Aviation Photography - Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington


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Yorkshire Air Museum Victor night shoot March 2009

Yorkshire Air Museum
Nimrod Night Shoot
Elvington
October 16, 2010

The Yorkshire Air Museum (YAM) opened its gates once again for another evening and night photo-shoot. The £25 donation was money well spent as four former cold war jets were illuminated by museum staff to give the photographers a unique opportunity for some unusual images.

The principal aircraft on show was the museum's most recent arrival a Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR.2 (XV250) which flew in to Elvington on April 13, 2010 to be greeted by an estimated 2,000 spectators. The aircraft is still on RAF charge and is being kept in flying condition with regular public ground engine runs planned throughout the year. Joining the Museum’s Buccaneers and Victor and described as ‘Thunder Days’ their aircraft are fired up and taxied to the runway for a fast run to the point of takeoff. Support for the aircraft valued at £400,000 is being provided by the Nimrod Integrated Project Team (IPT) from RAF Kinloss its former air base.
The Nimrod MR.2 was retired from RAF service on March 31, 2010 after over 40 years of service, it had three main roles; Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Unit Warfare (ASUW) and Search and Rescue (SAR).

Photographers were asked not to use flash and so upset their colleague's lengthy timed exposures and so a tripod was essential. It was possible to walk around the Nimrod and shots could be easily taken in front of the two Blackburn Buccaneers and English Electric Lightning.

RAF Elvington was utilised as a bomber base during World War 2, three hardened runways were constructed in 1942. 77 Squadron moved there with Whitley's which were soon replaced by the Halifax, which were used in raids on German industry. In 1944 two French Squadrons, 346 (Guyenne) and 347 (Tunisie) continued bombing from Elvington till 1945. The US Strategic Air Command utilised the airfield from 1952 and lengthened the runway to 1.92 miles, making it the longest in northern England. Six years later the airfield was vacated by US forces without any aircraft actually operating from the base. In the 1960's the airfield was used for test flying the Buccaneer by Blackburn Aircraft Company based at Brough and later by RAF flying training schools which used the airfield for circuits and landings. In 1992 RAF Elvington was closed.

Back in 1983 local people were inspired to create a memorial museum at Elvington. Volunteers cleared years of undergrowth from the buildings and an open day took place in 1985. The Yorkshire Air Museum formally opened on May 31, 1986. With growing support the well run museum was able to buy the land and buildings in 1993. Please check the Yorkshire Air Museum website for the latest information on forth coming events.

Nimrod MR.2 (XV250)

Nimrod MR.2 (XV250 '50')

Nimrod MR.2 (XV250 '50')

Nimrod MR.2 (XV250 '50')

Nimrod MR.2 (XV250 '50')

Left to right: Buccaneer S.2 (XN974) was the first production S.2 taking to the air for the first time in 1964. XN974 was initially used for trials at the Royal Aeronautical Establishment at Bedford, before sea trails on HMS Eagle and hot weather trials in the USA. Eventually it was taken in charge by the museum in 1991.
Buccaneer S.2B (XX901) it was deployed to the Falklands in 1983 and saw action over Beirut. In 1991 it flew 14 operational missions during Gulf War I when it was painted in its current pink sand scheme and 'Flying Mermaid' and 'Sky Pirates' nose art.

Buccaneer S.2B (XX901)

Buccaneer S.2B (XX901) with its Gulf War nose art.

Buccaneer S.2 (XN974)

Buccaneer S.2 (XN974)

English Electric Lightning F.6 (XS903) was built at Salmesbury and first flew in 1966. XS903 served with 5 and 11 Squadron at RAF Binbrook before being flown to Elvington for preservation in 1988.

Left to right: Dassault Mirage III (538 '3-QH'), Buccaneer S.2 (XN974) and Douglas DC-3 Dakota IV (G-AMYJ).

Left to right: Gloster Meteor NF.14 (WS788 'Z'), Lockheed Canadair CT-133 Silver Star (12417) and Gloster Javilin F(AW).9 (XH767).