Wye Valley - Jets or Helos - is it used?

[Alex Lovell]

I'm really into my photography, been to the Mach Loop numerous times but fancy a change of backdrop.

Is the Wye Valley used by military aircraft today?

Feel free to pm me.

Thanks in advance

Alex

[MG]

It's quite a good challenge in a helicopter but there have been a couple of nasty accidents over the years involving wires. It was never somewhere that was frequented often so you might be in for a lean time.

[jamesdevice]

judging from the number of aircraft that head north up the Lune valley from Kirkby Lonsdale, I suspect the Lune Gorge south of Tebay in Cumbria may be a good bet.
Its a narrow north-south valley with steep hills to the east, The river, West Coast mainline railway and M6 all converge there, as its the only real low level north-south passage up the west coast,. For aircraft at low level the only sensible alternative is the Lyth Valley to Windermere / Grasmere / Thirlmere. However thats harder to access by road and the vantage points are not so good. Also fewer aircraft seem to go that way

the Gorge is to the south of the marker in this map
however aircraft appearances can be hit and miss,

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=tebay&hl=en&ll=54.388155,-2.624702&spn=0.158332,0.308647&sll=54.33094,-2.727356&sspn=0.634213,1.234589&vpsrc=6&hnear=Tebay,+Penrith,+Cumbria,+United+Kingdom&t=p&z=12

[cokecan]

the CAA radar stn at Clee Hill in south Shropshire might be a good bet - Hawks are fairly regular visitors at low level, i've seen quite a few pairs of F-15's at mid-level (presumably transitting from mid-wales), i saw my last every pair of GR9's do a very low level pass in November last year - and last time i walked the hund up there i got run over by a pair of GR4's doing what appeared to be dummy bomb run at dusk.

Wokka's and Apaches are regulars in the area too...

[Alex Lovell]

Thanks for the reply guys, I have visited Tebay (known as M6 pass) in 2010, and have observed FAC exercises at Clee Hill.

My main interest in Wye Valley though due to my location in the South West. I was reading an sad article last night on a Gazelle crash near Chepstow where contact had been made with cables when routing from Shawbury to Culdrose. (around 20 years ago I beleive).

Any up-to-date info on the Wye Valley route would be appreciated - its a long route Chepstow-Monmouth-Ross on Wye- Hay on Wye - Builth Wells, so does anyone know what the most popular segment is? I've seen a Merlin at treetop height between Hay-Builth, and a pilot for 208sqn said they use Chepstow-Monmouth.

Thanks
Alex

[Bubblewindow]

Its a narrow north-south valley with steep hills to the east, The river, West Coast mainline railway and M6 all converge there, as its the only real low level north-south passage up the west coast,. For aircraft at low level the only sensible alternative is the Lyth Valley to Windermere / Grasmere / Thirlmere. However thats harder to access by road and the vantage points are not so good. Also fewer aircraft seem to go that way

This is a well known photography spot known as the M6 pass or the M6 Mast. I've been there many times myself .

BW

[cokecan]

there'll be some activity around Sennybridge Training Area - mostly rotary - and some in the Black mountains ( i had a rather unpleasant experience with a C-130 at about midnight while camping at Llanthony priory once..), but i just don't recall their being much low flying in that whole area - even up as far as the Elan Valley.

Clee would be about 2 hrs drive from Bristol...

[Alex Lovell]

Thanks again, like I stated, I've been to both M6 and Clee Hill and know Sennybridge range very well (in fact theres a FAC there this week!!), my specific interest is in the Wye Valley itself......

Any info specific to Wye Valley will be appreciated

[doubledolphins]

If you are near to the Wye Valley just go to Shobdon. Great food in the canteen and something fast and military will blunder overhead at some time during the day. Some times they even call up in advance! (Like about 2 minutes. :ok:) If you're really lucky, usually on a thursday, the airfield gets attacked, but that is always booked in advance.

[Spit161]

Hay on Wye is a good bet - you'll see a fair bit around there.

cheers,
Jake.

[RS15]

some years ago, I did have a student of mine get lost in the Wye Valley....twice within about 15 minutes. Valley goes North-South (ish) - how difficult can it be??

[zorab64]

Whilst I'm no longer in touch with current practice, I find it difficult to believe the Navy Helos from Yeovilton don't still use the Wye Valley for low level training, as might aircraft from Shawbury. It's vary similar to parts of the Falklands and provides a fun challenge so long, as you say, you remain clear of the wires!

The sad Gazelle accident mentioned was, I think, on the right hand bend in the river (as you fly South), just West of a village called Boughspring. I believe the wire was strung between the quarry on the Welsh bank and some workings on the English side of the river - a look at Google maps shows the quarry clearly. The aircraft crashed on the grassy West bank between the river & the trees, if I remember correctly.

Having flown the route a number of times myself, I do remember seeing the wire - not easy to spot but not very high, either and running at an angle up to the English workings.

From a photography point of view, I would imagine a good vantage point would be on the English side opposite Tintern Abbey. It would not need much manouevering to photo aircraft both to North & South, as they haul round the bend, with the added advantage of Tintern Abbey as a backdrop below! :ok:

[snafu]

The tragic crash that you've referred to was an instructor and student from 705 NAS from Culdrose flying a Gazelle HT1. I remember it quite vividly, because I started at 705 NAS myself about a month later. :(

[AngryDave]

It was certainly used by Tutors for low level and landaways a couple of years ago. You landed somewhere down there (Bristol somewhere?) and got a cup of tea and a bacon sarnie which was why all the instructors leaned on studes to choose there...

[WillDAQ]

If you're expecting another Mach Loop, don't. The valley is actually quite populus so you won't get that much traffic.

[CheekyVisual]

Don't know about the fast boys but it was great fun in a Bulldog !

[Alex Lovell]

Fab comments guys,

Found a good vantage point on the English side opposite Tintern Abbey called "Devils Pulpit" - excellent views to the north with the river winding past the Abbey.

See here for the view: Tintern Abbey from the Devil's Pulpit (http://cogweb.ucla.edu/Culture/Tintern.html)


Just need a volunteer to fly north - south for me to photograph them!!!!!!

[Faithless]

Both Gazelle and a Puma have fell foul of the wire spanning the valley at the southern end near Chepstow. There has also been a few close calls so isn't used that much.

However that's not to say you wont get any rotory down there. Most will use it en route to and from Sennybridge when exercising in the area, but not a regular route now days.:sad:

[pasptoo]

20 years 16 years last month :sad:

Sad, sad times. Can't believe it was so long ago. RIP Boys.

:sad: Pas

[Alex Lovell]

Any Volunteers? :O:ouch:

[typerated]

Keep asking. That will work.

[WillDAQ]

Found a good vantage point on the English side opposite Tintern Abbey called "Devils Pulpit" - excellent views to the north with the river winding past the Abbey.
From personal experience
- Two weeks ago: nothing flying.
- Two months ago: nothing flying.
- Six months ago: nothing flying.

Just need a volunteer to fly north - south for me to photograph them!!!!!!
:ugh:

[Alex Lovell]

Well, if its that quiet then it's a route that needs to be re-introduced. Aircrews have told me it's great to fly - I know its not going to be busy like the Loop which is why I'm asking for a little help!! ;)

[Rory57]

I worked in the Wye valley, just north of Monmouth, for many years. One day, admiring the view with a couple of German visitors, a pair of Tucanos meowed briefly into view, impressively low and close together given the location. I couldn't follow the rapid German, but one word jumped out: "Spitfire".

Another day, driving home, joining the A40, I slowed, looked right, waited for the Herc. to pass and then joined the carriageway. HERC? WHAT? Did I just give way to a C130?
In my defence, it was low and it did come into view very suddenly over the bridge on the brow of the hill.

[neilf92]

With two accidents and several near misses to it's name this doesn't sound like a venue I would be trying to persuade aircrew to use.

[Alex Lovell]

Of course I totally respect the aircrews safety and that is of the highest importance to me.

In my defence the valley has been suggested to me by no less that 3 seperate aircrews' and it was them that brought it to my attention to the location, so would consider the route not to be "off limits", but yes, I agree safety come first

[Alex Lovell]

Bump, just

in case you missed it

[Gaspode the Dog]

Hi All

Keep an eye out for the wires. I was part of the SAR crew that went to the Gazelle crash, very, very sad.

[typerated]

Are you still trying to tempt people to fly down there?

I'd give it a break if I was you .

[Alex Lovell]

Typerated, your initial comment "Keep asking - that will work" was taken by myself as encouragement to keep bumping the post and not the sarcastic comment it has turned out to be. If anyone has an issue with my post then please advise me and be clear to the point as I don't want to misinterpret what you are trying to say (which is what clearly has happened here).

Just to underline, the location was brought to my attention by no less that 3 aircrew and I was following the lead that they had been kind enough to offer me, however I respect that safety is of the most paramount importance over any photograph and am going to stop pushing this thread.

Sorry if I have caused any upset

Alex:ok:

[talkpedlar]

I just called my son who lives near Tintern. Chinooks and other mil 'copters still use the section 'tween Monmouth and Tintern at low level..but not sure if they still go as far as Chepstow. Hope this helps. TP

[Alex Lovell]

Thanks Talkpedlar,

Very helpful indeed, and given the advice from this thread, Monmouth to Tintern is certainly a safer part of the Wye Valley than the area near Chepstow and is in fact the area (Tintern) I was referring too.

Also note that this is further evidence that the valley is used by aircrews of their own accord. :ok: