Bell Osprey over Greenwich (UK)

[angels]

Heard a bit of a racket about 10 minutes ago and guessed it was a heavy chopper of some sort. I suppose I was right.

I nipped into the back garden and saw a Bell Osprey whizzing east at around 1,000 feet parallel to the Thames. About a mile inland I guess. It was in helicopter mode rather than aeroplane mode.

Does anyone know if the Brits are trying it out or is it a visitor? Great to see it for the first time, and it does look as odd as the photos!

[lotus1]

Flew over Wandsworth at 1700 heading towards twickenham there has been quite a bit of military today two apaches low at around 10am this morning and a Irish air corps a139

[ShyTorque]

It's Obama's lot. If we leave the EU they're going to invade.

[Big Eric]

It was just one of the CV-22B Ospreys that are based at Mildenhall out on a training flight, callsign was "Knife 71", serial was 11-0058 (if your interested).

[chevvron]

Does anyone know if the Brits are trying it out or is it a visitor? Great to see it for the first time, and it does look as odd as the photos!
The SAS are getting them but I didn't tell you, right?

[SpringHeeledJack]

I too heard a loud clattering around the times suggested and I was 4miles away from the Thames. If the SAS get them, they'll need to sort out the sound with dampening of some sort.


SHJ

[angels]

Many thanks to Big Eric for the gen, most impressive!

Must say I agree with SHJ, stealthy it aint!

[treadigraph]

If I hadn't snuck off work early, might have seen it in the distance. Ah well, perhaps they'll become regulars along the heli-lanes. Never seen one...

[chevvron]

I too heard a loud clattering around the times suggested and I was 4miles away from the Thames. If the SAS get them, they'll need to sort out the sound with dampening of some sort.


SHJ
It was revealed in the 'Military' section.

[treadigraph]

One over London this morning apparently and ADSB-Exchange shows it back again, currently heading towards central London just south of Stapleford....


Edit: Finally got to see one - actually two, a pair of large dots heading east along the Thames!

[lotus1]

2 came up river 10 30am both again came back up Thames at1345pm circled Chiswick bridge flew back down Thames towards Wandsworth bridge mystery?

[Big Eric]

Why is it mystery, they're based just up the road at Mildenhall and are doing a bit of training?

[angels]

Yep, saw the pair today. They left the Thames at Greenwich (or thereabouts) and flew directly over me heading south east while I was on Vanbrugh Hill. They were both in chopper mode, lowish and taking it easy.

[SpringHeeledJack]

SAS take the to the skies over London in anti-terror helicopters | Daily Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3611263/SAS-skies-London-anti-terror-helicopters-day-ISIS-widow-issued-warning-capital-s-tubes-summer.html)

So now you know ;) :rolleyes:


SHJ

[PAXboy]

We are so lucky to have the Dail Fail to tell us the exact truth ...

[treadigraph]

And there's me thinking it was a coupla USAF lads - or lasses - out for a jolly.

[SpringHeeledJack]

Maybe the cousins are getting ready to stage a coup d'etat if the vote to leave the EU wins next month ? :}


SHJ

[lotus1]

With regards to the sas using them I just hope they are fitted with rubber blades the racket they make is louder then the old rotodyne I live in Wandsworth and you could hear them comming from Richmond following the Thames ?

[angels]

lotus - I think the SAS role for the plane (?) is more to do with rapid movement of personnel rather than stealthy movement of same!

If Big Eric says they're septics going for a potter, no reason for us to doubt him. Tangos aren't daft, they know the SAS will be on any potential hostage/combat scene quickly anyway.

I'd be surprised if this was SAS willy-waving. If it is, it's not really necessary.

[treadigraph]

I don't doubt him at all, they were certainly USAF operating out of Mildenhall. The Daily Mail on the other hand... :p

[skydiver69]

The DM seems convinced that the Ospreys belong to the SAS but the pictures clearly show US markings, neither has there been any news about any UK purchase. Secondly does anyone apart from DM journos call the V-22 the 'Transformer'?

[SpringHeeledJack]

It's quite clear to any of us that they were USAF steeds, but to the DM it's a chance to pad out the website with a story of sorts. That the V22's 'might' have been evaluated by the SAS could well be true, but they are well prepared with other means. Flying up and down the Thames has to beat bimmeling around Suffolk, though perhaps not the Mach Loop.


SHJ

[joy ride]

Dammit, I missed this despite living in Bermondsey, I would like to see and hear one close up. On Sat 28th I did see what was perhaps a Cessna 172 crossing the Thames at Deptford, apparently leaving LCY. Quite a surprise to see a small single engine plane there.