Not A Common Sight
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Not A Common Sight
My goodness! What a lovely and unexpected pleasure..... The unfamiliar sight of a pair of Vampires transiting overhead at about 1500-2000ft (just below the broken cloud base). They were on a steady heading about 330° and that would take them over Morecambe bay up towards Windermere.
I don't mean to sound like a breathless spotter but it really was lovely surprise. Anyone any idea what-where-why etc?
I don't mean to sound like a breathless spotter but it really was lovely surprise. Anyone any idea what-where-why etc?
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In the sixties, we shared our station with the American U2 flights. One day I was standing on the apron and an American pilot pointed to a nearby Vampire and asked me what it was. I took him over, opened the cockpit and showed him. He was seriously shaken to learn that the fuselage was wood 
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Posted elsewhere on LSP forum by Heinz
the Airpower16, one of the largest airshows in Europe in one of the smallest countries in Europe brought a very special formation to the visitors: the Austrian Air Force Jet Historic Flight.
Fouga Magister, Vampire, Saab Tunnan, Saab Draken, Saab 105OE, F-5 and Eurofighter.
Have a look and enjoy.
https://www.youtube....h?v=dC0Pp6YBphk
Fouga Magister, Vampire, Saab Tunnan, Saab Draken, Saab 105OE, F-5 and Eurofighter.
Have a look and enjoy.
https://www.youtube....h?v=dC0Pp6YBphk
I don't mean to sound like a breathless spotter
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LL, be fair, it looks like the Draken got off the ground without lighting the afterburner.
TBH I was surprised that an air force as small as Austria is able to maintain and operate such a large hstoric flight, especially when you consider the age (and reliability) of these earlier jets (the Draken was probably built in '63-'64, the J29 sometime before 1956, the Magister a few years later, the Saab 105 is early 60s and the Northrop F5E is a bit more recent). I know the RAF doesn't do vintage jet aircraft any more (apart from its primary jet trainer and primary mud moving fleets). Does the US have a similar thing or is everything placed in private hands?
TBH I was surprised that an air force as small as Austria is able to maintain and operate such a large hstoric flight, especially when you consider the age (and reliability) of these earlier jets (the Draken was probably built in '63-'64, the J29 sometime before 1956, the Magister a few years later, the Saab 105 is early 60s and the Northrop F5E is a bit more recent). I know the RAF doesn't do vintage jet aircraft any more (apart from its primary jet trainer and primary mud moving fleets). Does the US have a similar thing or is everything placed in private hands?
TBH I was surprised that an air force as small as Austria is able to maintain and operate such a large hstoric flight, especially when you consider the age (and reliability) of these earlier jets (the Draken was probably built in '63-'64, the J29 sometime before 1956, the Magister a few years later, the Saab 105 is early 60s and the Northrop F5E is a bit more recent). I know the RAF doesn't do vintage jet aircraft any more (apart from its primary jet trainer and primary mud moving fleets). Does the US have a similar thing or is everything placed in private hands?
Kitbag,
The Saab J29 and J35 in that formation are from the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight. The Saab 105 and the Typhoon are the only Austrian assets in that formation. The F-5 is Swiss.
SwAFHF-Flygplanen 1
Välkommen till SwAFHF startsida
The Saab J29 and J35 in that formation are from the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight. The Saab 105 and the Typhoon are the only Austrian assets in that formation. The F-5 is Swiss.
SwAFHF-Flygplanen 1
Välkommen till SwAFHF startsida
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Ah, that would explain what flew directly over our house on aug 13th in tight formation, whistling like an old kettle. I discounted vampires as I didn't think there were two left flying. Glad to be proved wrong.
I assume we're in some kind of air corridor, about 3 miles east of the M25 in Essex as we get all sorts of military hardware fly over the top, more than the law of averages would suggest we deserve.
Keep em coming
I assume we're in some kind of air corridor, about 3 miles east of the M25 in Essex as we get all sorts of military hardware fly over the top, more than the law of averages would suggest we deserve.
Keep em coming
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The Norwegian Air Froce Historical Squadron's two Vampires and MiG 15UTI have been based at North Weald over the summer for their various UK shows. They are off to Jersey tomorrow. They arrived in July to support our 100th Anniversary Air Fete.
Here are a few pics of them at North Weald. The pilots Kenneth and Per are great guys!
Here are a few pics of them at North Weald. The pilots Kenneth and Per are great guys!
