Harriers in the Mach Loop

Harrier GR9 ZD375 low flying photo

With some of the best weather in years I headed off to Wales for the Mach Loop. My hope that the weather would bring out the jets. My hope was met and then some!

It seems the RAF decided to make the most of the good weather and were out in force.

Five Harriers put the end to my low level Harrier jinx (at one point I went 505 days without catching one!).

A Tornado F3 made a very welcome appearance below being retired from service with the RAF but the star of the day was the Dominie T1 with some fantastic flying at low level.

RAF Harrier GR9 ZD438 low flying

Following their return from Op HERRICK duties 4(AC) Sqn were keen to practice low level sorties. Two pairs and a single made two passes of my location with the usual Harrier aggressive knife edge turns. The low approaches and the new shade of grey made then very hard to pick out from the backdrop but the Pegasus engine let you know it was coming!

RAF Harrier GR9 (ZD438) low level photo underside

RAF Harrier GR9 (ZD438) low level photo underside

RAF Tornado F3 (ZG774) 43 Sqn Special Low Level photo 1

RAF Tornado F3 (ZG774) 43 Sqn Special Low Level photo 2

With the decision by the MOD to reduce the number of Tornado F3s left in service from 30 to 12 ahead of it’s removal from service with the RAF the sight on an F3 is starting to become a rare sight outside of RAF Leuchars where they are stationed.

Being an medium range interceptor aircraft the Tornado spends most of it’s time at altitude providing both the UK’s NATO commitment to air policing as well air defense against threats such as terrorism. Therefore it doesn’t often perform low level sorties and when they do they tent to be in the Low Fly Area that covers the Lakes rather than Wales.

So I was very glad to see the 43 Sqn 90th Anniversary F3 on a low level sortie come my way.

This particular Tornado F3 is in a semi-clean configuration with only the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 ASRAAM training rounds under the wings. It’s more usual to see the Tornado F3 with a 2250ltr drop tank under each wing. Nicknamed ‘Hindenburg’ due to looking similar to a zeppelin.

RAF Tornado F3 (ZG774) 43 Sqn Special Low Level photo 3

Another aircraft that isn’t a common sight at low level is the Dominie T1. The Dominie is based on a twin engine business jet and is operated by 55(R) Sqn based at RAF Cranwell who train weapon systems officers and operators, air engineers and air loadmasters. The aircraft like the C-130 Hercules is surprisingly agile at low level and this particular sortie demonstrated that well.

RAF Dominie T1 (XS727) low level photo 1

RAF Dominie T1 (XS727) low level photo 2

Of course any visit to LFA 7 wouldn’t be complete without the Hawk T1. Due to the high number of fast jets in the area 208(R) Sqn didn’t make an appearance but 19(R) Sqn made a couple passes with particular note to the two pictured below who held formation at low level.

RAF Hawk T1 low level in formation photo

RAF Hawk T1 (XX224) low level photo 2