RAF Coningsby - May 2025

We had booked to go to RAF Coningsby (and stay at Tattershall Lakes) during this week of May, as it seemed to have the best chance of seeing the PDA's done by both the Typhoon Display Team and the BBMF Teams. However, the Typhoon team had gotten theirs a few weeks before, but the BBMF still were working up to getting theirs, so we just enjoyed the time there which included some practice displays from every type of plane that is based here!

May 19, 2025

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Before doing any spotting, we headed to the base to have a look at the two 'Gate Guardians' by the main entrance, and photographing them.

Royal Air Force - Tornado F3 - ZE760

Royal Air Force - Phantom FGR.2 - XT891

We then headed over to Old Fen Lane to watch the BBMF practice their displays, overall there were 3 separate practices, but the first one was cut short due to communication issues with the Spitfire.

RAF / BBMF - Avro Lancaster B.1 - PA474 (Memorial1)

RAF / BBMF - Supermarine Spitfire Mk IIA - P7350 (Memorial2)

RAF / BBMF - Hawker Hurricane Mk IIC - LF363 (Memorial3)

RAF / BBMF - Lancaster/Spitfire/Hurricane - PA474/P7350/LF363 (Memorial1/2/3)

RAF / BBMF - Spitfire/Hurricane - P7350/LF363 (Memorial2/3)

RAF / BBMF - Avro Lancaster B.1 - PA474 (Memorial1)

RAF / BBMF - Lancaster/Spitfire/Hurricane - PA474/P7350/LF363 (Memorial1/2/3)

RAF / BBMF - Avro Lancaster B.1 - PA474 (Memorial1)

RAF / BBMF - Spitfire/Hurricane - P7350/LF363 (Memorial2/3)

Some members of the Qatari Royal Family had also visited as part of 12 Squadrons anniversary, and they had travelled here from RAF Northolt onboard an RAF Atlas A400M. A pair of Qatari Hawks based at RAF Leeming had also been at Coningsby over the weekend, waiting for this before heading back.

Royal Air Force - Atlas A400M - ZM401 (RRR40)

Qatar Emiri Air Force - Hawk Mk167 - ZB134/ZB139 (SARAB)

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK341 (TRIPLX61)

The next day (Tuesday) started off nice and sunny, so we headed to the south of the spotters car park to catch the morning arrivals (sadly I was too late to the hobby to make use the 'The Mound' nearby).

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK315 (VIKING12)

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK344, ZK374 (WARLOR11/12)

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK434

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK424 (COBRA021)

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZJ950

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK313 (WOLF0011)

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK302 (CHAOS032)

After a short break at the caravan, we went back out and this time just infant of the spotters car park as the sun had moved around enough to illuminate most of the top of the Typhoons. There ended up being quite a bit of action starting off with two Performance Takeoffs. Shortly after, we heard 'Tango Scramble' on the scanner, along with the fire crew setting up the arresting cable for use. A four-ship were trying to squeeze in to land but they were too late for the practice QRA and had to hold until the runway was clear. Whilst they were landing, a flare was shot off causing the second plane to go-around, followed by a small fire created by the flare, which the fire crew then came over to put out. Finally, the QRA plane arrived back and landed with its parachute deploying. I tried messing with lower shutter speeds, going as low as 1/100(!) towards the end.

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZJ949 (RIGID12)

Firecrew putting out flare fire

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZJ949 (RIGID12)

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK374 (GUNFIG52)

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK383 (VERMIN33)

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZJ949 (RIGID12)

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK315 (APOLLO44)

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZJ950 (COBRA071)

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK427

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK344 (WARLOR42)

On Wednesday, there was a 'Bingo' slot for 2PM so we headed over to Old Fen Lane for about half 1, and just at around 2, Sqn Ldr Nathan 'Reheat' Shawyer took off with a 'Performance Takeoff' and went to hold over Woodhall Spa before running in for his display practice!

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK325 (REHEAT01)

We then went over to the spotters car park, and I spent the rest of the flying practising my panning skills, mostly using a 1/100 shutter speed for the Typhoons coming in to land.

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK424 (TRIPLE62)

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK434 (COBRA021)

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK376 (VERMIN21)

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK380 (COBRA052)

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK335 (APOLLO22)

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK381 (COBRA??)

There was also a notice that there could be a display practice on Thursday, so we went back at half-one and not long after we heard 'Reheat' on the scanner, so we got ready for him to takeoff. The weather wasn't as good as the day before, but getting to see it twice in the week was still great!

Royal Air Force - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK325 (REHEAT01)

Finally, on the Friday morning we headed to a different spot, as the wind had switched directions meaning that Runway 25 would be in use. The airfield was only open from 9am until half 12 so it wasn't as busy as a normal day would be, but there was still plenty to see!

RAF - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK376 (WOLF0012)

RAF - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK329

RAF - Eurofighter Typhoon T3 - ZK381 (TYPHOO10)

RAF - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZJ950

RAF - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK313 (WOLF0011)

RAF - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK367, ZK315, ZK375 (PALADN41/42/43)

RAF - Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 - ZK367 (PALADN41)