'Unknown' aircraft at Akrotiri

[chevvron]

Don't know how long it will be there but on www.zoom.earth/#34.587014,33.000716,19z,map is a 'strange' aircraft lined up on 28.

[Tashengurt]

Can't see anything?

[insty66]

Unknown? It's one of the most famous aircraft around.

[RedhillPhil]

Look hard enough and you too could see it.

[taffyhammer]

Not that unknown!!

[meleagertoo]

There is a U2 and a couple of vehicles on the threshold.
Is there something there that shouldn't be there, or something that should be there that isn't?
Sorry - this has me baffled. What on earth do the replies above refer to?

[ShyTorque]

What was known as the U-2, then the TR-1, now known as .... the U-2.

[superplum]

There is a U2 and a couple of vehicles on the threshold.
Is there something there that shouldn't be there, or something that should be there that isn't?
Sorry - this has me baffled. What on earth do the replies above refer to?

Sshhhh - Aurora?

[Compass Call]

Looks like a 'Dragon Lady' to me.

[Herod]

That's the aircraft that wasn't there in 1975, and still wasn't there when I went back in 2004.

[taffyhammer]

Didn’t half make the hangar shake when it wasn’t there doing engine tests!

[kaitakbowler]

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1280x726/akr_1de8355f7aefc912f5d2b4a0155687dc566e50c3.jpg

[chevvron]

That's the aircraft that wasn't there in 1975, and still wasn't there when I went back in 2004.
Wasn't there in '86 when I visited with cadets for 10 days either.

[Tankertrashnav]

Lying on my pit recovering from a night in the Green Rock when someone came in and said "did you see the U2 taking off?"

Never had another chance.

[air pig]

Cobra Ball at Mildenhall today though, a far rarer beast.

[MG]

Much more interesting, I happened to just be going down a Google Maps wormhole and was looking at NAS North Island, San Diego. Someone’s had an unplanned end to their sortie on runway 36.

[jimjim1]

Don't know how long it will be there ... is a 'strange' aircraft lined up on 28.

"Dates for Bings Maps imagery can’t be determined"

[Bob Viking]

Could there be a finer place to be based? I can’t think of one.

I know you might say Honolulu and it is a close run thing but I’d take Coronado personally.

BV

[Captivep]

I certainly didn't see a U-2 landing at Akrotiri when I was standing at the bar on the stern of Queen Victoria leaving Limassol harbour a few years ago...

[Cubanate]

I most certainly didn't see one in Akrotiri or Alconbury and I've never seen a SR71 in Okinawa.

[radar101]

I most certainly didn't see one in Akrotiri or Alconbury and I've never seen a SR71 in Okinawa.
I didn't see them both in a hangar on the W coast of the USA

[mikemmb]

That's the aircraft that wasn't there in 1975, and still wasn't there when I went back in 2004.

Thats definitely the one that also wasn’t there in c1969-72!

[Dougie M]

I believe that ATC in Akrotiri had a close encounter once.

[Tashengurt]

I believe that ATC in Akrotiri had a close encounter once.

They didn't see that one coming.

[Treble one]

An ATC cadet on my squadron was at Akrotiri for a Summer camp in the late 80's. He mentioned that there was an interesting type of aircraft that he'd never seen before.

[lightbluefootprint]

An ATC cadet on my squadron was at Akrotiri for a Summer camp in the late 80's. He mentioned that there was an interesting type of aircraft that he'd never seen before.
I was there on camp around that time. I remember some VRT type come rushing out of the camp office shouting at all in earshot not to take any pictures of that aeroplane that isn't there as it didn't roar away on take off :ok:

[golfbananajam]

I too remember not seeing it there several times and not hearing it and not being given access to the hangar it wasn't kept in

[Tashengurt]

I know everyone likes to thonk they've seen something secret but would anyone really get worked up about a few photos of a U2?
ISTR one doing curcuits at Sculthorpe when I was visiting in the early 90s.

[MATELO]

a 'strange' aircraft lined up on 28.

Don't know how long it will be there

Just as long as it completes it's take off run and rotates gently into the sky at 15k fpm.

[HaveQuick2]

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x661/snoopyakr_307b08a2f555e677e7d27f44ae36c86899a16e65.jpg

Something, somewhere.....

[obnoxio f*ckwit]

One definitely did not come and do a couple of circuits at Swinderby in 92, oh no...

[oldmansquipper]

Hmmm.

Looks a bit like the 'unknown' that was parked just behind ATC in the early 70s.

I think the other 'unknown' parked to the south of the runway is a covert explorative stealth super nondescript aircraft. Scary stuff. 😱

[Tashengurt]

Much more interesting, I happened to just be going down a Google Maps wormhole and was looking at NAS North Island, San Diego. Someone’s had an unplanned end to their sortie on runway 36.

Indeed, the port wingtips missing!!
Actually, looking closely you can see he's taken the cable too.

Google shows its probably an aircraft that was involved in a collision in Nov 2016.
The other F18 involved crashed but the pilot is reported as being rescued.

[brakedwell]

It wasn't there when I wasn't there for the last time in 1974.

[cargosales]

Didn't see it on any of my several visits to Akrotiri. There were often 'weather balloons' to be seen there but nothing like a U2. And I never heard anything like the following either

"AKT Approach this is Weather Balloon 123. 80 miles out with engine failure"

"WB 123, ok, we'll launch the rescue boats"

"No need Akt, I'll just glide in"

[Airbubba]

Those OLIVE missions in the Med have been going on for at least four decades I would say.

Nice U-2 flyover at last night's NCAA College Football Championship Game:

A U-2 Spy Plane Just Did The Flyover For The College Football National Championship Game - The Drive (http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/25838/a-u-2-spy-plane-just-did-the-flyover-for-the-college-football-national-championship-game)

[chevvron]

I was there on camp around that time. I remember some VRT type come rushing out of the camp office shouting at all in earshot not to take any pictures of that aeroplane that isn't there as it didn't roar away on take off :ok:
We were on the beach at the east end of the SBA near the harbour when one came in to land; far from being a VRT type (like us) who tried to stop us photographing it, the Deputy ACLO was running round shouting 'you can't take a picture of that'.
He also tried it when a decidedly non standard looking Nimrod came in to land later.
As for noise, they generally took off as we were walking across to the mess for brekky about 7am noisy buggers.

[chevvron]

I know everyone likes to thonk they've seen something secret but would anyone really get worked up about a few photos of a U2?
ISTR one doing curcuits at Sculthorpe when I was visiting in the early 90s.
Southbound on the A1 in a coach in '87, someone said 'ooh look, big gliders'. It was 3 of them in the circuit at Alconbury.

[KPax]

Google is your friend.

9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing Detachment 3, RAF Akrotiri (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Akrotiri), Cyprus (U-2)

Initially Central Intelligence Agency (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Intelligence_Agency) Detachment "G" (August 1970) after Egypt/Israel Suez Canal fighting and cease fire. Later permanent monitoring of Middle East Ceasefire after 1973 Yom Kippur War (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Kippur_War). Became 100th SRW OL "Olive Harvest" (1974). Turned over to 9th SRW September 1976, the U-2 operation at RAF Akrotiri continued to be called Operating Location OH until September 1980, then it became Detachment 3 of the 9th SRW, although the name OLIVE HARVEST continues. Two U-2's are stationed at RAF Akrotiri and they are still monitoring the ceasefire agreement between the Egypt and Israel although the present operations in Central Command requires further missions. U-2's also transit through RAF Akrotiri either on going into USAFCENT theater or returning to Beale AFB.

[ACW599]

One definitely did not come and do a couple of circuits at Swinderby in 92, oh no...

And it couldn't possibly have been the same one that did two rollers at Shawbury -- of all places -- about the same time.

[chopper2004]

Never saw one on static at RIAT 2017....nor with pressure suit, helmet, gloves boots, ALsE on display 👽👽

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1504/0ade4c5c_30ca_434e_8aaa_8aa96b9e5776_b536ac4c651e5acac238f7d 161fec16254896b95.jpeg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1504/91309551_4986_4fd8_8803_1e18c785bdf0_352ddfe41175fa88c9845fe d8e41cf9bdb46fe89.jpeg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1500x2000/0cd517fd_a463_464c_b016_fd2fa110b95f_bfa1e2fdb31f40ad95172e5 45f76d8c6d7d1da93.jpeg

[ValMORNA]

Yuri Gagarin didn't hitch a lift in one prior to his journey into space, April '61. Not many people know this, so . . . Mum's the word.

[OKOC]

We were on the beach at the east end of the SBA near the harbour when one came in to land; far from being a VRT type (like us) who tried to stop us photographing it, the Deputy ACLO was running round shouting 'you can't take a picture of that'.
He also tried it when a decidedly non standard looking Nimrod came in to land later.
As for noise, they generally took off as we were walking across to the mess for brekky about 7am noisy buggers.
Bloody woke me and reminded me to go for breakfast--"George have you any nice shoes please?" Is he still alive I wonder?

[dook]

And I never saw the one with which I was in close formation.

[Akrotiri bad boy]

I didn't drink beer with the spaceman who didn't have anything to do with it whilst I wasn't there at any time during various Toom APC's in the early '80's. Something might have been at the far end of G dispersal but it was probably a bit of heat shimmy distorting the tacky ton Canberra target tug. Aircraft recognition was never my strong point.

[Bill Macgillivray]

Can't remember drinking with the crews at AKR in the early '70's (can't remember much from then) - must be old age!!!

Bill

[unmanned_droid]

I'm pleased to say none of this happened.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1200x800/7dm24382_edit_b7ad6e7ee1aa9f154ff6d47b5656aef39326251d.png
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1200x800/7dm24400_b0876d7ac5529a8cf41f1f7e7bde1d2ec2c57034.png
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1200x857/img_0447_2287b9795fd2027d3673e02957bcdce0e1161644.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1200x857/img_0318_a2a1f8993b28d430a9a96169cd942aa657c53ede.png

[spannermonkey]

Never used to see one take off in the mornings making a huge noise with a steep take off climb when I was on the way to school, but hey I was only a kid so I have no idea what I didn't see back then.

Seems a lot has changed since 82 - no more swimming pool and the MQ we used to live in must have been flattened and replaced with a new one.

[tartare]

The US taxpayer certainly got their money's worth from that particular example.
Needs a spot of paint...

[CONSO]

And while standing outside plant 42 in Palmdale in 1973 I never saw one take off and dropping the wingtip gear and climbing at a very steep angle with a lot of noise -before getting into a Rockwell Aerocommander as SLF with a corporate VP pilot named Hoover and just barely clearing the ridge with a nice house- between Palmdale and LAX while working on the first B-1 Bomber.

[Out Of Trim]

I was never almost deafened by a weather balloon on departure whilst I plugged in the Runway Caravan at AKT during an F4 APC. It was painfully loud at such close range!

[Ogre]

We were out there in 86 I think it was, and were told that if the aircraft that wasn't there wasn't towed past us on the taxiway we were to turn round with our backs to what wasn't there. I was also told off on day 1 of the detachment for getting lost looking for GEF and parking the landrover outside a hanger while I asked this bloke for directions.

The fact that half of the south of Cyprus could hear an aircraft that wasn't there not take off in the morning was not relevant...

[chopper2004]

Don't know how long it will be there but on www.zoom.earth/#34.587014,33.000716,19z,map is a 'strange' aircraft lined up on 28.

Hand on heart a year ago I did see a golden or red BB 😝👽

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1500x2000/398eadc7_4f42_44a4_a273_3c2cd1283cab_c9c0854a5f267f8a1892aaf 752c3549f81f87ffe.jpeg

[ORAC]

Nearly got killed in a car crash by the head of U2 operations in Cyprus back in 1977.

The detachment had had just been allowed to start going off the SBA and he came out to Cyprus on a visit and he, along with the detachment commander, came up to 280SU on a curtesy call as we provided their radar surveillance. The plan was to meet in the mess and go down to Kakpetria for a meze in their SUV. What we were unaware of was that they had been drinking all afternoon.

Halfway down the mountain the car left the road, rolled down a slope and ended up in a storm drain on its roof. Thankfully the water only half filled the interior and we were able to kick out the windscreen. In the car along with the two of them were me and, IIRC, HW.

Police attended, taken to hospital, lots of urgent telephone calls and both the Americans were off the island in 12 hours.

Shortly after the det had another crash off base which killed two female schoolteachers and injured two of their pilots. That left them so short they flew in another to maintain their flying schedule. He was the one who took out the ATC tower, Ops and Met office on his first take-off.

They got got barred from going base again after that.

[chevvron]

Never used to see one take off in the mornings making a huge noise with a steep take off climb when I was on the way to school, but hey I was only a kid so I have no idea what I didn't see back then.
.
I was disappointed not to witness that; they always departed in a 'flat' attitude making lots of noise and a 'normal' roc, certainly not as steep as the TT Canberras.

It was most embarassing when one arrived at Farnborough for the static display. The SBAC supplied groundcrew insisted on ignoring the USAF ground party and handling it their way not allowing it to taxy off the runway once the outriggers were fitted and consequently it blocked the runway for about 15 -20 minutes while they tried the manhandle it with the pilot still on board.
The Group Captain (COEF Farnborough) naturally blamed us (ATC) for the delay (nothing to do with us chief) as he was waiting along with other members of the Flying Control Committee to 'vet' the displays of several other aircraft.

[melmothtw]

The US taxpayer certainly got their money's worth from that particular example.

This particular example was ordered in FY1980 (that's what the 80 on the tailfin denotes). Would be interesting to know when the oldest in the current fleet was ordered.

[ORAC]

This one perhaps?

68-10329 (tel:68-10329) art.#051

Originally built as a U-2R, first flew as N803X on 28 Aug 1967
Also flown by ROCAF, ROCAF code: #3925
First aircraft to fly with Superpods
Transferred to 9 SRW, 1981
Reconfigured as U-2S, May 1995

[SASless]

An Army Helicopter Flight School roommate from back in 1968 wound up being the Squadron Commander of 99 Squadron after he shifted over to the Air Force.....he was bound for higher places than just a Chinook seat.

He is an excellent pilot who went through Chinook Conversion training with me and travelled to Vietnam to the same Battalion where we were assigned to different Chinook units.

He shifted to the Air Force in 1974 and retired upon which he went to work for American Airlines as a Pilot.

Along the way he became an author.


https://web.ipmsusa3.org/content/shady-lady-1500-hours-flying-u-2-spy-plane

[bobward]

Way back in 1980 World in Action (I think) were filming an interview with some talking head at Mildenhall. Said head was denying that any alleged spy planes were operating in the Uk when a certain black glider drifted in over the hedge and waiting cameras. and it made inclusion in that weeks programme as well. Allegedly it was a weather diversion from Beale AFB, they said.....




PS:
I made the last bit up...…….!:O:=

[treadigraph]

I wasn't at Air Fete 80 at Mildenhall and I didn't get a glimpse of a section of black fuselage through a briefly opened hangar side door... I haven't just looked at my old mil spotter's log (can't bear to throw 'em out, after nearly 30 years, God only knows why) and it wasn't 68-10339.

I did however see and hear one take off from Patrick AFB - the log I didn't look at tells me it was 68-10329, the history of which ORAC has kindly detailed above. I recall the climb as quite steep and I was surprised by the noise. Mind you, I think I had seen the TR-1 flying at a show or two by then. The departure was just before the the first post-Challenger Shuttle Launch so possibly connected?

[uffington sb]

ACW599.
i doubt if it did rollers as they needed ‘Mobile’ to talk them down over the threshold on account the pilot can’t see ahead. At AKT they had a big powerful car with a pilot driving giving heights to the PF, “That’s one hundred over the Tee” etc.
In the 80’s I drove passed Alconbury and there were four in the visual circuit!

[chevvron]

ACW599.
i doubt if it did rollers as they needed ‘Mobile’ to talk them down over the threshold on account the pilot can’t see ahead. At AKT they had a big powerful car with a pilot driving giving heights to the PF, “That’s one hundred over the Tee” etc.
In the 80’s I drove passed Alconbury and there were four in the visual circuit!


A ground party with a similar car was detached daily to RAE Bedford who had an agreement with Alconbury to be their 'COB' or' Combined Operating Base' but I didn't say that 'cos in never happened.
Come to think of it, didn't the first U2 to land in the UK land at Bedford?

[Tashengurt]

They used their Mustang or whatever to do chippy runs at Sculthorpe. Didnt half growl and grumble as it went along.

[KPax]

One of the best trips you can get, at Akr it was in a BMW M5, a bit of a rush entering the runway at 110 mph with the guy who is driving (pilot) using one hand to steer and one hand to use the radio, fastest Automatic I have ever been in.

[Brian W May]

Can't see anything?

They don't do irony do they?

[LowObservable]

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1280x926/me_and_u_2_250e2e59bb5d056e38219bba895b5133f0b7a107.jpg

Jerry Garcia can't see anything either. Of course that's Jerry Garcia, not me.

[BEagle]

One of the AFTAC guys with whom we worked at Patrick AFB was an ex-U-2 pilot and still had strong connections with the resident Det at Patrick. So a chum and I were invited to look around the jet in the hangar. The next day we were invited back at dawn to watch the pre-flight prep for the pilot, then out to watch the crew-in and taxi out from the mobile chase car driven by our ex-U-2 pilot host.

Crew-in was very quick; as soon as the pilot was happy with the jet we watched for a light on the corner of the hangar to show green, then off we went following the jet.

On reaching the RW, we did a quick last chance FOD check in the chase car, then came back and turned round to sit just off the wing where the pilot could see us. A thumbs-up from the chase driver, the U-2 went to max chat and we set off down the RW to see it airborne. Then we picked up the pogos and drove back to the Det before going for breakfast with our host and his wife.

An excellent visit!

[ACW599]

ACW599.
i doubt if it did rollers as they needed ‘Mobile’ to talk them down over the threshold on account the pilot can’t see ahead. At AKT they had a big powerful car with a pilot driving giving heights to the PF, “That’s one hundred over the Tee” etc.
In the 80’s I drove passed Alconbury and there were four in the visual circuit!
I wondered that after I'd written it -- presumably it did low approaches to go-rounds. I wasn't on the A53 between Shrewsbury and Tern Hill at the time and didn't see it twice.

[DeanoP]

Reference Post No54

I remember the incident on 7 Dec 1977, and the award of the QGM to Bernie Limb. Found this description on the internet. I believe that Bernie was the driver of the Landrover..

The U2 was taking off on a routine reconnaissance over the Sinai Desert when it stalled on take off, crashing into the station operations complex, spreading debris and burning fuel everywhere. Some people were trapped in what remained of the building(s). Amongst those trapped in the building was Flt Lt BJM Limb and two of his staff. Unable to release them, or escape himself, he instructed rescuers to gain access through the walls of the building. (This probably resulting in one of the stories posted about a Landrover trying to knock down a door because it was locked.) For his bravery Flt Lt Limb was awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal.

[meleagertoo]

Er - puhleese!
Genuine question.

Why is everyone writing all these bizarre negatives?
Is this some in-joke/tradition I've not come across? (That was a real negative, btw)

[Surplus]

ACW599.
i doubt if it did rollers as they needed ‘Mobile’ to talk them down over the threshold on account the pilot can’t see ahead. At AKT they had a big powerful car with a pilot driving giving heights to the PF, “That’s one hundred over the Tee” etc.
In the 80’s I drove passed Alconbury and there were four in the visual circuit!



I seen 'em do rollers with these tired ol' eyes. (At the very same aerodrome in Cyprus that they were never at.) I also had the honour to be downtown at the same time that the Swedish Netball Team were out having a few beverages... Happy Days.

The interesting fact about 'those flights' was that you could never be sure that the one that took off from there was the one that landed some time later ;P

[Dockers]

Er - puhleese!
Genuine question.

Why is everyone writing all these bizarre negatives?
Is this some in-joke/tradition I've not come across? (That was a real negative, btw)


As alluded to in post 37, service personnel were often told to look away when certain aircraft were moving. Happened to me twice with different aircraft that I didn’t see!

[chevvron]

Er - puhleese!
Genuine question.

Why is everyone writing all these bizarre negatives?
Is this some in-joke/tradition I've not come across? (That was a real negative, btw)
If you don't know then you don't 'need' to know.
Like the rest of us don't know who you are because your profile tells us nothing.

[wub]

Never saw one on static at RIAT 2017....nor with pressure suit, helmet, gloves boots, ALsE on display ����





https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1500x2000/0cd517fd_a463_464c_b016_fd2fa110b95f_bfa1e2fdb31f40ad95172e5 45f76d8c6d7d1da93.jpeg





I didn't see this either and remarked to Mrs wub that if flying the U2 did that to the pilot, it was a wonder there were any volunteers. This prompted the airman manning the stand to remark "Uh, sir, there is actually no one in the suit"

[FODPlod]

I didn't see this aircraft at Akrotiri because I was never there. If I were, I'd have known better than to ask what it wasn't.

As I was never there, I didn't have a great time diving from an RPL belonging to 10 Port Sqn RCT (whoever they were), either.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/600x431/cyprus_diving_1981_c77b7de9bc360a05954c769bf5f6488299ade60d. jpg

[pasta]

I didn't see this aircraft at Akrotiri because I was never there. If I were, I'd have known better than to ask what it wasn't.

As I was never there, I didn't have a great time diving from an RPL belonging to 10 Port Sqn RCT (whoever they were), either.
I'm not surprised you didn't see anything with those goggles on...

[BEagle]

This prompted the airman manning the stand to remark "Uh, sir, there is actually no one in the suit"

Those 2 manning the stand look as if they're really enjoying British Summer weather...

[Cornish Jack]

Kaitakbowler's Google piccy stirs some ancient memories! The grey roofed hut towards the top left was my Ops Room work place from 71-74. The parking area and sheds around the non-existent aircraft are additions since then ... had they existed previously we would not have been able to see a lone 'Red' transit below hangar height from the other side during their work-up 'bomb-burst'! The afore-mentioned hut was a handy viewing spot for such activity as, for instance, the 'will it, won't it' departures of the Victor B1s making their close-up inspections of Ladies Mile!! 1563 Flt when I arrived, 84 Sqn (for my second time) when I left - are the 'scorpions still smelly' there?

[SASless]

Why is everyone writing all these bizarre negatives?


Bizarre negative posts are actually quite common here you know.:E

[CONSO]

Why is everyone writing all these bizarre negatives?

Because if we told you we would have to invoke the 'terminate with predjudice ' rule - be happy !

[oxenos]

Why is everyone writing all these bizarre negatives?

Oh yes we aren't.

[dead_pan]

Why is everyone writing all these bizarre negatives?

I haven't read this thread and haven't found it rather amusing.

[treadigraph]

Oh yes we aren't.
Oh no we is!

[weemonkey]

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1280x926/me_and_u_2_250e2e59bb5d056e38219bba895b5133f0b7a107.jpg

Jerry Garcia can't see anything either. Of course that's Jerry Garcia, not me.

Is that the morning star lying there..

[weemonkey]

Never saw one on static at RIAT 2017....nor with pressure suit, helmet, gloves boots, ALsE on display 👽👽





https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1500x2000/0cd517fd_a463_464c_b016_fd2fa110b95f_bfa1e2fdb31f40ad95172e5 45f76d8c6d7d1da93.jpeg



Welcome to the Englandshire summer...in the background "are those real guns mista"

[meleagertoo]

If you don't know then you don't 'need' to know.
Like the rest of us don't know who you are because your profile tells us nothing.
I think that must rate as one of the most arrogant, up yer own ass pig ignorant posts I've ever seen here, and that's saying something.

I gather there's some childish/spotterish silliness going on as with any closed-shop in-joke that no one will explain to a genuine inquiry but that being so it evidently doesn't warrant an explanation.
Just as I hadn't realised a profile was expected to include qualifications that qualify one to recieve answers from self aggrandised saddos like you, chevron.
It's clearly too infantile to be worth explaining.
I'd expected more of this forum.

[BEagle]

In this context, "If you don't know then you don't 'need' to know" is surely a parody of the bar room scene from Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels when Barry 'The Baptist' is briefing the two 'f****** Northern Monkeys' about the forthcoming robbery:

Gary: "So who's the Guv? Who we doing this for?"
Barry 'The Baptist': "You're doing it for me is all you need to know. You know because you need to know."
Gary: "I see, one of those `on a need to know' basis things, like in James Bond films?"
Barry 'The Baptist': "Careful, remember who's giving you this job. Right, I'm off. Call me when you're done. Ta-da."

[Treble one]

I think that must rate as one of the most arrogant, up yer own ass pig ignorant posts I've ever seen here, and that's saying something.

I gather there's some childish/spotterish silliness going on as with any closed-shop in-joke that no one will explain to a genuine inquiry but that being so it evidently doesn't warrant an explanation.
Just as I hadn't realised a profile was expected to include qualifications that qualify one to recieve answers from self aggrandised saddos like you, chevron.
It's clearly too infantile to be worth explaining.
I'd expected more of this forum.

meleagertoo-for many years there have been certain aircraft types, involved in certain roles, where its much better if they were left quietly to get on with their own business, without the need for their locations to be publicised, or acknowledged. Mainly because their roles were largely of a highly sensitive nature-their positioning, or knowledge thereof, would be an advantage to an adversary.

Hence the 'I didn't see this at X, Y and Z' type posts you are seeing.

[Dave Sharpe]

Chevron -how could you be so insensitive and upset Meleagertoo in this way ---it's most unsporting of you and all over something nobody actually admits to seeing because it's never been there in the first place -that's if we knew where there was ...

[langleybaston]

Deuced bad form, a caddish trick to thus annoy a fellow.
Take a demerit.

[hoodie]

Is there anybody with even a passing aviation interest in Cyprus who doesn't know that the U-2 has regularly operated from there for decades?

There have been multiple threads on here that mention it, for one thing.

Claiming "Need to Know" is rather precious - especially from the topic starter!

[air pig]

meleagertoo-for many years there have been certain aircraft types, involved in certain roles, where its much better if they were left quietly to get on with their own business, without the need for their locations to be publicised, or acknowledged. Mainly because their roles were largely of a highly sensitive nature-their positioning, or knowledge thereof, would be an advantage to an adversary.

Hence the 'I didn't see this at X, Y and Z' type posts you are seeing.

Like the 'truth 'I suspect he 'can't handle the truth'.

[dragartist]

When the wind was blowing in the wrong direction at Alconbury a plane like the one described never came into our hangar at Wyton for safe keeping.
A bowser would turn up to defuel those really big wing tanks ; )

[chevvron]

Like the 'truth 'I suspect he 'can't handle the truth'.
There's a guy on Flyer Forums with a similar attitude; wonder if it's the same person?

[Herod]

C'mon guys, cool it. I was one of the first to start this, back on post 10. Those in on the joke know, but let's not be critical of those who don't. It was an aircraft that was carrying out certain sensitive missions over sensitive territory, and the less we "ordinary people" knew of it's activities the better. Hence the "I didn't see it" idea arose. Just a jokey way of acknowledging it's existence, without asking questions of people who were not allowed to answer.

[FollowTheSupper]

I think that must rate as one of the most arrogant, up yer own ass pig ignorant posts I've ever seen here, and that's saying something.

I gather there's some childish/spotterish silliness going on as with any closed-shop in-joke that no one will explain to a genuine inquiry but that being so it evidently doesn't warrant an explanation.
Just as I hadn't realised a profile was expected to include qualifications that qualify one to recieve answers from self aggrandised saddos like you, chevron.
It's clearly too infantile to be worth explaining.
I'd expected more of this forum.

---------------

If I might be permitted an attempt at clarification, and maybe prevent any further unnecessary escalation.

As this is the military aviation forum, it is inevitable that some topics under discussion will encroach on matters which are subject to varying levels of military security classification (i.e. "secrecy").

Obviously all service personnel (both serving and former), having signed the Official Secrets Act, will not want to discuss topics on this public forum, which are still covered by current security classifications. However, occasionally a "reality clash" is encountered, where the security classification officially decreed for a particular activity, seems to be completely at odds with the realities of the situation.

As an example... how do you keep the presence of one of the noisiest, smokiest, aircraft in the world as a "secret"...?
Hence the occasional use in these threads, of "veiled" speech... or in the case of this particular thread, a repeated alluding to the hilarious pretence that the "secret" is somehow still a secret. Hence also, the equally hilarious tales of the ludicrous extents to which some senior personnel (many of whom were old enough and hairy enough to have known better), persisted in trying to deny the undeniable... rather than perhaps devoting their intellectual energies to finding and implementing more plausible and durable cover stories.

As for profiles, I would suggest that what you do with your profile is entirely up to you. Some people just can't wait to publish all their details accompanied by flashing lights [usually former Lightning pilots...! ;-) ]...
... others have done things that they have the humility not to brag about...
... others still wish to keep everybody guessing...
... others yet dream of aspiring to the very pinnacle of elite aircraft spotting...
... while there are those who decline to put most details in any form of online social media, as they wisely assess that sooner or later some malevolent web-trawling bot will use some of it against them.

In my humble opinion, I doubt very much whether any real arrogance has been deployed here. Being a forum frequented by many who are well-versed in military discipline, I am therefore sure that chevvron is more than capable of being witheringly arrogant / offensive, etc., if he/she ever chose to adopt such a stance... so the comparatively mild banter (particularly if you already understand the joke), which was levelled in response to your query, hardly qualifies as this. Starting, encouraging, and perpetuating banter is an important element of "Maintenance of Morale"... which is something that I would advocate becoming (and remaining forever) as second nature to all military leaders (at any level)... and even when taking into account "modern" sensitivities. (I have always counselled the "particularly sensitive", that they should perhaps reserve their full steaming outrage instead, for deploying against those that are actually firing live rounds at them... or worse.)

So, with respect, I would maybe urge caution against leaping too quickly into "defensive" mode and hurling around comments like "saddos" etc., ... otherwise many other people might inevitably form their own (but hopefully incorrect) adverse conclusions about your solidity of character. (Quiet, self-deprecating humour has been known to earn respect in the past... if a suitably witty, more brash riposte is not immediately to hand.)

[cargosales]

---------------

If I might be permitted an attempt at clarification, and maybe prevent any further unnecessary escalation.

As this is the military aviation forum, it is inevitable that some topics under discussion will encroach on matters which are subject to varying levels of military security classification (i.e. "secrecy").

Obviously all service personnel (both serving and former), having signed the Official Secrets Act, will not want to discuss topics on this public forum, which are still covered by current security classifications. However, occasionally a "reality clash" is encountered, where the security classification officially decreed for a particular activity, seems to be completely at odds with the realities of the situation.

As an example... how do you keep the presence of one of the noisiest, smokiest, aircraft in the world as a "secret"...?
Hence the occasional use in these threads, of "veiled" speech... or in the case of this particular thread, a repeated alluding to the hilarious pretence that the "secret" is somehow still a secret. Hence also, the equally hilarious tales of the ludicrous extents to which some senior personnel (many of whom were old enough and hairy enough to have known better), persisted in trying to deny the undeniable... rather than perhaps devoting their intellectual energies to finding and implementing more plausible and durable cover stories.

As for profiles, I would suggest that what you do with your profile is entirely up to you. Some people just can't wait to publish all their details accompanied by flashing lights [usually former Lightning pilots...! ;-) ]...
... others have done things that they have the humility not to brag about...
... others still wish to keep everybody guessing...
... others yet dream of aspiring to the very pinnacle of elite aircraft spotting...
... while there are those who decline to put most details in any form of online social media, as they wisely assess that sooner or later some malevolent web-trawling bot will use some of it against them.

In my humble opinion, I doubt very much whether any real arrogance has been deployed here. Being a forum frequented by many who are well-versed in military discipline, I am therefore sure that chevvron is more than capable of being witheringly arrogant / offensive, etc., if he/she ever chose to adopt such a stance... so the comparatively mild banter (particularly if you already understand the joke), which was levelled in response to your query, hardly qualifies as this. Starting, encouraging, and perpetuating banter is an important element of "Maintenance of Morale"... which is something that I would advocate becoming (and remaining forever) as second nature to all military leaders (at any level)... and even when taking into account "modern" sensitivities. (I have always counselled the "particularly sensitive", that they should perhaps reserve their full steaming outrage instead, for deploying against those that are actually firing live rounds at them... or worse.)

So, with respect, I would maybe urge caution against leaping too quickly into "defensive" mode and hurling around comments like "saddos" etc., ... otherwise many other people might inevitably form their own (but hopefully incorrect) adverse conclusions about your solidity of character. (Quiet, self-deprecating humour has been known to earn respect in the past... if a suitably witty, more brash riposte is not immediately to hand.)

What a brilliant post .. explaining precisely why some things are couched in slang, jargon or whatever. I only served for a few years and never did anything brave or famous but still got to see and hear quite a few things. Some of which will NEVER appear on this forum while others will, if couched only in terms of 'weather balloons' or whatever. Other more 'mundane' stuff is fair game.for a discussion and a bit of banter.

As it's Panto season:

You didn't see it because I told you to turn round so "IT'S BEHIND YOU"

[cargosales]

C'mon guys, cool it. I was one of the first to start this, back on post 10. Those in on the joke know, but let's not be critical of those who don't. It was an aircraft that was carrying out certain sensitive missions over sensitive territory, and the less we "ordinary people" knew of it's activities the better. Hence the "I didn't see it" idea arose. Just a jokey way of acknowledging it's existence, without asking questions of people who were not allowed to answer.

The joke was that everyone was very well aware of the a/c being there and of the Ops name (OH), just we were forbidden from publicly linking the two.

A facade only slightly undermined by the Yanks then flogging T-Shirts for their beer swindle..... complete with a dirty great outline of a weather balloon that happened to look like a U-2. With the text 'Olive Harvest writ large beneath it !

You couldn't have made it up.

True.

CS

[FL235]

A little off-track from a different part of the world, but still a comment on "security". scene is Pt. Moresby about 67 or 68 - my memory is going. Rumour that something is happening at the strip got a few of us out in time to see a KC135 appear. As soon as it stopped moving a guy leapt out with a handheld, yelling for a vehicle. Quite exciting as a U2 appeared and was talked down. Once he was parked by the tower everyone was very relaxed. The ground crew kept the cockpit closed, and we didn't get to chat to the driver, but otherwise we found out he was enroute Guam to East Sale, from where they were flying air sampling missions over Antartica. He apparently had a warning light, and Moresby was the nearest possible diversion. Don't know what his posittion on the 2800 nm. trip from Guam would have been, but there weren't too many 10,000 ft. strips available, and they apparently viewed Moresby as marginaly acceptable. So he had loitered for some unspecified time at some unspecified altitude while the KC 135 caught up.

The funny bit was that after about an hour of close inspection and chat by all and sundry, a police detachment arrived, with orders telexed from Canberra, to establish a perimeter of x 100yds around a non-existent a/c that no-one had seen.

I missed his departure next morning, but he apparently left the control zone out the top before passing the the end of the runway.

Not as good a "not there " as told by a friend who was Air America in the 60's. Question to refueller at a non-existent strip, "Whose are those six unmarked C130's ?". "I don't see no 130's".

Long time ago.

[ShyTorque]

Well at least we now know what U2 pilots wear under their pressure suits...pink trainers! :p

[BVRAAM]

I enjoyed watching Bono take off on departures day at RIAT in 2017.....

[pr00ne]

This thread neatly encapsulates the farcical nonsense of most British military security, focussing far more on keeping information from it's own members and the general public that is widely known by, and in some cases officially telegraphed to, the 'opposition'....

[Asturias56]

You mean like an Army mate who lives close to the extended runway line of Fairford and hasn't seem any of these mystery aircraft over the last 5 years and which certainly weren't in transit from Cyprus to the USA and vv every month or so................

[pr00ne]

Asturias56,

You mean those frequent movements that are pre alerted by public NOTAM and photographed and shared in fine detail and almost real time on dozens of spotter and modeller sites?

[BEagle]

Several years ago I was down at MPA yet again protecting the Bennies from the threat of invasion :rolleyes: . Predictably our VC10K was declared as a 'war goer' whilst waiting for some spares to be flown down by TriStar. One fine day the hooter went and we were called to readiness. After the F-3s launched, our trusty Landrover valiantly struggled against the headwind as we set off to the jet, before we climbed aboard and declared on-state, war goer.

Listening to the R/T was much fun. Q1 and 2 soon closed on the contact and an excited SOC controller started asking questions: "Are there any markings?" "Yes, mate - it says 'Aerolineas Argentinas' on the side!". Shortly afterwards Q was hauled off and we all reverted to RS boredom.

This was in the very early days of the Internet and with only very slow dial-up connections from our side of the aerodrome. Nevertheless, I had a thought and asked one of the Herk mates, who was a bit of an Internet whizz, "Hey - see if you can find something like aerolineas argentinas dot com and look for some timetables". Mate disappeared into the boss's office and after about 10 min of clicking and muttering, he suddenly yelled "Found it!". So we downloaded the day's schedules, printed them out and faxed them down to the Tic-TOC with our compliments...

About 5 seconds later, the phone rang. It was some Intell weeny - "Where did you find this high value intelligence? We've been trying to get hold of their schedules for weeks. This is all highly classified and shouldn't have been sent by insecure fax!"....:\

That well-known oxymoron - military intelligence!

[SASless]

We inherited that from you lot it seems.

One Sunday morning in the Philippines as I was sat in my skivvies enjoying a late breakfast after a much later evening the night before....yet to shower/shave etc.....the Talking Bone begins to ring.

I picked it up...and it was my Navy OC on the other end.

As was the Duty Agent for the Day...with every expectation of not getting a call out of any kind....the fact it was the OC himself and not the Base Police calling....I got a bit of a surprise.

Him...."Special Agent Sasless....you are the Duty Agent for the Subic Navy Base today....right?"

Me....Yessir....how can I help you?

Him...."I need you to do a Protective Services Detail thingy today!" (Body Guard Detail)

Me....Errrr.....ahhhhh....uhhhhhhh.....PSD...today?

Him...."Yes...today!"

Me....Who is it for?

Him....."This is not a secure line....I cannot tell you."

Me....(never mind what I was thinking about the rumors that the OC was an Idiot) Errr....Skipper....can you give me just a small hint so I know who to look for?"

Him....Lots of stuttering....finally he says......"Philippine 6 Alpha".

Me....Doing some quick thinking....realizes he is talking about the Wife of the Philippine President at the time....Imelda Marcos.

Me...Skipper when is the Principle (Marcos) going to arrive?

Him...."In one hour at Cubi Point Naval Air Station."

Me...(Now in what can only be described as a "Holy **** Doc!" reaction). Right Skipper...have you notified the Cubi Point Agent...or either of the Special Agents in Charge at either Office?

Him...."No....but I don't have time as I have to make a Tee Time in a few minutes."

I am not making this up.....in the end we pulled it off....a full detail of agents, my house mate handing out guns as the vehicles drove through the Main Gate into town, my Boss wearing swim trunks riding in the Ambulance, and the Detail dressed in various states of dress from shorts and flip flops to our daily work outfits.

Mind you it was a twenty minute drive to Cubi Point to meet the arriving aircraft with Ms Marcos.

I never did see the C-130 that was supposed to follow her around with her spare sets of shoes.

[meleagertoo]

Thanks for the clarification people, though I'm still flummoxed by how anyone can pretend that the existence of an aircraft that's been seen on a daily basis and frequently displayed in public for the best part of half a century can be considered "secret"in any way at all, let alone why anyone woud want to pretend it so.

[andrewn]

Is there anybody with even a passing aviation interest in Cyprus who doesn't know that the U-2 has regularly operated from there for decades?

There have been multiple threads on here that mention it, for one thing.

Claiming "Need to Know" is rather precious - especially from the topic starter!

All the pompous "in jokes" aside it IS amusing if you ever get the opportunity to listen in to ATC over there, that they still never actually ackowledge the aircraft type to others, they simply refer to it as "local traffic" or something equally mundane! So it COULD be the flying club Ce.172, although the broad US accent and not very oblique RT callsign is a bit of a giveaway :)

[CONSO]

About keeping secrets - In palmdale, the plant that did the final assembly of the B2 bomber was surrounded on several sides by high built up earthen berms to prevent inadvertent photos if hangar doors were opened of what was inside. Of course when rollout of the first flight model was to take place great effort was made to only allow a front view for the press and dignataries and severe restrictions were in place regarding views/photos which might show the trailing edges and certain features of stealth technology.

But the mensa intel types- forgetting that a public airport was quite close - a few hundred yards at best - did not think to close the airspace during the rollout . The result is history. Seems that Avaiation Week ( sometimes called avaition leak ) simply hired a cessna for their photographer to fly overhead during the rollout. The resulting photo can be found- along with part of the story

https://uspolitics.10ztalk.com/2018/11/22/capturing-stealth-how-aviation-week-coated-b-2-bomber-rollout/

And then there is the story ( possibly embellished ) about the plant in east los angeles that was the ' engineering- design ' building complex. knowing that the russian satellite made passes over the area from time to time- somehow the roof got painted with a fewlarge letters from the cyrillic alphabet which a rough translation suggested a physical impossibility or the equivalent of a freeway salute

[BossEyed]

CONSO, the B-2 rollout thing is a great story and far be it from me to suggest that AvLeak might have reasons to embellish how sensitive the planform was supposed to be that day, but... this is a photo from the spectators' viewpoint, taken at the rollout ceremony.

Check out the star.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1600x1078/a_front_view_of_the_b_2_advanced_technology_bomber_in_front_ of_its_hangar_at_ebadb0_1600_f70055dbc1aefc50d46a93b7fd3b56b b2ed2c777.jpg

[Asturias56]

Asturias56,

You mean those frequent movements that are pre alerted by public NOTAM and photographed and shared in fine detail and almost real time on dozens of spotter and modeller sites?


Classic case of Mass Delusion - it never happened, they never happened, I know nuffin', it's all a bad dream................ ;)

[CONSO]

Bosseyed- The AV week story is true and factual- and I can assure you the reasons to reduce closeup views of the backside were much more than the " sawtooth " configuration . ;)

[Laarbruch72]

Thanks for the clarification people, though I'm still flummoxed by how anyone can pretend that the existence of an aircraft that's been seen on a daily basis and frequently displayed in public for the best part of half a century can be considered "secret"in any way at all, let alone why anyone woud want to pretend it so.

Of course It isn't secret, but the pompous old farts of PPruNe, none more so than the even more pompous and even older and fartier Mil Aviation regulars love to do this stuff; Hint heavily that they were privy to hush hush stuff, while really openly stating where, when and who it was that they "definitely didn't see". Just so you know they were actually there, so you can doff your cap to them. It's just a form of attention seeking really. If it was really secret, and someone was involved directly, it wouldn't be discussed here.
If you want to experience having a similar personality disorder, just hang around a bar wearing a veteran badge, occasionally touch your nose and say something like "I'd tell you but I'd have to kill you", and you too can feel like BEagle and a lot of the other old wrecks that make up the Mil (or rather the RAF of the 1960s and 70s) forum.

[SASless]

Someone must not be on friendly terms with the Missus for a while!

[langleybaston]

Of course It isn't secret, but the pompous old farts of PPruNe, none more so than the even more pompous and even older and fartier Mil Aviation regulars love to do this stuff; Hint heavily that they were privy to hush hush stuff, while really openly stating where, when and who it was that they "definitely didn't see". Just so you know they were actually there, so you can doff your cap to them. It's just a form of attention seeking really. If it was really secret, and someone was involved directly, it wouldn't be discussed here.
If you want to experience having a similar personality disorder, just hang around a bar wearing a veteran badge, occasionally touch your nose and say something like "I'd tell you but I'd have to kill you", and you too can feel like BEagle and a lot of the other old wrecks that make up the Mil (or rather the RAF of the 1960s and 70s) forum.

And there was me thinking that the weather balloon that wasn't there was quite a good long-running joke, set to annoy the humourless and to entertain us old wrecks.

[BEagle]

Laarbruch72, perhaps your first post in the Military forum since Dec 2017 says more about you than about those you choose to insult?

Whatever - it adds nothing of any merit to the discussion at hand.

[Tashengurt]

I suppose I am heading into old fart territory but I thought it was just a long running joke around the impossibility of keepung something so loud and smokey secret.
It's only an "in" joke in as much as it's generally reserved for those who've seen it. Or haven't.

[Treble one]

Bosseyed- The AV week story is true and factual- and I can assure you the reasons to reduce closeup views of the backside were much more than the " sawtooth " configuration . ;)

When the B2 last landed at RIAT and placed on static, it was specifically positioned to make it impossible to have a look around the back.

Armed Police guards were on hand to enforce this.

[Asturias56]

" you too can feel like BEagle and a lot of the other old wrecks that make up the Mil (or rather the RAF of the 1960s and 70s) forum."

Ooooohhhh Fight, Fight , FIGHT!!!!

That really is a bit harsh don't you think??????? :=

PS if you have a complaint about Pilots just stay away from a Climbing Club or bar....................

[FODPlod]

Of course It isn't secret, but the pompous old farts of PPruNe, none more so than the even more pompous and even older and fartier Mil Aviation regulars love to do this stuff...
Oooh!

How’s your New Year’s resolution to be better-humoured working out? :)

[oxenos]

Laarbruch 72
the RAF of the 1960s and 70s
Was Laarbruch not an R.A.F station in the 60's and 70's?
Pot calling the pot black?

[Airbubba]

The OLIVE recce missions have several other airborne platforms including this RC-135U out of Souda Bay today:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1223x891/olive_57_e34da551e2b755e07e70898081d92cf99622cf94.jpg

[cargosales]

Of course It isn't secret, but the pompous old farts of PPruNe, none more so than the even more pompous and even older and fartier Mil Aviation regulars love to do this stuff; Hint heavily that they were privy to hush hush stuff, while really openly stating where, when and who it was that they "definitely didn't see". Just so you know they were actually there, so you can doff your cap to them. It's just a form of attention seeking really. If it was really secret, and someone was involved directly, it wouldn't be discussed here.
If you want to experience having a similar personality disorder, just hang around a bar wearing a veteran badge, occasionally touch your nose and say something like "I'd tell you but I'd have to kill you", and you too can feel like BEagle and a lot of the other old wrecks that make up the Mil (or rather the RAF of the 1960s and 70s) forum.

Totally uncalled-for personal attack on a named member. Shame on you :=

If your username is anything to go by then you too are an 'old fart' .. and it just goes to show how humourless one can become in old age. IF one does not frequent PPRuNe often enough !!

Happy whinging Mr Meldrew.

[langleybaston]

cargosales
I do so agree. Hopefully the culprit will take his admonition and indeed his medications and return in a more positive frame of mind.

NB. Take note that I am known as Captain Grumpy hereabouts, having inherited the title when the incumbent left the village. I am also the goulasch inspector for Europe, using the ten factor scheme introduced by my brother in law in 1980.

[rjtjrt]

Of course It isn't secret, but the pompous old farts of PPruNe, none more so than the even more pompous and even older and fartier Mil Aviation regulars love to do this stuff; Hint heavily that they were privy to hush hush stuff, while really openly stating where, when and who it was that they "definitely didn't see". Just so you know they were actually there, so you can doff your cap to them. It's just a form of attention seeking really. If it was really secret, and someone was involved directly, it wouldn't be discussed here.
If you want to experience having a similar personality disorder, just hang around a bar wearing a veteran badge, occasionally touch your nose and say something like "I'd tell you but I'd have to kill you", and you too can feel like BEagle and a lot of the other old wrecks that make up the Mil (or rather the RAF of the 1960s and 70s) forum.

I think Laarbruch has a point. Many here have had interesting military careers, but there are a few pompous ones who you wonder if they have a carefully crafted RAF moustache, and insist on being known as Squadron Leader down at the pub.

[harrryw]

This was never there either
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-COlil4tos&index=5&list=PL0zRa-5miW0brN1YJO5R8UCx5_jgCGPyJ

[SASless]

So much for the keen eyesight requirement I reckon!

Shame another certain May had such a clear view of the World.

[langleybaston]

I think Laarbruch has a point. Many here have had interesting military careers, but there are a few pompous ones who you wonder if they have a carefully crafted RAF moustache, and insist on being known as Squadron Leader down at the pub.

Bloody rude calling a Group Captain "Squadron Leader".

[cargosales]

This was never there either
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-COlil4tos&index=5&list=PL0zRa-5miW0brN1YJO5R8UCx5_jgCGPyJ

That's absolutely insane .. and absolutely brilliant :ok:

[Tengah Type]

First one I saw was at Offutt AFB in mid May 1970 at their Open Day. A "Motor Glider" arrived and flew a couple of low slow circuits. Then changed to "Rocket Ship" to depart. Totally amazing! Also first sight of a Jumbo, which seemed to be flying very slowly. Made our Victor look very small.

[Murty]

A ground party with a similar car was detached daily to RAE Bedford who had an agreement with Alconbury to be their 'COB' or' Combined Operating Base' but I didn't say that 'cos in never happened.
Come to think of it, didn't the first U2 to land in the UK land at Bedford?

Being stationed at RAE Bedford (NATS provided the ATC for the MoD) from 1987-1991, the ground party and high speed car only ever came on base once when a TR-1 as they were known then did divert in and stayed overnight.
In fact what occurred during the training flights often having 2-3 in the circuit at a time ,was the 5.0-litre Mustangs chase cars would sit in a layby on the road between RAF Alconbury and RAE Bedford listen to ATC frequency as they only did go arounds so never needed the cars for the final talkdown.

Bedford was earmarked at one point as being a master diversion for Alconbury for crosswind diversion,and this was to entail the resurfacing of our cross runway 24/06 (although all training was carried out on 27/09)by the United States government as our runways were made up by concrete blocks.
As part of this task we had to provide the USAF our traffic movements at the base with a years worth of statistics for both runways,but nothing came of it.

[ricardian]

Betty Windsor signed the Official Secrets Bill thus transforming it into the Official Secrets Act whereas we mere mortals just signed a piece of paper certifying that we had read & understood the penalties specified in the Act for disclosing classified information to unauthorised bodies

[chevvron]

Being stationed at RAE Bedford (NATS provided the ATC for the MoD) from 1987-1991, the ground party and high speed car only ever came on base once when a TR-1 as they were known then did divert in and stayed overnight.
In fact what occurred during the training flights often having 2-3 in the circuit at a time ,was the 5.0-litre Mustangs chase cars would sit in a layby on the road between RAF Alconbury and RAE Bedford listen to ATC frequency as they only did go arounds so never needed the cars for the final talkdown.
.
Sorry got the wrong impression; the chase car was operating on the runway at Bedford one day when I visited and from what one of the Bedford controllers (AM) told me that day I thought it was a daily occurence.
Course it did mean when a TR1 landed at Farnborough for the airshow, I was the only one who wasn't surprised when the chase car entered the runway behind it; everyone else was panicking asking what he was doing!

[zetec2]

Just reading Aeroplane, Feb 2019 issue on the RAF's use of the U2, seems one flew Edwards to St Mawgan on 17 April 1969 (or perhaps it didn't if no one saw it ?) and they operated out of Kinloss in October 1969 (or again perhaps they didn't if no one saw them) any recollections from any one and pictures ????. They mention the St Mawgan aircraft ?? was due to fly during a Taceval on the 18 April 69 but was damaged by a fork lift truck and didn't participate, any info ?.

[zetec2]

As well as operating out of St Mawgan in October 1971 and Wattisham a year later using a U-2R, all using RAF pilots,

[oxenos]

As well as operating out of St Mawgan in October 1971 and Wattisham a year later using a U-2R, all using RAF pilots,

Why did Zetec stop in mid sentence? Did a black car just arrive at his house? Hang on, some one is at my front door.

[SASless]

How about that "unknown" helicopter that fetched up in ol' Bin Liiner's back garden just before he went to receive those virginal kisses?

Pretty neat False Information Plan by the SEAL's to place the wreckage there for the Pakistani's to flog to the highest bidder I reckon.

[Vzlet]

It's likely the driver didn't see it.

[Non Emmett]

I was a member of the Royal Observer Corps on the St. Columb Post which was the nearest ROC unit to RAF St. Mawgan.. On April 17th, 1969 my Chief Observer saw the U-2 on approach to St. Mawgan. Later the same day a C-141 Starlifter also arrived ostensibly with hydraulic failure!. For anyone interested in military aviation St. Mawgan was often able to get some interesting movements and these days it is all to easy to forget that we still have an air force.

[wub]

As well as operating out of St Mawgan in October 1971 and Wattisham a year later using a U-2R, all using RAF pilots,

I was at St Mawgan then, working in the tower and didn’t see the U2.

[Tashengurt]

How about that "unknown" helicopter that fetched up in ol' Bin Liiner's back garden just before he went to receive those virginal kisses?

Pretty neat False Information Plan by the SEAL's to place the wreckage there for the Pakistani's to flog to the highest bidder I reckon.

Isn't the consensus now that it acted as a handy excuse for Pakistan allowing the task force to enter unmolested?

[Haraka]

Isn't the consensus now that it acted as a handy excuse for Pakistan allowing the task force to enter unmolested?

Well I never !
Don't tell me that some other observers are now finally publically concurring with me regarding my independent assessments on PPruNe over nearly eight years now that the original "Stealth Blackhawk" cover story was pretty preposterous, as was the existence of it as an operational helicopter
I am still happy to be corrected if this is not the case.
P.S.
Although it was glaringly obvious at the time, I restrained from involving in conjecture regarding " that it acted as a handy excuse for Pakistan allowing the task force to enter unmolested"

[Murty]

Sorry got the wrong impression; the chase car was operating on the runway at Bedford one day when I visited and from what one of the Bedford controllers (AM) told me that day I thought it was a daily occurence.
Course it did mean when a TR1 landed at Farnborough for the airshow, I was the only one who wasn't surprised when the chase car entered the runway behind it; everyone else was panicking asking what he was doing!

Yes I know who you mean I think more commonly (TM) I believe

[SASless]

The Blackhawk crew and along with Bin Liner rode home in a Chinook.....was it a stealth model?

The Exfil is just as...or more dangerous than the Infil due to the locals. being aware of something going on in their patch.

[CONSO]

INTERESTING- National geographic history channel has a program on Have blue- Oxcart- F117 and other non existant stuff at area 51- but so far no sign of sound and photo stage of the moon landing . . .or ET propulsion systems . ..

[Brian W May]

Bizarre negative posts are actually quite common here you know.:E

OH NO THEY'RE NOT !!

[DON T]

Nearly got killed in a car crash by the head of U2 operations in Cyprus back in 1977.

The detachment had had just been allowed to start going off the SBA and he came out to Cyprus on a visit and he, along with the detachment commander, came up to 280SU on a curtesy call as we provided their radar surveillance. The plan was to meet in the mess and go down to Kakpetria for a meze in their SUV. What we were unaware of was that they had been drinking all afternoon.

Halfway down the mountain the car left the road, rolled down a slope and ended up in a storm drain on its roof. Thankfully the water only half filled the interior and we were able to kick out the windscreen. In the car along with the two of them were me and, IIRC, HW.

Police attended, taken to hospital, lots of urgent telephone calls and both the Americans were off the island in 12 hours.

Shortly after the det had another crash off base which killed two female schoolteachers and injured two of their pilots. That left them so short they flew in another to maintain their flying schedule. He was the one who took out the ATC tower, Ops and Met office on his first take-off.

They got got barred from going base again after that.


RIP Al Henderson 7 December 1977

[chopper2004]

The Blackhawk crew and along with Bin Liner rode home in a Chinook.....was it a stealth model?

The Exfil is just as...or more dangerous than the Infil due to the locals. being aware of something going on in their patch.

Might have been lol SAS buddy oe Klingon xloaking device?

https://theaviationist.com/2011/05/18/mh-47x/

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x511/mh_47x3_70b1e4ead551e1764b2fc567d10bcb8e8966c88c.jpg

[chopper2004]

Never saw Janet on approached McCarran on the day after Heli Expo last year....
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1333/img_7237_f9712e336c9320aaa3f72047835204f1c63f5c9b.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1333/img_7239_5916ac99d105fa1255caf9d824abc922800c790b.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1333/img_7241_21000aff5f6587e37bf04fecb97a707f4f762453.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1333/img_7243_9eb2ba7ae48a662f45e5ec961ee15f3396afe1a7.jpg

[tartare]

Janet don't half do a steep turn when she's got the gear up out of McCarran.
"Holy ****e'" thought I on seeing her taking off many years ago while in Vegas - "...who's the hot-dogging 737 driver?"
Then I recognised the red stripe and lack of logos.
Destination Groom...

[chopper2004]

Janet don't half do a steep turn when she's got the gear up out of McCarran.
"Holy ****e'" thought I on seeing her taking off many years ago while in Vegas - "...who's the hot-dogging 737 driver?"
Then I recognised the red stripe and lack of logos.
Destination Groom...

Not like they are trying to lift off from say the likes of Kandahar or Bagram with MANPAD threat around the Strip??

Then again remember the Vegas shooter? Apparently he was aiming for the fuel tanks next to JANET facility at McCarran...says investigators...

https://nypost.com/2017/10/05/vegas-maniac-may-have-targeted-classified-government-run-airlines-fuel-tanks/

cheers

[Nomad2]

I sometimes land at Yekaterinburg, as Sverdlovsk is now known. This is the place where a certain Frank Powers got shot down on May 1 1960.
There is an IFR waypoint named 'DEBRI' south east of the airfield, and I wonder if this is where his U-2 ended up.
Does anyone know?
certainly seems a possibility.

[chevvron]

The Blackhawk crew and along with Bin Liner rode home in a Chinook.....was it a stealth model?

The Exfil is just as...or more dangerous than the Infil due to the locals. being aware of something going on in their patch.
There are some VERY quiet Chinooks around.
Couple of years ago, I was out in my back garden killing slugs at 4.25am when a couple of them went westbound on H3 which passes just north of my home; compared to other Chinooks (we get them frequently to/from Odiham) they were barely audible and this was only from about one mile away.

[chevvron]

Yes I know who you mean I think more commonly (TM) I believe
Yes it was he who was also 'TM' (not to be confused with 'Tee Emm' of Plt Off Prune fame)

[hoodie]

There are some VERY quiet Chinooks around.
Couple of years ago, I was out in my back garden killing slugs at 4.25am when a couple of them went westbound on H3 which passes just north of my home; compared to other Chinooks (we get them frequently to/from Odiham) they were barely audible and this was only from about one mile away.
Same Chinooks - just different atmospheric conditions on the day.

[langleybaston]

Yes. Of course.

Yes.

[NutLoose]

On the U2 there is a fascinating article in Aeroplane this month that points out there were plans for the UK to acquire them, the last one being in 89 ish when six of the recon platforms were in the offing as competition against the eventual winner the business jet Sentinal we use today.

[Fareastdriver]

Same Chinooks - just different atmospheric conditions on the day.

They had selected 'Whisper Mode'.