Author | Lightnews

Tom Jones

@tomjaviation.bsky.social

260 followers 350 following 240 posts

Aviation account. Aviation photographer, contributor to Air Forces Monthly and Combat Aircraft Journal. Member of U.K. Airshow Review. Other than reposts, please do not share my images without my written permission

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 5h

The pregnant-looking Dash 8 Q400 “Fireguard”, operated by the Sécurité Civile as a water bomber.

Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 1d

Airbrakes out, afterburner on! One of Couteau Delta from a few years ago.

Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 2d

Green “Junglies” and the RNAS Yeovilton Air Day; both things sorely missed by British enthusiasts.

Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 3d

The Belgian F-16 display in “Dream Viper” colours appeared in 2022/3 and was unexpectedly cancelled in 2024. It was one of the European stalwarts, and is much-missed these days.

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 4d

Another of the colourful Aggressor Eagles of the JASDF - 72-8090 wore this striking “mint” or “matcha” scheme during its time with the squadron. It has since rotated out of the squadron and wears a standard livery once again.

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 7d

The lovely Spanish Air Force SF-5M trainer at RIAT last year. I’ve got a lot of love for the charismatic little Northrop pocket rockets!

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 8d

The “Austrian Tiger” Typhoon/EF2000. As a Tiger special from 2022, I quite liked this one.

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 9d

The lovely RDAF F-16 solo rocking it at RIAT in an operational livery in 2024.

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 10d

The iconic shape of a UH-1 “Huey”. I always wanted to see these in German service but never managed to. Great to see that some are preserved in private hands in Europe.

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 11d

Looking back at the AS565 Panthers at Hyeres this year. Awesome to see so many of the type over the weekend.

Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 14d

A shot from 2014 of the venerable Su-22 in Polish Air Force hands performing at RIAT - I still remember jumping when hearing the “bang” of the two stage afterburner!

These jets retired from Polish service last month.

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 15d

A favourite of mine - a Wildcat with a full load of Martlet missiles on trials at Yeovil. Got to love winter light!

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 16d

The awesome Mitsubishi XF-2A development and test aircraft turning and burning above Gifu. The type celebrated its 30th birthday yesterday as its first flight was on 7th October 1995.

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 18d

Gunship under the lights. This is probably the first Army Air Corps AH-64E shot I’m happy with since they started taking delivery of their new models in the pandemic.

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 21d

The US Air Force Thunderbirds pulling some Gs.

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 22d

A Rafale M seen at Hyères from back in June. Always great to see these gorgeous jets, especially the naval variant.

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 23d

The Pakistan Air Force Il-78MP “Midas”. I’ll never tire of seeing Soviet gear!

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 24d

A shot of the J-35 Draken of the Swedish Air Force Historical Flight touching down, showing its fourth landing gear housed in the tail.

Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 25d

A Royal Danish Air Force C-130. I can still hear the little popping noises the flares make as they’re ejected. Quite a spectacular sight!

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 28d

Wednesday’s arrivals this year at RIAT was possibly my favourite for some time, packed full of highlights. Personally for me was this Qatari Air Force AH-64E. Just one of those types you never expect to see, and yet there it was.

Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · 29d

It was so good to get shots of Aeronavale AS565 Panthers this year after wanting to see them for quite some time!

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · Sep 24

Another of the four Montana Air National Guard C-130Hs that passed through Cardiff recently in some harsh morning light.

Always great to see legacy C-130 models. It was my first time seeing the eight-bladed NP2000 propellers in the air.

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · Sep 23

A Rafale M from back in June. Always great to see these gorgeous jets, especially the naval variant.

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Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · Sep 22

The Italian Air Force Tornado IDS always used to put on a great display. We were lucky to see this twice in the U.K. in 2017, terrific colour scheme to boot!

Tom Jones @tomjaviation.bsky.social · Sep 19

A Republic of China Air Force Mirage 2000DEi launching from Hsinchu

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