Breitling Super Connie in the UK

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

The web site for RIAT confirms that the Breitling Super Constellation will be in the static show but there are rumours that it will be at the Odiham Families Day on 13th July and will be based there for a few days prior to RIAT. Unfortunately, neither the Odiham Families Day web site nor the Breitling site have confirmation of this and the Breitling site makes no mention of RIAT either.

Does anyone know for sure if the Super Con will be at Odiham please? It's many, many years since I last set eyes on one so I'd love to see it and i won't be going to RIAT.

Thanks.

[DaveReidUK]

I'd love to be proved wrong, but I can't see any reason for bringing the aircraft over a week earlier for an event that isn't open to the public.

Nothing about it on either Home - RAF Families days 2013! (http://raf-families-days.webs.com) or .: Super Constellation Flyers :. (http://www.superconstellation.org/Events/EventList.aspx), though to be fair the latter doesn't mention its appearance at Fairford either, even though it's listed as "confirmed" on the RIAT website.

As I said, I hope I'm wrong - I'm not going to RIAT either, but I'd certainly be hanging over the fence at Odiham at the prospect of hearing those 4 Turbo-Compounds again if it's going to be there.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

All we can do is to hope but, like you Dave, I'm not optimistic. It's 40+ years since I last saw one..

[Hotel Tango]

I am a member of the SCFA, and the Flight Program 2013 I received does include RIAT on July 20th and 21st. It seems however that it will only be on static display, with access to the public. It would appear that even SCFA members cannot fly with the a/c to/from the UK. It's last op prior to RIAT is on July 6th. It is therefore possible that they may plan to bring the a/c over to the UK prior to the 20th.

[JEM60]

HD. Well, you missed it at Duxford?. It turned up, with a full load of pax about 6 years ago or thereabouts. I think it was at a Flying Legends show. I have video of it somewhere.........
This aircraft is, of course, 'Camarillo Connie' from the States. I aslo video'd it flying at El Toro in 1997. Lovely aircraft.

[arem]

Am told - by one who flies it - that it is going into Fairford on the Thursday

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

But no mention of Odiham?

[WHBM]

Any chance at Flying Legends 13/14 July ?

Maybe just for one of the days ? If so, that would determine which one I go to.

Well, you missed it at Duxford?. It turned up, with a full load of pax about 6 years ago or thereabouts. I think it was at a Flying Legends show.The MATS Connie came to Flying Legends in the late 1990s.

[DaveReidUK]

The MATS Connie came to Flying Legends in the late 1990s.

And to the Farnborough show in, I think, 1998.

[JEM60]

MATS Connie certainly did display at Duxford, but didn't land. Breitling Connie came full of passengers, landed, parked at the motorway end, stayed all day, not part of the display, and flew back home that evening. Still don't have the year, but most certainly have the video.

[yorky66]

Strong rumours on another site it will arrive at Odiham on Sat 13th and stay til going to RIAT on Thursday.

Whilst at Odiham reported to be doing a number of private flights.

Don't shoot the messenger

[treadigraph]

Blast, will be at Duxford on the 13th - don't suppose they could do a lowish run or two there...?

[Alsacienne]

Could it be this one ... (from Basel airport, 5 July 2013) ??

Departed: 09:30
To: SAMEDAN
Airline: SUPERCONST
Flight number: SCF76
Status: Departed 09:35

[steve platt]

Super Connie is due into Odiham at approx 1230 Local on Saturday 13th July..... Dont know how long its staying for..... it will be static for the familys day:)

[SpringHeeledJack]

So... for those of us who couldn't be there today, did it arrive ? If so any pictures/film would be much appreciated!



SHJ

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

No, not at Odiham. Apparently the station commander decided that it could not be accommodated without disturbing operational requirements. That's what I have read elsewhere.

[SpringHeeledJack]

That's a shame. Does this mean that it will stay in Switzerland until it goes to RIAT, or will it come over and stay elsewhere in the interim ?



SHJ

[aviate1138]

"No, not at Odiham. Apparently the station commander decided that it could not be accommodated without disturbing operational requirements. That's what I have read elsewhere."

That is sad..... Odiham is not exactly heaving with Wokkas and such at the moment...

The SC is obviously too young to enjoy the sight and sound of a beautiful aeroplane from the past.....

Same day in 1953 the operational disturbances were massive!!! :rolleyes:

RAF Royal Review 15th July 1953 (http://daveg4otu.tripod.com/nos10.html)

[arem]

Just heard that its coming from Switzerland to Fairford on Wednesday pm

[treadigraph]

Be nice if she could be routed over Croydon... please... :ok:

[1970s Spotter]

Would anyone have any indication of timings and routings? Living in Epsom, Surrey should I be looking skyward?

[DingerX]

As someone who often goes for walks in the Western Swiss countryside between Basel and Lake Leman (the Breitling Connie's natural habitat, especially on those BSL-BSL weekend flights), my advice from experience is: they fly VFR and when I've seen it, it's been at maybe 2000 feet, and probably much lower. So the first sign I get is the throaty tone of four radial engines. Then she comes into view.
If you want a picture, you better have your long lens mounted and ready, because by the time you see her, you've got a few seconds before she shows you her triple tail.
So, look low on the horizon, and use a divining rod: they pick up those low-frequency Superconnie vibrations first.

[SpringHeeledJack]

Somehow I doubt that the fantastic Connie will be floating through the London TMA at 2,000ft, but I live in hope :) Will it route north or south of the capital I wonder ? Btw, will it be static or flying at Fairford ?



SHJ

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Switzerland to Fairford should route south of London. Most Swiss flights route over LYD and towards OCK so I would expect that to do something similar. But, of course, I might be totally wrong. I would be surprised if it came all the way VFR.

[DingerX]

My only experience is around here, and last month, when yet again the cows around here got buzzed by a low-flying Connie, I did some digging around.
On the FAQ (http://www.superconstellation.org/Content/showContent.aspx?type=faq), they state (in addition to refusing to give any information on where and when they'll fly by somewhere):
My father will celebrate his birthday e.g. this February – where do you fly around that date?
For meteorological reasons we can fly in the summer season only (VFR, low-altitude flights). Our season is from late May to early October.

Of course, the question is posed from the perspective of what they're doing around their Basel base; and I think they took it to NA in the past, so who knows at what altitude they'll be doing it?

[treadigraph]

The Pilatus PC-21 prototype HB-HZD apparently zipped over Purley a short while ago, now in the Swindon area so presumably on its way to Fairford - wonder if the Connie will follow suit. I'll need to be looking out of the office window (in Croydon) though...

[Hotel Tango]

Btw, will it be static or flying at Fairford ?

As already mentioned, according to their (SCFA) info it will only be on static display.

[treadigraph]

Dang!

Friend just eamiled me a pic of her gracefully flying westwards along the South Coast past Worthing about 4pm... :{

[McBruce]

Think I seen it fly south of the coast of Brighton with chase plane in formation earlier today!

[treadigraph]

You would have done - about 4pm with an Aztec. Lucky so and so!

[gcal]

Must be the one I saw near Lydd at 1530 ish then and that has solved the mystery.

[srobarts]

I saw it flying over Dover Harbour in company with what looked remarkably like a Short Skyvan. I Have pictures of both Connie with the Breitling B clearly visible on the fins and the Skyvan. I am away from base until tomorrow so will upload photos then.

[DavidWoodward]

Beautiful aircraft. Got up close and personal with it at RIAT yesterday.

[SpringHeeledJack]

As did I, it really is an elegant piece of machinery. Such a shame that it didn't fly during the show, now that would've been something to see...:)



SHJ

[srobarts]

It was magnificent over Dover, sadly it was a hazy day, so photos not top line:
http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt47/jasperspaniel/Aviation/Kent/DSC065501PPrune_zps68e09558.jpg (http://s596.photobucket.com/user/jasperspaniel/media/Aviation/Kent/DSC065501PPrune_zps68e09558.jpg.html)

http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt47/jasperspaniel/Aviation/Kent/DSC065511Pprune_zps8fbc74ca.jpg (http://s596.photobucket.com/user/jasperspaniel/media/Aviation/Kent/DSC065511Pprune_zps8fbc74ca.jpg.html)

http://i596.photobucket.com/albums/tt47/jasperspaniel/Aviation/Kent/DSC065521_zpsba42b4df.jpg (http://s596.photobucket.com/user/jasperspaniel/media/Aviation/Kent/DSC065521_zpsba42b4df.jpg.html)

[treadigraph]

Ahhhhh....

Oddly enough the pic my mate sent me from Worthing appeared to be with an Aztec - wonder if there were various air to air assignments set up...

[MAN777]

AIR TATTOO SHINES IN THE SUN (http://www.airtattoo.com/airshow/newsroom/news/air-tattoo-shines-in-the-sun)