View Full Version : Fly Navy 100
CHINOOKER
7th May 2009, 09:01
Just wishing to say a big "Thank You",to all the helo crews who were positioning into Northolt today for the above celebration/flypast......especially to the Lynx and the marines commando? sea king/lynx formation for your "up and close" flyby!.....Hope you all have a great day,Cheers!!
Need money
7th May 2009, 09:07
Yep - saw some of these en route over Ruislip. Very impressive.
:D
ETA for the flypast ?
Thank you.
Thunderbird167
7th May 2009, 09:36
More details here http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operatio...to-the-capital (http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/fleet-air-arm/fly-navy-100/news/naval-aviation-comes-to-the-capital)
CHINOOKER
7th May 2009, 09:39
Flypast is at 12.00 over Greenwhich/HMS Illustrious,then formation is due to route back to Northolt. As i type this all relevant parts of formation are in process of starting up at Nht....Believe they are due to depart out to N/E of London to formate before coming back on east-west track....Hope this helps.
Many thanks. Should be abeam Chateau WHBM about 1158 then. Good luck all.
CHINOOKER
7th May 2009, 09:51
Merlin en-route now to Greenwhich...poss camera ship/weather monitor
CHINOOKER
7th May 2009, 10:06
Main formation now airborne..routing out via Brent reservior....looks very impressive :D:D:D
CHINOOKER
7th May 2009, 10:28
Formation seems to be in holding pattern over Daymes Hall?,wherever that is!
Benjybh
7th May 2009, 10:57
Anyone know if/where the flypast will be on TV?
Molemot
7th May 2009, 11:00
Coverage of flypast on BBC News NOW!!
Benjybh
7th May 2009, 11:05
Albeit crap coverage. :ouch:
Molemot
7th May 2009, 11:06
VERY true.... absolute waste of space.
I wondered why the skies were a bit noisy over me in Fulham. The Merlin is going over now. Nice turn out ladies and gentlemen - come back soon!
peterperfect
7th May 2009, 11:22
................And as Geoff Meade on SKY News Live at Greenwich waxes lyrical about the Fleet Air Arm's sense of identity and history, the yellow ticker tape underneath reports the RAF flypast is underway !! priceless.
Razor61
7th May 2009, 11:30
Well again the BBC and Sky live up to their expectation of covering flypasts over London. Totally crap.
Camera was barely on the flypast at all, and when asking Geoff Meade on Sky what the bulges were under the helicopters (Seaking ASAC7) he goes on to talk about the Merlin and Jetstream being a turboprop.
Then Sky News split their screen, the little dots which could be seen of the flypast (which looked like flies) were now totally gone because half of the screen was Interest Rates.
It was a case of i can 'hear something' but cannot see it.
However, another chance sat/sun i have heard.
Atleast i got woken up by the Seakings in formation this morning enroute to Northolt here in mid Devon.
Congratulations to the Royal Navy... shame the news teams cannot do the same.
Navaleye
7th May 2009, 11:34
Just got back from my morning on Lusty, well done the Navy on their century of flight. I'm sure the RAF will have an equally good bash when they catch up with the senior service 10 years hence.
FNU_SNU
7th May 2009, 11:52
What's the crack with Lusty being the only 'Strike Carrier'? I take it's because Ark Royal is in refit?
Tourist
7th May 2009, 11:55
There's at least two big assumptions in that post navaleye....
scudpilot
7th May 2009, 12:21
Just heard about this on Capital
What was participating? I assume Merlin's Lynx's etc? How many?
Anyone know if they will having a repeat performance over the weekend as suggested above?
Razor61
7th May 2009, 12:45
It was
4 Merlin HM1's
2 Seaking ASAC7
2 Seaking HUR5
4 Commando HC4
5 (or 6?) Lynx (Mk3/7/8)
4 Jetstreams
I think a couple of Merlin HC3 and Chinook HC2s (which took part in the Yeovilton flypast a couple of weeks ago) but unsure if they took part today.
In all though i think around 30-40 aircraft took part in the rehearsal at Yeovilton a few weeks ago which included all the single engine types and historic flight plus the Sea Vixen and others.
I can't confirm what took part proper today because the TV News teams decided not to show anything apart from a few Merlins and Seakings.
Thunderbird167
7th May 2009, 13:07
The weekend events are not a flypast but a role demonstaration.
The details are on the Royal Navy Website
futher details here
Navy in Greenwich - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums (http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=90511).
and Happy 100 Years Fleet Air Arm - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums (http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=90531)
and from the Navy
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operatio...to-the-capital (http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/fleet-air-arm/fly-navy-100/news/naval-aviation-comes-to-the-capital)
I think a couple of Merlin HC3 and Chinook HC2s (which took part in the Yeovilton flypast a couple of weeks ago) but unsure if they took part today.
There weren't any at the VL practice so I doubt they had any over London.
scudpilot
7th May 2009, 13:31
Saw a pair of RAF Puma's fly over Camberley / Sandhurst last nght at arund 7pm... very unusual... connected in any way... (and before anyone shouts... I realise they are not Navy)
Was it pretty windy over the smoke today?
airborne_artist
7th May 2009, 14:45
Was it pretty windy over the smoke today?
No - EGLC 071250Z 21011KT 9999 SCT022 BKN028 15/09 Q1014=
ShyTorque
7th May 2009, 14:59
On the ground not a particularly windy day but up aloft it was quite turbulent around the time of the flypast.
(As number 4 Merlin obviously noticed ;) ).
Harriers were sadly missed. Can anyone tell me what the rules are for the min height for such a flypast (given it was over water for the crucial bit)? I would like to think the light blue could have gone a teeny bit lower.
Nicely done, all. Bet you were a bit disappointed by the TV coverage though.
Regarding Harriers and single engine over London, it appears :
70-year old Spitfires, flying museum pieces, grossly imflammable Avgas = OK.
Current front-line units of the national defence force, less flammable Jet A-1 = Not OK.
What does this say ?
airborne_artist
7th May 2009, 15:42
What does this say ?
Weight of Spitfire - about 2500kg
Weight of Harrier - about 5500kg
So KE of Harrier will be greater, unless Harrier is flying very slowly.
Flammability of A1 v Avgas not really an issue in the event of a crash - both will go up, for certain.
Full fuel load on a Harrier is about 3200kg, Spitfire 700kg (depending on model/mark)
Monty77
7th May 2009, 17:06
I applaud all those who were involved in giving up their time to do this.
It's a real pity that the Fleet Air Arm has come to this.
Hold ourselves up to the light.
What on Earth have we become?
Some helicopters 'with lumps on them', and some Jetstreams.
See ya.
Romeo Oscar Golf
7th May 2009, 17:06
Remind me again... How many engines do the Sparrow's Hawks have?
MOD spokesman probably thinks it's nine ('cos they are so close)!!
Well done RN, and I add my contempt for the Media's appalling ignorance and lack of interest. Sky even run a "banner" as they showed, briefly, the fly past stating that the "RAF was mounting a flypast to celebrate 100 yrs of Naval Aviation".:ugh:
Eric T Cartman
7th May 2009, 17:25
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo354/oldbloke60/FLYNAVY.jpg
I thought that the RAF,s role, hardware and personnel were going to be amalgamated into the Royal Navy in the near future? :E:E:E
RNGrommits
7th May 2009, 18:32
Nice touch getting them to all fly past Lords at lunchtime so the cameras at the cricket could all get them in shot (& I am sure I counted more than 4 merlins!).
Mike7777777
7th May 2009, 19:50
Isn't the Bucc at Scampton flying yet? Now that would have been impressive up the Thames ;)
LateArmLive
7th May 2009, 20:04
Well done to our gill-necked brethren. Nice to see the entire strength of the FAA was there ;)
Mike7777777
7th May 2009, 20:12
No Swordfish? I'm sure there's one flying somewhere.
Seldomfitforpurpose
7th May 2009, 20:19
Must admit I did wonder if it was all of them :p
Romeo Oscar Golf wrote,
Remind me again... How many engines do the Sparrow's Hawks have?
MOD spokesman probably thinks it's nine ('cos they are so close)!!
Hawks have a Ram Air Turbine and Auxiliary Power Unit. Due to this, and their better glide capability, they took the place of Harriers during the 2007 Falklands 25th flypast.
NDS - News Distribution Service (http://nds.coi.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=292040&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=True)
TJ
Spanish Waltzer
8th May 2009, 09:19
Must admit I did wonder if it was all of them
Thats simply not fair :=....No it was not all of them......
Just all the serviceable ones :ok: :E :E
Beatriz Fontana
8th May 2009, 09:28
Saw the sight over central London. Brilliant. I heard that they were apparently 15 aircraft short of the planned flypast because of bad weather.
Saw a Puma on the back of a low loader on the M3 on Tuesday afternoon, does that count?
Romeo Oscar Golf
9th May 2009, 09:09
. Harriers will not take part in the flypast over London because single engine aircraft without the capability to glide in the event of an engine failure are not permitted to fly low over central London. Were they to take part, they would have to fly too high to be part of the display.
Taken from the MOD NDS Site - Thanks TEEEJ.
However.....How far do you think a Ram Air Turbine and Auxiliary Power Unit equipped Hawk would glide from display height over the capital city if it lost that one donk?
We really have become a wet, limp wristed, spineless nation even frightened to fart lest it offends someone, or more likely, transgesses Elf 'n safety.
Rant over- but I do miss the days of real flypasts.:sad:
greycoat
9th May 2009, 09:50
off topic slightly, but May 69 a Harrier departed King's Cross coalyard to set the trans-atlantic record. Interesting how things have changed in the intervening 40 years.
BEagle
9th May 2009, 10:54
A FAA chap I once knew had an engine failure in his single engined jet over central London.
At night.
Somehow he got his Attacker down at some aerodrome nearby. Of course we had more of those back then, as well.
This bolleaux of not allowing the Harrier, admittedly with a glide ratio only marginally better than that of well-thown manhole cover, must stop. Tell the H&S pratts :8 to do one.
"So, meine Herren, tomorrow ve vill attack ze London docks at low level. It is strengsten verboten for ze Tommies to fly das Spitfeuer over Central London if to glide clear they cannot......."
Fortunately they didn't seem to worry about such things back then - as Sep 15th 1940 was to prove.
Double Zero
9th May 2009, 11:13
I love the phrase " that wasn't a flypast, it was a role demonstration " !
The next part of the demo' presumably being the Illustrious sinking in the Thames, having been clobbered with no fighters on CAP...
Even GR9's would have been a token effort, and as said before, exactly how much further will a Hawk glide ?
Harriers, even the P1127 prototype, have been dead-sticked to safety, Hugh Merewether did it twice ( Tangmere & Thorney ) and Test Pilots such as John Farley logged HOURS with engine out deliberately - from altitude of course.
It seems a vintage single engine Spitfire ( or a group of them & Hurricanes, I photographed it ) can happily fly along the Mall & over Buck House, while a modern professionally maintained Harrier ist verboten...
Another type noticable by its' absence was the Swordfish - don't tell me that won't glide, or was someone worried because it also has a Pegasus engine ?! ( OK I admit it's been windy lately, but both aircraft are worth a hell of a lot more of a mention than helicopters ).
Basil Fawlty, your country needs you !
LateArmLive
9th May 2009, 13:24
True, but Mr Farley wasn't in the habit off switching off Mr Pegasus at 1000' over central London.........
If a Harrier was to lose thrust over the City it would crash into a very populated area. Thankfully, we haven't lost an engine in.............about a year?
I believe it is ACAS that make the rules? The Harrier can still overfly London, but it would have to be at a greater height. No Ram Air Turbine in a Harrier GR.7/9, etc. (The early Harrier had a RAT as did the Sea Harrier FRS.1). Hawk has better glide ratio and the back up of the RAT. It meets the requirements for ACAS. Something you would have to bring up with them.
It was debated during the 2007 25th Falklands Anniversary.
See John Farley's post at #91 on Harrier/P.1127.
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/269394-sea-harrier-falklands-anniversary.html
It is a debate that crops up time and time again in relation to London flypasts. Can anyone provide a definitive answer?
TJ
LateArmLive
9th May 2009, 15:10
The RAT would make precious little difference to whether or not the GR9 could fly "safely" over London. A windmilling Pegasus will give you essentially the same PFCU input that a RAT would. More of an issue would be the massive drag leading to a terminal downwards vector. It's really the Harrier's lack of glide performance that would see it off over London.
Mogwi
10th May 2009, 15:39
I performed a full SHAR display in the mid-eighties alongside ARK whilst she was tied up at the same bouy with a base ht of 100ft (including a mini-cct over the Isle of Dogs!)
Then headed for Biggin for gas to find it out in donner and blitzen. Diverted to Southend and landed on fumes but no-one died!
BTW the RAT was removed from the SHAR because the only HYD 1 failures we ever suffered were caused by leaks in the ---- RAT! We carried a spare outrigger wheel there instead!
nunquamparatus
15th May 2009, 11:34
All,
Having been part of the team that helped to coordinate the celebrations in London I would just like to say a huge thank you to everyone who turned out to watch the BALBO flypast on Thurs, attended the St Paul's service on Friday and the many people who visited the Greenwich Foundation site over the weekend. Whilst the weather was not exactly perfect, I think we captured the spirit of the event and those who attended the service in St Paul's all commented favourably - particularly on Kristin Scott-Thomas' reading.
Anyone in the vicinity of LUST on Thursday night would have witnessed the spectacular fireworks, a culmination of the dinner on board LUST that night. A huge thanks to everyone involved - especially from LUST ship's company.
More events planned for the rest of the year - display season included - but main one will be the visit to Liverpool of HMS ILLUSTRIOUS from 22-28 October which will include Ship Open To Visitors.
I gather from someone who attended that the BALBO flypast was also, and utterly by coincidence, timed perfectly with all the light blue exiting the Air Power Conference................
david parry
16th May 2009, 08:02
:D Re thread on swordfish question !!they had one on theThe 50 YR FLYPAST Fairey Swordfish (pilot, Rear Admiral P. D. Gick; observer, Rear Admiral H. R.
Janvrin; telegraphist/air gunner, Lt Cdr C. Topliss).
Wasps of 829 Sqn (Lt Cdr K. Mitchell) and 771 Sqn (Lt Cdr J. R. J. Rutherford).
12 Wessexes of 819 Sqn (Lt Cdr P. J. Lynn), 706 Sqn (Lt Cdr J. E. Kelly), 737 Sqn
(Lt Cdr R. Leonard) and 829 Sqn.
Gannets of 849 Sqn (Lt Cdr W. H. Barnard) and 831 Sqn (Lt Cdr J. G. Grindle).
12 Hunters of 738 Sqn (Lt Cdr J. W. Beard) and 759 Sqn (LtCdrA. H. Milnes).
12 Scimitars of 803 Sqn (Lt Cdr P. G. Newman) and 736 Sqn (Lt Cdr J. Worth).
12 Sea Vixens of 899 Sqn (Cdr D. C. Matthews), 890 Sqn (Lt Cdr R. G. M.Campbell)
and 766 Sqn (Lt Cdr G. P. Carne).
12 Buccaneers of 800 Sqn (Lt Cdr J. C. Mather) and 809 Sqn (Lt Cdr J. F. H. C. De Winton