Having made my first trip to the Loop earlier this year, I have found it hard to resist coming back time and time again. There is just something about the peaceful Welsh mountains, the climb, the wait, the people and the aircraft all brought together in one place.

For the first time, I decided to head to Bwlch, partly to try a new spot, but mostly due to the temporary closure of the Cad West layby.

The initial call came over the scanner for a pair of Typhoons with the first of WOLF flight keeping is level and the second going on a knife edge. Even nearing the maximum zoom of my 400mm lens, the aircraft were still kept in frame will some room to spare. Both a blessing a a curse due to the slower pass speed compared to if the aircraft were closer, but also the distance could have reduced the detail in the shots. Still, I felt the first passes of the day turned out very well indeed.

After a couple of Texans which sadly didn't make the final picture cut, came a flight of 2 Hawks from RAF Valley.

Along came a good few more Texans scattered throughout the day, some single and some as a pair. I tried to get an office shot on one of these airframes but sadly it finished its bank early.

Playing around NWMTA was a 4 ship of LN F-35As, and sure enough came the call for them to descend L/L - a new aircraft type through the loop for me having been lucky enough to get the RAF F-35Bs through on my first trip. One of the draws to Bwlch this time was the topside, good lighting and the head on vapour shots that can be got from Cad East. Best of both worlds.

The USAF sure knows how to put on a show, and knows how to make photographers happy while doing so - GUNS UP!!

All in all, each aircraft completed 2 passes with one of the 4 ship completing a third totalling 9 F-35A passes.

Now for the highlight of the day. Rumours had been circulating social media and the hill tops that some Cobra Warrior participants may be heading to the loop. I was doubtful having seen a post on Facebook earlier in the week that CW24 was to use LFA17, not LFA7. Hopes remained high, when finally the Polish Air Force F-16 pair called Low Level.

I think it may have been 4 passes each, some high and some lower - but all equally impressive in the golden afternoon sun.

And to top it all off came the USAF again, this time with the Aviano based F-16s having tried the loop the week earlier. Most of the passes were high, but some were kept below the horizon, sometimes with a hint of fluff...

Overall, this was yet another incredible day in LFA7, with 2 new aircraft types - some of which I never expected to see L/L. Note to self for next year - go to the LFA's during CW, you won't be disappointed.