Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SP, 35mm SLR, results

All pictures on this page courtesy of Mr. E, Walker, the Spotmatics orginal owner and feature RAF aircraft paying Ark Royal flying visits. Nimrod MR1 XV232 pulls up after a low flyby. In 2006 and now some 40 years old XV232 continues to serve 3 Sdn out of RAF Kinloss, although these days she has been rebuilt as a MR2 version.

A historic event as an RAF Harrier GR1 touches down on Ark Royal's deck during trials that lead to the adaptation of this type for the Navy as the Sea Harrier when larger carriers were phased out. This Harrier, XV795, started life with it's first flight on 24/7/70 and went to No.1 Sdn at Wittering in September of that year. Modified to GR1a standard in 1977 then to a GR3 the following year. XV795 ended her life on 23/2/83 in a smoking crater after a mid air collision near Peterborough, the pilot successfully ejected

Some wag in Flight Op's managed to talk the pilot of this Lightning F6, XS934 ,to have a go at a touch ond go on the deck... fortunately he bottled it and is seen here going around. This Lightning which made it's first flight 11/5/67 ultimately wound up in the Mediteranean Sea after crashing off Cypus on 3/4/73, the pilot ejecting safely.

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