Firebirds finale?

[Valiantone]

Morning all,

Ok, I freely admit to not being in the Forces, but as there are a lot of fellow photographers, and a few journalists on here, what the :mad:

I wonder if the boys at 56 Squadron have any plans for their disbandment towards the end of this month? The rumour mill is working overtime around these chilly Lincolnshire airfields. So any chance of something better than the locals can come up with, talk of a 9 ship has been rumoured:confused:.

I'd rather have it straight from the horses mouth, as they say.

V1

[ranger703]

I believe the 18th is the day planned for a 9ship. Remaining in Scotland though,to take in Edinburgh,Aberdeen,Lossie,Kinloss amongst others.

[serf]

How much is this costing, I though the MOD were skint.

[Roland Pulfrew]

How much is this costing, I though the MOD were skint.

So, serf, 9 aircraft get airborne together and fly around in formation for an hour or so. Sortie launched as a routine training and hours come out of the sqn's AFT.

Or 9 aircraft get airborne as singletons and disappear off to do PIs or low level for an hour or so. Sorties launched as routine training and hours come out of sqn's AFT.

What is the difference? Except that in one the sqn get to "celebrate" their disbandment in style! Get over yourself. It costs no more than they might have "spent", just done in a slightly different manner.:rolleyes:

[forget]

Careful Roland, Serf is the Guardian of the country's pennies. He had this to say on the Ministry of Defence Annual Report and Accounts 2005–06.

.... 'too difficult' to find and peruse the HS125 auth sheets and pax manifests to verify that they are being used for 'high value pax' and not 'high ranking pax'. :8

One bean, two beans, three beans, fou .......... :confused: one bean, two beans, thre ...

[Had Enough 77]

Serf-

Bullied as a child I think?????:ugh:

Seriously, life is too short too worry about things like this go and find yourself a good woman or man? If you dont you will probably end up lonely and counting your own beans by yourself!:mad:

[Bob Viking]

"Seriously, life is too short too worry about things like this go and find yourself a good woman or man? If you dont you will probably end up lonely and counting your own beans by yourself!"

....or flicking it if you get really lonely!
Sorry, couldn't resist!
BV:O

[OCDave]

"Seriously, life is too short too worry about things like this go and find yourself a good woman or man?"

Now that's a bit unfair isn't it? I'm sure he is very happy with all his tax/banking paperwork.:E

[Diedtrying]

Well as a tax paying civilian I would rather my dosh go towards this celebration and allow the people who keep our freedom and allow us to complain to celebrate in style, than be squandered on some git who doesn't work coming into this country (or born in this country this is not a race issue) for free housing and medical care. I say get EVERY squadron in the air at the same time and give them all a big Brucie bonus in their pay cheques. :ok::D

[Strangelove PhD]

The Department of Work and Pensions has changed it's rules such that people in the UK with more than 1 wife, up to 4 I believe (iaw Islamic law) can claim £33.65 per week per wife.
However, bigamy is still illegal in the UK.
As the septics would say 'go figure'.

I know what I'd rather my contributions were spent on.... Enjoy the days activities chaps, well deserved (imho of course) :D

[forget]

such that people in the UK with more than 1 wife, up to 4 I believe (iaw Islamic law) can claim £33.65 per week per wife.

How does this work? Is it a straight swap? Do you have a number?

[Strangelove PhD]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/03/nbenefit103.xml

In the words of No. 6 '"I am not a number — I am a fee man!"

[PICKS135]

From UKAR
56® Squadron’s Diamond 9 is planned to take place on Friday 18th April, 2008 marking the stand down of the Squadron’s service at Royal Air Force Leuchars. The Phoenix will rise again at Royal Air Force Waddington when the AIRC2ISROEU will become 56!

With a 1000hrs local take off, the planned route will take the ‘Firebirds’ to Edinburgh and the Forth Bridges and then take in Perth, Dundee and Arbroath flying up to Aberdeen/Dyce on to RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Kinloss returning to their hime base at RAF Leuchars!

Usual disclaimers apply and all information weather dependant.

Hope this helps

[andgo]

56 Sqn 9 ship of F3s, I guess they may as well. The F3 was about as useful operationaly as the red 9 ship the RAF uses....:E

Seriously, guys enjoy your moment and have a few drinks afterwards:ok:

[BEagle]

Who or what is AIRC2ISROEU and what do they fly?

[WolvoWill]

Sentinel OCU I think BEagle...thing is, the aircraft it will apparently fly will all be 'owned' and marked up for 5 squadron which will be the front line unit, and theres no budget for extra Sentinels, so whilst the squadron will continue to exist to me lacking any of its own aircraft makes it something of a paper squadron.

[Boldface]

Beagle,

The Air C2ISR OEU are based at Waddo and do OT&E for E-3D, ASTOR, Nimrod R1, MR2, MRA4, UAVs and various ground C2 and TIW type stuff. They have personnel also based at Warton and Kinloss I believe.

I guess this follows the trend of the Typhoo and Fast Jet & Weapons OEUs being given the 17 and 41 Sqn designations respectively.

Some may suggest that it's the most operational thing 56 will have done for quite a while!!:ok:

[f4aviation]

Come on Firebirds, a fuel stop at Coningsby and a flypast over Wattisham is a must!

[Gerry Mobbs]

What about Waterbeach?They were there in the 1950's flying the Hunter.

[maxburner]

In that case, how about Akrotiri?

[Valiantone]

Thanks Ranger 703,

I won't have to worry about missing it at Waddington or Coningsby then, which is a great shame, and its also a shame they won't get down to Wattisham either.:sad:

V1

[Porrohman]

Have exact times and routings been finalised for the flypasts? Will there be a chase aircraft taking air to air photographs?

I know a lot of photographers would like to try to get photos of the flypast, so if anyone could help with exact routings and times that would increase the chances of photographers being not just in the correct general location but also in the best spot to get some great shots which I'm sure can be posted here for everyone to enjoy.

I'd especially like to try to get a good photo of them in the vicinity of the Forth Bridges but sod's law says they'll appear the wrong side of the bridges from wherever I am.

[Lima Juliet]

RAF North Weald, Coningsby and Wattisham MUST be on the schedule!

[PICKS135]

AL 1 from UKAR

Like Mark said, sorry to bring the bad news, but the Diamond-9 is NOT going to take in Lossiemouth and Kinloss. It will route from Leuchars to Edinburgh, flying past the east side of the bridges, around the city and back up north again past the east side of the bridges (closer to the bridges this time). Next place to visit is Scoone, Dundee Airport, RM Condor and Dyce before returning back to Leuchars for two passes over the station, before the formation breaks up in pairs.

[Porrohman]

Thanks for the info Picks 135. Much appreciated.

With 9 Tornados in close formation, maybe they should rename themselves "Thunderbirds" for the day? :ok: I hope the weather is kind.

[High_Expect]

All,
the NOTAM is out and about for timings. I can't remember the exact timings but 0900z rings a bell (although I could be wrong). Edinburgh, Forth Bridges, Leuchars, Kinloss or Lossie and Dundee are all part of the route. Is there a way of accessing NOTAMs online?

[High_Expect]

Here you go

EGPX
NAVW: Q)EGPX/QWVLW/IV/M/W/000/030/5650N00320W060
FROM 08/04/17 08:45 TO 08/04/18 10:15 H0884/08
D)0845-1015
E)FORMATION TRANSIT BY 9X TORNADO AND 1 HAWK ACFT ROUTING 5622N00252W (RAF LEUCHARS, FIFE) 0900 HRS - 5626N 00222W (BELL ROCK, OVER THE SEA) MANOEUVRING IN VICINITY UNTIL APRX 0913 HRS - 5611N 00233W (ISLE OF MAY, OVER THE SEA) 0915 HRS - ENTER EDINBURGH CTR AT 5604N 00310 (KINGHORN, FIFE) 0918 HRS HRS- FLYPASTS WITHIN CTR - DEPART CTR 5607N 00323W (COWDENBEATH, FIFE) 0925 HRS - 5626N 00322W (PERTH (SCONE) AIRFIELD, PERTHSHIRE) 0930 HRS - 5627N 00302W (DUNDEE AIRFIELD, DUNDEE) 0935 HRS - 5635N 00237W (RM CONDOR, ABROATH, ANGUS) 0937 HRS- 5712N 00212W (ABERDEEN (DYCE), ABERDEENSHIRE) 0940 HRS - 5733N 00227W (TURIFF, ABERDEENSHIRE) 0942 HRS - 5742N 00320W (RAF LOSSIEMOUTH, MORAYSHIRE) 0945 HRS - 5739N 00334W (RAF KINLOSS, MORAYSHIRE) 0947 HRS -5644N 00241W (BRECHIN, ANGUS) 1002 HRS - 5622N 00252W (RAF LEUCHARS, FIFE 1005 HRS. ROUTE WILL BE FLOWN BTN
1000FT AND 2000FT AGL. 17 APR IS WX BACKUP DAY. TIMINGS AND ROUTE
ARE APRX AND MAY CHANGE DUE TO WX OR OTHER REQUIREMENTS.
AUS 08-04-0306/980/AS1
F)SFC G)3000FT AMSL

:ok:

[Roymac]

Looking at tomorrow's weather, don't hold your breath for Edinburgh. The cloud base predicted may be below our auth'd minima for a 9 ship. All points North look good though, so I'm standing by to re-plan route tomorrow at crack of sparrows for the xth time!

By the way, there is a Hawk (19 Sqn) with a photog on board, with us all way round the route - where ever that route may go!

[Porrohman]

Oh B*****

As the NOTAM says, it was scheduled for 18th but 17th was the backup day if the weather looked like it would be unfavourable on the 18th.

So I missed it I think...:* Rumour has it that it happened today at 10:05BST :sad: Or was today's flyby at EDI just a practice?

Did anyone get some photos?

[pubsman]

Just completed Edinburgh part of route. Just managed to see them through the murk!!

[Captain Smithy]

Just flew past the old Ferranti factory at Crewe Toll... thanks guys, great sight :ok:

Smithy

[excrewingbod]

Just passing Aberdeen now.

[Zoom]

Just following up serf's moan, I have always believed that every second spent in the air had value. Even getting airborne and having to land 15 minutes later because of some emergency or other taught me something (even if it was only that HM's kit needed more money to be spent on it).

[B_Fawlty]

Got a good view from the lower slopes of Kirkhill in Dyce as they approached from over Aberdeen city itself. Just a few whisps of cloud so nothing to blame my pi$$poor attempts at photography on :{
What a fantastic sight - cheers :D:D

[Roymac]

The Boss had to do some quick footwork to get in what we did manage of the Edinburgh section. No chance of getting round to the south to overfly Redford Barracks - sorry Army! Perth/Dundee and northwards was lovely weather. One last Firebird sortie on Tuesday morning over the disbandment parade at Leuchars. Just heard that the E-3 has binned out and the Sentinel is a question mark. There will 4 F3 making some noise though! Then Black and White chequers for everyone on Wednesday.

[Inverted81]

My pics from Aberdeen today.


http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/cfleet/56pd3.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/cfleet/56pd1.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/cfleet/56pd2.jpg

Thanks to 56 for including us today, and thanks from a space cadet who you looked after at coningsby a few years back!

81

[ranger703]

Any particular reason why Lossie and Kinloss were binned from the sortie?

Just curious.

[polyglory]

Lovely photo's, many thanks for showing them.

Last time I worked with them was at Wattisham on Lightnings and Phantoms:)

[PICKS135]

ROYMAC

Please thank the boss for bringing them over Cupar. Thought i was going to miss the finale, with having to work. :D:D:D

[bakseetblatherer]

ROYMAC that is a great top secret PPrune name, I wonder who you are! Even easier that 'Artyhug'.
Hope you guys have a great EoL party, be thinking of you lot boozin in Leuchars:cool:

[alwayslookingup]

Here's mine from Aberdeen today. Not a patch on Inverted81's efforts, but it's the thought that counts. And yes, we were surprised when they headed out east over the sea and hooked back round towards Leuchars, rather than continuing north/west to Lossie/Kinloss. I guess it was time pressure that forced this.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm92/fujiuser/Tornados1.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm92/fujiuser/Tornados2.jpg

[alwayslookingup]

Aye, strongbowfan, you're right, and I've just noticed No 9 looks a bit wobbly in both photos.

[exlatccatsa]

Eagerly awaiting the pictures from the photo ship Hawk who went inverted over the formation as they passed over Aberdeen.. we all assume to take a fantastic (hopefully) photo looking down on the formation with the airport below.

[BerryV]

exlatccatsa - here you go - Dyce as seen from the Hawk:

http://www.aeroimage.co.uk/UKAR/V5L1934-800.jpg

In clear contrast, the weather in Edinburgh:

http://www.aeroimage.co.uk/UKAR/V5L1635-800.jpg

One from underneath, with Phoenix 10 visible as well:

http://www.aeroimage.co.uk/UKAR/V5L1818-800.jpg

Phoenix 1 to 3 heading for RAF Leuchars:

http://www.aeroimage.co.uk/UKAR/V5L2009-800.jpg

Cheers, Berry

[Magic Mushroom]

Great pics!! It's a wonder Aberdeen ATC haven't started chiselling about busting their zone again!!!;)

Regards,
MM

[rab-k]

BBC Image (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/uk_enl_1208533757/html/1.stm)

BBC Story (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7354853.stm)

[exlatccatsa]

Brilliant pics Berry! Thanks for that.. are they for sale?
Just goes to show what they say about the Aberdeen weather isn't always true!!
Have you got an inverted shot about 10 seconds later with the tower in it?
Send me a pm with your e mail address and i'll sent you one of us looking at you!!

[Inverted81]

exlatccatsa

Aye that shot would look nice on one of the walls in the tower. Hows that for commitment... on the grassy knoll over the other side on my days off!

Berry, seen the shots over on UKAR as well. FANTASTIC!!

81

[ferguwat]

here is a bit of video I have uploaded to youtube ...
couldn't see a thing to start with, as it is impossible to use my cameras LCD screen when pointing towards the sun ... but once they were level with me it was easier ...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK4iPvgP7Do (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK4iPvgP7Do)