Night Ops for RAF Flight Training School
Welcome to this latest edition of Aerodrome and our regular look at the fascinating world of aeroplanes and the historic aviation scene in the UK.
As far as our Aerodrome blog goes, there is nothing we like more than to bring our readers details of an aviation occasion which has only recently taken place, be that a base visit, or a specially arranged event and we are delighted to confirm that this is exactly what we have for you in this latest edition. The opportunity to visit an active Royal Air Force station is one aviation enthusiasts will always hold dear, but when that visit coincides with a specially arranged event, with a selection of home based aircraft made available for an evening photoshoot event, now that is something really worth getting out and about for.
Getting 2023 underway in some style, our destination for the first photoshoot event of the year was RAF Valley on the Isle of Anglesey, home of No.4 Flying Training School and usually one of the most active stations in the UK. I say usually, because there have been some well publicised issues affecting the BAe Hawk T.2 aircraft which operate from Valley in recent weeks, issues which proved significant enough to result in the temporary suspension of flying as a precautionary measure. Thankfully, I can report that during my recent visit, I was lucky enough to see No.4 FTS Hawk aircraft both on the ground and in the air, which suggests the situation may finally be improving.
Please join us for a recent visit to Royal Air Force station Valley and an evening in the company of the aircraft of No.4 Flying Training School.
New Gate Guardian for RAF Valley
Having covered the removal of RAF Valley's previous Gate Guardian for an edition of Aerodrome, it was nice to finally catch up with their new station sentinel.
When posting any review of a visit to RAF Valley, there really is only one place to start, and that is at the entrance to the base. Anyone who has paid a visit to RAF Valley will know exactly what I mean when I describe the approach to the airfield and main entrance is being pretty unique. After coming off the main A55 and heading down the road which leads through base facilities on the left and passes by an internationally renowned Iron Age archaeological site on the right, you continue over a railway bridge to be greeted with a wonderful sight. The bridge and its elevated position confirms you have arrived and affords you a spectacular view across the extensive airfield facilities, with the main runway (19 end), aircraft ramp and taxiway all right in front of you. Clearly, you can't park your car on the crest of this narrow bridge, despite the unrivalled views it offers, but a left turn at the foot of the bridge will bring you to main base reception (not the turn for us to be taking), however, if immediately turning off to the right, you can enter a large parking area administered by the good people at Valley Aviation Society, an area which is itself a great spot from which to view base activities.
Back in 2017, we posted an edition of Aerodrome which featured RAF Valley's project to replace its existing Gate Guardian aircraft with a new example and how the one which had graced the entrance to the base for over twenty years would be staying on the Isle of Anglesey. An iconic landmark in this part of the country, former Gate Guardian Hawker Hunter T.8C WV396 was resplendent in its red and white RAF No.4 FTS colour scheme presentation and had been on duty overseeing operations and welcoming visitors to RAF Valley since its arrival in 1997. Mounted on a substantial metal plinth, the aircraft adopted an aggressive nose-up attitude, as if it were desperate to join the latest crop of RAF student pilots on their next training sortie and as such, became something of a focal point for enthusiasts making their latest visit to the airfield and a much-loved landmark for base personnel and Anglesey locals alike.
For these reasons, news of her replacement was the cause of some consternation amongst locals and a campaign was launched to prevent their Hunter from leaving the island for good and our blog post from 2017 marked the culmination of this campaign. Once she had been relieved of her base guardian duties, Hawker Hunter WV396 was transported by road the relatively short distance to the Tacla Taid Anglesey Transport Museum, where she is lovingly cared for to this day and obviously remains on the island were she served with such distinction for so long.
The old and the new, former Gate Guardian Hawker Hunter WV396 and its replacement BAe Hawk T.1 XX156.
Clearly, in order to do this particular aviation story justice, I had planned to return to Valley once the new station gate guardian aircraft had been unveiled, but for one reason or another, both work commitment and Covid restriction related, that opportunity never presented itself and therefore, my first opportunity to admire Valley's smart new gate guardian in person only came last week. Finally, Aerodrome is able to complete this particular aviation story by confirming that RAF Valley's new gate guardian is BAe Hawk T.1 XX156 and wearing her smart all black No.4 FTS colour scheme, is a fitting tribute to the legacy of the Hawk trainer and the work this aircraft has done over the past 40 years or so in training thousands of fast jet pilots from this important airfield.
BAe Hawk T1 XX156 actually turns out to be quite a significant aircraft and was one of the first to come off the production lines back in the 1970s. She was used as a weapons conversion sales presentation aircraft at Farnborough Airshow not long after delivery and would go on to see extensive service in a pilot training role and with the Red Arrows. Previously operating with Valley based No.208(R) Squadron, the aircraft was earmarked for a future role as gate guardian and placed in storage at the base for a couple of years, with preparatory works only taking place sporadically during this period, as and when manpower could be spared. She was finally unveiled as Valley's new gate guardian at a special event in September 2018 and mounted on an impressive new plinth in approximately the same position as previously occupied by the Hunter, now stands guard over all base activities, whilst at the same time helping to mark the incredible service achievements of the British Aerospace Hawk.
World class training for fast jet student pilots
A trio of RAF Valley based fast jet training aircraft, two Hawk T.2s and a Texan T.1.
Hidden away in a secluded coastal location on the west side of the Island of Anglesey, RAF Valley is one of the busiest stations currently in operation with the Royal Air Force and as home of No.4 Flying Training School, is tasked with training the next generation of fast jet pilots for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. With basic and advanced flying training courses now taking place at Valley, along with helicopter training for the Mountain Rescue Service, any visit to Valley should usually offer the aviation enthusiast a wealth of spotting opportunities, with aircraft such as the Texan T.1, Hawk T.2, Juno HT.1 and Jupiter HT.1 all flying possibilities, not to mention the many front-line aircraft which regularly route through Valley due to its location. With several excellent vantage points around the airfield and the high probability of flying activity on any given day, RAF Valley is a popular destination for enthusiasts and if the weather is in your favour, there really isn't a finer way to spend a few hours than watching future fast jet pilots being put through their paces in these idyllic surroundings.
The military airfield at Valley can trace its origins back to 1939 and the construction of a new airfield facility near the village of Rhosneigr, one which was intended to provide fighter protection for the industrial North West of Britain and to allow search patrols of the Irish Sea in the hunt for enemy U-boats, on convoy protection flights. Opened at the beginning of 1941, the first aviation residents at the then RAF Rhosneigr were the Hawker Hurricanes of Nos 312 and 615 Squadrons, however, these were soon joined by the Bristol Beaufighters of No.219 Squadron, who operated in a night defence role.
With its close proximity to both the Irish Sea and the sparsely populated farmland of North Wales, the airfield was an ideal location for training of aircrews and it quickly became an extremely active location for such flying activities. As a consequence, the airfield would be blighted with a relatively high accident rate, with many aircraft unfortunately coming down in the Irish Sea and in order to address this situation, the RAF established No.275 Squadron at Valley. Equipped with Westland Lysanders and Supermarine Walrus amphibians, they provided vital air-sea rescue support for the airfield, a service which would go on to become a significant responsibility for the base in the post war years.
From an RAF perspective, the most significant period in the history of Valley airfield occurred following the end of the Second World War and Britain's entry into the jet age. Following a period of extensive base infrastructure improvements, the de Havilland Vampires and Gloster Meteors of No.202 Advanced Flying School arrived on Anglesey, with a remit to provide effective flying training for future fast jet pilots in the relatively sparsely populated surroundings of North Wales. On 15th August 1960, the unit was re-designated No.4 Flying Training School (4FTS), Royal Air Force, a unit which maintains its training heritage with RAF Valley to this day.
An RAF No.XXV Squadron Hawk T.2 on approach to Valley’s runway 01 just a few minutes before I joined other enthusiasts for the night photoshoot event.
Over the years, Valley has been home to such classic training aircraft as Meteors, Vampires, Hunters and Gnats, however, the most significant aircraft association in the history of the airfield first occurred on 11th November 1976, with the arrival of the first British Aerospace Hawk, an aircraft type which would go on to become inextricably linked with this busy airfield. This association has been responsible for producing thousands of trained fast jet pilots for the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy over the past 47 years. Still continuing to provide this essential service, RAF Valley has become familiar to thousands of service personnel both past and present, all of whom were fortunate enough to be stationed at this Island airfield and its close proximity to the Snowdonia National Park and the wider delights of Wales.
In addition to its unrivalled pilot training legacy, Valley was also home to some of the most famous and best loved aircraft to have ever see Royal Air Force service, the distinctive yellow SAR helicopters of ‘C Flight’ No.22 Squadron. Operating such rotary aviation classic as the Whirlwind, Wessex and Sea King, Valley can also claim royal connections, as HRH William, The Prince of Wales, flew from the airfield during his time flying the Westland Sea King in a search and rescue role.
A Hawk for future Eagles
The BAE Systems Hawk T.2 is a very different aircraft to its predecessor and is destined to remain in service for many years to come.
The aircraft most closely associated with RAF Valley is without doubt the British Aerospace Hawk, an aircraft which has now been providing student flying training support at the airfield for fast approaching 50 years. Student pilots selected for fast jet training will have already successfully completed their elementary flying training at RAF Cranwell and will now be facing the longest and most comprehensive training program of the current pilot option channels in the Royal Air Force. As their intended future mounts will be single seat fighting aeroplanes, they will have to become comfortable and proficient in not only flying technologically advanced military aircraft, but also in making mission decisions for themselves, without assistance of a second crew member. This will necessitate an intense period of ground instruction, simulator flying and conversion to the BAe Hawk T.2, followed by a further period of tactics and weapons training, also in the Hawk T.2. If they manage to successfully negotiate their time at Valley, they will then pass to the respective Operational Conversion Unit of the aircraft type they have been assigned to fly, either the Eurofighter Typhoon or the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning.
The No.4 FTS training program at Valley has been through quite some change over recent years and with the withdrawal of the Shorts Tucano trainers, has seen the arrival of a new aircraft on the Isle of Anglesey. With RAF Valley now providing two-thirds of fast jet pilot training for the RAF and Royal Navy, the Basic element of this training is now handled by the Beechcraft Texan T.1, and advanced two-seat turboprop aircraft which is designed to provide training support for those young pilots destined to fly Britain's latest 4th and 5th generation combat aircraft operationally. With a cockpit layout similar to that of the Hawk T.2 they will go on to fly, the Texan is an ideal introduction to the life of a fast jet pilot and by the time No.72 Squadron are ready to hand over their latest crop of trained pilots, they are ready to face their next challenge. Ten of these distinctive turboprop aircraft are now based at Valley.
Moving across the airfield and into the realm of the BAe Hawk T.2, the next unit to get their hands on the newly qualified pilots are No.XXV Squadron, who will provide them with advanced flying training in an aircraft which may look similar to its predecessor, but is a much more capable training platform in every respect. Once a pilot has successfully negotiated this phase, they will require the services of No.IV Squadron, again in their Hawk T.2s, but this time using the aircraft in a weapons and tactical conversion role, or as members of the Squadron like to call themselves, Britain's Top Guns. Once they have successfully completed all three stages of the programme, then its on to Operational Conversion Units at Coningsby and Marham and the prospect of flying the Typhoon or F-35 operationally.
Taking the opportunity to photograph flight operations at Valley just before joining others for this specially arranged nightshoot event, it was nice to see Hawks flying once more following their temporary withdrawal from operational flying.
In a continuation of the proud heritage the airfield has earned in operating one of Britain’s most successful post war aircraft types, the British Aerospace Hawk T.2 is undoubtedly the most exciting aircraft currently operated from RAF Valley and is the current incarnation of this incredibly successful two seat training aircraft. A much more advanced training platform than its predecessor, the Hawk T.2 enables student pilots who have successfully negotiated their basic flying training to take the next step towards their goal of becoming operational fast jet pilots. The T.2's fully digital cockpit and advanced avionics allow it to be configured to mimic the front-line aircraft the student is destined to fly operationally, allowing them the opportunity to become familiar with the complex operating environment they will go on to face when joining an Operational Conversion Unit.
Clearly, this approach is much more cost effective than using a Typhoon or F-35 Lightning in a similar role, yet still effectively prepares student pilots for life at a front-line RAF squadron and some of the most advanced fighting aeroplanes in the world. In fact, the Hawk T.2 has proved so successful in this role that it even surpassed the demanding requirement profile placed on it during its development and showed itself to be even more adaptable than was hoped. It will provide the RAF and Royal Navy with an aircraft capable of delivering world class fast jet pilot training support for many years to come and with it, a continuation of the Hawk's incredible reputation as one of the world's most effective jet powered training aircraft.
From a visual perspective, this latest incarnation of the Hawk trainer series does look very similar to its predecessor, however, there are a number of features which make correct identification relatively simple, not least of which is the fact that all remaining Hawk T.1s flying in the UK are painted red and are the mounts of the world famous Red Arrows. Perhaps its most distinctive feature is its longer nose profile, however, if further confirmation is required, the wing tip weapons rails and a protruding rectangular housing at the top of the aircraft's tail definitely give the game away.
Less obvious features include a more powerful engine, newly designed wings and a completely re-configured airframe, but it is in the cockpit where the most dramatic improvements have been made, transforming the already capable Hawk T.1 into one of the world’s most advanced and technologically adaptable training aircraft in the world today. Sporting their striking black liveries, these incredibly attractive aircraft will provide the RAF/RN with an effective pilot training platform for many years to come and for those young pilots who successfully negotiate their time at Valley, will no doubt always have a special place in their hearts for the Hawk T.2, their first warbird.
As for the aviation enthusiast, there is nothing quite like getting close to operational military fast jets and with Valley being so accommodating in this regard, a trip to Anglesey and the land of the Hawk is an experience you will want to enjoy time and time again.
RAF training aircraft at night
With my combined love of aviation and photography, I like to spend some time during the first few weeks of the new year to start preparing the list of events I hope to attend over the coming months and to select one or two special projects that are a little out of the ordinary. Having spent the majority of my life taking photographs of aeroplanes at one location or another, I have recently started being a little more selective with the events I attend, not just doing the same thing year after year, and in the hope of unearthing some slightly different opportunities and experiences. With that in mind, receiving an email which included details of an event offering the opportunity to attend a specially arranged evening of photography at RAF Valley was something of an attention grabber and had me booking a place and planning a long overdue return to this beautiful part of the country.
The event held the prospect of having a selection of the current RAF No.4 Flying Training School aircraft inventory arranged as our subject matter and as this would be taking place 'on base' and at night, this was exactly the sort of unusual event I was looking for. I do have to admit to being a little worried in the weeks prior to the event, as the RAF's Hawk T.2 fleet was subjected to a training flight suspension, following a technical issue highlighted with the jet, but as we would be photographing static examples in the evening, perhaps I was worrying unnecessarily.
Of greater concern was the thought of what Mother Nature might decide to throw at us on the day, as the event was taking place early in the year and Valley has a reputation for doing things a little unexpectedly when it comes to the weather. I have been at Valley and suffered sun stroke when the rest of the country was under heavy cloud, but similarly, I have also been around the airfield when the wind has tried to blow me back across the Menai Bridge. I remember being at the No.208 squadron disbandment event when wind and rain combined to ensure nobody had their cameras out for more than just a few seconds, but I also have to say that when the weather plays ball at RAF Valley, there is no finer spot in the country.
As it turned out, I needn’t have worried on either front, as the weather was fine, if a little cold, and I was lucky enough to see Hawks on the ground and in the air, even if I did have to hot-foot around to the Rhosneigr end of the runway to catch a couple of landing approaches just prior to the commencement of the event.
Once those in attendance had been checked in and all vehicles safely parked, it was time for an event introduction and the obligatory health & safety / housekeeping briefing before being allowed on the IV Squadron ramp near the entrance to the base and access to a selection of Valley based aircraft which had been positioned for the occasion. Representing the current fast jet pilot training lineage of aircraft based at Valley, we were fortunate to have access to a No.72 Squadron Texan T.1, a XXV Squadron Hawk T.2 and a second T.2 in the markings of No.IV Squadron - there was also a Jupiter HT.1 helicopter in attendance, but for some reason, I never found myself down that end of the ramp.
Once let loose on the airfield, it was just a case of staying out of the way of fellow photographers and waiting for the right light and after sundown, attempting to take pictures of black aeroplanes against a dark night sky, something which really isn't all that easy to do. Modern digital cameras will make a good fist at producing an acceptable image in almost any situation, including taking pictures of aeroplanes at night, however, they will try to render a neutral, if reasonably well exposed scene, adding more light on the subject than we would actually see with the naked eye. Personally, I don't really like this, as it's a false representation of what I am actually looking at and if my subject aircraft is dark, I really want the resultant picture to be equally dark as well. I know this won't be a view shared by all photographers, but I suppose that's the beauty of photography and how we all approach a scene and interpret the resultant image differently.
On this occasion, I do have to say that it proved to be so dark, with so little light pollution to fall back on that it was really was difficult to frame up these black painted aircraft in the camera viewfinder and as a consequence of this lack of lighting, exposure times were very long. In fact, this all led to be taking many less images than I would usually expect to take on a nightshoot event.
With all my excuses made, here is a selection of the images I managed to come away with following my recent night shoot visit to RAF Valley.
Beechcraft Texan T.1 ZM332 - RAF No.72(R) Squadron
Providing the basic flying training element of the current Military Flying Training System, the Beechcraft Texan T.I took over the role vacated following the service withdrawal of the RAF's Tucano fleet, with ten of these rather smart looking aeroplanes now based at Valley. RAF No.72(R) Squadron began its association with the Texan T.1 on 28th November 2019 and since that date, has gradually increased its operations to a point where the Texan is now fully integrated into the current fast jet pilot training programme and is a regular sight in the skies over Anglesey. Although the aircraft shares some visual similarities to the Tucano which preceded it, this is a much more capable aeroplane and one which is ideally suited to deliver world class flight training support for Britain's future front line fast jet pilots.
Texan ZM332 was the last of the ten aircraft produced under this programme and cuts quite a dashing profile when in the circuit at RAF Valley, the mount of our future Typhoon and F-35 Lightning pilots. Once they have successfully negotiated their Basic Flying Training course, student pilots will be handed over to the care of No.XXV Squadron and their BAe Hawk T.2 jets.
BAE Systems Hawk T.2 - RAF No.XXV (F) Squadron
Once a student fast jet pilot successfully negotiates the Basic element of the new military flying training programme, he or she will cross the airfield at Valley and enter the offices of No.XXV Squadron, where they will learn to fly the BAE Hawk T.2, the fast jet conversion component of their flying training. The incredibly successful Hawk jet trainer is familiar to millions of people the world over, probably down to the fact that it is the mount of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, however, this latest incarnation of the aircraft is very different to the nine jets we see performing their trademark manoeuvres at Airshows.
The T.2 boasts a completely new, all-digital glass cockpit which features three full colour multi-function displays, a head-up display and hands on throttle and stick controls, all significant improvements over its predecessor. In addition to this, powerful onboard computers allow the Hawk's cockpit environment to be configured to emulate the working environment of either a Typhoon or F-35 Lightning, aircraft a student pilot would hope to eventually fly on completion of their training program and posting to an Operational Conversion Unit.
The aircraft also carries computer simulation technologies which allow it to be subjected to simulated hostile threats during a training sortie, allowing the instructor to see how the student deals with the situation and allows to deal with the threat 'synthetically'. All this new capability delivers a world class standard of fast jet pilot training for Royal Air Force and Royal Navy pilots and prepares them for live within an Operational Conversion Unit at either Coningsby or Marham.
This particular aircraft made its first flight on 29th July 2010 and was delivered to RAF Valley at the beginning of April 2011. Initially, the aircraft flew in the colours of No.IV Squadron, but following the changes made to the Military Flying Training System, transferred to No.XXV Squadron.
BAE Systems Hawk T.2 - RAF No.IV Squadron
One of the most famous squadrons in Royal Air Force history, No.IV Squadron were previously linked with the famous Harrier in its various marks, but re-formed in 2010 to fly the BAE Systems Hawk T.2 from RAF Valley in a training role. No.IV Squadron take student pilots once they have successfully completed their fast jet conversion with No.XXV Squadron and teach the student how to fly the Hawk in a much more aggressive manner, providing the weapons and tactical conversion section of the program. As a result, members of the squadron are probably not too upset with the fact that they are often colloquially referred to as RAF Valley's 'Top Guns', something I am certain student pilots with the squadron would be quick to circulate amongst their friends and families once they have entered this final phase of their flight training at the airfield.
Although much less numerous that their predecessors, the Hawk T.2 is an exceptionally capable aeroplane and as the Eurofighter Typhoon continues to evolve and more Lockheed Martin F-35s enter service, could we see more Hawks purchased to bolster the ranks of aircraft providing this essential service for the future of Britain's airborne forces. A really handsome looking aeroplane, the BAE Systems Hawk T.2 is destined to remain in service for many years to come and with its clever onboard computer configurability, surely more of these essential aircraft will be plying their trade in the skies over Anglesey in the years to come.
A really enjoyable early season event, this was just the sort of aviation related photographic opportunity I was hoping to attend this year and I would like to extend my thanks to both the organisers and all at RAF Valley who made everything possible. Even though we only had access to four aircraft, this was definitely a case of quality over quantity and those in attendance were treated to something just that little bit different from a photographic perspective. I certainly hope this will just be the first in a series of similar events and that I have another opportunity to spend some quality time with Valley's beautiful training two-seaters.
I’m afraid that’s all we have for you in this latest edition of Aerodrome, but please keep checking back throughout the year as we endeavour to bring you a series of topical aviation related reviews and features from around the country. As always, if you would like to comment on anything blog related or to suggest a subject you would like to see covered in a future edition, please do drop us a line at aerodrome@airfix.com, where we would be only too pleased to hear your views.
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The next edition of Aerodrome is scheduled to be published on Friday 31st March, when we will have more aviation features to bring you.
Thank you so much for your continued support of our Aerodrome blog.
Michael
