Held towards the end of the display season in late September, RNAS Yeovilton International Air Day 2003 presented a varied collection of aircraft both in the air and on the ground.
The static may have been limited but highlights included the US Army’s SHAPE Sikorsky UH-60A Blackhawk, two German Navy Westland Lynx Mk88 and Martin Baker’s glorious black and gold Gloster Meteor T7 1/2.
The early part of the flying display was affected by fog. However that lifted as the day wore on leaving some pleasing autumnal sunshine. A highlight was a special formation celebrated 801NAS featuring the Shuttleworth Collection’s Hawker Sea Hurricane 1B, The Fighter Collection’s Grumman F6F Hellcat, the current BAE Systems Sea Harrier FA2 and a BAE Systems Harrier GR7/9 representing the future of the squadron.
International highlights included the Belgian Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcon, Royal Netherlands Air Force Pilatus PC-9 Turbotrainer and what turned out to one of the final displays in the UK by a German Navy Panavia Tornado IDS.
