Just A Nice Picture Thread

Threads about the world of aviation outside of airshows. General aviation, airlines, spotting, etc.
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Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Thu Feb 04, 2021 10:41 pm

What a shot of "Wraith" during AAR at RF 21-1 currently underway at Nellis Air Force Base (H/T for the photo)! If you want to learn more about this Aggressor F-16 here's the article we published when it was introduced in 2019: https://theaviationist.com/2019/11/17/f ... ls-crowds/
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Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Tue Feb 09, 2021 5:17 pm

The first KC-46A Pegasus Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) is seen returning to its birthing grounds, Boeing's Everett/Snohomish County-Paine Field (WA) after its first flight on 8 February 2021.

The first Pegasus, destined for the land of the rising sun, serial 14-3611 (construction number 66585/1207) was rolled out out of Boeing’s paint shop facility on 17 September 2020. The aircraft received a Boeing test registration N6018N, that temporarely replaced to JASDF serial (see Scramble News 10 January 2021, "Just a Nice Picture...!")

Boeing received an order from the JASDF for one KC-46A in December 2017, and their government took an option for the second one in December 2018.
https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/j ... picture-33
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Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:25 pm

Images of the past

Thanks to the “Stichting Papua Erfgoed” (Papua Heritage Foundation) a lot of photo material on the former Dutch colony of New Guinea (now as Papua/Pulau Irian and West-Papua/Papua Barat provinces of Republic Indonesia) has been saved. The Foundation has kindly permitted Scramble to publish its historic photos which give a fascinating view on aviation in the past in this (for most of us) unknown part of the world.

Although the Republic of Indonesia had declared its independence in 1945, it took until 27 December 1949 before the Dutch accepted the sovereignty of its former colony. But while accepting this, the western part of the island of New Guinea was intended to remain part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

In the late Fifties plans were made for independence, but Indonesia had other ideas. Frequent incursions of Indonesian troops on New Guinean soil were aimed at provoking an up rise of the native population against the Dutch. And so the Dutch Government responded by sending a convoy consisting of aircraft carrier “Karel Doorman” and two supporting destroyers which left Holland on 30 May 1960.


Marine Luchtvaart Dienst (MLD, Royal Netherlands Navy) 860 squadron had its Hawker Sea Hawk FGA50 fighters on board of the Dutch carrier. Twenty of these jets were delivered to the Netherlands and flown by both 860 and later 3 squadron. The type was withdrawn from use in December 1964.

During launches from the carrierdeck, a Sikorsky S-55 helicopter was always hovering next to the ship on stand-by for emergencies. The No. 8 squadron of the Marine Luchtvaart Dienst employed three of these helicopters of which 077 “Cleopatra” was one. It was written off on 28 February 1962. The others were 076 “Salome” and 078 “Delilah”. The sole one to survive is 076 which is part of the Aviodrome collection in Lelystad, the Netherlands.

Next to the Sea Hawk fighters, the “Karel Doorman” was also equipped with a squadron of Grumman TBM-3S2 Avenger torpedo-bombers. The Royal Netherlands Navy operated 34 of these Avengers together with 24 anti-submarine radar TBM-3W2s. In 1958 twenty additional TBM-3Es were obtained from the British Royal Navy, of which only eleven were flown and the remaining used for spares.

In the years 1960 to 1962 international pressure on the Netherlands increased. Indonesia, strongly supported by the Soviet Union, regularly claimed lawful rights to New Guinea.

Initially the Netherlands were backed by their former Allies, but in the end, the United States decided to change their mind. This was obviously an attempt to keep friendly relations with the Republic Indonesia and decrease Communist influence.

So on 15 August 1961, the Government of the Netherlands signed the so-called New York contract in which New Guinea was to become part of the Republic Indonesia. After a period of United Nations administration, the territory became Indonesian as from 1 May 1963.

After the Dutch military had left, United Nations forces were present during the period of transition to Indonesian governance. Several countries from around the world contributed to these UN forces. These military (with well-known blue bonnets) have come from Pakistan. They are boarding a float equipped Canadian DeHavilland DHC-3 Otter, RCAF 1239424, at Fakfak in 1962.

photos: A.E.M.J. Pans, ter Laag and Ubbink
https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/i ... f-the-past
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Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Sat Feb 13, 2021 6:08 pm

The two Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-35A squadrons, based at Misawa Air Base (Japan), flew multiple daylight sorties this week (8-12 February 2021) flying high key emergency approaches.

Depicted are F-35A 99-8712 (construction number AX-12) from 302 Hikotai and F-35A 09-8717 (c/n AX-17) from 301 Hikotai approaching Misawa finals.
https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/j ... picture-34
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Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Mon Feb 15, 2021 5:48 pm

These cool photos of Davis-Monthan A-10s under a snowstorm give a whole new meaning to “Brrrr-t”!
https://theaviationgeekclub.com/these-c ... o-brrrr-t/
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Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Wed Feb 17, 2021 4:04 pm

Being in the twilight of its career, this F-4EJ Phantom II of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) with serial 17-8301, belonging to the Air Development and Test Wing (ADTW), is seen banking towards Gifu Air Base (Japan) on 16 February 2021.

As of the beginning of February 2021, less than a handful Japanese Phantoms are still flying with the ADTW at Gifu. The Test Wing will most probably say goodbye to the Spook at the end of the Fiscal Year, so at the latest in March 2021. And that will conclude Phantom operations in Japan.
https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/j ... picture-35
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Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Wed Feb 17, 2021 7:17 pm

Patrol Squadron 46 Grey Knights ('RC') Boeing P-8A Poseidons on temporary duty at NAS Sigonella (Sicily, Italy). Just a magnificent photo against the backdrop of nearby Mount Etna.

NAS Sigonella is well located near the centre of the Mediterranean Sea and therefor a perfect spot to support operations by the US 6th Fleet, other US military units, and US allies and coalition partners.

Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Austin Ingram
https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/j ... picture-36
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Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Wed Feb 24, 2021 3:55 pm

What is commonly known as “EX-1”, the Boeing F-15EX with serial 20-0001, is now fully painted. The most advanced Eagle ever is furnished with the tailcode “ET” (for Eglin Test) plus markings for its owner, the “40 FTS” (40th Flight Test Squadron). The near basic grey camouflage of EX-1 (See also Scramble News 3 February 2021, "First Flight of the F-15EX") seems to have been adopted from the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) F-15SA. Eglin AFB (FL) is scheduled to receive the first two new most advanced Eagles in the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2021.

Our contributor and great photographer Alex Farwell has been again very kind to us and shared these fine pictures made on 23 February 2021. 20-0001 at that day made a test flight from its birthing pace St. Louis Lambert Field (MO).

It is still a sight to behold, a brand-new US Air Force Eagle some 49 years after the first McDonnell Douglas F-15A flew for the first time.
https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/f ... ue-colours
First USAF Super Tucano in retro colours sighted

On 23 February 2021, the first USAF Embraer/Sierra Nevada Corporation A-29B Super Tucano, with serial number 20-2102, was photographed by aviation friend Skyppiscage at Centennial Airport near Denver (CO).

Earlier, USAF A-29B 20-2101 was already noted. At this moment the USAF has three aircraft on order. It is expected that the A-29Bs will be added to AFSOC's 6th Special Operations Squadron at Duke Field (FL) in due time.

On 12 May 2020, Scramble Magazine reported that the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) reported that a third A-29B Super Tucano for the Combat Aviation Advisor (CAA) mission for Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) will be delivered.

The undefinitized contracting action by the USAF is for SNC, as prime contractor, and its partner, Embraer Defense & Security, to deliver the A-29Bs, as well as ground support equipment, pilot training (including difference training and instructor pilot upgrade training), contractor logistic support, aircraft sparing, and sustainment for AFSOC’s CAA mission, which helps build international partner capacity. Production of the A-29Bs light attack combat and reconnaissance aircraft under this contract is underway in Jacksonville (FL) with planned delivery of all three aircraft in 2021. SNC training and support activities will continue through 2024.
https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/f ... rs-sighted
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Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Fri Feb 26, 2021 8:11 pm

Yesterday, the take off of this Tornado ECR MM7079/RS-01 from Pratica di Mare AB really made my day. Love the Tornado! #theaviationist
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Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Sat Feb 27, 2021 7:02 pm

You don’t happen to see such a formation of Italian Air Force aircraft too often: C-27J, Eurofighter Typhoon, MB-339CD, M-346 and Tornado ECR of the RSV (Reparto Sperimentale Volo) escorted by two F-35A of the 32nd Stormo, over Pratica di Mare on Feb. 25, 2021.
#theaviationist #aeronauticamilitare #italianairforce #repartosperimentalevolo
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