RAF Northolt XXXIII

Round 2 in 2025’s RAF Northolt night shoots and this one is the 33^rd shoot they have held. Since January 2009 they have raised over £270,00 for the station charities, which anyway you swing it, that is a very strong effort indeed.

However as London is a fair way for me I made a day of it, starting out with a first time visit to the Battle of Britain bunker at Uxbridge. We were lucky to be in a small group that was taken down and guided through the underground complex. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, where he did a fantastic job of explaining the complex and yet somehow simple tactical network that Sir Hugh Dowding created. In combat, communication is critical and he knew that and executed it rather well.

The Bunker was full of fascinating items such as the dress uniform of Air Chief Marshall Sir Cyril Newall who during the battle of Britain was Chief of the Air Staff and the wings of Wing Commander James Nicholson the only man of fighter command to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

Above ground the exhibition space takes you through the years leading up to the second world war and the start of the conflict, that in particular effected life on the home front.

From Uxbridge we went across to the Royal Air Force Memorial at Runnymede, which contains the names of 20,000 service men and women who died during operations based in the United Kingdom and have no known grave. Designed by Sir Edward Maufe, it has stood as a testimony to the bravery of so many since 17^th October 1953.   

Onto the shoot at Northolt and tonight we have the following:

Lockheed C-130J-30 – 436 Squadron Canadian Air Force – 130606

Based at Trenton in Ontario, the unit is charged with tactical and strategic airlift operations.

Dassault Falcon 900EX – ET00.60 French Air & Space Force – F-RAFR

            They are based at Vélizy-Villacoublay Air Base where they are charged with the transport for the Prime Minister, President and other French government officials.  

Dassault 900LX (Envoy IV CC1) – 32 Sqn Royal Air Force – G-ZABH

            Based out of RAF Northolt itself, 32 Squadron are charged with VIP transport. G-ZABH and G-ZAHS, both present at this shoot are the both airframes the RAF have.

Dassault 900LX Envoy IV CC1) – 32 Sqn Royal Air Force – G-ZAHS

Embraer Phenom 100 (T1) – 45 Sqn Royal Air Force – ZM334

            Stationed at RAF Cranwell, the Phenom force is charged with advanced multi-engine flying training and advanced training for mission aircrew.

Embraer Phenom 100 (T1) – 45 Sqn Royal Air Force – ZM335

 Airbus H135 – London Air Ambulance – G-LAAA

            Affectionately named after Amy Johnson, this helicopter is part of the two aircraft team that covers the entirety of London and the 8.9 Million people who live there. Both helicopters operate out of RAF Northolt.  

Airbus H135 – London Air Ambulance – G-LAAB

            This helicopter is named after Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, the first female physician and surgeon in Great Britain. London’s Air Ambulance has treated 50,000 patients since 1989 and provides a vital lifeline to those requiring urgent care.

Whilst we didn't have as many front line military units in this shoot as we perhaps have had on previous shoots, there were some striking colours and for me I loved photographing the London Air Ambulance helicopters. I have a great deal of respect for their work and it still blows my mind that they are still funded by charity donations.

Big thank-you to Phillip and the team at RAF Northolt for putting on this shoot as always its a huge pleasure to shoot at such an historic station.