From time to time the Friends of Barton Aerodrome run photography competitions for their members. Many of our members are keen aviation photographs and take excellent photographs of the based and visiting aircraft at Barton Aerodrome. For 2025 we ran a competition with three different categories (see below). The submissions were of the highest quality and it was difficult to select the three winners which are detailed below.

Best Photo – Visiting Military Aircraft

The above photo was taken by FoBA Member Hugh Dobson and depicts three Gazelles of the Army in formation approaching Barton Aerodrome.

Best Photo – Visiting Civil Aircraft

The above photo was taken by FoBA Member Ian Reynolds shows visiting Pilatus PC-12 G-JADN at Barton Aerodrome

Best Photo – Barton Aerodrome Based Aircraft

Above photo shows the based Eurocopter EC135T2 G-POLC of the National Police Air Service and was taken by FoBA Member Kyle Kershaw

The above winners each received a voucher to use for a meal at The Club House at Barton Aerodrome.

As mentioned above the quality of the photograph submissions for this competition was extremely good and many of them we will use in the future on this website and credit the photographers. However, we thought we would share a few of these with you, so show how hard it was to pick the winners.

Pietenpol Aircamper G-UNGO landing at Barton Aerodrome – Photo by Hugh Dobson
Skyleader 400 G-CMYA departing Barton Aerodrome – Photo by Ivan Dubas
Based Magni M24 Gyrocopter G-CGTK taken by Ray U
Max Holste Broussard G-CLLK arriving at Barton Aerodrome – Photo by Simon Edwards
Also by Simon Edwards was this photograph of two Royal Navy Merlins visiting Barton Aerodrome
Piel CP301A Emeraude G-BBKL was based at Barton Aerodrome – Photo by Stewart Shields

Below are some winning photographs from previous competitions

Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter lifting off with Barton Bridge in the back-ground. Note the distortion caused by the engine exhaust. This photograph was taken by Mark Connolly.

On finals to landing on runway 08. Note Manchester city centre in the back ground. This photograph was taken by Gary Chadbond.

Steen Skybolt G-SKIE on the ramp with the Control Tower in the back-ground. Photograph by Dave Wight.