the best/most amazing flyby (official or otherwise)?
OHB!!!
As a teenager when duxford still did gliding, we were laying the winch cable when Ormand Haydon-Baillie took off in his 'black knight' T33. I can vividly remember the black flash and the noise as he came past probably at no more than 15-20ft above us with the gear up and 'going for it'. Other older puners will no doubt realise that this is no exaggeration, and might even be on the optomistic side of the estimate!!
Never did think much of OHB, I have to say... Rather a poseur.
At the Honington Air Show one year, the departing Vulcan flew a tight visual circuit, then flew up the southern taxiway at 350KIAS+ and 50 ft rad alt. It then went across the ASP and between the ATC tower and 12 Sqn's hangar at the same height before pulling up into a wingover at 110 deg AoB as it turned on course for Scampton.
That was on 17 Jun 1978 and the a/c was XL319.
...and boy, did we ever get in the **** for that!
At the Honington Air Show one year, the departing Vulcan flew a tight visual circuit, then flew up the southern taxiway at 350KIAS+ and 50 ft rad alt. It then went across the ASP and between the ATC tower and 12 Sqn's hangar at the same height before pulling up into a wingover at 110 deg AoB as it turned on course for Scampton.
That was on 17 Jun 1978 and the a/c was XL319.
...and boy, did we ever get in the **** for that!
I'matightbastard
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When I was at University in...1979 or 1980 
I saw a Vulcan do a low pass over London. This was IC, so it'd be somewhere near South Kensington.
What a Beautiful sight as it pulled into a knife edge turn and displayed its magnificant shape.
I also saw a low flypast of a Cessna 411 at a drop zone once. One guy whipped out his camera and started shooting ...until he realised that the prop disk extended a long way under the wing. He hit the deck - which probably saved his life
I saw a Vulcan do a low pass over London. This was IC, so it'd be somewhere near South Kensington.What a Beautiful sight as it pulled into a knife edge turn and displayed its magnificant shape.
I also saw a low flypast of a Cessna 411 at a drop zone once. One guy whipped out his camera and started shooting ...until he realised that the prop disk extended a long way under the wing. He hit the deck - which probably saved his life
After Tex Johnston barrel rolled the prototype 707 over the race meeting sponsored by Boeing, the Boeing President sped back to Boeing Field to interview the crew. When he complained to one of the flight test engineers that it was a stupid thing to do, the engineer replied: "You should have seen us practising over Puget Sound!"
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a long time ago i saw a picture of haydon-baillie doing a low flight over a family having a picnic. does anyone have an idea if that picture is on the web as i would love to see it again.
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As a kid, used to holiday in Devon--mid 60's--went to the Plymouth Air show one year----enter one Lightning at the end of his display---got lower, and lower and faster and faster---and we all felt the wave as he went past the crowd --magic ! 
As an apprentice, "enjoying" the delights of Mid Wales and little place called Llangurig----stood listening to a "very self important" P/O one day who was blissfully unaware of the F-4 approaching behind him--watched the speed increase--and the height decrease----and the beast got VERY low as he went over the camp sight--to put it mildly--the expression on said P/Os face however could be best described as "gobsmacked" !
By a quirk of fate, had the pleasure of a reprise about 2 years later--this time as a pax in the back seat of a Gnat---flown an individual whose pre-flight brief was "do you want to have some fun then ? "--and he / we did !.
An ex Hunter guy as I recall.
As an apprentice, "enjoying" the delights of Mid Wales and little place called Llangurig----stood listening to a "very self important" P/O one day who was blissfully unaware of the F-4 approaching behind him--watched the speed increase--and the height decrease----and the beast got VERY low as he went over the camp sight--to put it mildly--the expression on said P/Os face however could be best described as "gobsmacked" !
By a quirk of fate, had the pleasure of a reprise about 2 years later--this time as a pax in the back seat of a Gnat---flown an individual whose pre-flight brief was "do you want to have some fun then ? "--and he / we did !.
An ex Hunter guy as I recall.
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Bets I ever saw was a Heinkel 111 with one prop feathered or windmilling slowly and lots of rich mixture smoke coming from the other engine as it streaked (or seemingly so to this wide eyed 8 year old) at 200 feet past my old Uncle Alf's Royal Observer Corps post at Cranbrook in Kent in 1940. The old boy had a crack at it with his Lee-Enfield but no luck of course. Big black crosses and a swastika on the tail. Unforgettable fly past!
CamelPilot
I had lunch there today and I'm sorry to say that it is no longer there. It must have 'disappeared' during the refurbishment.
Airclues
There is a picture of 'RM's' flyby in the bar at White Waltham to this day
Airclues
I'll provide the electronic version instead:
(Source)
Acklington, mid 60's, typical NE weather, probably 200 ft. ceiling, B of B day I think.
Announcer pointing us to the right hand side of the field awaiting the Vulcan, it appeared out of the clag with everything hanging down, gear, flaps....REALLY slow. At mid-field he powered up all 5 engines, tucked the gear and flaps up and rotated vertically back into the clag......incredible.
(it was the test bed with the Olympus strapped underneath).
Fantastic!!!
Announcer pointing us to the right hand side of the field awaiting the Vulcan, it appeared out of the clag with everything hanging down, gear, flaps....REALLY slow. At mid-field he powered up all 5 engines, tucked the gear and flaps up and rotated vertically back into the clag......incredible.
(it was the test bed with the Olympus strapped underneath).
Fantastic!!!
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A very long time ago, not really flybys, but I was at a school about a mile or so from the end of the runway at Exeter.
Mornings were always difficult for the staff, as the first lesson was invariably drowned out by the sound ( growl) of 2 pairs of Merlins turning and burning as the target tug mosquitoes came out for their first sortie of the day.Not sure if it was design or what, but they never seemed to be climbing too hard, so they tended to go past rather than over the building
The other day that will not be forgotten was the first visit of Concorde many years later. The powers that be had decided to open up the airport for the many spectators, and I ended up at the western end of the runway, between the runway and the taxitrack, video camera at the ready for a sight that will never be seen again. The return from the Bay of Biscay was even better, as the wind went round while the flight was out, so they ended up doing the approach to 09. That meant I was about 100 Ft or so from the touchdown point, so had the most incredible view of the aircraft through the camera viewfinder, all the way in from about 8 miles. It then left about an hour later, did a huge circuit, a low approach and go around, and climbed accordingly to join controlled airpace at Bridport ( maybe 30 miles east) at FL240.
That video is guarded very carefully, it can never be replaced
Mornings were always difficult for the staff, as the first lesson was invariably drowned out by the sound ( growl) of 2 pairs of Merlins turning and burning as the target tug mosquitoes came out for their first sortie of the day.Not sure if it was design or what, but they never seemed to be climbing too hard, so they tended to go past rather than over the building
The other day that will not be forgotten was the first visit of Concorde many years later. The powers that be had decided to open up the airport for the many spectators, and I ended up at the western end of the runway, between the runway and the taxitrack, video camera at the ready for a sight that will never be seen again. The return from the Bay of Biscay was even better, as the wind went round while the flight was out, so they ended up doing the approach to 09. That meant I was about 100 Ft or so from the touchdown point, so had the most incredible view of the aircraft through the camera viewfinder, all the way in from about 8 miles. It then left about an hour later, did a huge circuit, a low approach and go around, and climbed accordingly to join controlled airpace at Bridport ( maybe 30 miles east) at FL240.
That video is guarded very carefully, it can never be replaced
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Best Flyby
1) ME - Flying in a J3-Cub, 150 feet past the club house, took 0.6 logged it as a cross crountry!!!
2) Air Zim 1993, 707 nearly scraped the deck! See the link..
http://www.aviationpics.de/airshow/airshow.htm
2) Air Zim 1993, 707 nearly scraped the deck! See the link..
http://www.aviationpics.de/airshow/airshow.htm
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Flybys of note for me were:
1. As a 12 year old at Khormaksar, Aden. An airtest of an Aden Airways DC3. I had no idea of the names of the manoeuvres back then but can recall being very impressed especially as the last few moves were done a v low level with one engine out and prop feathered.
2. Same era, same place: Shack at low level screaming over the beach at Tarshyne and kicking up the sand before beating up a Navy ship a mile or so offshore. Rumour was that it took out a radio mast on the ship.
3. Keeping to the VC10 theme. I took a photo of a VC10 looking down from the tower (unknown pilot) as it went between the tower and a hangar at what was then called Salisbury, Rhodesia. This during the airlift of the peacekeeping force. MAC mates were v impressed.
4. For real nostalgia, 8/8/88: six Shacks from 8 Sqn at Lossie.
5. Not really a flyby but nice: flying an LS3 glider out of Innsbruck in mid early 90s and having an F4U in Marine colours join up with me very briefly. Apparently belonged to the airport manager. Nice
1. As a 12 year old at Khormaksar, Aden. An airtest of an Aden Airways DC3. I had no idea of the names of the manoeuvres back then but can recall being very impressed especially as the last few moves were done a v low level with one engine out and prop feathered.
2. Same era, same place: Shack at low level screaming over the beach at Tarshyne and kicking up the sand before beating up a Navy ship a mile or so offshore. Rumour was that it took out a radio mast on the ship.
3. Keeping to the VC10 theme. I took a photo of a VC10 looking down from the tower (unknown pilot) as it went between the tower and a hangar at what was then called Salisbury, Rhodesia. This during the airlift of the peacekeeping force. MAC mates were v impressed.
4. For real nostalgia, 8/8/88: six Shacks from 8 Sqn at Lossie.
5. Not really a flyby but nice: flying an LS3 glider out of Innsbruck in mid early 90s and having an F4U in Marine colours join up with me very briefly. Apparently belonged to the airport manager. Nice
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I was working for an oil field service company in Eastern New Mexico many years ago. The rig/casing crew was prepairing to run surface casing and had cross-threaded the shoe on the first joint. So there's about 5-6 guys on hands and knees around the hole wrestling with the casing and shoe, and I'm standing at the back of the rig near the motors out of the way with hands in pockets. Just happen to glance out to the West, and on the horizon, see a smoke trail headed our way. At about 3 miles, I make it out as an F-111, presumably from Cannon AFB, making straight for the crow's nest at very high speed. I started to holler at the guys to watch, but some devil on my left shoulder quieted me.
The F-111 passed about 100' right over the rig followed by a hellish wave of sound a split second later. Everyone on the rig floor had departed at high speed over the rail, which was quite dangerous as it was about an 8' drop to the ground below, and the poor hand in the crow's nest was half-way out on the zip line before he realised the well wasn't erupting. I was doubled over laughing at the whole specticle, then quickly deduced from the looks I received that it would be best to sit in my truck for a couple hours till the grin wore off...
The F-111 passed about 100' right over the rig followed by a hellish wave of sound a split second later. Everyone on the rig floor had departed at high speed over the rail, which was quite dangerous as it was about an 8' drop to the ground below, and the poor hand in the crow's nest was half-way out on the zip line before he realised the well wasn't erupting. I was doubled over laughing at the whole specticle, then quickly deduced from the looks I received that it would be best to sit in my truck for a couple hours till the grin wore off...
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Here is a good picture I have found.
Date: Unknown
Location: Unknown
Event: Unknown
Aircraft: Something Russian
Photographer: Unknown
Alot of information to process.....
Though the only thing I have noticed is the rear cargo ramp is down so mybe it is making a drop, still it looks good though.
719
Date: Unknown
Location: Unknown
Event: Unknown
Aircraft: Something Russian
Photographer: Unknown
Alot of information to process.....
Though the only thing I have noticed is the rear cargo ramp is down so mybe it is making a drop, still it looks good though.
719
Just found this on Airliners.net:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/792090/L/
I found it when I was searching for this one:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/220689/L/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/792090/L/
I found it when I was searching for this one:
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/220689/L/
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Well known picture of a Phantom at transonic speed low level.
http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/~cf...ges/shock8.jpg
http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/~cf...ges/shock8.jpg
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Camel Driver & Dan Winterland.
Returning to the VC10 at White Waltham.
I will be in the bar at WW this evening so will make enquiries about the photo - it is probably just 'out back' in the storeroom.
Yes I remember the flypast - I was on board !! We expected the Captain to do a 'touch and go' - he only told us later that the wheels were not down!
'VM was based at Prestwick for training. That morning it filed a flight plan to WW - most strange! After enquiries a few of us managed to 'blag' a ride. We flew airways to DTY, then VFR to the Woodley area (via a cricket match that one of the crew knew was going on).
Then a flight up the 'free lane' - which existed in those days. A flypast, back out the free lane - rejoin at DTY. Then it was 'Dutch Rolls' in airways on the way back !! All the pax looked a little green after that. We bounced around the cabin as there were only a few seats.
The rest of the cabin being empty - ever played football in an aircraft at FL280 ??
That evening watched Prince Charles declaring the airshow open - and before he could finish- he was drowned out by 'VM..
Excellent..
Returning to the VC10 at White Waltham.
I will be in the bar at WW this evening so will make enquiries about the photo - it is probably just 'out back' in the storeroom.
Yes I remember the flypast - I was on board !! We expected the Captain to do a 'touch and go' - he only told us later that the wheels were not down!
'VM was based at Prestwick for training. That morning it filed a flight plan to WW - most strange! After enquiries a few of us managed to 'blag' a ride. We flew airways to DTY, then VFR to the Woodley area (via a cricket match that one of the crew knew was going on).
Then a flight up the 'free lane' - which existed in those days. A flypast, back out the free lane - rejoin at DTY. Then it was 'Dutch Rolls' in airways on the way back !! All the pax looked a little green after that. We bounced around the cabin as there were only a few seats.
The rest of the cabin being empty - ever played football in an aircraft at FL280 ??
That evening watched Prince Charles declaring the airshow open - and before he could finish- he was drowned out by 'VM..
Excellent..
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Summer 1969? South of Duxford. The ground started moving, ran outside, to best of my memory over head I saw: 1 full squadron of Spit’s, 1 full squadron of Me109’s, 2 Hurricanes, and bright red B25, all in loose formation. A truly stunning sight.
Later chatting with a friend, he described walking home after an all night party along the Embankment early one Sunday morning that same summer, when he saw a He111 flying at low level along the Thames, being chased by a Spitfire, the He111 streaming smoke. He simply stood there in shocked disbelief, fearing in his drunken haze he had somehow traveled back in time!
Regards,
W.B.
Later chatting with a friend, he described walking home after an all night party along the Embankment early one Sunday morning that same summer, when he saw a He111 flying at low level along the Thames, being chased by a Spitfire, the He111 streaming smoke. He simply stood there in shocked disbelief, fearing in his drunken haze he had somehow traveled back in time!
Regards,
W.B.
I am a figment of my own imagination
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Great thread.
Some which spring to mind; gogling just off a Kilifi beach, head down watching fish when I hear an approaching 'motor boat' rapidly and apparently straight for me. I decide to heads up before I am raked over by an outboard. My heads up was underneath a dirt streaked grey fuselage where I narrowly missed being spitted on an arial. On turning still fighting incipient heart stoppage I saw an EAA F27 blowing two streams of spray enroute from Mombasa to Malindi.
Another which I am still not sure I saw, but think I did and impressed me no end was at RNAS Daedelus when a Buc with a buddy pack drougue and a Vixen plugged in came over low executing a low roll, could have been t'other way round but I was to busy being excited.
An early indelible moment was my first Farnborough in the early 50's with my dad walking along by the runway when he starts to go bananas, look round and see the sky being blotted out by a Vulcan slow rolling on take off.
There have been so many over the years one could go on and on, however the thrill adrenaline and sheer magic of moments like these has to be some of aviation, and life's, more blissful moments.
Some which spring to mind; gogling just off a Kilifi beach, head down watching fish when I hear an approaching 'motor boat' rapidly and apparently straight for me. I decide to heads up before I am raked over by an outboard. My heads up was underneath a dirt streaked grey fuselage where I narrowly missed being spitted on an arial. On turning still fighting incipient heart stoppage I saw an EAA F27 blowing two streams of spray enroute from Mombasa to Malindi.
Another which I am still not sure I saw, but think I did and impressed me no end was at RNAS Daedelus when a Buc with a buddy pack drougue and a Vixen plugged in came over low executing a low roll, could have been t'other way round but I was to busy being excited.
An early indelible moment was my first Farnborough in the early 50's with my dad walking along by the runway when he starts to go bananas, look round and see the sky being blotted out by a Vulcan slow rolling on take off.
There have been so many over the years one could go on and on, however the thrill adrenaline and sheer magic of moments like these has to be some of aviation, and life's, more blissful moments.
