Humber Bridge
(a bear of little brain)
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Humber Bridge
A bloke I know in my local pub, who was apparently an ex-RAF pilot, was claiming yesterday that he was the first person to fly under the Humber Bridge (in a JP5 while it was still under construction, so this would presumably be in the 79/80ish).
Not that I'm a cynic or anything but does anyone know if this was done and by whom?
Not that I'm a cynic or anything but does anyone know if this was done and by whom?
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I've heard a lot of rumours about this and from some of the names of possibles, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if it's true.
I've seen the old film of the hunter and tower bridge though, which is quality!
Also, the Spitfire in Piece of Cake, flown by Mr Hanna I believe, is an awesome piece of flying.
I always fancied having a go at the bridge on the M62 as you go over the moors. It looks like it would be very easy from the ground as you drive by. However, having tried to line it up for a bit of fun in a Tucano, it drove home to me just how difficult a skill this would be.
My cajones aren't big enough, my pension not too distant and my body still has some living to do! Leave it to better pilot's than me...
I've seen the old film of the hunter and tower bridge though, which is quality!
Also, the Spitfire in Piece of Cake, flown by Mr Hanna I believe, is an awesome piece of flying.
I always fancied having a go at the bridge on the M62 as you go over the moors. It looks like it would be very easy from the ground as you drive by. However, having tried to line it up for a bit of fun in a Tucano, it drove home to me just how difficult a skill this would be.
My cajones aren't big enough, my pension not too distant and my body still has some living to do! Leave it to better pilot's than me...
(a bear of little brain)
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Rudekid. There would have been more than rumours, at the time anyway, since the authorities knew about it and who it was. I forgot to mention that he had a quite serious 'Hat on, no coffee' the next day.
He blamed the fact that he forgot to switch his transponder off.
He blamed the fact that he forgot to switch his transponder off.
Avoid imitations
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No, it's not particularly difficult.
Is 6 metres clearance above, 3 metres laterally, 2 metres beneath still the SH minima for crossing underneath wires etc?
Albeit meant to be done via a low speed recce. It can be a little more exciting on the way back - if done at 140 kts. Allegedly
Is 6 metres clearance above, 3 metres laterally, 2 metres beneath still the SH minima for crossing underneath wires etc?
Albeit meant to be done via a low speed recce. It can be a little more exciting on the way back - if done at 140 kts. Allegedly
Don't know what all the fuss is about.
I have flown under the Severn Bridge, Kessock bridge on the A9 by Inverness and the cantilever bridge by Pembroke in S Wales
I was in a Seaking/Wessex looking for "jumpers" though
. Biggest fear was some yob trying to drop a brick through the rotor.
HF
I have flown under the Severn Bridge, Kessock bridge on the A9 by Inverness and the cantilever bridge by Pembroke in S Wales
I was in a Seaking/Wessex looking for "jumpers" though
. Biggest fear was some yob trying to drop a brick through the rotor.HF
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There's a book called 'Pathfinder' by Dennis Warner (I think).
It's about an, erm, Pathfinder pilot during WW2, who after his tour, visited Australia with his crew
On the cover of the book is a photograph of him flying his Lancaster under the Sydney Harbour Bridge!
It's about an, erm, Pathfinder pilot during WW2, who after his tour, visited Australia with his crew
On the cover of the book is a photograph of him flying his Lancaster under the Sydney Harbour Bridge!
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I cross the humber bridge daily and fly over it at least once a week,the temptation to switch off the transponder and have a go is pretty high!
You could get a globemaster under there no dramas,or probably a diamond formation by the reds!
You could get a globemaster under there no dramas,or probably a diamond formation by the reds!
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Once Did a high-speed under-wires number in a very tight V-shaped kosovan valley (No double entendre intended) much to the shock of my Nav, who saw the funny side in the debrief. Had to spend about 10 minutes enduring cockpit silence and a death stare that burnt a hole in the side of my bonedome though. Opps Soz mate!! you out there angry one??
Humber Bridge ??
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I heard a tale from the RAFG Canberra days of a rather neat photographic set-up. A crew filmed an autobahn bridge as they approached it at LL, descending towards it as if to fly underneath. They then filmed the rest of the 'flight' under the bridge from the roof of a car, matched up the photo formats and left this series of photos lying around the ops desk. Got quite a good reaction, I understand.
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Rudekid- I believe the bridge in question is Scammonden:
http://www.cbrd.co.uk/media/desktop/
The longest single-span, none-suspension bridge in the world when built.
That would certainly amuse the motorists.
http://www.cbrd.co.uk/media/desktop/
The longest single-span, none-suspension bridge in the world when built.
That would certainly amuse the motorists.
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I remember tracking HMS Grafton up the Orwell on her first visit to Ipswich with a RN photographer on board. As we approached the Orwell bridge I just kept following the boat and under we went, no big deal really - it wasn't as though we were tight for space.... Unfortunately the bridge was packed with TV and press... and that shot of a Lynx flying under the bridge made all of the evening TV news that night; As I watched I thought my career might be about to take a nosedive when the CO phoned me at home to say 'Very sporty and well done' apparently he would have been disapointed if I had wimped out in front of the Navy.... They were the days
>That's nothing! When I were a lad, I flew under the Six Bridge. Now that were tight...<
(adopts Yorkshire accent):
"Bridges? Luxury! When I were a lad on a VGS, we 'ad to fly ower Vigilants through railway tunnels!"
(adopts Yorkshire accent):
"Bridges? Luxury! When I were a lad on a VGS, we 'ad to fly ower Vigilants through railway tunnels!"