Spectators Balcony (Spotters Corner)If you're not a professional pilot but want to discuss issues about the job, this is the best place to loiter. You won't be moved on by 'security' and there'll be plenty of experts to answer any questions.
Just out in the garden in S Croydon about 9:35pm or so and saw what I thought must have been a Galaxy heading SW through the darkening sky, roughly Clacton/Southampton, just high enough to trail. Lovely deep thrummmm.
Haven't seen one in years - anyone confirm? Can't think it was anything else.
It was heading towards the USA, jc, might have been out of Mildenhall but more likely the Continent I would have thought.
Ah, I recall the days when the C-5s and C-141s used their serials as call signs - MAC 40169, etc... Tho I did hear if they'd filed the paperwork and the assigned aircraft broke down, they changed to a different aircraft and flew the mission using the original call sign.
I have to say it looked longer and slimmer than I recall Galaxies - almost reminded me of a stretched C-141. Think the last time I saw (or rather, noticed!) one in the air, it was overflying the Reno Air Races in 1999.
Last edited by treadigraph; 19th Jun 2012 at 12:01.
Mind you, I'm still soldiering on with (most of) the same parts, whereas the C-5As have new(ish) wings I think, and doubtless other upgrades. I don't suppose they clock up hours/cycles as fast as commercial aircraft do either?
First one across the pond was I believe MAC 80214 transitting to Germany in mid 1970 ie 42 years ago! I saw it from the old LATCC radar unit on the north side at Heathrow; we'd watched it on radar then opened the fire door to see it. Loadsa reggie spotters worked at LATCC in those days! It was only at 290 and not contrailing, but it looked like a big silver cigar or airship.
