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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 5h

Canadair CL-13B Sabre Mk.6 F-AYSB at the Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show. A jet-powered treat at Duxford's annual warbird show from Mistral Warbirds, in the form of their Canadair CL-13B Sabre Mk.6, the only airworthy Sabre based in Europe today.

A jet-powered treat at Duxford's annual warbird show from Mistral Warbirds, in the form of their Canadair CL-13B Sabre Mk.6, the only airworthy Sabre based in Europe today. This aircraft was built in 1958 and saw service with the German Air Force as JD+103 and BB+284, and KE+104 before conversion to a target tug, numbered 0113.

It was owned by Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm from 1970 to 1977 as D-9540 and from 1979 was operated as a target tug in the US for Flight Systems Inc as N1039K. The aircraft passed through several civilian owners while registered N80FS and was repainted into its current livery, representing the experimental camouflage of the 461st Fighter Day Squadron based in Germany in the 1960s.

Its last operator in the US was Moonbeam Historic Military Aircraft, which traded the aircraft for Mustang 'Moonbeam McSwine', then registered F-AZXS after the death of its former owner, Vlado Lenoch, in 2017, an aircraft now based in the UK and also displayed at the Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show. The Sabre arrived in France in 2019 and is now registered F-AYSB.

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 11h

Nightjet Siemens Vectron 193 598 at Schaerbeek.

193 598 is a DB BR 193 Siemens Vectron, owned by European Locomotive Leasing (ELL) and leased to the Österreichische Bundesbahnen (Austrian Federal Railways) operating for the Nightjet services.

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 1d

Fairey Swordfish I W5856 / G-BMGC at the Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show. Perhaps the flagship of the Navy Wings fleet, this is the oldest airworthy example of the Swordfish and carries the markings of 820 Naval Air Squadron and D-Day invasion stripes.

Fairey Swordfish I W5856 at the Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show

Perhaps the flagship of the Navy Wings fleet, their Swordfish I, the oldest airworthy example of the type, was completed in October 1941. The aircraft saw service in the Mediterranean during the war, believed to have seen service on patrol flights from Gibraltar. It then returned to the UK for refurbishment in the winter of 1942-43 before seeing service for training and trials.

The aircraft then moved to Canada with the Royal Canadian Navy in 1944, where it continued its role as a trainer before being stored until the end of the war. It was later disposed of and passed through civilian ownership, including plans to convert the aircraft into a crop-sprayer.

The aircraft was then purchased by Sir William Roberts and joined the Strathallan Collection in 1977, and was purchased by British Aerospace in 1990 and restored to flying condition. The aircraft, registered G-BMGC, was gifted to the Royal Navy Historic Flight in 1993.

The aircraft was grounded in 2003, with wing spar corrosion, but thankfully, BAE Systems constructed new wings for the aircraft, which returned to flight once again in 2015. The aircraft is presented in the markings of 820 Naval Air Squadron, and currently carries D-Day invasion stripes.

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 2d

Siemens Desiro MainLine of the SNCB / NMBS on a Brussels S Train service, seen here at Schaerbeek. 08184 is one of 305 Class 08 units ordered in 2008 by the Belgian Railways, replacing many of the older 'Classic Twin' units in service. Alongside are Bombardier TWINDEXX-derived M7 Railcars.

08184 departing Schaerbeek

Siemens Desiro MainLine of the SNCB / NMBS on a Brussels S Train service, seen here at Schaerbeek. 08184 is one of 305 Class 08 units ordered in 2008 by the Belgian Railways, replacing many of the older 'Classic Twin' units in service. Alongside are Bombardier TWINDEXX-derived M7 Railcars with an M7 Bmx motorised cab car at the end.

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 2d

Yeah, plenty of flying boats survive today simply because someone lived in them. The Supermarine Southampton at Hendon is one such example.

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 3d

Canadian-Vickers Canso 5A G-PBYA, in the markings of USAAF OA-10A Catalina 44-33915 'Miss Pick Up' of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron based at Halesworth, Suffolk, during the Second World War, which it has carried since 2005.

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina G-PBYA at the Duxford Flying Finale

'Miss Pick Up' was built by Canadian-Vickers as a Canso 5A, numbered 11005 in 1943. This aircraft saw service with 9 and 7 Squadron, of the Royal Canadian Air Force, on the Pacific coast of British Columbia. The squadron flew maritime reconnaissance, in particular anti-submarine patrols, in the face of the Japanese threat.

Following the war, the aircraft was converted to a freighter, referred to as a Canso 2F, and served with 413 Survey (Transport) Sqn in Ontario until 1950. It then transferred to 121 (Search & Rescue) Flight at Sea Island, Vancouver, until withdrawal in 1961.

In civilian service, the aircraft was registered CF-NJF and flew with Kentings before being chartered to the French Protection Civile as a fire bomber, registered as F-ZBAY and F-ZBBD. Its firebombing service continued with Norcanair from 1974, in Saskatchewan, and was later registered C-FNJF.

Following disposal, the aircraft was modified in the late 90s by Catalina Aero Services for aerial safari flights in Zimbabwe, though the venture fell through and never flew in this role.

Instead, the aircraft was purchased by Plane Sailing Air Displays and finally departed Nanaimo in March 2004, and debuted on the UK air show circuit that year. In 2005, it was repainted into the markings of USAAF OA-10A Catalina 44-33915 'Miss Pick Up' of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron based at Halesworth, Suffolk, during the war.

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 3d

From the Bahamas Locomotive Society came their Stanier 'Jubilee', 45596 Bahamas, to The Greatest Gathering. The locomotive was built in 1934 by the North British Locomotive Company, and initially numbered 5596. With nationalisation, it was renumbered 45596 and continued in service until 1966.

45596 Bahamas at the Greatest Gathering

From the Bahamas Locomotive Society came their Stanier 'Jubilee' class locomotive, 45596 Bahamas. The locomotive was built in 1934 by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow and initially numbered 5596. With nationalisation in 1948, the locomotive was renumbered 45596 and continued in service until 1966, when it was withdrawn. In 1967, a newly founded group purchased the locomotive, and 45596 has been in the custodianship of the Bahamas Locomotive Society ever since.

Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 4d

Siemens Desiro MainLine of the SNCB / NMBS on a Brussels S Train service, seen here at Brussels-Midi. 08184 is one of 305 Class 08 units ordered in 2008 by the Belgian Railways, replacing many of the older 'Classic Twin' units in service.

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 6d

Been busy on holiday in Belgium this week, so been lacking on the uploads recently! Had a lovely time, and I'm back home now with plenty of photos to share. The lion at Antwerp Zoo is courtesy of my minion, @adewis611.bsky.social, who took command of my camera for the afternoon.

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Reposted by Sam Foulger

Locomotive Spotting North West @locospottingnw.bsky.social · 7d

I couldn't let this World Mental Health Day pass without comment. I know how hard it is to talk, to reach out, I really do, but... support systems are there, and anything has to beat the alternative.
#ItsOkayNotToBeOkay

67010 leads HD07 out of Crewe on Thursday 2 October 2025.

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 13d

The Duxford Flying Finale might have been a battle against the wind, with very limited flying, but a fantastic day nonetheless!

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 14d

Now at King's Cross going to Cambridge rather than from Liverpool Street, due to a fallen tree 😅

Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 14d

Lovely meeting @ukrailadventure.bsky.social this morning, hope you two have a good day on your travels!

My adventure's already gone awry 😅

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 15d

The Flying Comrades at the Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show. It is a bit of a rarity to see Soviet era types displaying in the UK, with the Flying Comrades being unique on today's air show circuit, flying a trio of Yakovlevs, a pair of Yak-52s, G-BXJB and G-YAKF and Yak-18T G-HAHU.

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 18d

Yakovlev Yak-18T G-HAHU at the Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show, one of three aircraft of the Flying Comrades. G-HAHU was built by Yakovlev in 1993. The aircraft has been registered in Britain since 2013 as G-HAHU and is named 'Red Rosie'.

Yakovlev Yak-18T G-HAHU at the Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show

One of three aircraft of the Flying Comrades display team. G-HAHU was built by Yakovlev in 1993. The aircraft was registered in Hungary as HA-HUE until 2013, when it was registered in Britain as G-HAHU. The aircraft carries nose art and the name 'Red Rosie'.

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Reposted by Sam Foulger

Locomotive Spotting North West @locospottingnw.bsky.social · 20d

Another little impromptu trip up to the East Lancs Railway today for the farewell to Black Five 45212, which is soon to be withdrawn for ten-yearly overhaul. The locomotive has been suitably chalked up for the occasion, as was common at the end of steam.

45212 blows off steam at Bury Bolton Street. The markings are clear to see, the face in particular a reference to 8F 48305 at Barry scrapyard, marked up with 'Please Don't Let Me Die'. Happily, the 8F survived, and so will 45212!

45212 accelerates away from the token exchange and around the curve out of Bolton Street towards Heywood, the chalk markings on the smokebox evident.

Still looking freshly ex-works, D5053 crawls towards Bolton Street with a set of blue and grey Mk1s.

Something a little different - ex-Greater Anglia Mk3 DVT 82143 and Mk3a TSOB (ex-FO) 10415 at the Bury Fire & Rescue Service training facility near the station.

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 20d

The 2nd Yak-52 of the Flying Comrades came in the form of G-YAKF 'Медведь' (Bear). This is an example built by Aerostar in 1991, and served with the DOSAAF as Grey 10. It was later registered in Russia as RA-02090 and in South Africa as ZU-IAK. It has been registered in the UK as G-YAKF since 2007.

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 23d

Yakovlev Yak-52 G-BXJB 'Slybird' at the Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show flying as part of The Flying Comrades display team. This Yak-52 was built by the Romanian company Aerostar in 1987 and flew with the Soviet DOSAAF. It has been on the British civilian register as G-BXJB since 1997.

Flying as part of The Flying Comrades display team alongside another Yakovlev Yak-52 and Yak-18T, was G-BXJB 'Slybird'. This Yak-52 was built by the Romanian company Aerostar in 1987 with the construction number 877403 and flew with the Soviet DOSAAF as Yellow 15. It was later registered in Lithuania as LY-ABR and has been on the British civilian register as G-BXJB since 1997.

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Reposted by Sam Foulger

Locomotive Spotting North West @locospottingnw.bsky.social · 23d

Some lovely little festivities up at the East Lancs in celebration of Railway200! The oldest operational steam locomotive in Britain rubbing shoulders on a surprisingly bright day with some of the more modern heritage diesels on the route.

Warship D832 'Onslaught' draws into the platform with a set of blue and grey Mk1s while that ultimate rarity, D1041 'Western Prince' - a locomotive which has spent almost all of the last twenty years holed up in the shed in Castlecroft while a catastrophic electrical fault and serious rot is addressed.

Current flagship of the ELR steam fleet, 34092 'City of Wells' stands at Bury having just tailed in a diesel-hauled service.

Recently repainted and renumbered, D5054 powers out of the tunnel at Castlecroft. The locomotive carries the number D5053, as D5054 never historically carried the two-tone livery.

Britain's oldest operational steam locomotive, Furness Railway #20 of 1863 stands in Castlecroft yard.

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 25d

Cavalier F-51D Mustang II LN-BMU at the Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show. This aircraft is displayed as "Miss Rebel" of the 23rd Fighter Group, as flown by Captain Oran S Watts, based in China during the war with Japan.

While this aircraft's earlier service is unknown, it was rebuilt in 1968 by Cavalier Aircraft into a Mustang II and served with the Fuerza Aérea Salvadoreña (Salvadoran Air Force), including service during the so-called 'Football War' between El Salvador and Honduras in 1969. This war saw the last combat between piston engine fighter aircraft, with Salvadoran Mustangs engaging with Honduran Corsairs.

The aircraft returned to the US in 1974, where it was registered N31FF until sale in 1998, and it was registered the next year as N405HC. The aircraft was sold again in 2005 before once again being sold in 2006 when it moved to Sweden, under the ownership of the Biltema Co., registered SE-BIL. It was later transferred to Norway, with Biltema Nordic Services, in 2020.

The aircraft is displayed as "Miss Rebel" of the 23rd Fighter Group, as flown by Captain Oran S Watts, based in China during the war with Japan.

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 25d

46115 Scots Guardsman at the Greatest Gathering. Another loco from the West Coast Railway, 46115, was built in 1927 by the North British Locomotive Company at Springburn, initially numbered 6115. WCR restored the locomotive to its last years of service, in BR lined green livery.

Another loco from the West Coast Railway, 46115, was built in 1927 by the North British Locomotive Company at Springburn, one of seventy Royal Scot Class locomotives to be built, fifty of those being at the Glasgow works. 6115 was later rebuilt in 1947 and renumbered 46115 with Nationalisation in 1948. Eventually, the locomotive was retired in 1966, and purchased for preservation in 1969 by Ron Bill, and moved to the Dinting Railway Centre, before sale to 46115 (Scots Guardsman) Steam Locomotive Trust.

The locomotive was sold again in 2002, and once more in 2008 to West Coast Railway. WCR restored the locomotive to its last years of service, in BR lined green livery. The locomotive is one of just two Royal Scot Class locomotives to be preserved, with the other being 46100 Royal Scot.

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 26d

The other Southern Region visitor to the Epping Ongar Railway's Southern Giants Steam Gala was 926 Repton, courtesy of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. The locomotive has been restored in Southern Railway numbering and livery.

Seen here at North Weald on the Epping Ongar Railway is 926, one of two Southern region locomotives visiting the railway for its steam gala this year, themed around 'Southern Giants'. 926 was built at Eastleigh Works in 1934 and later renumbered in British Railways service as 30926 in 1948. It was the last of the class to be overhauled under BR in 1960, though it only served for another two years, before withdrawal in December 1962.

The locomotive was purchased for preservation in 1966, with restoration being completed in 1967, when it was donated to Steamtown USA in Vermont. During this time, the locomotive was donated to the Cape Breton Steam Railway in Canada until 1979.

Finally, the locomotive was sold once more and returned to the UK in 1989. Its overhaul at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway was completed in 1990, and it steamed once again on British track.

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 26d

A recent acquisition by the Biggin Hill-based Warbird Experiences Ltd is the North American P-51D-25-NA Mustang 44-12473 / G-MCSW, depicting 44-14237 'Moonbeam McSwine' of the 487th Fighter Squadron, as flown by fighter ace, Captain William T. Whisner

A recent acquisition by the Biggin Hill-based Warbird Experiences Ltd is the North American P-51D-25-NA Mustang 44-12473 / G-MCSW. This aircraft was built at the Inglewood factory in California in 1944 and was shipped to the UK in March 1945 for the Eighth Air Force, though it returned to the US in July without seeing active service.

The aircraft finally flew in squadron service from 1947 with the US Air Force, serving with the 182nd, 136th,120th and 109th Fighter Squadrons before being sold as surplus in 1958. That year, the aircraft was registered in civilian service as N5073K.

The aircraft had a rework by Cavalier in 1963, and in the late 60s, was transferred to the Fuerza Aérea Salvadoreña (Salvadoran Air Force), where it is believed to have seen service in the so-called 'Football War' between El Salvador and Honduras in 1969. This war saw the last combat between piston engine fighter aircraft, with Salvadoran Mustangs engaging with Honduran Corsairs.

In 1974, the aircraft returned to the US and was registered N32FF. In 1975, the aircraft was restored as 'Moonbeam McSwine', depicting 44-14237 of the 487th FS, as flown by fighter ace, Captain William T. Whisner and was registered N2151D.

The aircraft flew in the Reno Air Races in 1997, 1999 and 2000, with a 1st Place in the Unlimited Bronze Class in 1999. It was then sold in 2013, and registered in France as F-AZXS for five years before returning to the US where it was registered N51VL. Finally, in 2024, the aircraft was sold to Warbird Experiences Ltd, and arrived in the UK in March 2025, and is now registered G-MCSW.

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 27d

At the controls of 34072 257 Squadron, a Southern Railway Battle of Britain Class. It is certainly quite a rarity to see a big Pacific at the Epping Ongar Railway, seen here repositioning for the next service out of North Weald.

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Sam Foulger @tank621.bsky.social · 28d

Good morning from Ongar for the Southern Giants Steam Gala at the Epping Ongar Railway. This is the first service into Ongar hauled by Southern Railway Schools Class 926 Repton, from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

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