3-ship of small freighters?

[Chris Scott]

This is probably old hat, but I've just seen (Thursday at 1615Z) a 3-ship V-formation heading WSW about 7 nm WSW of Biggin Hill aerodrome at about 2000 ft. Didn't recognise the lead a/c, but the two others were Short Skyvans.


What was the lead a/c? I only had a view from its starb'd quarter. Like the Skyvans, it seemed to be a twin turboprop, but there the resemblance ends. It is smaller, a monoplane with twin-boom configuration and a high-mounted tailplane (HS). So it's presumably a small freighter. Currently, my mind is blank.


Thanks in advance,
Chris

[Strobe Runner]

OV-10B Bronco on their way to RIAT

[DaveReidUK]

Eureka Aviation are scheduled to have both types in the RIAT static display.

Presumably the second Skyvan is a spare in case the first can't make it against a headwind.

Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises - Confirmed Aircraft

[Chris Scott]

That's the one, Strobe Runner, thanks! Not exactly a freighter, eh! Thought the Skyvans had a rather dull livery, so they're presumably military versions.


[See your guys did alright at Lords today...}


Ah, thanks for the link, DRUK.

[HookEcho]

Cool story I read/heard about the OV-10 in Vietnam. They'd stuff US Marines in the back for in-country parachute insertion. Pitch up 45' or so and open the clamshell doors in the back, and they were gone.

[JEM60]

I was in Venezuela about 12 years or so ago, and they did the same with their Broncos when countering drug importers.

[Flybiker7000]

Clampshell doors?

I can only find sidehinged aft-door on the Bronco!?
For air-to-air photography It have been used to remove the door/back-end, wich wouldn't be neccesary with a morely aerodynamical double clampshell -type door. Maybee the doorless solution have been used for the para dropping too :-/