Royal Navy International Air Day 2019
The airshow long known as Yeovilton Air Day entered a new chapter as the Royal Navy International Air Day, a name chosen to underline its importance as the Royal Navy’s flagship aviation event. The change paid off immediately, attracting an exceptional international lineup, including aircraft from both the Italian and Spanish Navies. For the Aviation PhotoCrew, operations once again ran from Dunkeswell Airfield, offering maximum flexibility and an ideal position between RNAS Yeovilton and the dramatic English coastline that defines this project’s photographic identity.
The Yeovilton photomissions are always marked by rare, exotic, and often unexpected participants, and the 2019 edition proved no exception. Although the long-anticipated Spanish Harriers were unable to join us due to an early arrival coinciding with refuelling, the absence of fast jets did nothing to diminish the project. In fact, this became the first Aviation PhotoCrew project since 2009 without military jets—and it quickly became clear they were not missed. Yeovilton delivered extraordinary variety, particularly in the rotary-wing domain.
The Royal Navy itself set a remarkable standard, flying no fewer than eight helicopters for the Skyvan. Highlights included a three-ship with two Wildcats and a Merlin, an impressive four-ship formation of green and grey Merlins, and a low-level coastal transit as a Merlin returned home. Historic and international helicopters added further depth: the Sea Fury appeared in soft evening light, while the Irish EC-135, Belgian Alouette III, classic Whirlwind, and the newly restored Wessex—the only airworthy example in the world—delivered a truly unique collection of rotary-wing imagery.
Fixed-wing highlights were equally memorable. The Lithuanian Air Force Spartan, German Navy P-3 Orion, and the Hellenic Air Force’s T-6 demo aircraft in special markings all provided standout join-ups. The Royal Air Force Tucano pair marked both a first and a last, flying a beautifully executed formation shortly before the type’s retirement. Jet power was still well represented through the Strikemaster duo, followed by French jets Paris Jet and Zephyr, flying as part of the Cocarde Marine display alongside the ultra-rare Alizé, which remained with the Skyvan long enough to generate thousands of frames.
One of the most remarkable achievements of the project came with the arrival of a completely new air force to the Skyvan archive: the Qatar Emiri Air Force. After extensive coordination with ATC and the Yeovilton team, the spectacular Qatari C-17 Globemaster—wearing Qatar Airways colours—flew a dedicated coastal photomission shortly after arriving from Doha. Smooth execution and stunning results made this one of the defining moments of the season, earning the aircraft the cover of the Yeovilton 2020 calendar. With another hugely successful Royal Navy International Air Day complete, the Aviation PhotoCrew looks ahead to returning once more, inviting photographers to join future arrival and departure projects capturing some of the most unusual aircraft ever seen along the British coastline.
