Hairy Flypasts

[BEagle]

It should have been 9, but the last element had been delayed in KKIA. So 5 of us left Palermo at regular intervals; a bit of chat between us generated a join up plan for the first 4; we were No.4. I tried to get out of CAS as soon as possible, but Butty cocked up the RT and we didn't descend until later. Then the ever-helfpul ATC at a certain aerodrome near Wallingford wouldn't let us fly through Abingdon due to some Corgi-carrier inbound to their aerodrome, so we scooted over at 1000 ft to catch the others who were lurking over the Cotswolds. I was allocated the No.4 slot; lead was down to almost minimum fuel, so we quickly formed up then came over the Covert Oxonian Aerodrome in box. Change to 2 pairs in trail, then a VRIAB and stream landing. As we cleared, the 5th Palermo jet which had been pedal-to-the-metal all the way came round Cartoontown low and fast and broke overhead the Guiness tanker, to join us for a 5-ship taxi in shortly afterwards.... The others made it back later the same afternoon.

The Guiness tanker was organised by 'Snake', of course. His conversation with the Staish re. S*mpo's homecoming plan was epic:

"You say he's planning a 6-aircraft formation arrival?"

"Only if he can't arrange all 9, sir."

"But that's outrageous. He can't do that. Only the Stn Cdr can authorise such large formations!"

"I think you'll find that he authorised it when he was Stn Cdr Riyadh, actually sir....."

"What! He....err...errr...well, what else has been planned?"

"Well, there's Freddie-the-fox from Fox FM, Central TV South, BBC TV......oh, and we've negotiated a novel follow-me vehicle. A Guiness tanker"

"Oh good grief..... And I thought I had a career......!"

[JagRigger]

And now breakfast TV is flapping about the low flying Harrier/pongo 'playing chicken' that's been around for months.

My favourite? - certain ex exchange pilots going for a roller behind the flight line at Colt on their last trip

[on21]

Just read this article on the BBC website. Why does everybody complain these days? Is nobody entitled to a laugh these days?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6042912.stm

The most heinous video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taUwG2tdGfc

[microlight AV8R]

Much ado 'bout nowt !

Who's the di*khead that complained ? Don't they understand how we deploy our secret weapon (humour) when operating in adverse environments.

Looking forward to the alternative flying egg whisk episode.

[Gainesy]

From that Beeb report:

Two RAF squadrons equipped with Harriers are currently serving in Afghanistan.

So, we're down to four aircraft per Squadron.
BBC Knobbers or MoD spin?

[dakkg651]

Not a hairy flypast as such but quite a smooth well executed one by all accounts. At least the few surprised spectators at Blackbushe thought so when the B52 crew mistook it for Farnborough a few years ago.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but hadn't they flown all the way across the pond to be there? Not the first time this had happened either I believe!

[Not_a_boffin]

Originally Posted by Gainesy

From that Beeb report:

So, we're down to four aircraft per Squadron.
BBC Knobbers or MoD spin?

BBC kn*bbers & MoD incompetents - 800NAS are a Royal Naval Air Squadron.

[Archimedes]

It is not known whether the Harrier had just taken off from its base or whether it was deliberately flying low over the soldiers.

Apart from being months old, the Beeb doesn't even know the context. So it could have been that the soldier and his mate with the camera knew that a low-flying GR7 would materialise over that spot and stood under it to film it? Where is the story in that, then?

Remind me how much it is we're supposed to accept the tax, I mean licence fee, going up by to be treated to such rubbish?

[airborne_artist]

If you listen to the track it's clear they were expecting it and were there for the crack. As Archimedes say, it's been there since May, so it's vieux chapeau.

The BBC really should get out of White City more. They are a bunch of metrosexual (at best) jessies who clearly have too much time to spend chossing hair-care products.

[Gainesy]

They are a bunch of metrosexual (at best) jessies

Not all of them, some of the wimmin have very sturdy shoes.
Point is, it gives Joe Pubic the impression that there are two whole sqns of Harriers in theatre, ipso facto no CAS shortfall (scuse the pun).
Enough threadjack. Who has the Cranwell beat up vid? C'mon it was ages ago.

[WHBM]

Only seen from the ground.

Lord Mayor's Show, London, I am guessing about 1990. Formation of four Sea Kings were to build overhead London City one Saturday lunchtime, and presumably head towards Central London from there.

Absolutely sheeting with rain, low cloud, all that (it would be unkind to say "typical Duxford display weather....."), nevertheless they came in to have a shot. From our house about 1 mile north of LCY tremendous noise and little glimpses of the holding aircraft in between the clouds scudding across the sky. Cannot possibly have been VMC for them. This went on for about 10 minutes.

Eventually it was called off. Anyone here on board ? Looked like the sort of event you wouldn't forget.

[Tombstone]

I've just seen Sky News showing the clip of a GR7 flying over/past a guy standing at the perimeter fence at a secret base, somewhere hot & sandy.

Good to see the MoD stating that it was 'just a few guys letting off steam & no big deal'. Happy with that however, they did go on to say that they would have a word with the pilot!

Step up onto the mantle bona mate & take youy fifteen minutes of fame!

[WhiteOvies]

I'm sure the BOI convened about this event will come to the correct conclusion!!

[London Mil]

But from Joe Public's perspective, this may not exactly be a glowing example of the RAF's professionalism. Hardly having a chance to forget that poor old Tommy is suffering because the RAF are "Utterly, utterly...." and the next thing they see is the RAF larking around with a bit of unnecessary low flying.

Top Tip - don't post your saucy/sexy/dangerous/incriminating videos on an open source, Internet, website.

[AT Mov]

low GR7

Looking at the video, it is departing south and having travelled that road a few times, is about 200-250 yds from the end of the runway.

I think he is 'allowing the speed to build' before going en-route though!

[Gainesy]

Looks like a tac departure over some blokes standing off the end of the runway rather than a beat up

[the_flying_cop]

what can be more professional than a chap in his machine having complete and utter faith in it's and his abilities to operate it on the edge of its envelope.


i know all the touchy nicey feely sorts will be saying that grass was singed and some natterjack toads have had their rights to privacy breached....

but after all, its a spectacle and a true sign of the quality of our aviators. in the right place and the right time, there is nothing more breathtaking and stimulating that a low level beat up.

carry on chaps, we love it.

TFC

[GPMG]

Quite the opposite in my view, that is some of the best advertising and it's all for free.

How many 8-16 yr olds are going to see that and say "wow, thats really cool. i want to be just like that".

And Joe public are going to see a aeroplane going very fast and very low.....isnt that what Joe public thinks the RAF is meant to do?

I reckon that the RAF is missing out on a great PR opportunity here, set up air strikes and low flying fly bys with professional video being taken in Afganistan. Then flood You tube with it. Kids will love it, parents will be grabbed and told "hey Dad...watch this....cool" and the 'medja darling' will show those magnificent men in their flying machines going up diddly up up.

[whiz]

Originally Posted by Gainesy

Looks like a tac departure over some blokes standing off the end of the runway rather than a beat up

Methinks you are cock on Gainesy ... Carry on !

[Rigex]

low departure

I still like this one, almost certainly the nice TV chappie didn't expect it!


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