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View Full Version : Searchlights at YMMB ?


Back Pressure
20th Mar 2010, 10:28
Have just been observing 2 searchlights near YMMB. I live about 3 kms directly west of the airfield, and the lights are almost directly east of me, so they could be located at the airfield. Of course, they could also be located many miles further east as well.

They have been pointed west, swinging back and forth through an arc of about 30 degrees (255 to 285 deg) in a seemingly random pattern.

I've only noticed them now because of the thin haze overhead, so they may have been doing this for quite some time, but I've never noticed them before (and I've lived here >20 years)

To my untrained eye, they look quite powerful, so I figure they must be pretty visible from the air. Just wondering if anyone has seen them, or know what they are for. And no, they are not the YMMB tower beacon !

Are we under attack from the Vogons ?

VH-XXX
20th Mar 2010, 10:50
You can hire those on a trailer for promotional events like shop openings etc. I'd say a restaurant or something but unlikely out that way. Perhaps an event of sorts?

Flying Binghi
20th Mar 2010, 10:52
Hmmm, how many beers ya had Back Pressure... could just be a neighbor with an eveready torch....:}




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Back Pressure
20th Mar 2010, 11:08
FB, not enough beers, and my neighbour would have to be about 3000' tall!

onezeroonethree
20th Mar 2010, 11:33
I know the Lyndhurst area is known for spot lights occasionally... and I've seen them from about 10km away as far north as GMH... who knows!

Flying Binghi
20th Mar 2010, 11:33
...and my neighbour would have to be about 3000' tall!

Must be a Vogon then...:ooh:




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Peter Fanelli
20th Mar 2010, 11:49
Are you sure it was moving in a random pattern?
It might have been the cloud searchlight.

ramp_boy
20th Mar 2010, 12:34
..just came past YMMB and the searchlights seem to be coming somewhere west of the airfield.

Phil O'Rupp
20th Mar 2010, 13:59
Police helicopter?

GADRIVR
21st Mar 2010, 01:15
Yoinks...... Ze Germanz ist coming!!!

Flying Binghi
21st Mar 2010, 01:48
Yoinks...... Ze Germanz ist coming!!!

Zeplins on the way! ...better get the old Sopwith up...:}




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VH-XXX
21st Mar 2010, 11:49
Police Helicopter?

Not unless it was upside down!

Flying Binghi
21st Mar 2010, 12:04
Hmmm, the Police chopper may have been at 3,000' shineing its search light onto a large puddle with the reflection giving the impression of multiple beams.... we'll work this out yet.....:}




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onezeroonethree
21st Mar 2010, 13:57
sure it wasnt batman?

desmotronic
21st Mar 2010, 18:01
there was a riot at bob janes warrigal rd due cancellation of easternats

VH-XXX
21st Mar 2010, 22:33
The riot was probably 6+ miles to the north east of YMMB.

Beams were to the west.

Most likely something like the "Good Guys" opening a new store or something boring that they deem worthy of blinding passing aviators for.