The second RAF Northolt Night Photoshoot of the year took place in early October. The 31st such event brought together aircraft from the Royal Air Force, London Air Ambulance and the French Air & Space Force under the floodlights. There was also an historic element too with a nod to the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings and Operation Market Garden.
Paul Johnson/Flightline UK reports. All photography by the author.
The Night Photoshoots are now fully established on the calendar at RAF Northolt. During his welcome for the 31st event the Station Commander, Group Captain Jonathan Hough, confirmed the on-going intention to hold two events each year on the first Thursdays of March and October. The events have become vital fundraisers for the station’s charitable efforts to preserve the heritage of RAF Northolt and support its personnel. Much of that heritage reflects Northolt’s World War Two history with the centrepiece being the Sector Operations Building that was used to develop the Dowding Air Defence System during 1939 and early 1940.
For the second such photoshoot of 2024, there was some impressive support from the Royal Air Force. It was particularly pleasing to see the home team, No. 32 Squadron, out in force for the evening with both types they operate on display. The Leonardo AW109SP GrandNew GZ100 has participated in the Night Photoshoots before but more recently has always been on task or in maintenance when they have been organised. With the aircrafts lease soon to end, this may be the last photoshoot for the aircraft. Alongside it was the Dassault Envoy IV CC1 (Falcon 900EX), the latest aircraft to join 32 Squadron. In partnership with Centerline Aviation, 32 Squadron operates two Envoy IVs on Command Support Air Transport (CSAT) tasks. These involve transport of high priority military and diplomatic personnel around the world plus mission critical freight to operational areas. Though currently flying on the civilian register, they will eventually transfer to the military register in due course. This was the first time an Envoy IV had officially participated in a Night Photoshoot.
Dropping in for a short period during the evening while on a training task was a Boeing C-17A Globemaster III from 99 Squadron. The strategic airlifter arrived during the event and taxied on to the apron without shutting down. While on the apron it kept its formation lights illuminated for some quite unique photos. It then departed making full use of its reverse thrust to manoeuvre back to the taxiway.
Completing the modern-day Royal Air Force line-up was a Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 from 12 Squadron based at RAF Coningsby. 12 Squadron is joint UK and Qatari squadron established to support the introduction of the Typhoon into Qatari service. Given the situation in the Middle East at the time of the event plus the deployment of much of 12 Squadron, it was extremely fortunate for Northolt to be able to secure the Typhoon for the event.
The French Air and Space Force continued their lengthy run of support for the Night Photoshoots. Once again L’école de pilotage de l’Armée de l’air sent a pair of Pilatus PC-21 aircraft from BA 709 Cognac-Châteaubernard. Also making a very welcome return was an Embraer EMB-121 Xingu from the European Defence Airlift School 00.319 based at BA702 Avord. For this event, it was a completely standard Xingu on display which also performed a lengthy engine-run.
The Irish Air Corps had been due to appear with a Pilatus PC-12NG but were unable to make it on the day. However, a civilian example operated by Fly7 did appear next to the PC-21s wearing a very smart silver and royal blue colour scheme.
Historic aircraft are always welcome additions to the Night Photoshoots. At the end of the year where we have commemorated the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy plus Operation Market-Garden, the appearance of Aero Legends’ Douglas C-47A Skytrain was very welcome. It was positioned on the apron with a pair of Willys Jeeps and performed an engine run for some very nice photo opportunities. It was also nice to see it juxtaposed with the modern-day C-17 showing what a contrast there is between air left capabilities 80 years ago and today.
Rounding off the evening was a special presentation by the London Air Ambulance which is based at Northolt. They have for many years operated a pair of MD902 Explorers wearing a distinctive red colour-scheme. Like all Air Ambulance operations in England, they are not funded by the NHS and rely on charitable donations to maintain operations. This year sees the charity retire its MD902s in favour of a pair of brand-new Airbus H135 helicopters. In the days before the Nightshoot their new helicopters had been unveiled to the press by HRH Prince William and David Beckham. However, the nightshoot was the final public opportunity to see the old and new side-by-side (although sadly one of the H135s was unavailable) and the crews performed a joint engine-run with their navigation lights blazing to mark the new era.
As ever it was superb evening thanks to the efforts of the participating crews, Phillip Dawe and his team of volunteers plus the Royal Air Force Northolt personnel. We look forward to the next event in March 2025.
