VCM-Photography

Welcome to VCM-Photography, a website designed and written by myself Vernon Metcalfe to showcase my photographic passion for military aviation and wildlife.

My aviation photography is orientated towards the dynamic aspect of military low flying, where aircraft are captured flying landlocked against the countryside, rather than airshow photography, where aircraft are captured against the sky.

My parallel passion is wildlife photography, encompassing all species, but with a preference for the ‘Big Cats’, which has taken me to places such as India, looking for the elusive tiger, Africa for the lion, leopard and cheetah and to the Brazilian Pantanal for the iconic jaguar.

Boeing EA-18G Growler low-level in the Jedi Transition. California, U.S.A.

Lion cub lying beside its mother Nkuhuma Pride, lion cub. Sabi Sands, South Africa.

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Trip Report July 2025

In July I took a week off work to do some military low flying photography and attend the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

My planned itinerary was to visit the Mach Loop LFA7 on Wednesday 16th to Friday 18th prior to attending RIAT on Sunday 20th and departures day on Monday 21st. On Tuesday 22nd I would visit the Lake District LFA17 on my way home. Tuesday 15th ‑ After a full day at work I left home at 18:30 to make the 420‑mile drive to Wales.

Wednesday 16th ‑ At 02:45 I arrived at the Bwlch Oerddrws car park, my chosen location for the day, where unlike last year there was plenty of parking spaces for me to park‑up and catch up on some well‑needed sleep. Around 06:00 more people started arriving and it got so busy that they were starting to double park on the grass verge further down the road. I was asked by someone if they could park their car behind mine which would have blocked me in, but it wasn't an issue as I was planning on staying for the day. At 07:00 I started the climb up to the top ledge of the Bwlch and was in position ready and waiting for any aircraft by 05:45.

The weather was favourable with light winds, clear skies and unlimited visibility. The hill was packed with photographers, as today was RIAT arrivals day and people were hoping that something unusual would route through the Welsh valleys on their way there. The first aircraft to appear at 11:22 were two Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4's, ZK365 and ZK315 of RAF No. 41(R) Squadron, Coningsby on a normal training mission. These were followed at 11:34 by a Eurofighter Typhoon T.3, ZK379 from the same squadron. At 11:39 a two‑ship of Beechcraft Texan T.1's appeared with ZM341 leading ZM332, both from RAF No. 72(F) Squadron, Valley. At 14:22m an Airbus Helicopters EC‑135 Juno HT.1, ZM508 from RAF No. 60 Squadron, Shawbury routed through. This was quickly followed at 14:27 by two USAF Lockheed Martin F‑35A Lightning II's, S/N. 19‑5484 leading S/N 19‑5495 of the 495th Fighter Squadron “Valkyries” from Lakenheath. Both aircraft did a second pass at 14:29 after doing a circuit of the Mach Loop. The last aircraft seen was a Beechcraft Texan T.1, ZM341 of RAF No. 72(F) Squadron, Valley. I left the hill at 17:15.

USAF F-35A Lightning II Low-Level USAF Lockheed Martin F‑35A Lightning II, S/N 19‑5484 of the 495th Fighter Squadron “Valkyries”.

Thursday 17th ‑ Today I visited the Spur. Low cloud was covering the tops of the hills which did clear a little as the day progressed, but generally the conditions were not favourable for any low flying. I arrived on the hill at 10:15 and left at 15:30 with no aircraft seen.

Friday 18th ‑ Today i was undecided which hill to climb as the weather early morning was not favourable for any low flying, due to low cloud covering the hill tops and hanging in the valleys. There was also a high possibility of rain. By midday it looked like the weather might start to clear, but I was informed earlier that RAF Coningsby and Lakenheath were closed so there was little chance of any frontline fighter aircraft appearing, so I decided to leave the Mach Loop and drive to Shrewsbury where I had a hotel booked for the night.

Saturday 19th ‑ I was up early and on the road by 07:15 as today I was driving to London Colney, Hertfordshire to visit the de Havilland Aircraft Museum, formerly known as the de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre. The de Havilland Aircraft Museum's mission is to preserve and communicate the de Havilland heritage to ensure that current and future generations of all ages will understand de Havilland's contribution to innovative British Aviation technology. The volunteer‑run aviation museum collection includes three wooden‑wonder DH.98 Mosquito's, one being the Mosquito prototype, serial W4050 which are displayed in the Walter Goldsmith Hangar.

De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito FB Mk.VI (TA122 ‘UP‑N’) in the Walter Goldsmith Hangar.

When i arrived at the museum mid‑morning it was raining very heavy, and it continued to rain into the afternoon. The museum has some aircraft displayed outside and I was beginning to resign myself to the fact i would not be able to photograph them if the rain continued, which would have been disappointing. Surprisingly by mid‑afternoon the rain had stopped and the clouds had parted and the sun was shining which allowed me to continue my photography outside. Throughout my visit the staff were very informative and helpful, allowing me to temporarily move barriers so I could capture clear views of the aircraft without cones and other clutter obscuring the aircraft undercarriages and so on. After leaving the museum I travelled to Tewkesbury where I had accommodation booked for the next three nights.

Sunday 20th ‑ For the fourth consecutive year I visited the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire which was held this year from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th. The weather for the event looked promising with the forecast predicting a twenty percent chance of rain in the morning and diminishing as the day progressed. There was a couple of heavy rain showers throughout the day, but they soon passed over, though one of them temporarily halted the flying display for approximately thirty minutes till it passed. This year I had booked the Friends of the Royal International Air Tattoo (FRIAT) six‑day package which allowed me access to the park & view on the Wednesday and to the FRIAT enclosure from Thursday to Monday. The FRIAT enclosure had an elevated grandstand, central marquee, comfortable seating, dedicated catering, Wi‑Fi, private toilets, left luggage facility and Official RIAT Merchandise. In the central marquee the Centre of Aviation Photography (COAP Wings) were hosting editing tutorials where people could download their photos and one of the staff would take you through their editing process of your photo, passing‑on tips and tricks. COAP were also letting photographers test drive top of the range lenses for an hour (Canon/Nikon 400 f2.8, 600 f.4 etc) which was good for anyone considering purchasing such expensive lenses.

Though I had a six‑day pass I only intended to visit the airshow on the Sunday. The main reason I purchased the package was so I could gain access on the Monday for the departure day when all the aircraft in the flying or static display departed for their home bases. A few weeks prior to attending the airshow, the FRIAT organisers notified its members that the FRIAT Grandstand would be moving 175 metres west and 45 metres south from its previous location due to safety issues. Being my first time in the grandstand I couldn't comment whether this change of location was a bad move or not, but there was a couple of issues that made me question whether I would use the FRIAT enclosure again. Firstly, the grandstand seating is very tightly packed which gives you little shoulder space with your neighbour, which can make panning difficult. Thankfully the grandstand seats were not all occupied in my area, so people were able to spread out to give themselves more room. I assume there were vacant seats because some people decided not to attend that day or they were on the grass area in front of the grandstand adjacent to the runway. Secondly, because the grandstand had moved further west along the runway, the aircraft departing on runway 27 (tends to be the normal direction) were airborne and quite high above the ground by the time they passed. Not an issue for some people, but I like to portray the speed of the departing aircraft by using a slow shutter speed and blurring the background whether it be buildings or the landscape. You can't do that if the aircraft is against the sky. The biggest bug bearer I had was the positioning of four public‑address system speakers and associated cables to the east of the grandstand which were positioned where aircraft were lifting off the runway. I don't know how many photos I had to delete due to speakers passing through the middle of aircraft and obscuring cockpits and undercarriages. With Lightroom and Photoshop you can clone and remove objects to a certain degree, but I prefer not to do this if possible.

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III departing RAF Fairford Photo of a departing USAF Boeing C‑17A Globemaster III shows the bad positioning of the public address system speakers.

The theme for this year's RIAT was ‘Eyes in the Sky’ which was to celebrate and highlight the vital role aviation plays across domains of aerial surveying, airborne early warning, maritime patrol, search and rescue, reconnaissance, signals intelligence and surveillance. In that theme, the highlight of the show for myself was the display by the Lockheed U‑2S from the RAF Fairford based USAF 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron. The U‑2S was displayed in a full mission fit with a sensor equipped‑nose and a Senior Span pod on the aircraft upper fuselage. The display started with a performance take‑off followed by a wheels‑up flypast and simulated flame‑out landing and go‑around. In the static display the highlights included a Antonov An‑74T ‘Coaler’ tactical transport aircraft brought by the Egyptian Air Force who were attending RIAT for the first time, while the Pakistan Air Force brought a very impressive painted Lockheed C‑130E Hercules. Pakistan also brought two JF‑17C Thunder multi‑role combat aircraft, supported by an Illuyshin IL‑78MP ‘Midas’ aerial refuelling aircraft. The USAF had an impressive static display with a Boeing KC‑46A Pegasus, Boeing KC‑135R Stratotanker, Boeing RC‑135V Rivet Joint, Rockwell B‑1B Lancer and a huge Lockheed C‑5M Super Galaxy.

Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady lands at RAF Fairford Lockheed U‑2S, S/N 80‑1094 landing after its flying display on the sunday.

On the downside, the USAF were going to have a flying display by the B‑1B Lancer on the Saturday, but the aircraft went unserviceable and a second one which was scheduled to attend the airshow had cancelled earlier in the week. I would not have seen the B‑1B display as I didn't attend on the Saturday, but I was hoping to see it depart on the Monday, which was not to be. During the Sunday airshow a USAF Boeing C‑17A Globemaster III from the 62nd Airlift Wing at McChord Air Force Base brought in spares and equipment to repait the unserviceable B‑1B and departed shortly after. Another major disappointment was the cancellation by the Spanish Navy of their McDonnell Douglas EAV‑8B Harrier II due to airframe unavailability. Overall, I can't complain as the airshow was still very enjoyable with some superb aircraft and flying displays.

Monday 21st ‑ Today I atended the RIAT departures day when all the aircraft attending RIAT, whether in the flying or static displays departed for their home bases. The first aircraft started leaving at 08:00 and the flow of departing aircraft totalling nearly two hundred continued non‑stop till 16:45 with the grand finale being the Lockheed C‑5M Super Galaxy. Thankfully, the weather forecast which predicted unsettled weather with the chance of rain got it totally wrong and I spent the a thoroughly enjoyable day in sunshine with warm temperatures.

Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy departing RAF Fairford Lockheed C‑5M Super Galaxy S/N 86‑0012 departs RAF Fairford.

Tuesday 22nd ‑ Today was the last day of my trip and I planned on visiting the Lake District for some military low flying photography. At 07:30 when I arrived at the car park at Thirlmere dam there was already some photographers waiting in their vehicles for the dull, overcast miserable weather to clear. By 10:30 it looked like it might start to clear, and the other photographers had left their vehicles and started the climb up to Smaithwaite Banks or Raven Crag. I decided to wait, as the weather still looked unsettled and after an early start and long drive I tried to catch up on some sleep. By midday the weather looked to be improving but not enough for my liking, so I decided to leave as I had a long drive ahead and wanted to get home a decent time because I was working the following day. Looking on social media, I was pleased to see that the photographers who decided to climb the hill did get lucky in the afternoon with passes by a Grob Prefect T.1 and a Boeing CH‑47 Chinook HC‑6.

Trip Report June 2025

In June I had a three‑day military low flying photography trip to the Lake District LFA17.

Wednesday 18th ‑ Today I visited Dunmail Raise (west side). I made the steep climb up to my chosen vantage point and was in position by 08:10. It was a warm day with unlimited visibility. The morning was very quiet with little transmissions heard on the scanner. Just after midday I heard the distinctive roar of a jet engine as a Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4, ZK331 from RAF Coningsby appeared routing up the valley towards my location. Thankfully I heard the aircraft before I saw it, as I had little time to pick up my camera and find the Typhoon in the viewfinder due to part of the hillside blocking my view of the aircraft approach.

Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4, ZK331 passing through Dunmail Raise, LFA17.

Early afternoon a lot of paragliders started soaring on the hillsides above Rydal and Grasmere. This was not good, as it meant there was probably a NOTAM for the area which would put the kibosh on any military low flying activity. At 15:30 I decided to leave the hill and walk down to my car. Nearing the bottom of the hill I noticed lights twinkling on the side of Loughrigg Fell. I suddenly realised it was the lights of an approaching aircraft, as a Grob Prefect T.1 routed towards Dunmail and passed overhead ‑ Typical! Just to add insult to injury, when I was back at my car changing out of my walking gear another Grob prefect T.1 passed overhead.

Thursday 19th ‑ With all the paraglider activity yesterday around Grasmere, today I decided to play safe and visit Arnison Crag, which overlooks Greenbank Farm, Bridgend, near Hartsop. The morning was quiet with no aircraft seen. At 14:28 whilst looking towards Kirkstone Pass, I observed an aircraft break the skyline and route down the valley towards my location. It was a BAE Systems Hawk Mk. 167, ZB137 of the Joint QEA/RAF Hawk Training Squadron from RAF Leeming. Ten minutes later at 14:38 a Eurofighter Typhoon T.3, ZK379 of RAF 41(R) Squadron from RAF Coningsby passed overhead at approximately 1000ft above the valley floor. I left the hill at 16:00.

Friday 20th ‑ From 08:05 to 13:30 I was located at Smaithwaite Banks Crag, overlooking Thirlmere Reservoir. No aircraft routed my way, but a Juno HT.1 helicopter, Hawk T.2 and two Phenom T.1's routed from Windermere to Ullswater via Kirkstone Pass. Only after I returned home, I learned there was a Lakes Charity Classic 2025 Paragliding competition being hosted at the Grasmere showground which would account for the lack of traffic. Again, as luck would have it, after I returned to my car two Hawk T.1's passed overhead.

Not the most productive days I've had on the hills, but its something you come to expect when you partake in this hobby. I've learnt from experience that when you do get a good day with plenty of passes, it compensates for the bad days and makes you appreciate the experience more.

Photographs from my trip can be viewed at: 2025 ‑ UK Military Low Flying.

Saturday 21st ‑ Today was the summer solstice, or the day with the most hours of daylight for 2025 and as a change I decided to do something different from any aviation related activities. Having been born and raised in the north of England, in my younger years I had done a lot of hillwalking in the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District when I was doing my bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards with the Appleby‑in‑Westmorland 2192 Squadron of the Air Training Corps. I must admit during those days I had never climbed Helvellyn, so I was determined I was going to do it on this trip. I couldn't have picked a warmer day to attempt the ascent with the country experiencing a heatwave. I made an early start at 07:30 hoping to make good headway before the temperatures started to soar. It looked like everyone else had the same idea as the route was very busy. Starting in Glenridding I took the route following Mires Beck via the ‘Hole in the Wall’ stile to Striding Edge. Following the path up Mires Beck it was hot and tiring, but once up onto the open fell there was a welcoming cooler breeze.

Mires Beck footpath, Helvellyn Following the path up Mires Beck towards Little Cove.

View looking towards Striding Edge and the summit of Helvellyn View from the Hole‑in‑the‑Wall with the path leading towards Striding Edge and the summit of Helvellyn beyond.

Approaching Striding Edge with the view of Helvellyn and Red Tarn. On the far right can be seen the path leading off Swirral Edge.

Striding Edge was busy with people beginning to queue on the harder sections where a little climbing was required, but once these sections were completed there was only one final steep area to ascend till you were onto the relatively flat summit.

Walkers on Striding Edge.

Striding Edge and the final climb up to the summit of Helvellyn.

Looking back at Striding Edge with people negotiating the final difficult section.

The weather on the exposed summit was the total opposite to when walking up Mires Beck. Here it was cold and windy with the threat of rain, but thankfully there was a ‘crosswind shelter’ built from stone in the shape of an ‘X’ where I was able to shelter and have my packed lunch in the company of fellow walkers. To the east, I could look down onto Ullswater and to the west onto Thirlmere, but the visibility was not good and it was just too windy to take any photos.

Ater finishing my lunch I started my return journey down Swirral Edge, which is generally considered an easier section than Striding Edge, but I must disagree. Care must be taken as it is still a scramble and there are steep drops on the left into Brown Cove so you must have hands‑on‑rocks to navigate down the steep rocky slope.

Striding Edge Before descending Swirral Edge. View looking down on Red Tarn with Catstye Cam to the left and Ullswater in the distance.

The view looking down on Swirral Edge.

Once off Swirral Edge I followed the track down to Red Tarn, from where I followed the track down Red Tarn Beck over Glenridding Common to the Bury Jubilee Outdoor Pursuit Centre. Here the track joined the Greenside Road which I followed all the way into Glenridding.

Striding Edge View looking back as walkers descend on the track off Swirral Edge (The summit of Helvellyn is top left of the photo).

I returned to my car at approximately 15:45 after a most enjoyable eight‑mile walk. Not the fastest time to complete the route because I was taking my time due to the high temperatures, whilst stopping occasionally to take photos of the stunning scenery.

Sunday 22nd ‑ In the morning I visited the Solway Aviation Museum which is located adjacent to the Carlisle Lake District Airport, Cumbria. Since my last visit the museum has acquired the last surviving Blackburn Beverley, XB259 which was formally exhibited at Fort Paull, an attraction near Hull that closed in 2020. The museum launched a £60,000 fundraising campaign to provide a permanent new home for the Beverley to prevent the potential dismantling and scrapping of the historic transport aircraft. In April 2024 the museum announced it had hit its fundraising target and since then the large transport aircraft had been arriving in sections to be restored and assembled on a purpose‑built display area. In late 2024 the museum also acquired an ex‑RAF Panavia Tornado GR.1, ZA475 from RAF Spadeadam where it was either to be used as a gate guardian or a static target.Through negotiations with the RAF Heritage Team and its subsequent funding the aircraft was donated to the museum and is currently on‑site undergoing restoration.

During my visit it was raining too heavy to view the new aircraft and as any photography was out of the question I decided to leave early and start my journey home.

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