If you are traveling to the UK, say around London, Most people will definitely go see the Queen’s Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and other famous spots, Or maybe go for afternoon tea, or shopping at Harrods, right? But how would an aviation enthusiast plan a trip?

For instance, this time after landing at Heathrow Airport around noon, Getting off the British Airways plane, finishing exit formalities, Coming out of Terminal 5 and walking 10 meters with a camera on my back, I started snapping photos.

After shooting for about 3 hours, the lighting started to get a bit backlit, So I took the airport bus and checked into a hotel right by the Runway. Because the view outside the room window is the Runway, So I could shoot for another few hours, Until it got dark.

Indoors, with air conditioning, no need to suffer the scorching sun, And sitting on the sofa drinking beer, While glancing at the live broadcast of the World Cup semi-final between England and Croatia. There was a plane taking off or landing every minute or so, a feast for the eyes, I have to say, this really is a paradise hotel for watching planes.

The next morning, started shooting again at 6 am, Didn’t stop until the weather changed and light rain started falling. Then checked out and moved to the next shooting spot.

Took the subway two stops from Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, Got off at Hatton Cross station and walked 5 minutes, Here is another holy land for plane spotting. The UK is truly a place with unpredictable weather, The sky cleared up in just a short while.

But there were other arrangements for the day, so after scouting the location, I continued the journey. Not going into London city, but heading straight to stay in the small town of Swindon.

For the next 3 days, Waking up at 6 am every day and taking the bus to RAF Fairford, To watch what is known as the world’s largest military air show: RIAT (Royal International Air Tattoo).

Every day braving the scorching sun in 30-degree heat, Shooting from 10 am to 6 pm, The air show basically didn’t stop for a moment, Didn’t even have time to eat lunch or go to the restroom. Taking over 4-5000 photos every day, So tired my brain stopped thinking and my body was about to collapse.

However, seeing the F-35, Tornado, Dassault Rafale and Mirage, Saab JAS-39, Eurofighter Typhoon and other fighters with my own eyes for the first time in my life, It was well worth the trip. The speed of fighter jets is on a completely different level compared to airliners, Extremely difficult to photograph, which resulted in a large number of photos where the subject ran out of frame.

I’m not a military enthusiast, and I know nothing about the data and airborne weapons of various fighters, But seeing tens of thousands of people in the world who love planes just like me, Enjoying the huge roar of jet engines, Carrying telephoto lenses and aggressively pressing the shutter in the sun—these “like-minded” people, I felt much more at ease.

By the way, when taking photos at Heathrow Airport, there were two Americans next to me, They also came over to take photos right after getting off the plane. Listening to their chat, they were also here specifically for RIAT. On the bus to RIAT, I bumped into German uncle KNIGHT FLIGHT VIDEO and chatted all the way.

On the 6th day in the UK, leaving Swindon and heading to the Farnborough Airshow, After all, this is the second largest air show in the world, I had admired it since I knew about it in the “Aerospace Knowledge Magazine” in the 80s.

Viewing various latest aircraft types up close, And watching the “fighters among airliners” from Boeing and Airbus dancing in the sky, <img src=https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/1/1/3/5116311.jpg?v=v41d19705218> It was a feast for the eyes.

On the 7th day in the UK, returned to Hatton Cross station again, Finally captured this very British-style final approach photo.

During landing, the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the A380, made a huge noise, But surprisingly, it had no effect on the horses in the pasture, Seeing a little pony lying lazily on the grass sleeping, The contrast is so interesting.

Speaking of which, I’ve been in the UK for a week, And haven’t even seen what London looks like, This itinerary arrangement is seriously twisted…