The Group
The Cottesmore Aviation Group was conceived in April 2005 and thanks to a very supportive membership base, has since evolved into one of the United Kingdom's fastest growing aviation groups.
A revision of the group’s aims was undertaken during the autumn of 2007, and in recognition of our diverse membership base, the Coningsby, Northern Outpost and Reach Hunter Aviation Groups were formed and affiliated to the Cottesmore Aviation Group. Our internet magazine 'On Target' was also formally launched over the Christmas 2007 period, along with a new look website.
The group's forum can be found via the link on the home page, please consider registering!
A number of goals have been set by the group's staff:
- to report all the unofficial news from RAF stations Cottesmore, Coningsby, Wittering, Kinloss and Lossiemouth; some of the most active and interesting airfields in the UK.
- via the 'On Target' on-line magazine, to present informative articles from aviation events around the world;
- to maintain and develop our internet presence so that www.cottesmore-ag.com becomes the aviation enthusiast's first port of call for all the unofficial news from Joint Force Harrier, the newly introduced Typhoon and the busy Scottish bases of Kinloss and Lossiemouth;
- to create a sense of community within the group, and to arrange base visits in the UK and abroad for the membership;
If you would like to apply for membership please email the Membership Co-ordinator, Al MacNeish membership@cottesmore-ag.com
PLEASE NOTE in order to protect the group's respected reputation we do vet all applicants by reviewing their conduct on aviation forums.
Thank you for your interest in the Cottesmore Aviation Group and we hope to either see you on one of our visits or around a fenceline in the near future.
The Staff
Martin Keen Group Co-ordinator, 'On Target' Editor & Photographer
Growing up around various RAF bases in Germany during the seventies, Martin would regularly find Harriers deployed in the forests at the end of his garden. Rather predictably this lead to a widespread interest in aviation.
Martin’s had an interest in the photographic side of the hobby since 1984, and worked for a London based picture library from 1990-1995, during which time he was fortunate enough to join flights in RAF Hercules and all marks of VC10 and Tristar.
Over the years he’s had images and text published in Air Forces Monthly, Aircraft Illustrated, Combat Aircraft, FlyPast, Janes Defence Weekly, Janes Defence Review, Aviation News and Aviation Week, in addition to several local newspapers and requests for images from various Squadrons within the Royal Air Force. Industry leaders such as BAe Systems and MBDA have also used some of Martin's images.
Martin uses a Canon EOS-20D camera teamed up with the 17-85mm & 100-400mm Canon L-Series lenses and would state the highpoint of his career to date was the opportunity to join a USAF KC-135R tanker during a Red Flag mission from Nellis AFB.
Pete Thompson 'On Target' Feature Writer
Pete’s interest in aviation began at an early age, fuelled by his father’s service in the RAF during World War Two, and a view from his bedroom window of Vulcan's on approach to RAF Waddington. This was increased by his attendance at RAF 'At Home' days at Waddington and RAF Finningley in the 60s so and early 70s.
In 1977 he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the RAF, serving 24 years, as a Crash Rescue Fire Fighter. He was based extensively in the UK and North West Europe, including Wildenrath, and Gutersloh where he took part in Harrier Force field exercises. Pete also served at RAF Finningley in the early 80s and saw RAF air shows from the 'other' side. In 1985 he served at RAF Scampton, providing fire cover for the 'Red Arrows', the 'Vintage Pair' and RAF Central Flying School, which often gave rise to more daily movements than some stations now see in a week.
Pete has had the privilege to work with several NATO air forces and has experience of F-15, F-16, F-100, F-104, Saab Draken, and Mirage V operations.
If pressed, Pete will state that his favourite aircraft is the F4 Phantom, with the Harrier GR.3 and GR.7/9 coming a close second.
He is a passionate supporter of today’s RAF. In addition to enjoying photographing military aviation subjects, he is also interested in the history and development of Aircrew Assisted Escapes Systems.
Living in Stamford, Pete is married to Jacqui and has two children, Chris and Claire, all of whom deal with his aviation madness admirably!
Stuart Yates 'On Target' Feature & Report Writer and Print Technician
Stu's interest in aviation started in 1980 when he visited that year's Sywell airshow, which saw him witness his first Red Arrows display, and it was this that got him well and truly hooked on the hobby. A visit to Waddington show which featured a Vulcan and Buccaneer scramble quickly followed - As Stu says himself, what better way to get you interested in aviation is there ?
It wasn't long before the TTTE was set up at RAF Cottesmore and living in Leicester it was only a short hop to see the new Tornado, and with having every Friday afternoon off work it provided the perfect excuse to have a ride out there. When an ex-neighbour moved to within a stone's throw of Binbrook, it then got even better, with so many days spent at Donna Nook watching A-10s etc in the mornings and then at the crashgate at Binbrook in the afternoons. Stu's quest to shoot the ever elusive SR-71A Blackbird also led to many visits to RAF Mildenhall.
Stu says, "These days as we all know the glory times have passed but with the coming of the digital age photography has never been better, and thanks to groups like this and the access it can provide makes the hobby just as interesting as twenty or so years ago if a little more frustrating some times."
As for work, well when not sat in front of a computer at home manipulating images Stu also does it as a trade as well, working at a Lithographic Platemakers and Digital printing company.
His other hobbies include Motorsport photography, which he describes as being great for improving your panning technique, but combining the two hobbies means there's not a lot of free time in the summer months, but they do compliment each other quite well, with the cars and bikes being mainly at the weekend.
Stu uses Canon cameras and has the 1DMKIIN as well as a 10D and he uses them in conjunction with Canon 17-40mm L, 24-105mm L and 100-400mm L lenses.
His work has featured in many magazines, both aviation and motorsport related, with his last published aviation image (a BA747 emerging from the fog with its own cloud above its wings) was printed in Airliners World magazine, another German publication and will feature on a DVD box cover of a soon to be released title in the US. It also received more than 200,000 unique views on airliners.net.
Andrew Hay Group Artist
Aviation Art has been a passion for Andrew since an early age. He started illustrating aircraft at the age of 12, and over the years has worked with watercolour, oil, acrylic and currently in digital media.
Andrew’s work has been commissioned and presented to many organisations worldwide including the Pentagon, as well as other Armed Forces both in the UK and US. In 2006 his work was published in both Aircraft illustrated and Combat Aircraft Publications on regular occasions.
Andrew also uses a Canon 20D with a Sigma 50-500mm lens to capture elements that he then translates into his various illustrations.
Al MacNeish Membership Co-ordinator
Al lives within a stones throw of one of the RAF's busiest airfields, Lossiemouth in Moray.
Growing up in Elgin when the Royal Navy were operating from HMS Fulmar (now RAF Lossiemouth), Al was always within sight of the varied aircraft types in the circuit. With such influences it may come as no surprise that Al joined the Air Cadets at an early age, allowing him to develop his interest in military aviation further. In later life Al returned to the Air Cadets as an instructor.
Al's other interests include hang gliding, and it is from this pursuit that the strong interest in photography developed. Al currently uses the Sony Alpha A-100 digital camera and a Sigma 50-500 APO DG lens but plans to upgrade to either the Canon 400D or 40D with 100-400mm Canon L-Series in the future.
Kirstin Keen Group Travel Co-ordinator
Kirstin’s aviation background stems back to her childhood. Both her parents were in the RAF, working on Vulcan's and Victors, including a stint at Wittering, before both left the forces; her father going on to complete almost 40 years of service for Marshalls Aerospace. With Kirstin's 12 years of experience within the travel industry, she will be applying her extensive travel knowledge towards the planning of UK and overseas trips for the group and it's staff.
Craig Wise Webmaster
Craig spent his early years in Lincolnshire, with RAF Manby just a 'stones throw' away from his parents home. Naturally as the home of the RAF, Lincolnshire had plenty to offer the aviation enthusiast in the mid 70s and Craig spent much time visiting airfields such as Binbrook, Coningsby and Waddington.
Unsurprisingly aviation became a career for Craig when he left school, joining the RAF in 1988; his first posting was to 51 Sqn at Waddington and after seven years Craig joined the civilian world, but contiuned to serve for another five years on a part time basis with 2503 RAF Regiment, also at Waddington.
Craig has a real interest in aviation photography, currently using a Canon 400D camera teamed up with the 17-85mm and 100-400mm Canon L-Series lenses.
A new career path for Craig recently appeared, when in October 2007 he gained a recognised qualification in web design. The results of his first major project can be seen as you review these pages.
On Target Contributors
Ray Brooks Airband Expert
Ray's extensive knowledge of the airband scene meant he was a must to join the Cottesmore Aviation Group Team.
Born and bred in Norfolk, Ray's first introduction to aircraft when watching Boeing B-29s, known to the RAF as Washington's, going in and out of RAF Marham. As anyone from the area will tell you, back in the good old days the skies would be full of aircraft on a daily basis, with Hunters and Buccaneers, Woodbridge based F-4Ds and F-111s out of Lakenheath regularly being seen, whilst Vickers Varsities often performed low-level training over the strawberry fields of Upwell.
After Ray left school he developed a great passion for the radio side of the hobby and he made a point of logging all "MAC" (Military Airlift Command, as it used to be known, now better known as "Reach") flights in and out of Mildenhall. As many will know, Ray's username on many of the internet forums is "Reach90016", and this represents his last C-5A - an aircraft that took him "a mere" 35 years to get!
Ray was forced to finish work on the railways after heart problems, and now spends his retirement around the airfields of the UK, acquiring his first digital camera in 2005. He now owns Canon EOS-350D and EOS-400D bodies, and Canon 100-400mm IS and 17-85mm lenses, and has had a few pictures published already in the Radio Users Monthly magazine.
Terry Senior Coningsby Reporter and Contributor
Terry is another team member who was born into the RAF family, with his father being stationed at RAF Binbrook, where his own passion for the hobby was born. Initially content with just watching the Lightning's, but in 1972 he started to take photographs of them on a fairly serious level.
He joined the Royal Observer Corps, where he served for six years, before going on to become a Civilian Instructor at his local Air Training Corps squadron at Immingham.
During these two periods Terry acquired a not inconsiderable amount of time in the air, flying in such varied types as the Hastings, Britannia, Comet and Chipmunk, through to the slightly more modern Hercules, Puma and Sea King.
His photographic work has been published in countless magazines, including Air Pictorial, Aircraft Illustrated, Flypast, Aviation News, World Air Power, Wings of Fame, Aeroplane as well as the German magazine 'Aero'. Much of his Lightning work has been published in several books on the subject, most notably "Lightning", by R Lindsay, "Lightning Squadrons", by R Ward, and "English Electric/BAe Lightning", by B Barrymore.
Terry shot principally slide film until converting to digital in 2003. Today he owns a pair of Canon EOS-20D bodies and uses them together with Canon 17-125mm and 100-400mm lenses.
Patrick Day Wittering Reporter and Contributor
The advantage Patrick holds over most of us is that he actually works at the location he’s responsible for covering. Another vital cog in the wheel as without him, our coverage of Wittering’s movements would be extremely limited.
Brian Marshall (Feature and Report writer)
Brian almost certainly has aircraft in the blood, stemming from a long line of military personnel, with his father and before him his grandfather and grandmother being in the RFC and WRAF respectively. Still working at an RAF station - Wyton, and with an impressive pedigree- Brian was invited to join the team as a Feature and Report writer.
His first encounter with the RAF was being held upside down by the ankles by a Wing Commander and given a good slapping when he was born in RAF Hospital, Ely. Having spent his first five years at RAF Wyton his father was posted to Singapore in 1960 for two years, and on his return to Britain moved to RAF Acklington.
Even at Boarding School in Northumberland, aeroplane's were never far away as the school was used as a ground marker for aircraft coming off the Otterburn ranges 18 miles away, both day and night. The rest of Brian's life has been spent living on or around various RAF camps and has returned to RAF Wyton working as a Civil Servant, hopefully to his retirement.
On leaving school in 1971, he went to work for a firm of Architects and learnt the art of Architectural Scale Drawing. Having been made redundant from Architecture after seven years, and with his interest in aeroplane's, he put his artistic skills to use and is now an accomplished pen and ink illustrator who specialises in military aircraft. He has had scale drawings, articles and photographs published over the last 30 years in Aviation News, Aircraft Modelworld, International Flying Model Designer & Constructor, Scale Aviation Modeller International and Mushroom Model Magazine, to name just a few. His output was mainly available in the Plastic Kit Constructor and on a more regular basis to 21st Century Plastic Modeler Magazines until they ceased publication on the editors’ retirement. He has also provided scale drawings, colour schemes, decal artwork and construction drawings for HALLAM- VAC and AEROCLUB model making cottage industry firms. His style of producing three-quarter view portrait pictures of aircraft using pen and ink on tracing paper with a cross-hatching technique that over the years has become his trademark , and has so far not been copied.
Since 1980 Brian has worked as a civil servant for the Royal Air Force. His first job at RAF Scampton was on the 'Bomber Washing Flight', washing Vulcan's, but most of the time was spent sweeping the floors, under and around them, in No3 hanger. He then moved to RAF Finningley, when his father was posted there, to work as a mess hand in the kitchen of the Junior Ranks Mess. After 12 years he became a messenger, delivering mail to the various sections and squadrons around the station and this gave him access to hangars and flight lines. With RAF Finningley closing he moved full circle and in 1995 returned to RAF Wyton. He is now employed as an Admin Coordinator looking after a cadre of Pilots and Navigators who are dealing with the airworthiness and flight safety issues for all the RAF’s fixed wing aircraft. He lives close to his place of work in St Ives in Cambridgeshire.
His interest in aviation photography started about the same time as the aircraft scale drawings but the photographs were purely for reference. To draw an aeroplane accurately you need a lot of detailed information. Wherever possible he would do a walk around of an aircraft photographing as much of the airframe as he could in close up detail. Unless a new aircraft comes along that needs a detailed walk around, he has now started to concentrate more on acquiring photographs containing the whole airframe in their natural elements both on the ground and in the air.
Brian has never really had a preference to one type of aeroplane or another but with Duxford being just down the road, he has developed a liking for aeroplane's with fans on the front of them.
Mark Meades (Proof Reader and Report Writer)
Mark's interest in military aviation photography started off way back in 1986. Armed with his sister's Kodak disc camera he attended that year's RAF Coningsby open day.
Two years passed before he moved on to a manual focus SLR despite having attended many airshow's in between.
In 1990 Mark purchased his first Canon auto focus SLR and teamed it up with a 400mm lens.
Mark's been loyal to Canon ever since, shooting a mixture of slides and prints right up to June 2004 when he made the switch to digital.
His work has been published in AFM and Aircraft Illustrated as well as RAF display brochures.
The need to see something different led to his first overseas airshow in Sweden in 1995 and his passion has led to visits to many countries worldwide since in search of more exotic types, and in Mark's own words, "Long may this continue!".