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Airfield Action

Part One
by Chris Smith

FoDTVA events taking place on two consecutive weekends led to me booking a week off work, one of those events was the Vintage Vehicle and Fire Engine Rally at Preston Park where I was working the airport trade stall on the second Saturday and Sunday, that is until Stockton council cancelled it due to waterlogging. To save a wasted week off I had to do something and with glorious weather forecast it was no good staying in the house, so the options were a day trip around Yorkshire's airfields or a two day trip around the Midlands, the latter was chosen and I booked the Travelodge at Birmingham Airport.
REG A/C TYPE OPERATOR NOTES
Day One
Friday 28th June
First up the obligatory M1 stop at East Midlands where I was hoping the new BAe Systems hack, E145 G-OFLX, would still be parked outside having arrived the previous day for painting, luckily it was, wearing almost full Aeroméxico Connect colours! The new hangar to appear near RVL Aviation reportedly for bizjets is complete and has Rolls-Royce branding, it doesn't look like it's much good for spotting but I did note G-TAYC parked outside, which presumably has Rolls-Royce links with a reg like that.
East Midlands Airport
EMA / EGNX
D-AEAD Airbus A300F4-622R DHL Worldwide Express (EAT Leipzig)  
D-AEAF Airbus A300F4-622R DHL Worldwide Express (EAT Leipzig)  
G-BWLF Cessna 404 Titan RVL Aviation  
G-JMCL Boeing 737-322SF West Atlantic UK  
G-JMCP Boeing 737-3T0SF West Atlantic UK  
G-JMCX Boeing 737-406SF West Atlantic UK  
G-LEAF Reims Cessna F406 Caravan II RVL Aviation  
G-OFLX Embraer ERJ-145LR BAe Systems (Corporate Air Travel) Aeroméxico Connect c/s
G-OSFL Raytheon 200 Super King Air RVL Aviation  
G-RVLY Reims Cessna F406 Caravan II RVL Aviation  
G-TAYC Gulfstream G-IV-X (G450) Executive Jet Charter  
N974FD Boeing 757-2Y0SF FedEx Express  
OY-SPS Vulcanair P.68 Observer II Bioflight A/S  
SE-MHD British Aerospace ATP(F) West Atlantic  
Derby next, a funny old place, it's not very well known and yet boasts more aircraft than many airfields. Our resident C177 G-BRDO along with most UK Cardinals come here for maintenance, although none of the BRDO syndicate bar Colin will fly it in due to a very short runway with obstacles at each end, restricting the types that can operate here. I couldn't get permission to go airside as there was no-one to escort me, but a walk along the rear of the hangars revealed a fair few gaps to peer through. There is a long term DH88 Comet (G-ACSP) restoration attempt taking place in a portacabin at the rear of the airfield! A look through the windows would likely reveal the aircraft although it appears to be open to the public anyway.
Derby Airfield
EGBD
D-ENTO American General AG-5B Tiger Private  
G-ADPC/G De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth Private  
G-APAP De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth Private Marked R-5136
G-ARAX Piper PA-22-150 Caribbean Private Fuselage only
G-ARFB Piper PA-22-150 Caribbean Private  
G-AVGA Piper PA-24-260 Comanche Private  
G-AXJJ Beagle B121 Pup II Private  
G-AXSC Beagle B121 Pup I Private  
G-AYPH Reims Cessna F177RG Cardinal Private  
G-AZTF Reims Cessna F177RG Cardinal Private  
G-BAIK Reims Cessna F150L Private  
G-BAKJ Piper PA-30-160 Twin Comanche B Private  
G-BBJY Reims Cessna F172 Skyhawk Private  
G-BBKG Reims FR172J Reims Rocket Private  
G-BHAV Reims Cessna F152 Private  
G-BHXA British Aerospace Bulldog 1210 Airplan Flight Equipment Ltd Botswana Defence Force c/s
G-BHZS British Aerospace Bulldog 1210 Airplan Flight Equipment Ltd Botswana Defence Force c/s
G-BIJD Bolkow Bo208C Junior Private  
G-BITH Reims Cessna F152 Private  
G-BNHK Cessna 152 Wayfarers Flying Group  
G-BRND Cessna 152 Private  
G-BTBJ Cessna 190 Private  
G-BWYB Piper PA-28-160 Cherokee Private  
G-CBFP Scottish Aviation Bulldog 121 Shacklewell Bulldog Group Marked XX636/Y
G-CGJT CZAW SportCruiser Private  
G-DDAY Piper PA-28R-201T Turbo Cherokee Arrow III G-DDAY Group  
G-JKKK Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP Private  
G-OCAD Falco F8L Private  
G-OFLG Socata TB10 Tobago MRR Aviation Fuselage only
G-OSFS Reims Cessna F177RG Cardinal Private  
N759AU Cessna 182Q Skylane Private  
     
My first time at Tatenhill, my only real knowledge of this place was that it has a hard runway and sometimes attracts the smaller end of the bizjet market. Unfortunately I couldn't get airside access which was a problem as the hangars are scattered and you have to go down the taxiway to get to the bulk of them.
Tatenhill Airfield
EGBM
G-BCAH De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk T1 Century Aviation Marked WG316/22
G-BONT Slingsby T67M Firefly II Vigilant Aviation  
G-BWFL Cessna 500 Citation I Corbally Group (Aviation) Ltd  
G-CJDA Red Ikarus C42 FB80 Mainair Microlight School  
G-CKWO Eurofox 912(S) Private  
G-CRUZ Cessna T303 Crusader Private  
G-HWAA Eurocopter EC135 T2 Babcock Mission Critical Services Onshore Midlands Air Ambulance
G-TALB Cessna 152 Tatenhill Aviation  
G-TALC Cessna 152 Tatenhill Aviation  
G-TALE Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II Tatenhill Aviation  
G-TALH Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II Tatenhill Aviation  
G-TALO Reims Cessna FA152 Aerobat Tatenhill Aviation  
G-TALP Cessna 172N Skyhawk Tatenhill Aviation  
G-WOOD Beech 95-B55A Baron Private  
G-YANK Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II G-YANK Flying Group  
N84VK Piper PA-24-250 Comanche Private  
  
Another debut for me next, Halfpenny Green, a very well known airfield in the UK, and like Tatenhill I believe it can accept smaller bizjets. I was quite well impressed here, I decided I would have lunch first before seeing if I could wander around airside. I parked in the free public car park where signs read to follow a blue line to get to the café...which eventually led airside anyway, past an open hangar and across the taxiway into the control tower building. From this point there was no need to deviate as everything could be seen from here or the café. Whilst enjoying a bloody good cheese burger, an SAS Dauphin rocked up, did some weird manouvering before landing, the crew then came up to the café for drinks, before abandoning them in a hurry and dashing back to the chopper for a hasty departure.
Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport
EGBO
G-AMUF De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk 21 The Redhill Tailwheel Flying Club  
G-ARKS Piper PA-22-108 Colt Private  
G-ATRX Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six Private  
G-AVBT Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee Gear-Up Aviation  
G-AWHY Falconar F-11-3 Why Fly Group  
G-BAHJ Piper PA-24-250 Comanche Private  
G-BBDC Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee Private  
G-BBDL Grumman AA-5 Traveller Private  
G-BDUO Reims Cessna F150M Private  
G-BGRR Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk Private  
G-BHNO Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II HJK Asset Management Ltd  
G-BNSZ Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Private  
G-BSDN Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II Private Stored engineless
G-BTGJ Smith DSA-1 Miniplane Private  
G-BUUL Slingsby T67M Firefly II Air Ministry Aviation  
G-BYEE Mooney M20K-231 Private  
G-BYZA Eurocopter AS355F2 Twin Squirrel PLM Dollar Group (PDG Helicopters)  
G-BZEC Cessna 152 Redhill Air Services  
G-CECG Jabiru UL-D Private  
G-CHAP Robinson R44 Astro Brierley Lifting Tackle Company Ltd  
G-CYRL Cessna 182T Skylane Private  
G-ELUN Robin DR400/180R Remorqueur Cotswold DR400 Syndicate  
G-EOLD Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Phoenix Aviation  
G-GMSI Socata TB9 Tampico Private  
G-GPSI Grob G115 Swiftair Maintenance Ltd  
G-GSYL Piper PA-28RT-201T Turbo Cherokee Arrow IV Private  
G-HSVI Reims FR172J Reims Rocket Private  
G-JIMH Reims Cessna F152 Private  
G-NLDR Aérospatiale AS355F2 Twin Squirrel PLM Dollar Group (PDG Helicopters)  
G-OAAA Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Redhill Air Services  
G-OBDA Diamond DA20-A1 Katana Oscar Papa Ltd  
G-OZAM Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Condor Aviation Leasing Ltd  
G-PLAJ British Aerospace Jetstream 31 Linksair PWFU
G-RVRM Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk Ravenair  
G-SHWN North American P-51D Mustang Sharkmouth Ltd Marked KH774/GA-S
G-VMJM Socata TB10 Tobago Private  
G-VVBR Robinson R22 Beta A and M Helicopters  
G-WARB Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior III Private  
G-XBLD Bolkow Bo105DB PLM Dollar Group (PDG Helicopters)  
G-ZEBY Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee Private  
M-YMCM Bell 429 Global Ranger TJ Morris Ltd  
N937BP Mooney M20J-205 Private  
PH-VIR Pipistrel Virus SW121 Private  
XW434/78 BAC Jet Provost T5A Royal Air Force Gate Guard - marked 9091M
ZJ781 Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin AH1 Army Air Corps - 658 Squadron  
           
My stop for the night next, the fantastic Birmingham Airport Travelodge, the higher rooms look down on aircraft on finals or just lifting off. They are used to aviation enthusiasts and will normally allocate an appropriate room, in my case they must have put a note on my account because they had one ready for me and it didn't sound like a coincidence. The old terminal side of the airport was the busiest I've seen, with a nice mix of bizjets, GA and cargo traffic. I had a walk to the MSCP for some shots and to reveal a couple hidden by it from the room, as Dave Rose noted in a recent trip report the top level is now closed off, and whilst the next level down suffices it does make a difference. Next I walked a bit further around to see if anything was parked in-between the hangars other than the T7 GLEX which was visible from the room, sure enough there were a further three, not sure why I haven't walked around here before. The Travelodge menu leaves a lot to be desired! Although the fudge cake is very highly recommended.
Birmingham Airport
BHX / EGBB
A6-EUN Airbus A380-842 Emirates  
D-AGWA Airbus A319-132 Eurowings  
D-AIUB Airbus A320-214 Lufthansa  
D-CAAL Dornier Do228-202K Arcus Air  
D-CAAM Dornier Do228-212 Arcus Air  
D-IBTA Hawker Beechcraft 250 Super King Air Corporate  
D-IFFF Reims Cessna F406 Caravan II Air-Taxi Europe  
EC-GJM Fairchild Swearingen SA-227BC Metro III Top Fly  
EC-GPS Fairchild Swearingen SA-227AC Metro III Top Fly  
EC-GXJ Fairchild Swearingen SA-226TC Metro II Flightline  
EC-ILQ Airbus A320-214 Iberia Express  
EC-JIP Fairchild Swearingen SA-226TC Metro II Euro Continental Air  
EI-FAW ATR 72-600 Aer Lingus Regional (Stobart Air)  
EI-FIR Boeing 737-8AS Ryanair  
EI-GEC Bombardier CL-600-2D24 CRJ-900LR SAS Scandinavian Airlines (CityJet)  
EI-GJA Boeing 737-800 Ryanair  
EI-RJD British Aerospace Avro RJ85 Aer Lingus (CityJet)  
ES-LSA Saab 340A Airest  
ES-NSA Saab 340B(F) NyxAir  
F-GRXF Airbus A319-111 Air France  
G-DRTA Boeing 737-85P Jet2 Holidays  
G-DRTT Boeing 737-8Q8 Jet2 Holidays  
G-FXAR Raytheon Nextant 400XT Flairjet / Flexjet  
G-JBLZ Cessna 550 Citation Bravo Executive Aviation Services  
G-JECP Bombardier DHC-8-Q402 Flybe  
G-JOTR British Aerospace Avro RJ85 Jota Aviation  
G-JZHE Boeing 737-8K2 Jet2 Holidays  
G-JZHH Boeing 737-85P Jet2.com  
G-MFLT Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin II Ven Air ULC  
G-POLD Eurocopter EC135 T2+ NPAS Birmingham  
G-POWH Boeing 757-256 Titan Airways  
G-SUGR Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 650 Air Charter Scotland  
G-TCDP Airbus A321-211 Thomas Cook Airlines Condor titles
HB-ALQ ATR 72-202F Zimex Aviation  
HB-JCR Airbus A220-300 (BD-500-1A11 CS300) Swiss International Airlines  
I-ADJN Embraer ERJ-195-200LR Air Dolomiti  
LY-VEN Airbus A320-233 Avion Express Op for Thomas Cook Airlines
M-ATTI Socata TBM 930 Vector Aircraft Leasing  
M-GFGC Piaggio P.180 Avanti II Greensill Capital (IOM) Ltd  
M-GGBL Dassault Falcon 7X Greensill Capital (IOM) Ltd  
M-MRBB Bombardier Learjet 45 Boultbee Aviation 3 LLP  
PH-BCB Boeing 737-8K2 KLM Royal Dutch Airlines  
SE-DOY Airbus A320-251N SAS Scandinavian Airlines  
SP-KPV Saab 340A(F) SprintAir  
SX-ABY Airbus A321-231 Olympus Airways Op for TUI Airways
SX-ACP Airbus A321-231 Olympus Airways Op for TUI Airways
T7-GQM Bombardier BD-700-1A10 Global Express XRS Head Win Group Ltd  
TC-JVH Boeing 737-8F2 Turkish Airlines  
YL-LCV Airbus A321-231 SmartLynx Airlines Op for Jet2.com
YL-RAI ATR 72-202 RAF-Avia  
           
           
  
OTT
OE-ICF Airbus A320-214 easyJet Europe  
Day Two
Saturday 29th June
Also to be recommend is the full English breakfast buffet, and after a good helping of it I headed straight to Wellesbourne after noting only the few aircraft that were in, I was lucky enough to catch the Qatar 787 rotating as I opened the curtains!
Birmingham Airport
A7-BCO Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Qatar Airways  
D-AIPR Airbus A320-211 Lufthansa  
D-CTIL Gates Learjet 35A Air Alliance  
D-AUKE Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 604 Challenge Air  
EI-FAT ATR 72-600 Aer Lingus Regional (Stobart Air)  
EI-FZH Boeing 737-800 Ryanair  
G-SONE Cessna 525A CitationJet CJ2 Centreline AV  
G-TUIH Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner TUI Airways  
HA-LTB Airbus A321-231 Wizz Air  
HA-LYF Airbus A320-232 Wizz Air  
HB-JBD Airbus A220-100 (BD-500-1A10 CS100) Swiss International Airlines  
YR-AMA Boeing 737-530 Blue Air  
  
After having to dog-leg between most of yesterdays airfields today started similar by going south to then head north again which didn't make a lot of sense but like Halfpenny Green, Wellesbourne is too big to ignore and it was worth the extra journey just for the high energy fly-past of two Puma's just as I arrived. There are about three entrances along the road running adjacent to the airfield, the first is for a flying school and the Vulcan, the second is the main airfield entrance and the third is for Heli Air. I logged most stuff without needing to ask for airside access so I didn't bother, but it's worth asking in Heli Air to look in their hangar, last time they allowed it under supervision, this time I just had to sign in and then I had free reign. Some sad news during my visit here, it seems the airfield has lost its battle against closure, it sounds like there may be a very slim chance of an eleventh hour reprieve but it's too late for Heli Air who are leaving in September regardless. I hope they can somehow find the means to transport the Vulcan to a new home without compromising its taxiable status.
Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield
EGBW
G-AVBG Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee C Private  
G-AYPG Reims Cessna F177RG Cardinal Private  
G-BAFL Cessna 182P Skylane Private  
G-BAHF Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee Warwickshire Aviation  
G-BPEO Cessna 152 Swiftair Maintenance Ltd  
G-BSLK Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Private  
G-BWNC Cessna 152 South Warwickshire School of Flying  
G-BXSD Cessna 172R Skyhawk Private  
G-BYSP Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II Private  
G-BZMH Scottish Aviation Bulldog T1 Private Marked XX692
G-CGNE Robinson R44 Raven II Heli Air  
G-CHOP Westland Bell 47G-3B-1 Leamington Hobby Centre Ltd  
G-CIZG Robinson R66 Turbine Buildrandom Ltd (Heli Air)  
G-EGVA Piper PA-28R-200 Cherokee Arrow II Social Infrastructure Ltd  
G-FIGA Cessna 152 Private  
G-HART Cessna 152 Taildragger Flying Group  
G-HILS Reims Cessna F172H Skyhawk Blue Thunder Ltd  
G-JAVO Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Victor Oscar Ltd  
G-JMKE Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP Private  
G-JMRT Comco Ikarus C42 FB80 Bravo Kennedy Tuck Air Ltd  
G-KNCG Piper PA-32-301FT 6X Take Flight Aviation  
G-LLMW Diamond DA 42 Twin Star On-Track Aviation  
G-MCPR Piper PA-32-301T Turbo Saratoga Private  
G-OCAF Robinson R44 Cadet Agriline Aviation LLP  
G-OMIA Morane Saulnier MS.893A Rallye Commodore 180 Private  
G-ORBK Robinson R44 Raven II T2 Technology Ltd (Heli Air)  
G-OSKY Cessna 172M Skyhawk Skyhawk Leasing Ltd c/o South Warwickshire School of Flying
G-OWOW Cessna 152 Private  
G-RAGT Piper PA-32-301FT 6X Oxhill Aviation  
G-SNCA Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II Social Infrastructure Ltd  
G-SPTR Robinson R44 Raven II Heli Air  
G-TFAM Piper PA-46R-350T Malibu Matrix Take Flight Aviation  
G-TIMY Sud Aviation Gardan GY80-160 Horizon Private  
G-TOSH Robinson R22 Beta Choicecircle Ltd (Heli Air)  
G-YETI Europa Private  
G-ZAPY Robinson R22 Beta HQ Aviation  
N2086P Piper PA-23-150 Apache Private  
N644MW Cirrus SR22T Turbo Private  
G-VULC Avro 698 Vulcan B2 XM655 Maintenance and Preservation Society Marked XM655
XW219 Westland Puma HC2 Royal Air Force - 28/33/230 Squadron's  
ZJ956 Westland Puma HC2 Royal Air Force - 28/33/230 Squadron's  
           
     
Coventry next, my second time here after a stop in 2015 and in the interim it has downgraded from a small regional airport to a GA only facility with only an air/ground frequency, a decision which makes a lot of business sense and will put the place in good health but nevertheless it's not good seeing an airport not only experience a worse decline than our own but said decline then becoming permanent. The old road around to what was the DC-6 Diner looked to be manned by a security guard so I asked another spotter in a layby at the end of the runway if access was still possible, not only did he say it was, but he had the codes to the airside compound where the Nimrod and Shackleton live and took me for a look around, unfortunately he didn't have the keys to the aircraft. This also allowed me to peer through the old Classic Air Force hangars which were closed but had gaps, in the case of the first one some where big enough for shots. I was on a roll so on my way out I pulled over at another hangar with an open side door and I asked a guy about to go in if I could have access, after a moments hesitation he said "go on then, seeing as I'm in a good mood", inside I found a gold mine of Malaysian puddle jumpers!! The guy (who I get the impression was owner of the hangars) then said "I might as well show you the hangar next door as well" where there were more! He was wary of visitors because of a recent incident where someone had turned up to collect an aircraft that was not for sale, having paid a deposit to someone who had advertised it online using a photo gained by trespassing into the hangar! I thought the Malaysian aircraft were on their way to Asia Pacific Flight Training but now I'm thinking they have come from them and are destined for L3 CTS Airline and Academy Training, either way they are part of a 250-aircraft order and will be registered 2-PASx. Most of the old stored ATPs have been moved into hangars and are in the process of being stripped for spares.
Coventry Airport
CVT / EGBE
9M-NKG Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior III Asia Pacific Flight Training  
9M-NKH Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior III Asia Pacific Flight Training  
9M-NRF Diamond DA 40D Diamond Star Asia Pacific Flight Training  
9M-NRG Diamond DA 40D Diamond Star Asia Pacific Flight Training  
9M-NRJ Diamond DA 40D Diamond Star Asia Pacific Flight Training  
9M-NRL Diamond DA 40D Diamond Star Asia Pacific Flight Training  
9M-NRX Diamond DA 42 Twin Star Asia Pacific Flight Training  
9M-NRZ Diamond DA 42 Twin Star Asia Pacific Flight Training  
G-AMPY Douglas C-47B Dakota IV (DC-3C) RVL Aviation Marked KK116
G-APSA Douglas DC-6A Liftmaster G-APSA Ltd  
G-BKJB Piper PA-18-135 Super Cub Private  
G-BLWY Robin R2160 Alpha Sport Pure Aviation Support Services Ltd  
G-BOMS Cessna 172N Skyhawk Penchant Ltd  
G-BRFM Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Swiftair Maintenance Ltd  
G-BSEY Beech A36 Bonanza Private  
G-BUJN Cessna 172N Skyhawk Warwickshire Aviation  
G-BWGF BAC Jet Provost T5A G-JPVA Ltd Marked XW325
G-CINA Cessna 152 Swiftair Maintenance Ltd  
G-COVA Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior III Coventry (Civil) Aviation  
G-CTSG Diamond DA 40NG Diamond Star L3 CTS Airline and Academy Training  
G-DAND Socata TB10 Tobago Coventry Aviators Flying Group  
G-EVTO Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Redhill Air Services  
G-GFID Cessna 152 Pure Aviation Support Services Ltd  
G-LCTC Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer III L3 CTS Airline and Academy Training  
G-LOFB Lockheed L-188C Electra West Atlantic Stored
G-OPFR Diamond DA 42 Twin Star Private  
G-OSNX Grob G109B Private  
G-SCHI Eurocopter AS350B2 Squirrel Patriot Aviation  
G-SCHZ Eurocopter AS355N Twin Squirrel Patriot Aviation  
G-SHBA Reims Cessna F152 Paul's Planes Ltd  
G-SHLS Agusta A109E Power Sloane Helicopters Air Ambulance
G-SIXC Douglas DC-6B Unknown Formerly the DC-6 Diner
G-SKTN Avro 696 Shackleton MR2 Shackleton Aviation Group Marked WR963/B-M
G-UCAN Tecnam P2002-JF Sierra Aerobility  
G-USAA Reims Cessna F150G Aeros Flight Training  
G-ZUMI Vans RV-8 Zulu Uniform Mike India Group  
N1350J Rockwell Commander 112B Private  
N30WA Cessna T303 Crusader Private  
N322JR Cirrus SR22T Turbo Private  
N341A Douglas C-41A Dakota (DC-3A) Aerotechnics Aviation  
N346DW Cessna 340A Private  
N401JN Cessna 401 Private  
N429TS Diamond DA 42 Twin Star L3 CTS Airline and Academy Training  
N481TS Diamond DA 42 Twin Star L3 CTS Airline and Academy Training  
SE-LPU British Aerospace ATP(F) West Atlantic  
VP293/X Avro 696 Shackleton T4 Shackleton Preservation Trust Nose only
XV232/32 Hawker Siddeley HS.801 Nimrod MR2 Nimrod Preservation Group  
           
  
Another debut, this time to Leicester where I'd heard in the past it isn't the most friendly of places so I was a little apprehensive going in. Having logged everything on the ground in five minutes flat I was both parched and hungry but the café was marked as members only. A very basic airfield, nothing really stood out about it.
Leicester Airport
LRC / EGBG
G-BCGM Jodel D120 Private  
G-BFAP SIAI Marchetti S.205-20/R Private  
G-BFMK Reims Cessna FA152 Aerobat The Leicestershire Aero Club  
G-BHDZ Reims Cessna F172N Skyhawk Private  
G-BHEN Reims Cessna FA152 Aerobat The Leicestershire Aero Club  
G-BYCZ Jabiru SK Private  
G-BYTK Jabiru SPL-450 Private  
G-CDAE Vans RV-6A The Alpha Echo Group  
G-CEIT Vans RV-7A Private  
G-CIRY LSA EV-97 Eurostar SL Hotel Victor Flying Group  
G-CPLH Guimbal Cabri G2 Helicentre Aviation  
G-DGRE Guimbal Cabri G2 Helicentre Aviation  
G-FLPI Rockwell Commander 112 Private  
G-FOXA Piper PA-28-161 Cadet The Leicestershire Aero Club  
G-HCEN Guimbal Cabri G2 Helicentre Aviation  
G-HOSS Beech F33A Bonanza Beech Baron Aviation  
G-IIDY Aerotek Pitts S-2B Special The S2B Group  
G-INGS American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon The Leicestershire Aero Club  
G-ZEZE Cessna 182S Skylane Private  
  
Based on my experience at Nottingham last year I didn't bother seeking airside access, I just got what I could from the landside areas which was most stuff. The café did a great cheesy chips.
Nottingham City Airport
NQT / EGBN
G-BASJ Piper PA-28-180 Cherokee Challenger Bristol Aero Club  
G-BBXW Piper PA-28-151 Cherokee Warrior Bristol Aero Club  
G-BCPN Grumman AA-5 Traveller G-BCPN Group  
G-BGGM Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk Flying Fox Aviation  
G-BEAC Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee Private  
G-BHRC Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II The Sherwood Flying Club  
G-BXEX Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II Nottingham Archer Aviators  
G-BZGT Jabiru SPL-450 Private  
G-FBRN Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II Flying Fox Aviation  
G-GPSX Grob G115A Swiftair Maintenance Ltd  
G-GRZZ Robinson R44 Raven II Model Farm Shop Ltd  
G-RADI Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II The Sherwood Flying Club  
G-UFOE Grob G115 Swiftair Maintenance Ltd  
OTT
F-HRBF Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Air France  
G-VCRU Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Virgin Atlantic Airways  
At Gamston I caught the tail end of their Armed Forces Day celebrations, which saw vintage military vehicles, fancy dress and funfair etc. From what I can gather 2000 people had earlier descended on the airfield as well as a lot of GA visitors. The advantage for me was one of the hangars was open for public access which contributed to around a third of the log.
Retford Gamston Airport
EGNE
G-BCKV Reims Cessna FRA150L Aerobat Private  
G-BIOK Reims Cessna F152 Northumberland Aircraft Maintenance Ltd  
G-BODB Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Sherburn Aero Club  
G-BOUE Cessna 172N Skyhawk Swift Group  
G-BRPV Cessna 152 Eastern Air Executive  
G-BXLO BAC Jet Provost T4 Century Aviation Marked XR673
G-CFNF Robinson R44 Raven II Kuki Helicopter Sales  
G-CIWU MD Helicopters 369E Century Aviation  
G-DJET Diamond DA 42 Twin Star DEA Aviation  
G-GALB Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II Gamston Flying School  
G-GDAC Grumman American AA-5A Cheetah Private  
G-HUMM Bell 407 Century Aviation  
G-ISMO Robinson R22 Beta Kuki Helicopter Sales  
G-PPFS Reims Cessna FRA150L Aerobat Private  
G-REYE Robinson R44 Raven Redeye.com  
N14EF Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage JetPROP DLX Private  
  
A planned visit to RAF Leeming for the frog Alpha Jets was scrubbed when my car started developing a tech fault with the clutch. Plus being a Saturday they were probably tucked away in the HAS site and for all I know they may even have gone back home if it was only a week long exercise.
That's it for now, hope it's been an enjoyable read! I intend to follow up this trip in the near future with "Part 2" which will include the Yorkshire airfields mentioned at the start of the report, including Full Sutton, Breighton, Beverley/Linley Hill, Sandtoft, Sturgate and Netherthorpe. A huge thank you must go out to the two gentlemen who allowed me access to various parts of Coventry Airport, which proved extremely valuable and was very much appreciated!

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