Interesting or unusual planes?

[Mr Larrington]

Is that a third one for the list?  You should try everything once except incest, morris dancing and working in Gosport.

[spesh]

Is that a third one for the list?  You should try everything once except incest, morris dancing and working in going anywhere near Gosport.

Fixed, no charge.

[TheLurker]

Very, _very_ brief glimpse* of an F35 on final approach to Fairford last night. Tried to get a video clip, but all I've got is grey cloud, drizzle and engine noise.  Hells bells, but they're noisy.

*Not much more than a silhouette before the low cloud hid it again.

They've flown in 3 for RIAT.  One of ours and two USAF.

ETA.
FWIW they've got an easily recognised profile.  The one I saw was visible for no more than 2 or 3 seconds, but it was obvious what it was.

[spesh]

Very, _very_ brief glimpse* of an F35 on final approach to Fairford last night. Tried to get a video clip, but all I've got is grey cloud, drizzle and engine noise.  Hells bells, but they're noisy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II#Acoustic

[TheLurker]

"...and up to four times as loud during landing..."

On the basis of last night 4x is understated.  Best comparison I can make for volume is with low-flying VC10.  An aircraft carrier 10 miles offshore is the best bloody place for them. Oh, hang on a minute....

[Russell]

Seen from the back garden too many to mention.

Bearcat
Mustang
Catalina
Kittyhawke
Spitfire
Flying Fortress
Corsair
Comet (the gorgeous red 1930s one)
Sopwith Triplane
SE5A
Boeing 727*
Loadsa noisy things including the thing in the post above.


*painted with a bright red nose and called oil spill response!

[trekker12]

Boeing 727*

*painted with a bright red nose and called oil spill response!

This one in fact.

http://www.oilspillresponse.com/news--media/news/osrl-boeing-727/

Sprays dispersant over an oil slick to break up the oil droplets and reduce impact on wildlife. Carries 15,000 litres of dispersant which is dropped from 150 feet.

[TimC]

A former Flight Engineer mate of mine from C130 days is something to do with that project, and was at Farnborough showing people round the aircraft last week.

[mrcharly-YHT]

Boeing 727*

*painted with a bright red nose and called oil spill response!

This one in fact.

http://www.oilspillresponse.com/news--media/news/osrl-boeing-727/

Sprays dispersant over an oil slick to break up the oil droplets and reduce impact on wildlife. Carries 15,000 litres of dispersant which is dropped from 150 feet.

You can't fool us. That's a picture of one of those chemtrail aircraft.

[tiermat]

As well as the usual jet trainers, over Leeming, I saw an Osprey.

[mrcharly-YHT]

I spotted it before you!

Because it flew over York heading in your way, natch.

MrsC and teh granddaughter mummy had never seen one before. They were somewhat bemused.

[Torslanda]

Did anyone else see the B-29 returned to flight last weekend? 'Doc' was rescued from China Lake bomb range in the late 80s, recovered to Wichita and restored by experts & volunteers. Some of whom were ex-Boeing workers who had worked on the line in the 40s.

Search youtube for 'B29 Doc'

[TheLurker]

Overflying Ciren midday(ish) yesterday. Three F35s, sorry that should be two F35s and a Lightning, in company with a tanker, preceded some 2 minutes before by another tanker.  Heading west.  The tankers weren't A-330s.  Appeared to be three engine jobs. No idea what and goggle doesn't turn up any USAF or RAF tankers based on obvious candidates such as the Boeing 727.

*An grumble*
Anbaric Iconographs! Please to be a bloody sight quicker switching on as I am getting narked at the number of times I've been unable to capture an image of ætherochariots on passage.

[PeteB99]

There used to be a company in Cambridge that converted DC10s and/or Tristars into refueling tankers. That was back in the 80s though so I've no idea if they're still in service with anyone.

[tatanab]

sorry that should be two F35s and a Lightning, in company with a tanker, preceded some 2 minutes before by another tanker.  Heading west.  The tankers weren't A-330s.  Appeared to be three engine jobs.

They came over Hereford/Worcester border.  I did not notice the Lightning, just saw 3 escorts.  I'd say the tankers were Tristars which, as PeteB99 says were 1980s conversions by Marshall's of Cambridge.

[TimC]

The USAF runs a large fleet of KC10 Extenders - new-build military DC10-30s, converted for freight and tanking use. The F35 uses the boom refuelling method, not supported by the Voyager just now.

[PaulF]

There used to be a company in Cambridge that converted DC10s and/or Tristars into refueling tankers. That was back in the 80s though so I've no idea if they're still in service with anyone.

That would be Marshalls. They also stretched some of the Hercules fleet - except for the first one that Lockheed did and my father brought back.

[TimC]

sorry that should be two F35s and a Lightning, in company with a tanker, preceded some 2 minutes before by another tanker.  Heading west.  The tankers weren't A-330s.  Appeared to be three engine jobs.

They came over Hereford/Worcester border.  I did not notice the Lightning, just saw 3 escorts.  I'd say the tankers were Tristars which, as PeteB99 says were 1980s conversions by Marshall's of Cambridge.

Almost certainly not. The RAF Tristars have all been grounded awaiting scrapping, though one is potentially airworthy at Bruntingthorpe along with two others. There was a mooted sale to a US operator, but it fell through. I'm pretty sure that, although they offered it, there were no Tristar tanker conversions done by Marshalls beyond the 6 ex-BA aircraft (the ex PanAm aircraft were never converted).

Although I said the F35 is boom-refuelled, the international export versions have the option of hose-and-drogue refuelling (also used by the USN), so the Voyager is being certified for refuelling the F35 right now. But the US aircraft will almost certainly be supported by KC10s (which are, of course, 3-engined). The RNethAF has also been helping the RAF conduct refuelling trials with a KDC10.

[TheLurker]

Just goggled KC10.  That's what I saw; 2 of em. It would make sense as the F35s came over the ditch with tankers and I expect the RAF F35 (Lightning) hasn't been converted (yet) for hose refuelling.

[Torslanda]

Big silver bird takes flight

[spesh]

... Three F35s, sorry that should be two F35s and a Lightning,

All F-35s are called Lightning, not just the RAF ones.

ETA Strictly speaking, it's "Lightning II" after the WW2-vintage, P-38 Lightning. Of course, it's a happy coincidence that the RAF was operating the EE Lightning during the Cold War. 

[TimC]

Just goggled KC10.  That's what I saw; 2 of em. It would make sense as the F35s came over the ditch with tankers and I expect the RAF F35 (Lightning) hasn't been converted (yet) for hose refuelling.

My earlier statement that they were boom only was wrong, at least for the F35B - the variant the RAF has ordered. This STOVL variant will also be operated by the US Marine Corps, and the F35C catapult-launched variant will be operated by the US Navy. Both of these organisation use the hose and drogue system, but the aircraft are also compatible with the boom system. The F35A conventional take-off and landing variant will be operated by the USAF, and they only use the boom system. The visit to the UK by the F35 comprised three USAF F35As and the single RAF F35B, and thus only boom-equipped tankers could be used.

[TheLurker]

Heads up.  The Russkies are coming.  "Open Skies" flights from / arriving at Brize some time in the next day or two. Expect Antonovs.

Old article, but explains what's going on.
https://modmedia.blog.gov.uk/2015/05/20/open-skies-planned-aircraft-flights-in-uk-airspace/

[Vince]

A Spitfire fit over the site of the Essex Scout jamboree yesterday. It pulled up into a barrel roll just after passing the perimeter.

[TheLurker]

Low level pass heading Kemble lunchtime (ish). Another Herc with a painted fin. 

ZH883 - Hercules C5

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