Did I just see 2 Ospreys going over north Beds?

[Mr Optimistic]

Is that plausible? My eyesight isn't what it was 🌝

[SpringHeeledJack]

Very, as the V22's based at Mildenhall get out and about every day it would seem.

[JAVELINBOY]

They are out and about day and late into the evenings, farthest West I saw or rather heard them was St Davids West Wales returned to Mildenhall via Cardiff around 23:00 lowish could only see the nav lights but sound they make was unmistakable. If you go here https://tar1090.adsbexchange.com/?icao=c0607d
Click the 'U' button top right on map it will delete all the civil stuff from the map leaving all the military traffic to view, the Ospreys seem to use KNIFE callsigns but their icon on screen is again unmistakable with the twin props. Quite surprising how much military activity is going on, lot of air to air refueling and AWACS activity over the North Sea daily. C17 traffic to and from Cyprus, USAF C17's to and from the States and the list just goes on with all the training and front line stuff up there.

[Mr Optimistic]

Oh thanks, that's reassuring ( my eyesight not the rest). Anyone know what their mission is, I rather thought they were a somewhat troublesome platform in search of a role.

[treadigraph]

Noticed there were a couple operating down around the Lulworth/Bovington area earlier today, probably them on way home to Mildenhall. Wish they'd come over this way occasionally, love to see one close up.

[Mr Optimistic]

Very distinctive sound, thought it was a single Chinook. Don't rely on me for a witness statement......

[treadigraph]

I saw a pair "hovering" along the Thames from my Croydon office about three years ago - that and a prototype in the Brandywine museum are my lot so far.

[Mr Optimistic]

They were a bit too high to be impressive. Just googled to have a better look. Strange looking thing. The engines being on the wing tip were what made me think.

[Mr Optimistic]

They are out and about day and late into the evenings, farthest West I saw or rather heard them was St Davids West Wales returned to Mildenhall via Cardiff around 23:00 lowish could only see the nav lights but sound they make was unmistakable. If you go here https://tar1090.adsbexchange.com/?icao=c0607d
Click the 'U' button top right on map it will delete all the civil stuff from the map leaving all the military traffic to view, the Ospreys seem to use KNIFE callsigns but their icon on screen is again unmistakable with the twin props. Quite surprising how much military activity is going on, lot of air to air refueling and AWACS activity over the North Sea daily. C17 traffic to and from Cyprus, USAF C17's to and from the States and the list just goes on with all the training and front line stuff up there.
Thanks. New to me 🌝

[JAVELINBOY]

As to what they are up to is anyones guess but they were operating in the Hereford area the other week. I would imagine they were up to something with our specialists in that area given their lifting and deployment capabilities.

[Wycombe]

They seem to have been calling into this heliport in North Devon fairly regularly recently.....

Osprey at Lake Heliport

[TEEEJ]

The CV-22B Ospreys were call signs Knife 71 and Knife 72. Based out of RAF Mildnehall, Suffolk.

https://www.mildenhall.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/805715/352nd-special-operations-wing/

Serial 10-0052 (Knife 71) & 12-0065 (Knife 72)

https://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-Air-Force/Bell-Boeing-CV-22B-Osprey/2738894/L

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9358144

[ATNotts]

No we can all go further afield for our daily exercise, you can see them nesting at Rutland Water!!

(I'll get my coat!).

[Asturias56]

I saw a pair "hovering" along the Thames from my Croydon office about three years ago - that and a prototype in the Brandywine museum are my lot so far.

I remember that - I was in St James at the time - looked like they popped up around the Houses of Parliament - it was either a sales pitch or they were practicing to take over the
UK Govt..............................

[SpringHeeledJack]

Most likely part of Trump's visit to the UK ?

[treadigraph]

They were regulars along the the Thames heli-lane for a while - noticed them on ADSB several times. Not seen them since. Navex-cum-jolly would be my guess.

[Asturias56]

Most likely part of Trump's visit to the UK ?


No he wasn't around at the time or for some time after - it looked like a demonstration flight to me

[SpringHeeledJack]

Fair enough! Both times Trump was here, there were many sorties in and around London, before, during and after, but no doubt these were the POTUS V22's along with the other Helicopters (UH-1, CH-47 etc).

[zetec2]

Yes we had them over Bicester shortly before they got to you, stopped quite a few people who gazed skywards.

[barry lloyd]

Two of them passed over my place about an hour ago. I live near the border of Northants and Cambridgeshire. They regularly fly over at all times of the day and night. These two were only flying at 2500 feet. The heights vary between 2500 and 10000 feet. Timings vary between 1000 and 0200.

[treadigraph]

There's a pair heading from Portland toward Northampton right now - just abeam Towcester.