In the third of our photo reports from AFW 2023, we cover the aircraft from visiting air arms, as well as a historic Spitfire that is flown by the Hellenic Air Force.

First up is a three ship formation of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighters from the 495th Fighter Squadron, homebased at RAF Lakenheath in the UK. The were in Greece to provide aircraft for the static display, as well as providing a display aircraft for the USAF F-35 Lightning II Demo Team, the team being commanded by Major Kristin "BEO" Wolfe, who is also the team's display pilot. The Lightnings flew a few circuits around the Acropolis, trying to get a shot of the ancient temple in the background.

A pair of French Armee de l'Air et de l'Espace Dassault Rafales, as well as a pair of Pilatus PC-7 trainers from the Austrian Air Force are next on the list. Both pairs included a standard painted aircraft, as well as one in a special scheme.

In the case of the Rafales, one of the special painted aircraft was the Rafale Solo Demo aircraft, with the other being a standard painted spare aircraft, while in the case of the Austrian PC-7s, one aircraft is painted in a blue and dayglo snake scheme to mark 30 years of service from 1983 to 2013, with the other being painted in standard camouflage.

A Luftwaffe Panavia Tornado IDS, belonging to Taktische Luftwaffengeschwader 51 "Immelmann" (TLG51), arrived in style for the static display at the AFW show in Tanagra. While the aircraft itself was in standard camouflage, the underwing drop tanks were painted in a tiger colour scheme, complete with "51 TIGERS" text. Completing the look was a pair of AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles under the belly of the Tornado.

The Belgian and Danish Air Force Solo Demo Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons arrived as a pair. The Belgian "Dream Viper" was flown by Senior Captain Steven "Vrieske" De Vries, and the Danish Viper "Dannebrog" was flown by Captain Troels "TEO" Vang. Both pilots performed some spectacular manoeuvres behind the Skyvan, the Dream Viper used Smokewinders, and seeing as we were flying over the sea, Dannebrog was able to pop some flares.

The last aircraft to feature in this report is the Vickers Supermarine Spitfire LF.IX, MJ755, of the Hellenic Air Force. This is an original Hellenic Air Force aircraft, having first been delivered in 1947 after being retired by the RAF. Once the type was retired from Hellenic service in 1954 this Spitfire was sent to the Hellenic Air Force Museum for static display.

In March 2018 the Spitfire was moved to The Spitfire Company Ltd at Biggin Hill for restoration to flying condition. While the Spitfire is still owned by the Hellenic Air Force, the restoration project was sponsored by the private Icarus Foundation. In May 2021, following a successful return to flight, the Spitfire departed Biggin Hill for its new home at Tatoi Airport in Greece. Tatoi Airport, on the northern edge of Athens, is also home to the Hellenic Air Force Museum.

Unfortunately it was cloudy for out flight with the Spitfire, but it was still nice to fly with the only airworthy Greek / Hellenic Spitfire.

A Big Thank You Goes To....
Eric Coeckelberghs and the Aviation PhotoCrew, as well as the Hellenic Air Force, Athens Flying Week, US Air Force, Luftwaffe, French Air Force and the Austrian Air Force for the opportunity to photograph these aircraft air-to-air.