Mach Loop 3/6/13

[Alex Lovell]

Some photos from the days sorties.

1. On an excursion from Lossie
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5336/8962933483_78b6c7875a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexlovell2011/8962933483/)
2.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/8962933369_61de77d11d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexlovell2011/8962933369/)
3. Rebel 41
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/8964129702_6c5965d350_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexlovell2011/8964129702/)
4.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2811/8962933551_e95de0b2f0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexlovell2011/8962933551/)
5. First sweeper of the day "Spartan 1"
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/8964030550_e2710e9b4e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexlovell2011/8964030550/)
6. Typhoon 76 (who moments later went vertical out of Cad, as did the blonde T2 pilot in the afternoon):D
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5469/8964030626_a7a1ceefdf_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexlovell2011/8964030626/)
7.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/8964030692_a2945a0bcb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexlovell2011/8964030692/)
8. Talon 71 finds the shade :(
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8272/8963277365_ec0b93a966_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexlovell2011/8963277365/)
9. "005"
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/8964030852_575a9cd6cc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexlovell2011/8964030852/)
10. This guy had fun
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/8964030466_6826849972_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexlovell2011/8964030466/)
11. Last movement of the day - sadly not low enough but great to see
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/8964128932_4a52a319bb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexlovell2011/8964128932/)
12.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2830/8964128868_230840eb3d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexlovell2011/8964128868/)

[4ROCK]

What a magnificent aeroplane...the F15!

[Al R]

Good shots, thanks. :D

[glojo]

Gloom, gloom and more gloom.. :ok::ok: I LOVE looking at these amazing images and how I wish I could get to that location and try to take these types of shot. To say I am envious is a huge understatementand thank you for posting them.

Am I the only one that can hear the roar of those engines? :ok:

[Libertine Winno]

Some great pics, must be some decent equipment you took up there!

[60024]

I thought the F-15Es from Lakenheath were grounded until September due to the US budget sequestration. I could understand if they were flying CAP for their Boss during the G8, but then why waste the fuel flying LL through Wales?

[Alex Lovell]

Currency flights, majority of their work was at fl20,000. If they have enough fuel after their mission they try to get some l/l minutes although not as low as the locals

As for my camera gear, less than GBP500 for my equipment so an affordable hobby

[Knight Paladin]

First sweeper of the day "Spartan 1"

Typhoon 76 (who moments later went vertical out of Cad, as did the blonde T2 pilot in the afternoon):D

This guy had fun

How long until another NOTAM banning the loop appears then?

[Alex Lovell]

Depends whether you go to the press

[500N]

Or hold up funny signs :O

Can't have the troops having fun now can we ?

[tartare]

The sound of freedom...

[Pure Pursuit]

They are allowed to remain current in core roles...

I think you'll find that it would a great deal more expensive to ground them completely and then have to finance the training programme required to get the crews back up to speed. It's going to take months as it is.:ugh:

[Knight Paladin]

Depends whether you go to the press

Or whether you put comments like the above on a forum known to be frequented by both the press and senior officers.

[Alex Lovell]

I would not change my choice of words, and I take time to review what I write for the reasons that you have mentioned. Likewise I only include photos that are acceptable and that will not spoil anything for those involved. Handwritten signs, afterburners etc in the public eye is not my style

[xray one]

617 tail art painted by Rodney aged 6 1/4......

[reds & greens]

617 tail art painted by Rodney aged 6 1/4......

- Certainly an improvement on the '3 Sqn Special' calamity

[The Old Fat One]

To the mates who steamed the GR4 down Glen Shiel at 1609 local on Thursday 20th June.....outstanding :ok::ok: In the words of my son: what the ****

[NutLoose]

Excellent Chinook photos, where did you take those? Recent exercise in Scotland / Borders?

[Warmtoast]

Serial numbers appear to be absent (or not very visible). Where do they paint them nowadays - or isn't there enough cash left over after the cuts to buy a pot of paint?
FWIW B & Q do trial-size pots for 40p.

[hoodie]

Warmtoast, you must have missed this pic from above excellent selection.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/8964030852_575a9cd6cc_b.jpg

[Warmtoast]

Warmtoast, you must have missed this pic from above excellent selection

Thanks hoodie - now noticed!

[Saint Jack]

That C-130 looks different, a lot of bits and pieces attached and those are not aerial refuelling pods. What version is it and where is it based.

[spectre150]

Tornado GR serial numbers are, and have always been, painted in black just forward of the tailerons as in the photo of the II(AC) Sqn jet belly-up to the camera. I think the prototypes had the serials under the tailerons but this was not carried over to the production airframes in sqn service.

I will now stop being such a sad spotter.

[TEEEJ]

Saint Jack,

MC-130 USAF based at RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk.

Factsheets : MC-130E/H Combat Talon I/II (http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=115)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_MC-130

The pods should be Mk 32B-902E refuelling pods? Used to refuel the likes of Osprey

USAF Lockheed MC-130H Combat Talon II 88-0193 KTUS by James O'Rear acm1512 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/james_orear/4861299913/)

Ospreys to be based in UK for special ops missions - News - Stripes (http://www.stripes.com/news/ospreys-to-be-based-in-uk-for-special-ops-missions-1.177564)

Factsheets : CV-22 Osprey (http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3668)

[Fareastdriver]

lent Chinook photos, where did you take those? Recent exercise in Scotland / Borders?

??????? Am I missing something?

[cobalt42]

The pods should be Mk 32B-902E refuelling pods?

Correct...

[NutLoose]

Sorry FarEastdriver, should have put the link, I checked out his album..


See

Flickr: AlexLovell2011's Photostream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexlovell2011/)


Some nice Osprey shots too.

..

[Saint Jack]

Many thanks TEEEJ. SJ

[bobward]

Donning my anorak, I spent a pleasant couple of hours at Lakenheath and Mildenhall earlier today. The sight of a stream take off of twelve F-15s of various types was a great start to the day.

Over at Mildenhall they have just got the first pair of MV-22 Ospreys earlier this week. In addition, there are two of the new MC-130J Hercs to go with them.

All in all, an impressive day out, at my own free airshow....

Thanks everyone, from a civvy on the other side of the fence.

[GreenKnight121]

What a magnificent aeroplane...the F15!

(in)Complete with missing "turkey feathers"... not really needed, and makes maintenance easier... :E

[Dragonlight]

Great shots.

Long may LL nav sorties of all trades continue.