone to date. I have mixed feelings about this, as a free event it deserves to be supported but as a photographer it has become increasingly frustrating as the display line is pushed further and further seaward every year. I suppose the 2002 crash of the GR.7 did not really help regarding this but extreme measures appear to have been taken. Still, it's another good day out.

<-- Index | Showing 1-30 of 30 pictures | Index -->
The Red Devils dropping out of the sky, can I convince anybody they did a HALO jump out of the jet?
The Red Devils dropping out of the sky, can I convince anybody they did a HALO jump out of the jet?
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IMG_8035.jpg
2006-07-15 13:53:20
Three strapped together until the last moment.
Three strapped together until the last moment.
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IMG_8041.jpg
2006-07-15 13:54:27
Despite the best attempts by goverment to prevent it, the UK military are still world beaters in some areas - we field the deadliest MBT, manned by the finest crews worldwide! Challenger II on display.
Despite the best attempts by goverment to prevent it, the UK military are still world beaters in some areas - we field the deadliest MBT, manned by the finest crews worldwide! Challenger II on display.
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IMG_8046.jpg
2006-07-15 14:06:28
Shooting the re-enactment arena was not easy; these are the Union and Confederates lined up after the American Civil War display.
Shooting the re-enactment arena was not easy; these are the Union and Confederates lined up after the American Civil War display.
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IMG_8059.jpg
2006-07-15 14:42:36
I've no idea how they do it, but looks quite hard!
I've no idea how they do it, but looks quite hard!
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IMG_8101.jpg
2006-07-15 15:07:22
Static shot of the 3 Regiment Apache. More pics in the other album.
Static shot of the 3 Regiment Apache. More pics in the other album.
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IMG_8132.jpg
2006-07-15 15:33:18
What's this? A self portrait (and thats the only one there will ever be!) in the optics of the Apache TADS.
What's this? A self portrait (and thats the only one there will ever be!) in the optics of the Apache TADS.
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IMG_8137.jpg
2006-07-15 15:59:34
Another weird one? Looking straight down the 120mm gun tube of a Kings Royal Hussars Challenger II.
Another weird one? Looking straight down the 120mm gun tube of a Kings Royal Hussars Challenger II.
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IMG_8140.jpg
2006-07-15 16:16:22
Troops from the Parachute Battalions based at Colchester as part of 16 AAB ready to rope in to the arena.
Troops from the Parachute Battalions based at Colchester as part of 16 AAB ready to rope in to the arena.
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IMG_8141.jpg
2006-07-15 16:28:00
This was performed  very close to the crowdline and looked impressive.
This was performed very close to the crowdline and looked impressive.
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IMG_8148.jpg
2006-07-15 16:29:36
It was also quite a drop!
It was also quite a drop!
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IMG_8150.jpg
2006-07-15 16:29:44
Giving the crowd a wave after the drop before heading back to Wattisham.
Giving the crowd a wave after the drop before heading back to Wattisham.
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IMG_8163.jpg
2006-07-15 16:33:52
654 Sqn Gazelle departing the static park.
654 Sqn Gazelle departing the static park.
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IMG_8182.jpg
2006-07-15 18:17:28
The Lynx AH7 folllowed the Gazelle, dipping his nose infront of the crowd that had gathered to watch.
The Lynx AH7 folllowed the Gazelle, dipping his nose infront of the crowd that had gathered to watch.
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IMG_8197.jpg
2006-07-15 18:22:55
He should have put on sunscreen!! Starting up but still plugged in.
He should have put on sunscreen!! Starting up but still plugged in.
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IMG_8203.jpg
2006-07-15 18:26:47
Now lifting, as is the grass....
Now lifting, as is the grass....
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IMG_8205.jpg
2006-07-15 18:27:35
....by now the grass is everywhere!
....by now the grass is everywhere!
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IMG_8212.jpg
2006-07-15 18:27:45
A few turns and training the 30mm around for the crowd.
A few turns and training the 30mm around for the crowd.
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IMG_8225.jpg
2006-07-15 18:28:10
Lowestoft Seafront Airshow and one of the easier aircraft to photograph; the plane sailing PBY or Catalina. no water landing I'm afraid.
Lowestoft Seafront Airshow and one of the easier aircraft to photograph; the plane sailing PBY or Catalina. no water landing I'm afraid.
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IMG_8836.jpg
2006-07-27 14:02:07
The BBMF break after their first pass.
The BBMF break after their first pass.
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IMG_8882.jpg
2006-07-27 14:53:22
Desert Air Force Spitfire MkV catching the sun.
Desert Air Force Spitfire MkV catching the sun.
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IMG_8888.jpg
2006-07-27 14:59:06
The Dutch Air Force regularly display a PC-7 in the UK with the added effect of smoke tanks under the wing.
The Dutch Air Force regularly display a PC-7 in the UK with the added effect of smoke tanks under the wing.
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IMG_8903.jpg
2006-07-27 15:25:40
Nothing wrong, just Sally B demonstrating two damaged engines.
Nothing wrong, just Sally B demonstrating two damaged engines.
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IMG_8928.jpg
2006-07-27 15:55:36
The RAF Harrier and Lowestoft have a unique relationship since one went swimming a few years ago. The distance the display is from the crowdline can be seen.
The RAF Harrier and Lowestoft have a unique relationship since one went swimming a few years ago. The distance the display is from the crowdline can be seen.
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IMG_8954_copy.jpg
2006-07-27 16:06:42
Closer in, and in the hover. At a more normal airfield display the aircarft would be a lot closer.
Closer in, and in the hover. At a more normal airfield display the aircarft would be a lot closer.
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IMG_8966.jpg
2006-07-27 16:07:34
Matt Elliot bringing the show to a standstill. Taken a max zoom - the Typhoon in the vertical.
Matt Elliot bringing the show to a standstill. Taken a max zoom - the Typhoon in the vertical.
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IMG_8973.jpg
2006-07-27 16:14:30
Not quite as close as Waddington a few weeks before hand.
Not quite as close as Waddington a few weeks before hand.
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IMG_8998.jpg
2006-07-27 16:15:14
A very fast pass!
A very fast pass!
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IMG_9031.jpg
2006-07-27 16:18:57
Didn't realise this would come out quite as good as it did. Just right time, right place. Pity the sun had gone though.
Didn't realise this would come out quite as good as it did. Just right time, right place. Pity the sun had gone though.
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IMG_9086.jpg
2006-07-27 17:00:10
Pretty close.
Pretty close.
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IMG_9087.jpg
2006-07-27 17:00:15






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