Jodel-Ay-Hee-Hoo!
It's the first Thursday of October, which means it's the autumn edition of the biannual Northolt Nightshoot.
The 35th edition of this long-running enthusiast-orientated event featured a diverse line-up, which starred one unassuming light aircraft. Operated by the French Air and Space Force, a Jodel D140R glider tug made an incredibly rare public appearance on the Northolt apron for the 350 assembled photographers. Operated by EIVV 25.535 at BA722 Saintes-Thénac, around 100km north of Bordeaux, in the glider tug role, the aircraft barely makes public appearances at French airshows, let alone niche events abroad. In true Northolt fashion, the aircraft performed a static engine run, allowing photographers to capture some relatively dynamic images of the aircraft against a bright moonrise backdrop.
The Royal Canadian Air Force's 436 Squadron are now regular supporters of the event, with a CC-130J from their Prestwick deployment attending the base for the sixth time in the space of four years. As seems to be the norm with its participation, the aircraft departed back to its Scottish base at the end of the event.
Other military participation was sadly non-existent, although through no fault of the organisers whatsoever. Two Royal Air Force Chinooks, one from each of 27 and 28 Squadron, cancelled on the day, while a 45 Squadron Phenom T1 also failed to materialise. The Irish Air Corps, who are also long-term supporters of the event, were due to attend with a C295W, although that too cancelled, while a Wildcat HM2 from the Fleet Air Arm's 815 Naval Air Squadron brought the cancellation tally to five participants. It's the nature of the beast, but many were simply thankful that the star D140R had made it.
A number of civilian aircraft completed the line-up. Kemble-based MH.1521C Broussard G-CLLK looked stunning under the Northolt apron lights in French Air Force livery, while Chipmunk T.20 G-HAPY made the short hop from its home at High Wycombe. The two based London Air Ambulance H135s were pulled out onto the apron, while an 80% scale Spitfire replica rounded out the evening line-up.
