THF Open Days arrival.

Friday arrival for weekend Air Fete.

Friday arrival for the weekend's Air Fete 1988.

"Rivet Joint" electronic intelligence aircraft from 55th SRW, starting its take-off from runway 29.

Specially modified for the SR-71A mission, the Qs were the unsung hero of the blackbird programme. Most Blackbird missions required at least one and sometimes as many as six aerial refuelings. Of the 803 KC-135s produced, 56 were converted to Q variants (and these became later on KC-135T). The major different between a Q and a standard KC-135, is that the payload fuel in the body of the aircraft is isolated from the KC-135s own fuel load in the wings. This is necessary because while almost all aircraft in the USAF inventory use JP-4 jet fuel, the Blackbirds used JP-7.

This one three five was built as a C-135B, rebuilt to RC-135M and rebuilt to RC-135W. In the latter variant is was redelivered to the 55th SRW in August 1985. The Rivet Joint was again modified when its TF-33 smokey engines were replaced by the much more effective and non-smoke F-108-201s.

Unfortunately, this Lightning was scrapped after military service.

Built as KC-135A this Fort Worth (TX) is seen at the Mildenhall while a C-130 makes an enthusiastic take-off. This 135 was rebuilt to KC-135R in 1993.

Originally with Sabena. Later operated for TEA UK as G-BTED and then both Avensa and Servivensa as YV-74C.

To America West Airlines Aug 90 as N312AW.

Note differences in paint scheme and physical features (engines, aerials etc) in more recent photographs.

From 410th Bomb Wing, K.I.Sawyer AFB, Michigan.

Lining up on runway 29. Flown by 336 ARS, AFRES, March AFB, CA.

AFRES titles, flown by 314th ARS, based at Mather AFB, California.

Became VH-XMC.

Arrived in Australia as ZS-EVE and despite the masked over VH-FVE, entered the Australian register as VH-ZOO.