"Police" 355 over Ipswich

[Hilico]

Every couple of weeks a Twin Squirrel in police colours (dark blue, yellow engine cowlings) flies over Ipswich UK. Happened today, 13th Feb 07, at 1540 and then again in the opposite direction (SW) five minutes later.

Suffolk Police use a 135; Essex Police use a 135; last time I looked, Norfolk had a 105. Conclusion: it's not any of theirs. WHO IS IT????? PLEASE????

[Droopy]

Not necessarily "police" colours but "conspicuity". Could be a police maintenance relief a/c, could be survey.

[Blind Bob]

It could be Network Rail.........I think they use a PDG aircraft. Or it may be one from Aeromega.

[Colonal Mustard]

you sure its a 355? Transco gas pipeline helo, every two weeks they fly a route past ipswich, in then out so to speak
http://www.totalairmanagementservices.com/images/dbimages/new333.gif

[Barshifter]

Hilico
Could be either of these.

Sterling Helicopters(Norwich)

http://www.caa.co.uk/applicationmodules/ginfo/ginfo_photo.aspx?regmark=G-BMTC&imgname=G-BMTC001&imgtype=jpg

PDG(Inverness) as mentioned by Blind Bob

http://www.caa.co.uk/applicationmodules/ginfo/ginfo_photo.aspx?regmark=G-FTWO&imgname=G-FTWO001&imgtype=jpg

[PANews]

There are very many options even sticking to the reported 355.

MW at Stapleford usually have at least one ex-police machine for lease that retains all the bells and whistles when required. Network Rail has one leased machine in each corner of the UK but they only use each of them occasionally.

In short the commercial aspects of your request probably mean you will never find out.

[breakscrew]

Are you sure it is not one of the Middle Wallop squirrels going in and out of Wattisham. Their students do 'long navs' from Wallop to Wattisham and back via the London Heliroutes. Although not in classic 'police colours', they do look similar from a distance. The timings would also coincide with the phasing of their courses.

[Xavier Dosh]

Hi there,

I think you'll find it's G-OTSP - operating into a private site at Ipswich.

XD

[Hilico]

Thanks everyone! I'll have my binos standing by in a fortnight or so's time to get those markings in detail.

[Bravo73]

My money's on XD.


G-OTSP:
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/GImages/G-OTSP002.jpg


Registered at:

1 CROMWELL SQUARE
IPSWICH

[Hilico]

Well in that case I'm turning up at Cromwell Square first thing tomorrow!
PS Where IS Cromwell Square Ipswich?

[Xavier Dosh]

It's just off Princes Street.

Did you see/hear the aircraft last night? about 1740??

It's more than once every two weeks...

In the words of Shaw Taylor

Keep 'em peeled..

All the best

XD

[Rushes]

Im glad to see those young Essex chaps keeping themselves busy....