RAF Leuchars Airshow 2006
The 2006 RAF Leuchars Airshow was an exceptional show attracting a great deal of international military participation, particularly from eastern Europe. The home team contributions were also particularly memorable with a diamond-nine of Panavia Tornado F3s marking the 90th Anniversary of 43(F) and 56(R) Squadrons.
The show also reprised the Tactical Demonstration which has been a feature of the last three editions of the Leuchars airshow. This year saw four Tornado GR4s from RAF Lossiemouth join four Tornado F3s from Leuchars and a Chinook HC2 to mount an attack on the airfield. Two of the F3s played the enemy and were suppressed by the other F3s in a dramatic dogfight before an attack by the GR4s and Troop extraction from the Chinook.
However it was the contributions from the Czech and Polish Air Forces that really impressed. The Czech Air Force sent the Mil Mi-24V Hind solo display along with it’s support Mi-17 Hip for a very long trek north. But the star item was the Polish Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 Fulcrum solo jet display. It was seen twice during the afternoon displaying the gin clear Scottish skies.
All photography by Paul Johnson/Flightline UK.
