Images Dated 21st February 2005

A Royal Air Force Tornado F3 from XI Sqn, based at RAF Leeming, during Exercise Magic Carpet 2005

A Royal Air Force Tornado F3 from XI Sqn, based at RAF Leeming, during Exercise Magic Carpet 2005. The aircraft was part of a strong RAF contingent based at Thumrait Airfield, Oman.
The exercise was an opportunity for RN, RAF, Omani, French Air Force, USAF and USN squadrons to deploy and practice heavy-weapon bomb drops, utilising the extensive ranges and relatively clear airspace available over Oman. There were a variety of aircraft which took part, including our own Sea Harriers, GR7s and SKASaC, USN F18 and S3 Viking, USAF F16, French Mirage 2000 and RAF Tornado F3, Jaguar, VC10 air to air refuelling and E3D AWACS. In total around 60 aircraft were in theatre, allowing for realistic exercising of coalition forces. The participation of HMS Invincible with her Tailored Air Group (TAG) gave an excellent opportunity to prove the Strike Carrier concept within a controlled exercise environment and gain some useful general warfare training. It was a good opportunity for the ship's company to progress training in an exercise environment

© CROWN COPYRIGHT

Crab feeding structures, SEM

Crab filter-feeding structures. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of filtering structures (setae) that are part of the feeding structures of a crab (order Decapoda). These setae (brush- like structures) are part of the crab's mouthparts (maxillipeds). They are used to filter food particles from the water. Crabs are crustaceans, found in both saltwater and freshwater habitats worldwide

© SUSUMU NISHINAGA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Fly mouthparts, SEM

Fly mouthparts. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the proboscis of a March fly (family Bibionidae). The proboscis is a feeding structure that is coiled up when not in use, and extended when needed. Flies generally feed on liquids. These are usually either plant juices, blood, or solid food that the fly has liquified using enzymes. The pink parts of the proboscis are spongy lamellae used to soak up liquids

© SUSUMU NISHINAGA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY