Wokka over Southend

[Essexbird]

Would just like to say a big thanks to the wokka crew who flew over my garden twice yesterday lunchtime. We dont often get to see or hear the best helo in the RAF down our neck of the woods. Would be great if you could add SS9 onto your flightpath a little more often! Anyhow, thanks again guys.:)

[Al R]

Welcome Essexbird. If i might hijack your thread, here's one I took of one over Canada Square very recently.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n239/thrust_01/cott099-1.jpg

[Essexbird]

Well, whatever the reason, it was a very welcome sight. And I can assure you, the parties we have in good old Southend are far better than any you'd go to in the IOW!

[Essexbird]

Thanks Al R. Wanted to get a photo yesterday, but couldn't find the bloody camera in time. Sods law eh!

[VAFFPAX]

Yes, we have them out here in the sticks too occasionally, but then again, we have all sorts of a/c circling and landing. Usually it's the big Sikorsky ones that come clattering over. :-)

S.

[Al R]

Certainly is.

Party round your place then. :ok:

[Essexbird]

Only 1 little problem there....dont think my garden is big enough for a chinook to make a landing, other than that - yer bring it on!

[G-CPTN]

That image over Canada Square seems remarkably distant. Fortunately we get them much lower when they do overfly (although the aural effect can become almost painful due to he egg-beater effect). We are on a low-flying route to-and-from the Otterburn Ranges, however :E :ok:

[Al R]

No worries Eb, I'm sure the troops in the back are up for a hover jump. I am always on stand by for an Essex party too. Alfa topped up and ready to go!

G-C, It was. I was at Greenwich about to head over. A colleague phoned me and asked me what on earth was that constant thumping noise battering her into submission from above. The reverb must certainly thrash around in those narrow, tall spaces, and it makes you realise why the South Quay bomb caused so much more damage than it otherwise might.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/VirtualContent/85094/bomb.jpg

Essexb, Once again - sorry for the drift, especially on your first thread. As you can see, I'm clearly not the type of guest you'd want at a party anyway, so my willful behaviour is not totally in vain..

[AR1]

My sighting yesterday 7.30pm is a 'Commando' escorted by 2 Apache crossing the M4 just north of Lyneham!

First Apache I've seen. Amazing! - and they also carried out an important road safety function - the traffic slowed down!

[Cpt_Pugwash]

AR1,
That would have been Scarlet56 flight, returning to Lyneham from Brecon. I saw/heard them outbound around 16:00.

[Essexbird]

Just had a thought this morning, we have the Southend airshow coming up in a few weeks and the Wokka displayed last year. Perhaps their apperance on Tues had something to do with that..??? I have checked the Chinook Display Team's website but 2008 dates are not posted yet. Does anyone know if they are going to show this year or not? :bored:

[Gainesy]

From the number of Wokka overflight threads that keep coming up, it seems that the sight and sound of the Beast is extremely popular with Joe Public.

Eat yer heart out FJ world.:E

:uhoh:That didn't take long did it? Just got wired by a two-ship. (Only the third time I've seen any down here in nine years).

[Heliringer]

Probably on their way to ANOTHER stag night:ok:

[Dan D'air]

We dont often get to see or hear the best helo in the RAF down our neck of the woods.

The Chinooks all belong to the Army, as the RAF now has the Lynx. A quick perusal of any daily would confirm that.:}

[Essexbird]

Soz, not sure I agree 100% with you there. What about the Chinooks operating out of RAF Odiham from 7,18(B) and 27 Sqdn!!!

[Dan D'air]

Surely the press wouldn't get their facts wrong regarding military matters?:ugh:

[TabbyCat]

Just wanted to join in the general praise, hope you don't mind. I often see those lovely big machines (often travelling in threes for some reason??) near me and I do love to see them, thank you.

However, I am probably more partial to two other large whirly types which live quite close by :) although I don't see as many as they are all very busy now :( and mostly far from home.....

TC.

[RS15]

We dont often get to see or hear the best helo in the RAF

yawn, wokka wokka wokka.

me thinks best is.....

COOL Prince William looks comfortable at the controls of a rescue helicopter yesterday.

Wills, 25, went on a two-hour mission co-piloting the bright yellow Sea King chopper – widely regarded by the RAF as the most difficult and dangerous to fly.

when's the party???

[Essexbird]

Of course they wouldn't! I like many others have total faith in our lovely press and treat all their words as gospel......! ;) I am from Essex yer know!

[AR1]

"Sea King chopper – widely regarded by the RAF as the most difficult and dangerous to fly."

I'm never going in one of those buggers again.:eek:

[Essexbird]

If you're interested, I have been informed that Wokka will not be showing at S'end airshow this year. Shame! as in my mind it was one of the highlights of the show :{

[Essexbird]

1.4G - might be a tad difficult - as an Essex bird, I'm wearing the old white stilettos in every photo I have.........:rolleyes:

[scientia in alto]

Nice to see that were welcome. Normally only low flying complaints that chase us to see where we've been.

Does anyone know if there is an online map or list of people who do want a little visit? It might occasionally help in the planning stages to have a simulated pickup point/drop off. At least that way we can take the noise to people who appreciate it. My favourite is a farmer in Wales who complains when we don't use his field often enough. Then when we do he arranges for about 15 people to be there and welcome us with a wave:ok:.

It makes me proud to serve again.:O

[Essexbird]

SIA - Thanks your NICE comment! :) I obviously, cannot answer your question, being just only a lowly 'Wokka groupie', however I would ask that if ever such a list is produced that my coordinates are included!!!! I would always greet you with a wave and a smile ;)

[clicker]

scientia in alto

Would love to see you but I live in a "no low fly zone" along the south coast and no view of the channel where I have often heard you clatter.