International Festival of the Sea
IFOS is certainly not an airshow in the strictest sense. Several hundred visiting ships joined a large proportion of the Royal Navy’s own vessels for unique event. Many of those ships bring with them their own helicopters and aircraft which are never usually seen at airshows in the UK and can afford aviation enthusiasts some very unique opportunities.
Amongst the aviation highlights were a Russian Navy Kamov Ka-27 on board the Admiral Levchenko, Indian Navy Sea King Mk42, Pakistani Navy Alouette III and a South African Atlas Oryx. There was also a spectacular role demo in the waters around Portsmouth Naval Base dubbed “Operation Swift Strike”
All photography by Paul Johnson/Flightline UK
