Thanks both, well that makes perfect sense as they were pretty much on track for Brookwood from where I saw them . They were not making a lot of 'military 'noise so probably why i havent noticed in past years. A bit surprised at such heavy duty and fast moving aircraft ( even if they are below 240Kts) allowed to risk mixing it up with all the GA transits on that route and stuff in and out of Farnborough , Fairoaks and Blackbushe but if it is a regular thing presumeably Farnborough radar organise things ahead of time.
Thanks again