RAF Hercules beach Landing -Training
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RAF Hercules beach Landing -Training
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007130845,00.html
THIS is a sight to put the wind up sunbathers — a giant RAF Hercules landing on a sandy holiday beach.
Pilots are honing their skills for conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan deserts at a cordoned off stretch of Saunton Sands, Devon.
The beach is popular with holidaymakers and locals alike and the spectacle of the massive military planes landing provides an eye-catching scene for guests at the four star Saunton Sands Hotel.
The pictures were grabbed by former RAF officer Mark Fowler, 41, who was given special permission to take them.
He said: “The Hercules doesn’t need a great deal of runway to land and take off from.”
THIS is a sight to put the wind up sunbathers — a giant RAF Hercules landing on a sandy holiday beach.
Pilots are honing their skills for conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan deserts at a cordoned off stretch of Saunton Sands, Devon.
The beach is popular with holidaymakers and locals alike and the spectacle of the massive military planes landing provides an eye-catching scene for guests at the four star Saunton Sands Hotel.
The pictures were grabbed by former RAF officer Mark Fowler, 41, who was given special permission to take them.
He said: “The Hercules doesn’t need a great deal of runway to land and take off from.”
Are you sure it is practising for sunnier climes, or maybe, the overworked herc guys have managed to get a couple of hours off duty and have gone to the beach to relax.
They would have gone for a pizza, but didn't have a helicopter or a police car
They would have gone for a pizza, but didn't have a helicopter or a police car
Just imagine the salt water corrosion. The landing gear will need a good hosing down after the crew smooth on the Ambre Soleil and finish their ice lollies!
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During the winter most of the strips used for training are too waterlogged for use, so the beaches are used. There's no particular significance in the sand. And yes, the aircraft need a good wash down afterwards!
I do remember in the seventies, while on exercise with the boys from Hereford, being asked by them if we would consider landing on a frozen Norwegian lake. In the absence of any information regarding minimum ice depth required and the thickness of the ice on the lake we referred them to those higher up the command chain!
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The pictures were grabbed by former RAF officer Mark Fowler, 41, who was given special permission to take them.
Below the Glidepath - not correcting
At least some military standards are being maintained...
...thank heavens it wasn't a B&B.
for guests at the four star Saunton Sands Hotel.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Just imagine the salt water corrosion. The landing gear will need a good hosing down after the crew smooth on the Ambre Soleil and finish their ice lollies!
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It's probably all part of Gordon "The Thief" Brown's plan to offset the defence budget - they're replacing the beach donkeys for trips up and down the bay.
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THIS is a sight to put the wind up sunbathers — a giant RAF Hercules landing on a sandy holiday beach.
Would they be less 'upwinded' if it was a normal sized Hercules?
He said: “The Hercules doesn’t need a great deal of runway to land and take off from.”
Or indeed any runway...just a decent CBR ( California Bearing Ratio before anybody asks )
Dontcha love the Currant Bun...
Would they be less 'upwinded' if it was a normal sized Hercules?
He said: “The Hercules doesn’t need a great deal of runway to land and take off from.”
Or indeed any runway...just a decent CBR ( California Bearing Ratio before anybody asks )
Dontcha love the Currant Bun...
Former RAF Officer Mark Fowler... a.k.a Foul Marker after a nocturnal micturation incident during the "rest and recuperation" of some ex-hostages at a secret military airbase in Wiltshire. I'd wondered what happened to him after some fairly dark allegations were leveled several years back...
Back on thread, landing Albert on sand. Hours of endless fun as I recall from my days at Rompers Green (East) in '91. We even had ice cream (beautifully organised by MCSU) but we never managed to get the donkey rides we were promised.
Back on thread, landing Albert on sand. Hours of endless fun as I recall from my days at Rompers Green (East) in '91. We even had ice cream (beautifully organised by MCSU) but we never managed to get the donkey rides we were promised.
Champagne anyone...?
Beach landings are a bit old hat nowadays. Pretty much the only landings we do it seems. Strangely the tide seems to be a long way out though - usually about 450 miles......
