Transall today

[Ridge Runner]

I know its not particularly unusual but it was certainly great to hear the deep throaty sound of a Transall departing on 08 at Gatwick this afternoon. Any idea why it was here?

[TurboTomato]

Transall? What is that? I did hear something that sounded like a very loud turboprop departing earlier and wondered what it was...

[Ridge Runner]

A symphony of Tynes!!! :)

http://www.defense.gouv.fr/var/dicod/storage/images/base-de-medias/images/air/site-2010-20xx/img-menu-principal/technologies/aeronefs/transport/c-160-transall/684168-1-fre-FR/c-160-transall.jpg

[Ridge Runner]

To put you all out of your misery it was a French machine, R89. Still no idea why it was here though!

[TurboTomato]

That'll be what I heard then! Never come across one of them before - looks like a Herc with 2 engines missing!

[wiggy]

Been around for donkey's years and still going strong, most weeks you'll see members of our local local (French) parachute regiment leaping out of the things to stay recent and retain their jump pay.

1er régiment de chasseurs parachutistes (http://www.defense.gouv.fr/terre/presentation/organisation-des-forces/infanterie/1er-regiment-de-chasseurs-parachutistes/(language)/fre-FR#SearchText=1 rcp#xtcr=10)

[Ridge Runner]

yep, but not a LGW

[treadigraph]

Saw a German Transall droning down G1 towards Strumble a year or two back. They used to be regular sight and I believe were taking troops to Brawdy for training. Love the sound of those Tynes...

[SpringHeeledJack]

Perhaps it was doing a route proving flight for Mr O'Leary. I can just see it now, "France from just 0.99p" and then in small print "This price involves leaving the aircraft before landing by parachute, optional landing aboard aircraft fee £85..."

;)


Always nice to see (or hear) one of these old workhorses, especially as they spend most of their time in inhospitable or restricted abodes.



SHJ

[Ridge Runner]

Always nice to see (or hear) one of these old workhorses, especially as they spend most of their time in inhospitable or restricted abodes.



Absolutely .... ! Its pretty much only the Transalls, old Hercs and the multitudes of Antonovs that offer it nowadays! Sad :(

RR

edit: although having said that, this was nice .. crank up the sound! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0Q2awGv_Fg

[filthyrichandcatflap]

T'was a diversion was supposed to go to NHT ...

[SpringHeeledJack]

Aren't there any other airfields north/NW of Northolt that it might have landed at with little traffic ? Only that LGW being the world's busiest single runway airport made me wonder :8



SHJ