Nest of Hornets discovered at RAF Leeming

Welcome to this latest edition of Aerodrome and our regular look at the fascinating world of aeroplanes and the historic aviation scene around the UK.

We really are bringing you a ‘current’ UK aviation scene event review in this latest edition of Airfix and Corgi Aerodrome, as we head to the famous RAF station at Leeming in North Yorkshire to report on the latest instalment of them hosting an overseas air arm for a month or so of exercises and night flying. Any squadron exchange or exercise which see’s unusual aircraft types operating from an RAF base for an extended period will usually have Britain’s army of aviation enthusiasts travelling the length and breadth of the country to document the occasion, and despite an incredibly heavy workload at present, I was no different.

The first time I had been to RAF Leeming in many a long year, and the first time I have ever been allowed on base access, please join us as we report from YORKNITE 2025, and the annual arrival of a squadron of Swiss Air Force McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets to this North Yorkshire base.

RAF airfield on the A1

RAF Leeming’s gate guardian marks the 20 year association this airfield had with the BAe Tornado F.3.

The most northerly of the currently active RAF military airfield sites in England, Leeming has been a location for aviation and flying activities since the early 1930s, when rather basic facilities were used by local flying enthusiasts for civilian aviation purposes. Taking the name of a local village, the grass strip was known as Londonderry Aerodrome and was used for recreational flying and other civilian activities related to popular aviation.

Situated at the side of the Great North Road, that original airfield site, along with a sizeable amount of surrounding land, was purchased by the Royal Air Force for the construction of a significant new aerodrome during the late 1930s, with this project also including the construction of a decoy airfield site 4 miles to the south. It opened as a bomber station during the summer of 1940, with early residents being Nos. 7, 10 and 102 Squadrons flying such aircraft types as Bristol Blenheims, Handley Page Halifaxes and Short Stirlings.

The airfield benefited from a further period of upgrade and expansion covering several months from 1941 onwards, when longer concrete runways were laid and additional infrastructure added, bringing the airfield up to Class A standard. It was subsequently assigned to No.6 Group Royal Canadian Air Force and their Halifax bombers on becoming operational, however, they would exchange these aircraft for Avro Lancasters just prior to the end of the war in Europe.

The post war era saw Leeming being used as a nightfighter station, initially operating de Havilland Mosquitos in that role, prior to entering the jet age with Gloster Meteors and Javelins, but also seeing other aircraft types based there for training and support.

Another look at Tornado F.3 ZH552.

The early 1960s brought about a change of role for Leeming, with the arrival of RAF Jet Provosts now confirming it as a Training Command airfield, a role it would perform with distinction prior to it being identified as the home airfield for a more ‘exciting’ breed of RAF aircraft. During the mid 1980s, Leeming was temporarily closed to allow the construction of a Hardened Aircraft Shelter complex and associated taxiways in advance of the arrival of three squadrons of BAe Tornado F.3 air defence jets. Aircraft from Nos.XI(F), 23 and 25(F) Squadrons arrived to embark on a 20 year association with this North Yorkshire airfield, with the first aircraft arriving in May 1988.

These potent airspace protectors would be a regular sight in the skies of North Yorkshire for the following two decades, with these aircraft also taking responsibility for Southern Quick Reaction Alert cover during that period. The airfield’s Tornado F.3 associations are commemorated to this day, as Tornado F.3 ZH552 stands guard at the airfield, keeping a close eye on every movement too and from RAF Leeming.

The next aircraft to establish a long and ongoing association with the airfield were BAe Hawk jets, with RAF No.100 Squadron arriving during the mid 1990s. During this unit’s time at Leeming, their smart black jets and skull and crossbones emblem would become of great interest to the nation’s aviation enthusiasts, as their aircraft performed the exciting ‘aggressor’ aircraft role for all three of Britain’s armed services. Leeming is still home to Hawk aircraft, as the joint Qatar Emiri Air Force – RAF Hawk Training Squadron have been stationed there for the past 4 years, training pilots from both air forces using their uniquely presented Hawk 167 aircraft.

Grob Tutors are also a regular sight in the skies around this location, as they provide flight experience opportunities and pilot training support for local University Air Squadron members, along with force cadets.

RAF Leeming is a large and impressive airbase, with its location close to the firing ranges at Spadeadam, and the Army training centres at Catterick and Otterburn making this one of the most important military airfields in the UK for hosting deployed exercises and aircraft detachments from both UK and overseas units.

 
Swiss Air Force deploys to North Yorkshire

It what has now become a regular annual event for military personnel from Britain and Switzerland, and something which sees hundreds of aviation enthusiasts heading to this northerly location in England, the Swiss Air Force send a strong contingent of their service personnel to RAF Leeming each year, including several of their impressive McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet multi-role jets, often in squadron strength. In an exercise known as YORKNITE, the deployment allows the Swiss Air Force to not only hone their skills operating as part of a combined force with a friendly nation, away from their home bases, but also gives Hornet pilots the opportunity to engage in the type of flying training they really struggle to do back at home.

During their time in Yorkshire, the Hornet pilots can fly at high speed, fly over large expanses of ocean by day and by night, and pit their flying skills against Britain’s low fly zones, all things they find difficult, if not impossible to do back home in their densely populated, mountainous, land-locked nation. This makes the four weeks of the YORKNITE deployment extremely valuable to them, because during their time in the UK, their pilots can actually complete half of their night flying currency hours for an entire year.

In previous deployments, Hornets from all three Swiss Air Force Fliegerstaffel have spent time at RAF Leeming, however, details such as these are usually only officially confirmed after all their aircraft are safely back at home, even though enthusiast photographs posted on various websites usually give this particular identification game away well before that.

The opportunities afforded to Swiss F-18 Hornet crews during YORKNITE are extremely difficult for them to replicate in their own country, however, it isn’t just the Swiss who benefit from this deployment, as it provides many benefits for their host as well. Both forces are in a position to assess their abilities to operate effectively with a partner nation should such a need arise, with any difficulties in the implementation of technology, logistics or understanding all revealing themselves during the deployment, clearly highlighting any areas where improvement and further training may be required.

Thankfully, after several previous YORKNITE deployments, each successive event appears to go like clockwork, with the Swiss Hornet pilots enjoying their time in the UK, and getting what they need operationally out of it – what do they say about Swiss precision!

Swiss Air Force Hornets return to RAF Leeming following the end of their first sortie of the day. J-5002 is a very special aeroplane, with these markings on this side of its tails, and ‘Tiger Eyes’ on the other side.

Regarded as the aviation workhorse of the Swiss Air Defence Force, the nation elected to procure the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet back in 1993, following the completion of an exhaustive evaluation program, during which time several different aircraft types were considered and tested. 34 single seat FA-18C and 12 twin seat F/A-18D jets were purchased between 1996 and 1999, with at least 34 of these aircraft subsequently being assembled at the Aircraft & Systems Enterprise Corporation facility at Emmen, in central Switzerland.

Entering service in 1997, the Hornet was selected over the other aircraft under consideration because of its power and rugged features/construction, attributes which better suited the mountainous terrain they would be flying over and the conditions the nation had to embrace. The aircraft currently equip three Fliegerstaffel, No.11 ‘Tigers’, No.17 ‘Falcons’ and No.18 ‘Panthers’, with these aircraft operating out of the bases at Payerne and Meiringen.

The Swiss have recently announced their intention to retire the F-18 Hornet, as they prepare for the introduction of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II. As they move towards this transition, they have announced that all remaining F-18 Hornets will relocate to operate from Emmen Air Base exclusively from 2027, something which will put European aviation enthusiasts on notice, and make catching them at future YORKNITE events something of a must for large numbers of them.

The F-18 Hornets of the Swiss Air Force operate over some of the most unique, most beautiful, yet extremely challenging terrane to be found anywhere in the world, with their bases situated in valleys, with steep mountain slopes on either side, some even with public roads crossing over the runway. Life as a Swiss Air Force fighter pilot must be even more exciting than most other forces, but despite this, they must still hold the time they spend at RAF Leeming each year dear, and as enthusiasts, we certainly hope that their annual appointment in Yorkshire is one they continue to keep for many years to come.

YORKNITE 2025 – the photoshoot

Offering the prospect of some of the most appealing aviation related photographic opportunities it’s possible to experience here in the UK, and the chance to get up close and personal with some rare aviation visitors to these shores, YORKNITE is something that has attracted enthusiasts since that very first deployment. As RAF Leeming and the Swiss Air Force also have a track record for hosting an evening photography event during the deployment, enthusiasts will usually scour all the usual sites for event details in advance of each YORKNITE deployment, hoping to be one of the lucky ones allocated a place.

The only trouble is that places are extremely limited, and with so many people hoping to be amongst this year’s number, there are always going to be many more disappointed people than those heading to RAF Leeming. Clearly, the event has to be arranged around operational commitments, and therefore will only see enthusiasts granted access to the base for a very short time, but what a time that would be, and how I wanted to be part of it.

I’ve been keen to secure a place on this event for several years now, but had never been successful to this point, however, this year was going to be different. With my previous lack of success as my only experience, imagine my excitement on receiving an email from the Media, Comms & Engagement Office at RAF Leeming informing me that I’d been granted a place on this year’s late afternoon/early evening photoshoot event – I could hardly contain myself!

The two sides of McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet J-5002, with orange 1s on the port side of each tail unit, and stunning tiger eyes on the starboard side.

Such an unexpected late season aviation treat, I managed to wrestle myself away from my desk for a few hours, and headed for RAF Leeming, hoping for a fine weather evening, no traffic hold ups in the A1 and some exciting flying activity courtesy of the Swiss Air Force. Joining other enthusiasts in the carpark at Leeming for security checking and briefing prior to heading on-base, we were put on a coach and driven through the impressively large RAF Leeming site, to the HAS area at the northern end of the airfield, and some beautiful aeroplanes.

Once there, we were taken inside a standard hangar where we were given an official briefing from one of our Swiss Air Force hosts, and with clear instructions still ringing in our ears and with Hi-Viz jackets donned, it was out onto the airfield as a group, to await the return of the first Hornets to have headed out on the first sortie of the day.

Once the aircraft had made their standard approach and break into the landing pattern at RAF Leeming, we’d been told that each aircraft would taxy past us on the way back to their allocated HAS, and preparation for the first night sortie of the day. Once the final aircraft had passed, we were allowed to follow two of the jets back to their shelters, but as ground crews got to work checking their charges and preparing them for their next sortie of the day, we returned to the first hangar, where a selection of related goodies had been laid out for our delectation – it really would have been rude not to have taken advantage of this merch opportunity.

It’s always nice to pick up something special when you’re allowed access to an event such as this.

The highlight of the event was the opportunity to return to one of the active shelters once again to photograph the Hornet lurking within, as ground technicians prepared it for its night flying sortie, which really was a huge aviation treat. After filling our senses with all that irresistible Hornet action, the aircraft started its engines and we were instructed to reposition to a grassy area which was a safe distance from the aircraft, but still close enough for this to be a truly memorable experience. By the time F/A-18C Hornet J-5002 had emerged from its shelter, it was pitch black outside, even though it was still only early evening.

As the two Hornets made their way towards the runway at the start of their latest night flying sortie, our time inside RAF Leeming was unfortunately over, and we were invited to return back to the awaiting coach. It turned out to be a whirlwind couple of hours, but an absolutely unforgettable experience – those Swiss Hornets really are stunning!

I am extremely grateful to the RAF Leeming Media, Comms & Engagement team and the Swiss Air Force for granting me access to this incredible photoshoot event, and for helping to make this the most enjoyable event myself and my trusty camera have had this year. I sincerely hope that this won’t prove to be the only time I’m ever afforded such an opportunity, but if that proves to be the case, what a treat it was and thank you to all those who made it possible. 

The beautiful county of Yorkshire is certainly all the more interesting following its annual invasion of Hornets.

I hope you enjoy this final selection of images taken during my recent attendance at the YORKNITE 2025 night photography event.

I’m afraid that’s all we have for you in this latest edition of Aerodrome, however, we’ll be back again next year with more news and pictures from the fascinating world of aviation. Thank you for your continued support and as always, if you would like to comment on anything blog related or suggest a subject you would like to see covered in a future edition of Aerodrome, please do drop us a line at aerodrome@airfix.com, where we would be delighted to hear from you.

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The next edition of Aerodrome is scheduled to be published on Friday 2nd January, and we look forward to sharing more aviation inspired content with you then.

I hope to see you all back here in four weeks.

Michael

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