View Full Version : Flag-flying over London
Kolibear
4th Jul 2005, 09:12
We were coming back from FFF05 on saturday pm, about 3:30 and routing east from Bovingdon to North Weald at about 2000' when we saw what looked like a huge Royal Standard in the sky off to the south of us. I think it would have been in the Potters Bar region, east of Elstree, south of BPK.
I say Royal Standard, as it was red, blue and had some gold patches in it to. We couldn't work out how it was flying, until we noticed a tiny speck above it, which was the helicopter that was towing it.
This banner must have measured 100's of feet in height and width.
My photos showed that it wasn't a Royal Standard flag at all, but a banner with some writing on it. But they are just not clear enough to read the writing, which was also printed on the reverse side, so I'm forced to hold the laptop up to a mirror to try & work out what the banner says.
Did anyone else see it and any idea what it was ??
helicopter-redeye
4th Jul 2005, 09:37
It's the Daleks latest cunning plan for the invasion of the Earth. Prepare to be filletted ....
:p
eharding
4th Jul 2005, 10:25
Qantas advert?
http://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=14990
Rupert S
4th Jul 2005, 17:53
It was a Quantas banner. Quite a sight to behold as it departed Elstree yesterday around midday.
Kolibear
5th Jul 2005, 20:27
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/captainavi8tor/015Quantasbanner.jpg
(Ow-err - it worked! my first posted image - sorry its so big)
Ok, it was a gloomy afternoon, it was taken at an angle, through perpex and its on x10 mag so I don't think its too bad.
1st prize goes to anyone who can identify the helicopter from the photo.
Not you Rupert S, you saw it lifting off.
2nd prize goes to anyone who can read the banner.
As I understand it, if an engine goes the banner would be jettisoned, harmlessly gliding to the ground on two little chutes!
Twin Squirrell!?!!?!?
(Not sure about the weight at the bottom though!)
Good pic matey :)
swordfling
5th Jul 2005, 23:47
I could be wrong, but...
It looks to me like the top section says "NEWS OF THE WORLD", and the middle section says "THIS SUNDAY". Not sure about the bottom section, but I think it might be a Live8 logo and "THE BEST COVERAGE". The timing would fit...
:8 It's a bit clearer flipped over and enhanced slightly:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a27/swordfling/banner/0c821472.jpg
Perhaps it looked something like this:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a27/swordfling/banner/f6889767.gif
:hmm:
Kolibear
6th Jul 2005, 06:52
Swordfling - thats brilliant - thanks :ok:
You win 2nd prize which is eerrrrrrr........A years subscription to the News of the World
AerBabe
6th Jul 2005, 12:09
1st prize being 6 months' subscription? :hmm:
helicopter-redeye
6th Jul 2005, 13:04
Yes, it's easy to see how a 'News of World' advert could be mistaken for the Royal Standard.
Same thing, basically ....
Kolibear
6th Jul 2005, 13:33
AB, 1st prize was 2 years Subs.
Bravo73
6th Jul 2005, 14:17
AlanM,
FYI, the weight at the bottom is 'just' a bag of sand. On jettison, the top of the bag is released, so that the sand drifts away harmlessly on the wind.
(There was a thread on Rotorheads about similar flags in Oz - I think that's where the idea originated).
Regards,
B73
Thanks for that B73
How spiffingly clever!
AerBabe
6th Jul 2005, 15:44
1st prize was 2 years Subs
I don't see how that can be ... 1st prize is meant to be better than 2nd. :confused:
Bravo73
6th Jul 2005, 16:03
AlanM,
My thoughts exactly!
B73
AlanM
19th Jul 2005, 20:02
And there it was again today - battling into a strong breeze over Vauxhall Bridge!
Still intrigued to see what would happen if it had to jettison it though!! :)
http://www.pbase.com/kbmphotography/image/46433943.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/kbmphotography/image/46433944.jpg