Aviation Photography - 3 Squadron RAF

3(F) Squadron Association

In Action
3(F) Squadron - RAF Coningsby

3(F) Squadron started operating the Harrier in the early 1970's in Germany. In 1999 they moved to RAF Cottesmore with 4 Squadron, they were later joined by 4 Squadron in 2001. On April 1, 2006 3(F) Squadron disbanded at RAF Cottesmore and reformed at RAF Coningsby to become the first front line squadron to become operational on the Eurofighter Typhoon. Its initial allocation of ten aircraft were in operation by October 2006.
On June 29, 2007 they took over responsibility for the Southern QRA replacing the 25 Squadron Tornado F.3 detachment.

Left: Typhoon F.2 (ZJ919 coded 'QO-W') when flying in exercise 'Wycombe Warrior' on October 3, 2006.
Right: Typhoon F.2 (ZJ936 'QO-S') over North Sea in March 2008.

Air to Air Action

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Typhoon F.2 (ZJ917 'QO-G') when flying in exercise 'Wycombe Warrior' in October 2006.

Left to right: Typhoon F.2 (ZJ936 'QO-S') while air refuelling over North Sea (AARA 5) in March 2008.

Typhoon F.2 (ZJ929 'QO-A') over North Sea (AARA 6) in April 2007.

Left to right: Typhoon F.2's (ZJ917 'QO-G' and ZJ919 'QO-W') using callsign 'Rampage 41' in October 2006.

Low Level Flying Action

Left to right: Pair of Typhoon FGR.4's (ZJ918 'QO-L' and ZJ921 'QO-H') using callsign 'Rampage' in the 'Loop' in October 2009.

Typhoon F.2 (ZJ934 'QO-T') through the 'Loop' in June 2007. Typhoon F.2 (ZJ927 'QO-M') in December 2008.

Left to right: Typhoon T.1 (ZJ814 'QO-Z') two passes through the 'Loop' in May 2008.

Left to right: Typhoon F.2 (ZJ922 'QO-C') using callsign 'Typhoon 12' through the 'Loop' in May 2008.
Typhoon FGR.4 (ZJ921 'QO-H') using callsign 'Nightmare 22' in September 2008. This was the latest FGR.4 to be returned after its upgrade at Warton and was carrying a Litening III Laser Designator Pod.

Coningsby Action

Departing Typhoon F.2 in heat hize (Image 062_8315ww5)

3 Squadron Typhoon F.2 (ZJ926 'QO-Y') consumed in shimmering heat.

Left to right: Typhoon four ship. Typhoon F.2's (two shots of ZJ925 'QO-R', ZJ916 'QO-U' and ZJ918 'QO-L') in November 2006.

Left to right: Typhoon F.2's (ZJ916 'QO-U', ZJ919 'QO-W', ZJ926 'QO-Y' and ZJ929 'QO-A') departing Coningsby in November 2006.

Left to right: Typhoon F.2 (ZJ922 'QO-C') at the start and end of its afternoon sortie. Typhoon F.2 (ZJ929 'QO-A') taxis back to the south side shelters in April 2007.

Left to right: Landing at the eastern end; Typhoon F.2's (ZJ916 'QO-U' and ZJ929 'QO-A' and two images of ZJ922 'QO-C') in November 2006.

3 Squadron's Harrier days

Harrier GR.7 (ZD379 '27') low level flying through mid-wales in September 2005.